Brooking out to prove he's still got it
by Chad Peters, STAFF
San Antonio Express-News
Nary a touch of gray dots the dark goatee and mid-afternoon facial stubble of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking.
But in NFL years, the 33-year-old former Atlanta Falcon is getting up there, perhaps inching further away from the perennial Pro Bowl force he was as recently as 2005.
While he led the Falcons in tackles for an eighth straight year last season, he struggled in pass coverage and was dogged for biting on a play-action pass that sealed Atlanta's playoff loss to Arizona.
A free agent this offseason, Atlanta wanted him back, but only as a reserve.
However, when Brooking's chat with a group of reporters Thursday moved to his age and whether the free-agent pickup still had enough left in the tank to effectively start for the Cowboys at weakside inside linebacker, his eyebrows quickly jumped.
"The eye in the sky doesn't lie," said the 12th-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler with a grimace. "I think coach (Wade) Phillips, he's watched a lot of defense in his career, and he's had some pretty good damn defenses.
"So for him to bring me in here - I mean, I don't know who's saying that, but I'll take his opinion over anybody's."
Signed this offseason to a three-year contract that includes a guaranteed $2.5 million to replace Zach Thomas, Brooking is now trying to prove he's still a difference-maker.
He conceded he might have lost a step from where he was six years ago, but sounded as if that step could be made up for by returning to Phillips' 3-4 scheme.
Brooking starred under Phillips in Atlanta, where Phillips coordinated the Falcons' defense in 2002-03 and was the team's interim coach for the final three games of '03. Brooking made the Pro Bowl both years, recording the only two 200-plus-tackle seasons of his career.
Brooking, who hasn't missed a start since 2000, said the scheme fits his strengths by freeing him to run sideline-to-sideline as opposed to getting bogged down by taking on blockers.
"He's in Football position all the time," said Phillips, adding that Brooking can be a three-down player if needed. "He's one of the few players I've ever seen that is what I call 'in Football position' all the time. He's ready to move and make plays."
So here Brooking is, winding down his brilliant career and playing for a team outside his home state of Georgia for the first time on any level.
But he gathered from watching DeMarcus Ware during a film session a while back, that shouldn't be such a bad thing. Never, he said, has he been surrounded by more talent.
"I just saw No. 94. That pretty much sums it up right there," he said, laughing. "I couldn't be in a better situation."
A sentiment the Cowboys figure to hope they can share.
"Does my body feel the way it felt six years ago? Can I do the same things? No," Brooking said. "... But I've still got it."
San Antonio Express-News
Nary a touch of gray dots the dark goatee and mid-afternoon facial stubble of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking.
But in NFL years, the 33-year-old former Atlanta Falcon is getting up there, perhaps inching further away from the perennial Pro Bowl force he was as recently as 2005.
While he led the Falcons in tackles for an eighth straight year last season, he struggled in pass coverage and was dogged for biting on a play-action pass that sealed Atlanta's playoff loss to Arizona.
A free agent this offseason, Atlanta wanted him back, but only as a reserve.
However, when Brooking's chat with a group of reporters Thursday moved to his age and whether the free-agent pickup still had enough left in the tank to effectively start for the Cowboys at weakside inside linebacker, his eyebrows quickly jumped.
"The eye in the sky doesn't lie," said the 12th-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler with a grimace. "I think coach (Wade) Phillips, he's watched a lot of defense in his career, and he's had some pretty good damn defenses.
"So for him to bring me in here - I mean, I don't know who's saying that, but I'll take his opinion over anybody's."
Signed this offseason to a three-year contract that includes a guaranteed $2.5 million to replace Zach Thomas, Brooking is now trying to prove he's still a difference-maker.
He conceded he might have lost a step from where he was six years ago, but sounded as if that step could be made up for by returning to Phillips' 3-4 scheme.
Brooking starred under Phillips in Atlanta, where Phillips coordinated the Falcons' defense in 2002-03 and was the team's interim coach for the final three games of '03. Brooking made the Pro Bowl both years, recording the only two 200-plus-tackle seasons of his career.
Brooking, who hasn't missed a start since 2000, said the scheme fits his strengths by freeing him to run sideline-to-sideline as opposed to getting bogged down by taking on blockers.
"He's in Football position all the time," said Phillips, adding that Brooking can be a three-down player if needed. "He's one of the few players I've ever seen that is what I call 'in Football position' all the time. He's ready to move and make plays."
So here Brooking is, winding down his brilliant career and playing for a team outside his home state of Georgia for the first time on any level.
But he gathered from watching DeMarcus Ware during a film session a while back, that shouldn't be such a bad thing. Never, he said, has he been surrounded by more talent.
"I just saw No. 94. That pretty much sums it up right there," he said, laughing. "I couldn't be in a better situation."
A sentiment the Cowboys figure to hope they can share.
"Does my body feel the way it felt six years ago? Can I do the same things? No," Brooking said. "... But I've still got it."
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