VIDEO Linebacker Takeo Spikes is expecting an easy transition into the 2011 season, especially from the perspective of being physically in shape. The fourteen year veteran, known for his aggressiveness and thick neck, feels that the training doesn’t change and he’s been doing it since coming into this game on day one.
Freshly signed to San Diego on Tuesday as part of the free agency frenzy recently created by the lockout’s end, Takeo is getting reunited with defensive coordinator Greg Manusky who coached Spikes in San Francisco. Ready to provide strong leadership to the Charger’s defense Takeo said in a statement “It’s going to be great playing for Coach Manusky again. One of the intangibles that I bring is my leadership. Even though everybody is from different places across America, to me I feel like the great ones bring everybody together and believe in the same common goal, and that’s to win a championship. That’s why I’m in San Diego.”
The mental aspects of a transition were of more concern to Takeo before signing citing the lack of a playbook this late in the preseason. This could be one reason he chose to shift back to Manusky’s defense even though he was also pursued by the Titans, Rams and Seahawks. Or it could be the obvious desire of San Diego to bring Takeo to the team as evidenced by their call at 7:00 am on Tuesday, the first minute league rules allowed teams to speak with free agents.
Regardless of the reasons, San Diego is happy to have Takeo’s hard hitting character in the center of its defense. San Diego Head Coach Norv Turner said in a statement “I think defensively you want to be as strong as you can be down the middle, and with Spikes and then Sanders, you’ve got two strong personalities that bring a real aggressive presence to the defense.”