Head coach Andy Reid said on Friday that the Eagles were "continuing to look at the free agent market and trying to better ourselves at all positions if possible."

Apparently, he wasn't kidding.

The Eagles addressed the maligned linebacker corps and the No. 3 quarterback position on Monday night as they traded veteran defensive tackle Darwin Walker and a conditional draft pick in 2008 to the Buffalo Bills for two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes and veteran quarterback Kelly Holcomb.

LB Takeo Spikes

"Takeo Spikes is a proven playmaker in the National Football League," said general manager Tom Heckert in a statement. "He has the ability to play all three linebacking positions and we're happy to add him to our defense. Likewise, Kelly Holcomb is also a proven veteran who will add depth behind Donovan McNabb and A.J. Feeley."

The Eagles had a lot of questions at linebacker when the season ended. What is the future for Omar Gaither who was being groomed as the future middle linebacker, but played well on the weakside in 2006? Could the Eagles count on Chris Gocong who missed his entire rookie season with a stinger injury?

The addition of the former first-round draft pick gives the Eagles a new set of options for defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to explore. Spikes went to the Pro Bowl after the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In 2004, Spikes had his best season - 111 tackles, five interceptions and three sacks. The 6-2, 242-pound Spikes suffered an Achilles tear in 2005, but the Eagles could not ignore what he's done since the Bengals selected him 13th overall out of Auburn in 1998. He has registered 26 "disruptive plays" - 14 forced fumbles and 12 interceptions - and has scored four touchdowns in his career.

The Eagles' acquisition of Holcomb gives the team arguably the most talented and deep quarterback contingent in the NFL. The 33-year-old was the backup to J.P. Losman last season, but had plenty of experience during a four-year stint in Cleveland. He started 12 games as a Brown and threw for 3,438 yards and 26 touchdowns.

The Eagles will enter the post-draft mini-camps with five-time Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb, recently-extended A.J. Feeley, Jeff Mroz and Holcomb on the roster at the quarterback position.

Holcomb entered the league as a rookie free agent with Tampa Bay in 1995 after finishing his college career as Middle Tennessee State's all-time leader in completions, attempts and passing yards.

The loss of Walker will be eased by the addition of defensive tackle Montae Reagor, who signed a three-year deal last Wednesday. A pass-rush specialist, Walker had 26.5 sacks since 2002 which ranked fifth among all defensive tackles. He had been with the Eagles since 2000 after he claimed off waivers from Arizona.