Reiss: Brooks Back in Play for Pats?

[patsox23]

Mike Reiss' blog - Brooks says he wants to play; Pats a possibility? - ESPN Boston

This was posted last night, after we'd all given up on the idea that Derrick Brooks might be headed to N.E., given the news he'd just signed on with ESPN. Turns out, he's reconsidering. We'll see.

 

[Mogamedogz]

Re: Reiss:Brooks Back in Play for Pats?

Isnt Brooks strictly a Tampa-2 guy?

 

[makoute]

Re: Reiss:Brooks Back in Play for Pats?

I will believe this when I see, I just don't see it.

 

[mgteich]

I think he has the choices right. He would upgrade any of those three teams. However, the injuries in NE and CHI are likely the big difference makes in his decision to reconsider.

 

[JSn]

He's probably going to watch the TD to INT ratio of both teams this weekend.

If I was going to throw a tired Linebacking body into the fray for one more year, I'd want to chose a contender.

Between Da Bearss and The Pats... well after last week maybe it's not a no-brainer. Maybe he's picking Galloway's brain a little.

 

[Kontradiction]

He even said on SportsCenter yesterday that the talks were still going on between him and the Pats. It's just a matter of if/when the Pats pick up the phone and call him.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Reiss:Brooks Back in Play for Pats?

Isnt Brooks strictly a Tampa-2 guy?

He's stictly a 4-3 guy, which is primarily what we will be running.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I think the Pats wait until another cog on defense gets hurt like AD before they go to the streets to pick up someone,I think they have full confidence in Alexander,Woods,Banta-Cain,Nincovich to do the job right now.

 

[BadMoFo]

He even said on SportsCenter yesterday that the talks were still going on between him and the Pats. It's just a matter of if/when the Pats pick up the phone and call him.

So wait, the talks are going on between him and the Pats? Or is he waiting for them to call?

 

[captain stone]

I think the Pats wait until another cog on defense gets hurt like AD before they go to the streets to pick up someone,I think they have full confidence in Alexander,Woods,Banta-Cain,Nincovich to do the job right now.

Then their confidence is misplaced.

Brooks, or Zack Thomas or Matt Wilhelm would be an instant upgrade over Alexander, who could then be placed on the shadow roster until another cog in the defense gets hurt.

One of the above needs to be signed now, so that he can learn the defense & contribute next to/in place of Guyton as soon as possible.

 

[Fencer]

I'm not sure there are really any particular physical requirements to play ILB for the Pats beyond "Fast enough to execute on your pass coverage duties".

In particular, I don't think there are big differences in physical technique for LBs between 2-gap and 1-gap, the way there are for DL.

Defenders basically have four jobs:

Rush the passer
Cover receivers
Generally defeat blocks
Make tackles

I think how you defeat blocks and make tackles can be very different for different LBs and still leave BB satisfied. He pretty much said as much a couple of years back when explaining that ideally an LB fights through blocks, but when you have Bruschi's outstanding instincts, running around them is OK.

 

[farn]

Then their confidence is misplaced.

Brooks, or Zack Thomas or Matt Wilhelm would be an instant upgrade over Alexander, who could then be placed on the shadow roster until another cog in the defense gets hurt.

One of the above needs to be signed now, so that he can learn the defense & contribute next to/in place of Guyton as soon as possible.

Yes to misplaced, no to Thomas, maybe to Wilhelm, yes to Brooks. Pros : veteran, smart by all accounts, and (best of all) plays every game every year.

 

[Mack Herron]

Hard to believe this guy could not make an important contribution here. Hope we get him.

 

[Nunchucks]

Then their confidence is misplaced.

Brooks, or Zack Thomas or Matt Wilhelm would be an instant upgrade over Alexander, who could then be placed on the shadow roster until another cog in the defense gets hurt.

One of the above needs to be signed now, so that he can learn the defense & contribute next to/in place of Guyton as soon as possible.

I completely agree, linebackers either have the instincts to sniff out plays and get to the ball carrier or they don't. I truly do not believe that Guyton, Woods and Alexander can make an impact at the LB position.

The Patriot need to go out and sign somebody that can make plays, because right now, they have Thomas as the only playmaker in that LB crew, which just won't cut the mustered.

When the Jets screen the Patriots to death and we've had our fill of Leon Washington, that will be clear to everybody.

 

[Mossachusetts]

Hope we get him.

I agree.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

Hard to believe this guy could not make an important contribution here. Hope we get him.

He said he's listening to the offers and will decide which is the best fit for him. Maybe thats code for I want a super bowl ring, more money or playing time, maybe the best two out of three.

 

[mgteich]

I can't see that playing time would be an issue for someone who was ready to retire.

He said he's listening to the offers and will decide which is the best fit for him. Maybe thats code for I want a super bowl ring, more money or playing time, maybe the best two out of three.

 

[JD10367]

I wouldn't mind if they brought them all in. First Brooks, then four games later Zach Thomas, then Junior Seau for the last part of the season. All these guys are getting up there and, frankly, as Junior pretty much said in his radio interview, are good for a third to a half of a season.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Heres a question regarding this...

Say a player like Brooks gets signed for 2 or 3 weeks then dumped.

Does he get a SB ring if he gets cut in november?

 

[Kontradiction]

So wait, the talks are going on between him and the Pats? Or is he waiting for them to call?

He said that himself. I was more or less paraphrasing him, Captain Literal.