Brooks isn't going anywhere

In tomorrow's Times, I'll have a story on Derrick Brooks and his belief that the Bucs can get back to the top with the help of his leadership and more contributions from the club's young players. He also says the fire inside him is still burning pretty intensely.

Now, none of that has prevented some from calling into question whether he still has the tools to play at the level we're accustomed to seeing from him. And that's the question I put to you all: is Brooks still an elite linebacker?

I think he's still a very good one, even though no one is the same player at 34 as they were at 24. That's just elementary. But he still makes enough plays that turn heads, even if he misses some that leave people shaking their heads.

I've heard all sorts of opinions, so here's your chance. Let's hear it.

Comments

[John P]

For his age, I think Brooks is a fantastic linebacker. That's relative to his age though. Compared to other linebackers in the league (in a cover 2 defense), I'd say he's now slightly above average, a C+ player. He misses too many tackles, and gets bulled over by running backs more frequently. He makes up for that in awareness and experience, but not by much now. I'd still rather have him on the field, for leadership and knowledge. However, if a young and talented kid (with a long future) came along to take his place -you'd have to let it happen. It's not about loyalty, after all - but winning.

[Voc]

Why does he just not become the linebackers coach... Brooks like so many other athletes do not know when to give it up. He is an average linebacker at best. The longer he stays on the field the less likely we can develop someone else. That is the sad truth. I like him a lot as a person but he needs to really think about what he is doing...

[Jay]

My favorite player, Mr Derrick Brooks, is more than an above average linebacker. There's no mistaking that he doesn't have the physical skills he did when he was younger, but he was never known for them to begin with. He doesn't have breakaway speed, or fantastic cover skills in the deep secondary, but he has outstanding field vision and the instincts to sniff out a play before it's run. I think the formula of splitting time with he and Cato June paid real dividends this season, and it should continue to do so next year. The model they used for Al Singleton and Barrett Ruud is the perfect example of seamlessly passing the torch, and if another talented linebacker is drafted, they should consider it. We're fortunate to have Brooks, June and Trotter all playing the same position. That's three coaches in the same spot, plus the official staff, which is invaluable to any organization. The Bucs would be wise to learn from their Hardy Nickerson mistake, and keep Derrick Brooks on the playing field, and the practice field, as long as possible.

[Chet]

I've always liked Derrick Brooks, but I have to say, his pass defense skills, the ones that made him Defensive player of the year in 2002, have been missing since he got the award.

The odd thing about the DPOY award is for the most part all of the winners of the award in the past 10 years or so went downhill after winning the award. Even Urlacher isn't consider the best LB on his team now.

I'd like to see Derrick move to the SLB position and have Cato move to the WLB. That would most likely prolong Derricks career and put the bucs in the best pass defense position on nickel situations.

Used to be a time when there was a tackle and you heard the name Brooks after each play. Used to also be a time when you'd see the middle of the Buc defense not giving up the plays they did this past weekend on the dump downs and over the middle pass plays. Ruud is good, but he's not going to be Quarles in his best year. Taking June out and having Ruud and Brooks on third down was a real issue this year. Too many plays that used to be stopped 2 yards short of the first down, became first downs or put the opposing team in a short 4th where they went for it and made it.

I'd also like to see Valero leave (which I think he will to the Rams) and see Alstott be the new RB coach. I bet that Alstott takes that coaching position in the next 2-3 weeks.

[Tom]

There is no denying that Mr. Brooks is no longer the spectacular player that dominated the NFL. At 34, no one expects him to be. However, his leadership qualities are something that cannot be replaced. He is the consummate professional. The young guys like Jackson, Piscitelli, Adams, etc. can learn so much from Brooks, on and off the field. Anyone who says that this is not important, isn't familiar with professional football. Chet, you and I have similar views on almost every topic. I thought DB should've gone to the sam position this year and let June play the will.

I feel that next year will be interesting as far as the secondary. I highly doubt that BK will be back next year. Flip is mediocre at corner and T Cox and Davis are not exactly fan favorites. I guarantee that Piscitelli will start next year. He is a rare talent at safety. Unless we draft a stud at CB or get one through free agency, Tanard may get some look at CB, even though he was so good at safety this year. Kiffin will put the best athletes on the field and I can't see Piscitelli on the bench.

[Chet]

Tom,

Agree with you on the secondary issues, I cannot see BK coming back and to tell you the truth, he did himself no favors with the way he played when he came back from injury. Flip is at best a Nickelback, but I cannot see the Bucs spending a high draft pick or FA dollars on a stud CB, just isn't the way you go with this defense. It's system corner defense and either you fit it or you don't and most of these types can be had in the fourth round. I would really like to see them go the way of having a guy who can defend in bump and run coverage, but I wouldn't be surprised if a low priced FA is playing that spot in the start of the '08 season.

[rich]

just ask yourself, if he was our first round draft choice, what would people say about his year? They'd say we got a great one, who had an unbelievable rookie year. Forget age. Look at the stats.

