Brooks leaning toward playing again

Derrick Brooks, a day after his release on Wednesday, just appeared on ESPN's NFL Live and said he is considering playing elsewhere in 2009 if there's interest in his services.

"That's my wish," Brooks said when asked if he planned to continue playing. "We'll see what the interest is out there and what options come along with it. I've never been in this situation so I really don't know how to approach it outside of let's see what teams call and look at it from that perspective with my family. If it's one that I'm comfortable with I'll move forward. If it's not, I won't."

As for his reaction to the news, Brooks reiterated what he said Wednesday, saying it was stunning.

"It's tough and very shocking," he said. "But at the same time, I've been in this business long enough to know about the reality and our job security. It's going to be tough, no doubt about it. But I approach this challenge as I do every challenge in my life with my three P's: prayer, perspective and purpose. I'll see which door the Lord is going to open for me next and evaluate those options."

Brooks holds no grudge against coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik, the men who made the difficult decision.

"My situation has nothing to do with money," Brooks said. "Coach Morris and Mark Dominik told me it was more about wanting to give the other guys an opportunity to step forward. You have to respect that decision. That's a decision they made. Whether I agree or disagree, at the end of the day, that's the direction they want to go in and I wish them well."

Comments

[buc4life]

god please retire. i dont want to see you in another teams uniform. it would just make me sick

[Yoshi]

Yeah, i just saw it. I really hope no one trys to sign him. I want him to retire a buc.

[Jasonhouse]

Sounds about right. I hope whatever Brooks does, it works out for him and his family... But I sure hope that he retires... I'm still stunned that the Bucs dumped the guy like they did. Yes, sports is a tough business. No, you DO NOT do this to a man who defined your franchise for over a decade, always adjusted his contract for the team, and always gave 110% on every play...

[aj]

He'll be in New England next year going for another ring. Belicheck loves veterans and they have a need at linebacker. I'd hate to see him play somewhere else, but that is reality. He could have easily retired a Buc, he's good enough to be on the team still.

It pains me the last image of DB as a Buc will be him limping down the field like that. If none of the backups were good enough to take him off the field then, we better hope we find someone in free agency.

DB is the greatest Buc ever and should be able to go out however he feels like it.

[RaysforaBuc]

Amen aj

[conradbuff]

i hope there is limited interest in him and he plays 1 more year with the bucs i know this is highly unlikely considring if the bucs wanted him they wouldnt have released him to begin with but i cant think te bucs honestly believe they alreday have their starters at lb on the roster and expect them to play the whole year without injury

[drspb]

Write it down: Derrick Brooks will wear a Dolphin or Jags uniform in 2009.

[mike]

Drspb

I'd aggree with the Jags I beleive they run a 4-3 defense. I don't know if DB is a fit in a 3-4, those defenses typically like bigger LB's

[Robert]

PLEASE RETIRE AS A BUC DB!!!! I KNOW THIS IS NOT YOUR CHOICE, BUT THIS COULD BE A SIGN FROM GOD. THAT BODY IS STARTING TO BREAK DOWN AND YOU NEED IT AFTER FOOTBALL. I respect any decision you make and hope you do well with what ever you do DB. 55 will be hangin in those rafters soon enough! That will be an awesome day!!

[mike]

Who the Heck are you people telling Derrick to retire!!!!! It's his freaking choice. The man can still play and be productive if he wants to. If you all are going to be sick if he plays for another team take some pepto and vent your anger at the Orginization the kicked him to the curb!!

[mm]

My thoughts exactly mike. Respect the man's decision. If in fact he does play for another team i will be the first one with that jersey and if it is New England it will be special to see him thump some Bucs in London.

[Hammer]

Derrick,

May God bless you, your family, and whatever door opens. You’re an honorable man, and as a Buc fan since the day they first walked onto the field in 1976, you exemplified leadership like no other.

No matter where the Lord takes you, I remain a fan of Mr. Derrick Brooks.

I am indeed a fan of the team, but a bigger fan of the man and his character!

God’s speed.

[M]

Mike and mm,

I think you're missing the point. People don't want him to go play somewhere else because he's a Buc to the bone. No one will wish him ill will if he plays somewhere else. One can always wish that their sports star will retire under their home team.

Everyone understands it's his choice to make.

[mike]

M

And he would have retired a Buc if the Bucs had let him. He had already accepted a lesser role by comming off the field in nickel situations I'm sure he would have been accomidating to the new coaching staff if they had let him. In his statments he said he had just met with the D.C and Berry to discuss terminology of the new defense. THEY KICKED HIM TO THE CURB.. DB is too classy to say it but the Bucs are not worthy his Loyalty. Heck they aren't worthy to put his jersey number in a ring of honor

[Dave]

Morris and Domenik are classless douche fags. You guys would have wanted Gruden and Allen publicly executed for this sort of thing.