The story of our season can be summed up as simple as this: We didn't get any breaks.

A prime example, if you go back to the Saints' game and look at how Kevin Curtis picked up the fumble in the end zone for the touchdown. Then, he picked up another fumble for a touchdown against the Bills. If that would have happened within the first couple weeks of the season, I guarantee the defensive team would have fallen on the ball for a touchback. So those are the things that we were missing earlier in the year. In order to get breaks, you have to make breaks. I think that now we've learned how to play together as a team because it was a lot of getting in-your-face. Now, everybody understands the scheme. We've all had success in the scheme. So you can't help but to look forward to next year.

I'm very proud of what we accomplished this season as a defense. I tell you what, I think at about the halfway point throughout the season, that's when you started seeing the defense starting to gel together. It happened thanks in part to the coaches. It was also the attention to detail that we put in. Guys were making sure they understood the call, and relaying the call across the board. I think that's when you started seeing big plays. Even our red zone efficiency started.

I'm very excited for next season, very excited from the standpoint of knowing that we came together in the past half of the season and won the last three games. Everybody has gotten that year up under their belt, including myself, and instead of worrying about walking ahead next year in the springtime, 'Where do I line up?' 'If they do this, then do I do that?' We know that now. Now, it's just trying to perfect you on defense.

The young guys played well and I know there will be contenders for my starting spot next season. It's just the nature of the beast. Competition brings out the best in everybody.

Everyone has talked about Donovan McNabb and what is the status for his future. I've been around long enough to understand that anything can happen; anything is possible regardless of what you have done. If it was up to me though, I would definitely keep him here because it's so hard just to find a good quarterback in this league. That's why they pay them all the money. I think he's above a good quarterback. He's above that standard. He's done so much for this team and over the course of the time throughout the year, he's gotten healthier. When he gets to that point, then that's when you see big plays, exciting plays, and stuff like that.

Learn more about Takeo at his website, TakeoSpikes51.com.