Spikes is primed for big return in ‘06

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, April 18, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Buffalo Bills
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"Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Takeo Spikes will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster."

Forget about the Six Million Dollar Man. This is Takeo Spikes' time.

After tearing his Achilles' tendon in a home contest against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, Spikes--the Buffalo Bills' All-Pro linebacker--has been itching to return to the playing field. Subsequent to the injury, Spikes was forced to the injured reserve list, never to see the light of day again in the Bills' disastrous 2005 season.

Watching Spikes slam his helmet to the turf after the injury and be carted off the field with the Bills' fans chanting his name was almost like seeing something out of "Gladiator." But it wasn't Russell Crowe playing the role of Maximus, it was Spikes.

Now, many are doubting Spikes because this injury is so difficult to return from. However, doubting Spikes will only lead to catastrophe for the 29-year-old's critics. Throughout his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and Bills, Spikes has been counted as one of the NFL's most ferocious, talented and spirited players. Prior to his injury, Spikes missed just one career game, and that was due to the death of his father in 2001. He is the essence of tough; a modern-day, slightly unheralded Ray Nitschke or Dick Butkus.

The former 13th overall pick in the 1998 draft, the Auburn product has tallied over 100 tackles in six of his seven full seasons. In 114 career games, Spikes, the consummate playmaker, has recorded 30 pass deflections, 20.5 sacks,12 interceptions and three touchdowns. In 2004, Spikes' best season, he recorded 96 total tackles and picked off five passes en route to his second straight Pro Bowl, and a No. 2 ranking for the Bills' defense, which led the team to the brink of the postseason.

At the conclusion of the 2002 season, Spikes, an unrestricted free agent, was transition tagged by the Bengals. However, at the time the Bengals were an embarrassing organization stuck in the league's gutter. The Bills offered Spikes a six-year deal worth $32 million, which he immediately signed because he saw a great deal of promise in Buffalo. The Bengals declined to match the offer, making Spikes the Bills' biggest free agent signing in their history. He was supposed to bring leadership, toughness and a winning attitude to Buffalo. He has, but the Bills haven't lived up to their end of the bargain.

Since the arrival of Spikes in Buffalo, the Bills have compiled a 20-28 record, which ranks them among the worst in the NFL over the last three seasons. Meanwhile, under head coach Marvin Lewis, the formerly basement-dwelling Bengals have recorded a more than respectable 27-21 record. Spikes left the Bengals for the Bills because he wanted a shot at a Super Bowl, but the two teams' fates have completely turned. What a cruel change of fortune for a linebacker who would trade his left arm for a championship. It's true what they say, life isn't fair.

This offseason, Spikes has been forced to observe veterans like strong safety Lawyer Milloy and defensive tackle Sam Adams be released by Buffalo in a vast organizational shakeup, while lesser-heralded players like Matt Bowen and Larry Tripplett have been brought in to replace them. Truthfully, Milloy's and Adams' production levels faded greatly with the Bills, so it was right for GM Marv Levy to cut them. Not to mention the fact that Spikes has witnessed a coaching staff, led by former head coach Mike Mularkey, leave, as well as the man who signed him, former Bills GM Tom Donahoe.

However, as Spikes' age continues to increase and the number of years he has left continue to decrease, the veteran is left to sit at his home in Atlanta and wonder where the Bills are headed. Right now it seems as though they are rebuilding, while he watches in disgust as the Bengals become one of the NFL's elite.

At the Bills' first minicamp two weekends ago, Spikes wasn't in attendance because he was continuing to rehab his injury, but he is expected to be present at training camp in July. The best thing the Bills' new coaching staff--led by head coach Dick Jauron and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell--can do is ease the veteran back in, while making sure they don't overwork or overstress his injury. The goal is to have Spikes back to form for the regular season opener on September 10, and that may very well end up happening. For Spikes' sake, let's hope so. However, for offensive players opposing the Bills on a weekly basis, let's hope not.

Although linebackers like Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots take up most of the publicity, it's Spikes who when healthy, is the NFL's finest linebacker. Nobody is more of a warrior or playmaker than the Bills' veteran.

It would be the ultimate misfortune if Spikes doesn't return to his original form. Winning, leading and dominating mean too much to him. However, if anyone can regain health after such a horrific injury, it's Spikes.

The "Great Warrior" will return to battle soon. Anyone not on his side better get out of the way. He just might be all the Bills have left to separate them from the basement, and rise to unexpected prominence.

--Connor Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com
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