Brooks To Patriots?

"Yesterday, ESPN's NFL Insider Adam Schefter told us that the Bears had informed free-agent linebacker Derrick Brooks that they intend to go with their younger players for now but will keep his number on speed dial. Now, another team is taking interest.

The latest is that the Patriots are now considering a play for Brooks, according to the Boston Herald. Obviously, for both the Bears and the Patriots, the kind of condition Brooks is in is a paramount issue here. He'll need the reps to learn the system, making it very unlike the situation was last year when the Pats called on Junior Seau to add some depth to their linebacking rotation. Regarding the Bears, "they just want to take more time with their decision," Brooks told Schefter. We'll see if the Patriots, now thin at linebacker with the perhaps half-season loss of Jerod Mayo, intend to wait (ESPN)."

Well that was fast. It was the first thing I thought of when it was announced May could be out for 8 weeks. Looks like the Patriots are thinking the same thing. I think Brooks still has some solid football left in him. I don't think he can play every day, but it could help ease the pressure off Guyton, and keep Thomas on the outside rather then having him move to MLB. We'll keep you posted, but I really hope this happens.

Mayo Out 6-8 Weeks

Not good news coming from the Patriots today....

"Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo has a Grade III sprained MCL and the timetable for his return remains uncertain, CBSports.com has confirmed. The minimum amount of time he will likely miss is between 6-8 weeks, and a source close to Mayo admitted that he appears to have a long recovery ahead of him. A Grade III sprain represents a complete tear of the MCL as opposed to Grade I and Grade II, which are incomplete tears (Sportsline)."

This is a huge blow to the Patriots. Mayo is one of the best young LBs in the game, and now the Patriots have a huge hole to fill in the middle of that defense. Guyton took over for him when he got hurt, but I was not impressed with his play (you might also see Adalius Thomas play a lot more MLB). If I was the Patriots the first call I would be making would be to Derrick Brooks, since I believe he can at least help fill the hole. Look for the Patriots to use a lot more 4-3 while Mayo is out.

Brooks To Bears?

"So what's gonna happen to linebacker Derrick Brooks? He's still without a team after the first Sunday of NFL 2009. For the answer, we turn to NFL Insider Adam Schefter: "After Brian Urlacher injured his wrist Sunday night, the Bears wasted no time reaching out to free-agent linebacker Derrick Brooks, an NFL source said. The two sides have been in contact and it's possible the Bears could sign Brooks as early as today." Brooks and Bears coach Lovie Smith have a prior relationship from their time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ESPN)."

This makes sense. Lovie Smith knows Brooks, and the Bears now have a serious need for another LB since Urlacher going down. Brooks can't play every down, but he is still a very smart player that could at least minimize the damage left by Urlacher's season ending injury...

Bucs Release Brooks, Dunn and 3 Others

Linebacker Derrick Brooks, one of the greatest players in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history, was told Wednesday he will be released before the start of free agency along with four other veterans.

Brooks is an 11-time Pro Bowler and a potential Hall of Famer. Also informed of their impending releases were wide receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, halfback Warrick Dunn and linebacker Cato June.

I have to feel bad for Derrick Brooks. He was a first-round pick of the Bucs in 1995 and never missed a game. He had 25 interceptions during his 14-year career in Tampa Bay. He has been with Tampa Bay for what seems a million years and has been the leader of the defense. Brooks has a couple more years of being a good player and I expect him to be a Patriot because they love those type of guys. Dunn still has more in the tank, but isn't as effective as he once was, and Hilliard and Galloway are wild cards.