Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes remains a free agent, though he is not considering retirement. The San Diego Chargers cut Spikes back in March and he has yet to find a new home, but that does not worry him. Actually, the 36-year-old prefers it.
“Do I want to be on a team at the start of training camp? Not really,” Spikes said on NFL AM Wednesday morning, via Pro Football Talk. “After 15 years of playing in the league, they’re not making anything new up. The only thing new you have to understand is terminology, and I would like to think I’ve been around long enough to understand that.”
Believe it or not, Spikes’ stance is not uncommon. Remember that quarterback we all grew to hate because he couldn’t figure out how to retire the right way? It seemed like he hated training camp, too. Most veterans could live without it, but it’s part of the job description and they usually have no choice.
Spikes also pointed out that the Philadelphia Eagles cut him in March of 2008 and the San Francisco 49ers waited until August to sign him, so there is no need to panic just yet. Spikes played all 16 games for the Chargers in 2012 and 2011, so durability is not really an issue. He’s a veteran presence who can still contribute, so it’s unlikely he’ll be a free agent for very long.
As long as the phone rings before the regular season starts, Spikes will be a happy man.