[Frank]

Chet and Tom, when you talk about Brooks and his mediocre pass coverage skills and our secondary issues, I want to remind both of you the Bucs finshed FIRST in ALL of the NFL in pass defense. They were second in TOTAL defense and gave up the third fewest points. There is not that much room for improvement in those areas unless you expect the number one defense every year. The place on defenese where the Bucs could improve is rush defense, where they finished 17th. Even in the Giants game, the Bucs only gave up 185 yrds in the air and the longest gain for the Giants was 17 yrds. A short field gave the G-men easy scores except for their last drive which was 92 yrds and took eight minutes off the clock.
Defense isn't the Bucs problem unless they don't resign Monty, a lack of playmakers on offense and speed at the skill positions is.
The Bucs proved last year they can fill their holes on defense if they just used some draft picks on the D. This year they still need to draft more defenders, but need to draft some skill players to score more points.
The best teams in the NFL have good defenses but can also score points, ie. Dallas and N.E.

[aaron]

hey Stephen, there are rumors out there that Lane Kiffin could get canned.Do you think if the raiders did let him go, he would have a place on the Bucs staff?

[Jack]

Ronde Barber spoke in less than glowing terms when asked about D.B last night on his Sirius show the Barber Shop. He said that he thought Derrick would be back next year and that he "played well at times" this year.

[Chet]

Frank,

You absolutely are right in your assessment of the defensive standing in the league, but didn't it bother you all this year that most teams were converting 3rd downs on the Bucs at rates they didn't in previous years (1st, 2nd or 5th ranked)? I agree that the rush defense has to get better and that starts up front where the 4 slow down the rusher and make the LB's stronger in what they can provide the team, but I do have issue with comparing this set of LB's with the set I'll always compare them to, 2002's LB's. I don't see Ruud having the downfield coverage skills that Quarles had in his prime (and we take that for granted as Buc fans as he was really good for a few years there in this spot), I'm looking for okay here. June blows away Singleton, but lets keep in mind, we all know he's out of position and he did fade out of view the second half of this season. We cannot compare Brooks to that season, it's just not fair. My point is, they don't scare teams at this point. Ruud started really strong and faded in the second half of the season (could be the first full season and and he deserves a pass for that), but I see him racking up tackles, but teams beating us over the middle a lot.

Lets also keep in mind, including NE, I really didn't see a defense this year that was dominating. All had their flaws and bad games, seems in the past 5 or so years, the best defense was dominating throughout the season and the flaws weren't there as they were for the full NFL this season.

[Alan Kapell]

D Brooks: Tough to pay him $ 9 million@ this stage in his career. He should "gracefully" retire. Same for Ronde Barber whose idiotic statement about the Giants gave them "extra" incentive to destroy the Bucs. Bucs should also release G Spires, K Carter & Hovan. Real "problem" the Glazers will NOT spend the money to sign "high priced" free agents. Cato June was not as effective as he was when with the Colts. Finally, the Glazers have the Super Bowl in 2009 which means millions in "profits" & with the team being almost $ 50 million under the cap it becomes very attractive for a potential new owner. Glazers will pocket at least $ 800 million in pure profit. IT'S NOT THE MONEY, IT'S DA MONEY.........

[Tom]

Chet, I agree with you once again. Ruud has been a step down from what we are used to in Quarles and Nickerson in terms of covering the deep middle. Ruud is a phenomenal sideline to sideline tackling LB. However, you can tell that he is not comfortable in coverage. Watch the tape. He literally turns his back to the QB and sprints for the endzone. I know that in the cover 2, the Mike is taught to move back, not forward, but that is rediculous.

I think that we should take a look at playing a little more quarters with a few tweaks. I think it would help stop the run a little better and utilize the talents of our safeties. Piscitelli thrived in a quarters system at OSU. It would also help Ruud with the deep middle.

[Stephen_Holder]

Alan at 9:11, I have to take issue with a point you made: Brooks is actually making $3 million a year for the next two years. And remember, he did a significant restructuring back in '06 in which he took a pretty sizable pay cut. It wasn't one of those deals where a player just moves money around or backloads the contract. I'm not saying that has anything to do with whether he's playing well or not. Just pointing out that he did make some notable concessions and this isn't really about money.

[bob]

Time to pack it in and give a young guy a chance. There are a few other Bucs who need to look into the mirror with there eyes wide open. You were all once super men to me and the many fans but father time has caught up to you as it has to all of us.

[John McNeilly]

Simple: Derrick has earned the right to play as long as he sees fit. His leadership alone is worth the price of his being on the team. I don't understand where this idea comes from that he has become a liability - nothing could be farther from the truth! Did anyone really watch his play this year? I truly believe the minute Mister Derrick Brooks thought he was costing his team plays, he would step down. That's the kind of guy, and leader, he is. Keep it coming 55.

[george]

brooks should've been traded to another team four years ago. he has no leadership skills. he made that same promise four years ago when warren sapp ,one of the true leaders on the team, got released (thanks gruden). brooks is a product of the system. the only real talent he has is being able to dive at the opponents feet with the hopes of them falling down. the only reason why gruden kept brooks is because he thought that he would cover up the lack of his leadership skills. i don't think that sapp or lynch (leaders) would've stood by with there hands in there pockets well this madman did a 360 from the winning pholoshpy that won the team the superbowl in the first place.even ronda barbara spoke up before brooks. if that's what you call a leader, we don't need one. get rid brooks or make stand down.

[Gooberville's Worst Enemy]

sorry GOOBERS ... NOBODY has "earned the right" to stay on the field as long as he wants to --- that is ASSININE!
Chet: why would you think that #55 should play the SAM LBer spot??? Do you honestly think that he's strong enough at the point of attack to take on a TE??? Hold on .. don't answer that question --- you might make yourself look even DUMBER .. if that's possible! LOL