For the past couple of weeks, I’ve routinely been asked about some of the veterans out of the league right now — guys like Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James — but the conversation always seems to drift toward former Bucs LB Derrick Brooks.
APBrooks was once the best weak side linebacker in the NFL.
Why isn’t he on a team? Is he washed up? That guy was a monster in Tampa, there has to be a spot for him, right? Lots of questions, folks.
On Thursday, Gary Shelton of the St. Petersburg Times write a story about Brooks and his future, which right now doesn’t look too promising in my eyes. Sure, there are reasons every aging player who seems to get old overnight ceases to be a hot commodity, but for Brooks, who is 36, it seems like the questions we all have are fairly easy to answer.
Let’s examine why Brooks is still waiting by the phone — and why no one is calling.
1. Scheme
Derrick Brooks is built to play in the Tampa 2 defense. He was one of the best weakside linebackers in the game at one point because of his ability to drop into coverage and break from the blind side of the quarterback to step in front of underneath passes.
But he doesn’t have the same explosion in his play right now, and that limits him as a weak side backer in that scheme. He doesn’t fit in the 3-4 (which cancels out about 12 teams), and he isn’t a guy who can play strong (or Sam) linebacker in a 4-3 man-to-man team that brings pressure.
2. Health
One of the upsides to Brooks during his career was his ability to stay healthy and stay on the football field. With age in this league comes injuries — and not just current injuries. Teams don’t want to invest money in a guy they’ll have to worry may spend more time in the training room than on the practice field.
He’s a warrior — no doubt about it — but even the greatest warriors wear down over time. Brooks has had thousands of big-time collisions in his career —and they add up.
3. Special Teams
APCould Brooks be the next Junior Seau for a team in 2009?
The risk of signing Brooks is his ability to play special teams if he doesn’t start — and we all know that’s a strike against him. To ask a former Pro Bowler with a Super Bowl ring to cover kicks isn’t going to go over very well. In that same regard, if Brooks is brought in to play in certain packages, he now eats up a roster spot for a cover guy — and those guys are valuable.
You always have to think about special teams when signing a player — especially a defensive player. Because if you don’t start on defense, you’d better start on special teams or be prepared to get thrown out on the street.
4. Money
You probably hate to think this way as a fan, but it’s a major selling point when it comes to declining superstars. These guys are used to making monster salaries, and when you tell them they have to play for close to the veteran minimum, it can be a knock to their pride.
Plus, how much do you offer a guy who could be a longshot to make the final roster? Money is always an issue, and without a signing bonus, it usually never works out.
5. Production
It’s maybe the most important aspect once you get Brooks into camp, but can he really still make plays at this point in his career? Because big name or not, how do you justify putting Brooks on the final roster if he can’t produce when he’s on the field.
Could Brooks be the next Junior Seau -- a player who’s used in spot duty, a player you design certain packages for? Sounds good, but teams still have to see it on the field. This could be an uphill battle for the former defensive star — and he might just have to wait until the regular season to find a new home.
Have a good weekend. Big series at Wrigley—Cubs and Cards.
Derrick Brooks has been a great player for a long time, but I think he should call it a career. I remember ESPN spotlighting Brooks on some plays from the Bucs' season finale against the Raiders last year, and he really looked slow. I would think a player like Brooks wouldn't want to be remembered like that. If he still wants to play because he loves the game that's fine, but he's nowhere near the player he used to be.
"Break from the blind side of the quarterback to step in front of underneath passes."
great point and completely true.
Why haven't the Bills called Brooks. He fits the system and in need of a LB due to the depature of Crowell. And lets not forget he would bring leadership to a defense that lacks a TRUE leader.
I just wonder why he doesn't retire. I mean he made his money, he has a ring, why the humiliation of just sit by the phone and wait for it?. And everybody just talking about you. Where's that desire comes from?
Brooks would be a perfect fit for Buffalo. 1) they run a cover 2 defense. 2) they already tried to give Pisa Tinoisomoa 1million dollars to be a 2 down linebacker (eventhough he chose the bears over the bills) so they obviously want a bargain outside backer for there D. 3) part of the reason in giving T.O. 6.5 million dollars was jersey and ticket sales, obviously derrick brooks for 1 season would help those sales out more in a major way. 4) the bills have been on the brink of playoffs at 7-9 for the past 3 seasons (dont let the record fool you eventhough they have been 7-9, they have been in a wildcard battle until the last 1-2 games of the season the past 3 seasons, they are close) so they can offer the savy vet a chance at the playoffs. 5) they play his division this season as there NFC teams on the schedule so he would be even more comfortable playing in a cover 2 scheme against all 4 NFC south teams. 6) if the Bills would give 6.5 million to T.O. and offer 1 million to Pisa Tinoisamoa i am sure they would have no problem paying that 1 million (maybe even 500 thousand more because of the amount of sales he would help generate so possibly 1.5 million). 7) At best he comes in plays 3 downs and has a solid season for the Bills, and at worst he comes in and automatically brings a vetran leadership that that young defense could use as much as any team and is a nice 2 down backer, there is no lose. 8) the Bills are a team that has a front office and coach that are known for coveting extremely high character players and they do not come any more high character than Brooks. 9) Paul Posluzny could benefit so much from a season with him watching him practice and prepare, and after the season Pos had last year it would only help him take that next step faster. 10) With the weather in Buffalo how it is the second half of the season IF Brooks had lost a step the bad weather would cover that up easily. you dont exactly fly around the field on a field of snow, sleet, rain, ice, hail and -10 degree wind chill and 30 mhp winds.
THIS SHOULD BE A EASY DECISION FOR BUFFALO!
Wow Jim, your post convinced me...The Bills should go after the veteran, no doubt about it.
I'm not saying this came from him, but if he really is not willing to give spec. teams a shot with all his effort then there is no way he ends up in NE.
Before reading the comments, I was thinking a back-up LB for the Bears or Colts. They seem to have enough depth for special teams, and play the Tampa 2 defense.
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Jul 10, 2009
05:10 PM
Shocking that Brooks faded so fast these last couple of seasons.. but he is 36, and that is to be expected...
Could wind up with NE in October