Free agent ILB Takeo Spikes said he wants to sign with a team after training camp starts. Like many veterans, Spikes has no desire to go through the punishment of a full camp. "Do I want to be on a team at the start of training camp? Not really," he said. "After 15 years of playing in the league, they're not making anything new up." The only known nibbles Spikes has received in the last three months is from the Rams. He could be overrating his potential market.

The Rams are spending today and Wednesday meeting with free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes. Spikes, 36, hasn't received any interest since being released from the Chargers in March. If signed, he'll likely compete with Jo-Lonn Dunbar for time at "right linebacker" in the Rams defense. Pro Football Focus graded Spikes poorly in coverage and mediocre as a run-defender last year.

Free agent ILB Takeo Spikes, 36, confirmed he has no intentions to retire. "I'm glad it happened early," Spikes said of his release, "before free agency, giving me a chance to get a fresh start. I'll sit down and get with someone who, No. 1, is a contender." Pro Football Focus graded Spikes poorly in coverage and mediocre in run defense last year. He may have to play for the minimum.

Chargers will release ILB Takeo Spikes. New GM Tom Telesco is trying to instill a youth movement in San Diego, where they previously had 16 players at age-30 or older. Spikes had a base salary of $3 million and a cap number of $3.7 million in 2013. The Chargers decided that was too much for a 36-year-old linebacker that had just 79 tackles in 16 starts last season. Spikes, who has played for five different teams in his Pro-Bowl career, has no intention of retiring. He'd still fit nicely as a locker room leader and reserve linebacker on a young team.

ILB Takeo Spikes is a potential candidate for a pay cut in 2013. The Chargers are about $8 million under the 2013 cap, which is reportedly set at $123 million. Spikes is entering the final season of a three-year deal with a base salary progressing from $2.875 million in 2012 to now $3 million in 2013. His contract, in its current form, will carry a $3.7 million cap value.

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes "believes" he'll be back with the team in 2013. Spikes, 36, has one year left on his contract at $3 million. Beat writer Kevin Acee said after the season that it was almost certain Spikes would be cut. With a new staff in town, though, Spikes could be viewed as a locker room leader. Plus, the Bolts don't have a shoo-in to replace Spikes in the lineup. 2011 second-rounder Jonas Mouton has been a bust to this point.

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes, 36, says he plans to keep playing in 2013. However, beat writer Kevin Acee believes it's almost certain that Spikes won't be back with the Chargers. He's scheduled to make $3 million in the final year of a three-year, $9 million deal. Spikes has no more guaranteed money and is expected to be released due to the team having so many other holes to fill. Pro Football Focus gave him a positive grade again in 2012, a season in which Spikes started all 16 games and registered 78 tackles.

Chargers GM A.J. Smith says ILB Takeo Spikes "isn't going anywhere." "(Spikes) will be a Charger this season," Smith said Friday. The three-year, $9 million contract Spikes signed last July was "essentially one-year guarantee," but he'll apparently be back at his scheduled 2012 salary of $2.875 million. Asked to play far too many snaps in 2011 (947), Spikes still graded out positively in Pro Football Focus' rankings.

Takeo Spikes' roster spot is believed to be up in the air this offseason. Spikes' three-year contract was "essentially a one-year guarantee," according to the Union-Trib. He's due $2.875 million in 2012 after turning 35 in December. Last year's second-rounder, Jonas Mouton, is healthy after missing his rookie season with a shoulder injury.

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday. Spikes sustained his concussion in the second half of last Thursday's loss to the Raiders. He's already been cleared. In his eight full games played this year, Spikes is averaging 7.0 tackles.