NFL rumors: Takeo Spikes wants to avoid training camp

Takeo Spikes still wants to play this season, but he's not eager to go through the grind of training camp to do so.

By Jon Benne@LordBenne Jun 19, 2013, 12:59pm EDT

Free agent Takeo Spikes is still looking for a new team, but the linebacker isn't in a hurry to sign a contract for the upcoming season. Spikes said that he wants to avoid training camp this year, believing his veteran experience will help him make up for lost time during an appearance on NFL AM (via Pro Football Talk).

"Do I want to be on a team at the start of training camp? Not really," Spikes said. "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."

The 36-year-old Spikes was released by the San Diego Chargers in March. Spikes hasn't seen much interest on the open market -- aside from a visit with the St. Louis Rams -- despite having 78 tackles, 0.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Chargers last season.

This wouldn't be the first time Spikes skipped out on the hot summer grind of training camp as he was released by the San Francisco 49ers and waited until mid-August to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. The linebacker went on to record 86 tackles and one sack that year.

Despite playing for four teams over the past 14 years, Spikes has never appeared in a playoff game.