The Bills Zone's Q&A With Takeo Spikes

by nbf/Michael J Thomas

The Bills Zone sat down recently with Buffalo Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes and asked him some questions. These questions came to us from members of the Zone’s fan forums.  Thanks to the guys at Takeo's official site, TakeoSpikes51.com, for helping us put this together!

Zone: Takeo, thanks for taking some time out of your busy schedule to sit down with us this afternoon and answer some questions from your fans.

Takeo Spikes: It’s my pleasure. I enjoy hearing what the fans have to say. There are some very knowledgeable football fans in Buffalo.

Mikey82: Takeo, What do you do before a game to prepare for heading onto the field?
Takeo: I like to make sure that I'm mentally in the game before stepping onto the field. I go into every game not wanting to make any mental mistakes.

Forward Lateral: Takeo, who do you try to model yourself after as a football player? When you retire which player would you most like to be compared to?
Takeo: I have respect for all the great linebackers that played before me, and I try to pattern my game as a crossbreed of all the greats. When I retire I do not have a specific player I would want to be compared to. However, I would like to be remembered as being successful in the NFL and to be compared with other players who were successful as well.

BillsRockSoMuch: Takeo, What do you think of Mike Mularkey's coaching style?
Takeo: You can describe his coaching style as smart, physical football.

Shelby: What active player in the NFL do you respect the most?
Takeo: Jerry Rice, he has done so much in the NFL.

OpIv37: Who's the toughest running back that you've ever gone against?
Takeo: Barry Sanders

Dozerdog: At the end of the 2002 season in the finale in Buffalo – did you already make up your mind to come to the Bills?
Takeo: No, at that point nothing was finalized and I was going for the best opportunity for me.

tampabay25690: How do you rate Bills fans compared to what you had in Cincinnati, and how did you feel when you played your last game for Cincinnati in Buffalo and the crowd was chanting your name?
Takeo: Thanks Don in Tampa. I like both sets of fans. They both have a lot of energy.

don137: What pieces of the puzzle are the Buffalo Bills missing to make this a playoff contender?
Takeo: All the pieces are in place, but we need to continue winning consistently.

Hemlepp53: Do you play Madden 2005, and if so on what game console?
Takeo: Yes I do on the Playstation 2.

Parttimeplayer: I have read that Ray Lewis took Ed Reed under his wing and worked with him when he first came to the team to help him get better. Is there a younger player on the Bills that you would spend some time developing?
Takeo: Two guys that I’ve been trying to mentor have been Mario Haggan & Angelo Crowell.

Mbbdard: When did you decide to start up 51ways? And how active are you with it throughout the year?
Takeo: I started 51 Ways with New York Giants linebacker, Carlos Emmons, about 3 years ago to join the fight and help support the AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and I try to do at least 3 big fundraisers a year for my foundation.

nbf: Do you or other players peruse fan sites and message boards?
Takeo: I don’t know of any others.

TheGhostofJimKelly: Do you think fans really know what they are talking about when they complain about certain players that aren't playing up to expectation or is it really the case that they "don't watch film or aren't playing in the game"?
Takeo: I don’t doubt the knowledge that most fans have. However, mostly is just the fact that they don’t watch film and also not playing.

FTG: Looking ahead to next season. The Bills obviously drafted JP Losman to be the QB of the future. If they decide the future is next season are you confident this team can make the playoffs with a young QB??
Takeo: Yes I am!

The Zone: Well I see that we all out of time for today. Thanks for taking some time out of your schedule to answer some of our questions.
Takeo: It’s been my pleasure. Sorry I couldn’t spend more time with you today and answer all of your questions, but I have been very busy this time of year. Perhaps we can do it again in the offseason.

If you want more information on Takeo Spikes, Don't forget to check out TakeoSpikes51.com