Chris Brown's blog from BB.com - well put:
"SPIKES, HOLCOMB TRADE: I have to commend the Bills on this move. They clear some salary space and help to address a need on the interior of their defensive line. Even better Walker is still under contract through the 2008 season at reasonable money ($1.3M base in 2007 and $1.4M base in 2008). Holcomb really wasn't a fit in Steve Fairchild's offense. He's a better fit for the horizontal passing attack of a west coast offense, so he should serve a purpose in Philly.
Walker is a hard-nosed defensive tackle who can penetrate. His sack totals are impressive for an interior player, although playing with two good defensive ends helped in Cole and Kearse (when healthy). I like that Walker has been durable and though he is 30-years old, he won't have to play 50 plays a game in Buffalo's rotational system, so he should be able to stay fresh. I expect him to work with Larry Tripplett at the 3-technique position and rotate through. I'm wondering if this means that John McCargo will become a full time nose tackle or one-technique and rotate with Kyle Williams. We'll have to see.
I'm hearing the conditional pick is a seventh rounder for Holcomb.
It's really tough to see Spikes leave knowing the warrior he was when healthy, but I don't think the Bills felt they could afford to wait another season to see if Spikes would return to full form. Spikes' last two games last season were pretty productive and I understand his performance in those two games is what sold the Eagles on him.
Unfortunately the odds are against NFL players who try to return from achilles injuries. Sure everyone references Seattle's Julian Peterson, but he is an exception to the rule. Chicago's Mike Brown still isn't right after missing most of last season. Philadelphia's Todd Pinkston struggled in his return to form last year. Sam Cowart was never the same player. I'm never one to doubt Spikes and his incredible will, but the statistics build a compelling case against him.
Still I wish him luck. He was a stand up locker room guy and very active in the community. "