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.

Derrick BrooksAPBrooks 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

Junior SeauAPCould 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.