When Takeo Spikes joined the Chargers most, at best, knew a few things about him: 1. He has a big neck, 2. He's a Linebacker, 3. He was on the 49ers with Greg Manusky the previous season, 4. He's never made the playoffs in his entire career, 5. He has a GIANT neck. Now that he's been a Charger for a year you've probably formed some other opinions of him. Recently, I listed him on the potential cuts list due to his age and the small cap hit that it would take to release him. Some feel that's just, especially because he was one of Greg Manusky's guys and Manusky has been shown the door. Others feel that would be throwing the baby out with the bath water. Which, in case you didn't know, throwing out babies is a bad thing. (Hey, Takeo, that might make for a good PSA campaign)
Let's get some numbers out of the way and show what sort of stats Takeo put up for the 2011 season:
One thing that stands out in those numbers is the lack of impact plays. The sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles totals are all extremely low or nonexistent. Yet, he was involved in plenty of plays as those tackles numbers would indicate. None of that is conclusive one way or another given that in any defense different players will have different roles, including leadership roles (which is a role Spikes takes on). Still, you'd feel like there'd be a few more big plays in the mix.
Other notes on Spikes are that he suffered a concussion this season, but seemingly didn't let that his ability to play and got back on the field quickly. He was also a vocal supporter of Norv Turner when the Head Coach's job status was in question. You can either see that as him foolishly backing the status quo or taking a leadership stance for someone he believes in.