Update: Niners Still Interested in Spikes

Update: 04.28.08 – The 49ers are still interested in Spikes and it appears as if the ball is in both courts. Here are some answers from McCloughan on Spikes after the draft this weekend.

• Question: Does your seventh round pick mean you won’t pursue Takeo Spikes?
  McCloughan: “No, it does not mean that. Larry Grant’s going to be really good (special) teams guy coming in, and battle for inside, outside (linebacker) back-up jobs. (He’s from) Ohio State, good defense, (he) played next to a lot of good football players that you’ll see next year come out in the draft.”
• Question about Takeo Spikes.
  McCloughan: “Probably soon, we’ll see where it’s at. Again, we’re not going to force the issue. We signed Dontarrious (Thomas), I don’t think there’s a reason to force the issue. But again, (he’s) a good football player and a good person, somebody that if we still feel fits into our scheme, from the standpoint of his age and where we drafted and sign free agency, we’ll definitely do it to make us better.”
• Question: Is the ball in his court at this point?
  McCloughan: “No, 50-50.”

Update: 03.25.08 – Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe is reporting the Patriots won’t be pursuing Spikes. Previous reports were two other teams were showing interest, the Pats and one other. So if what Reiss says is true than the chance of Spikes signing with the 49ers has increased.

03.22.08 – According to the Chronicle, the team is unconcerned about the middle linebacker’s ability to recover from shoulder surgery and the 49ers believe he’d be ready by training camp. When Spikes did visit, the parameters of a deal were discussed and Spikes believes he might get a richer contract elsewhere.

Two teams have shown interest and one of them is New England. If no team steps up with a better offer, Spikes would likely sign with San Francisco and be the team’s “ted” linebacker next season.

03.12.08 — Spikes did visit with the 49ers as we all already know. He left 49ers facilities around 4:00pm this afternoon. Reports are he’ll most likely be wined and dined this evening. Spikes has no other visits scheduled after San Francisco. This was his first and only visit as a free agent. I expect an announcement that he has signed sometime on Friday. 

Update: 02:19pm — Free-agent linebacker Takeo Spikes has arrived at the 49ers’ team offices in Santa Clara. He is undoubtedly undergoing a physical. No word on if Nolan decided to take Spikes on a helicopter ride, or a nice romantic dinner for two.
 
03.12.08 — According to Adam Schefter, NFL Network. Takeo Spikes will visit with the 49ers on Thursday.

Spikes would likely move inside in San Francisco’s 3-4 scheme and compete with Dontarrious Thomas, Jeff Ulbrich, and Brandon Moore at the TED spot.

A first-round pick by Cincinnati in 1998, Spikes had at least 100 tackles in each of his five seasons with the Bengals. But it wasn’t until he went to Buffalo in 2003 that he got widespread recognition. Spikes had 144 tackles in ’03 and 111 tackles with five interceptions in ’04, making the Pro Bowl both years. Injuries slowed Spikes in 2005 and 2006. Spikes finished second on the team with 139 tackles in his only season with the Eagles. The 10-year veteran missed the final two games after having shoulder surgery in December.

Source: Rotoworld