http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/1379 Recent articles about Derrick Brooks en-us The emergence of 3rd year MLB Barrett Ruud truly solidified our LB corps last season.  He finished the season with 114 solo tackles and 31 assists, to go along with 2 INT and 3 fumble recoveries.  We had to morph our standard Tampa 2 defense into a more traditional Cover 2 with Ruud though.  Previous MLB Shelton Quarles was much more adept in coverage whereas Barrett reminds me of Zach Thomas, a tackling machine.  The defense seemed to integrate seamlessly into this style though, as more emphasis was put on the coverage skills of Tanard Jackson at FS.  The Bucs signed multiple MLB free agent's this summer who all should have to battle for roster spots.  Currently on the Roster - Barrett Ruud, Adam Heyward, Teddy Lehman, Matt McCoy Gauranteed Spots - Barrett Ruud Ruud is entrenched at the starting spot, and the rest of the members of this crew will be battling it out for the backup MLB spot in camp.  No Chance - All have a chance to make the roster Battling for Spots - Adam Heyward, Teddy Lehman, Matt McCoy Adam Heyward has the upper hand on recent FA additions Teddy Lehman and Matt McCoy.  He proved to be an invaluable member of our special teams, and saw some spot duty as the backup Mike position.  He was also a draft choice of the Bucs in '06 so we have a little more vested in him than we do in Lehman and McCoy.  McCoy has been a solid special teams player throughout his career and if either of these guys are going to make the roster, it is going to be primarily in that role.  Lehman is kind of a poor mans Ruud, but the ability of Ryan Nece to play the backup MLB spot, as well as my opinion that in our defense, Derrick Brooks would make a solid Mike Linebacker, Lehman has the longest odds of anyone of making the team.  Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:04:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290710 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290710 This is a tough spot for the Buccaneers.  Last season Cato June was supposedly the starting SLB, but primarily played the Will spot on every down but first down.  We have a few hybrid players that can play this position.  This is one of the few spots on the entire Buccaneers roster that I believe is open for competition come training camp time.  It became obvious to anyone watching the Bucs last season that Derrick Brooks had lost a step (I love Derrick Brooks, so hopefully nobody tries to Duemig me and say I hate the guy).   Cato June could permanently move to WLB, with someone stepping up and taking over this SLB spot on a more permanent basis.  Currently on the Roster - Cato June, Ryan Nece, Charles Bennett, Quincy Black Gauranteed Roster Spots - Cato June, Quincy Black As I stated previously I think the coaching staff has high hopes for Quincy Black.  Would our defense be much worse if Cato moved to the WLB spot and Quincy Black won the SLB spot outright in camp.  DB could still get 20 snaps a game on defense, and his leadership is still top notch.     This should be a great camp battle in my opinion.  No Chance - All have a chance to make the roster Battling for Spots - Ryan Nece, Charles Bennet Ryan Nece would make the perfect 5th LB on a corp that consisted of Ruud, DB, Quincy Black and Cato June.  Nece has the ability to play all 3 spots on our LB corps.  Former Clemson LB Charles Bennett, a 7th round draft pick of the Bucs in '06 is battling Nece for the 5th LB spot.  He brings some versatility to the table ala Ryan Nece.  He was on the IR last season with a knee injury so he will have to prove to the Bucs that he is healthy and able to supplant a guy in Nece where we know what he is capable of bringing to the table.  Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:04:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290709 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290709 Weakside Linebacker might be the strongest position on the Bucs roster.  We have surefire first ballot Hall of Famer and a former defensive player of the year Derrick Brooks, as well as a slew of recent draft picks, and last years' free agent acquisition Cato June.   While Brooks has shown a loss of some lateral speed in the last few years, he still is one of the smartest defensive players in the game.  The addition of June allowed Brooks to come off of the field in some nickel situation last season and we should see some more of that this season as well.  Currently on the Roster - Quincy Black, Derrick Brooks, Antoine Cash, Geno Hayes, Cato June Gauranteed Spots - Quincy Black, Derrick Brooks, Cato June June played both the Sam Linebacker position as well as the Will Linebacker position last year, when him and DB were on the field together.  We could field a similar strategy this season as well.  Cato had 90 tackles and 1 Int last season.  Quincy Black is a 3rd round pick from last season's draft class, and saw action in 15 games and ended up with 30 tackles.  He will continue to see a few downs a game on the field as a linebacker and regular time on special teams.  I have huge hopes for the future with Quincy Black.  He seems to have exceptional speed, and learning under some guys like Brooks and June will surely help in the development of any young player.  No Chance - All have a chance to make the roster Battling for spots - Antoine Cash, Geno Hayes Gruden and Monte Kiffin have been speaking very highly of former FSU player Geno Hayes.   The guy has incredible speed, and is built very similar to the way DB was when he first came into the league.  The obvious Brooks comparisons were made the whole time he was a 'Nole.  He's not quite DB though!  At worst, he would seem to have a chance to be a freakish special teams player.  Antoine Cash is a freakish special teams player but did not get a chance to prove himself after a knee injury left him on the IR all last season.  I know Monte loves this guy, and him and Geno should have a nice battle in camp to land a roster spot.  I will say though, there is a small possibility, depending on the number of defensive lineman that we carry, that neither guy makes the final 53.  Hayes would seemingly be a great candidate for the practice squad at that point.  Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:07:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290214 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290214 Weakside Linebacker might be the strongest position on the Bucs roster.  We have surefire first ballot Hall of Famer and a former defensive player of the year Derrick Brooks, as well as a slew of recent draft picks, and last years' free agent acquisition Cato June.   While Brooks has shown a loss of some lateral speed in the last few years, he still is one of the smartest defensive players in the game.  The addition of June allowed Brooks to come off of the field in some nickel situation last season and we should see some more of that this season as well.  Currently on the Roster - Quincy Black, Derrick Brooks, Antoine Cash, Geno Hayes, Cato June Gauranteed Spots - Quincy Black, Derrick Brooks, Cato June June played both the Sam Linebacker position as well as the Will Linebacker position last year, when him and DB were on the field together.  We could field a similar strategy this season as well.  Cato had 90 tackles and 1 Int last season.  Quincy Black is a 3rd round pick from last season's draft class, and saw action in 15 games and ended up with 30 tackles.  He will continue to see a few downs a game on the field as a linebacker and regular time on special teams.  I have huge hopes for the future with Quincy Black.  He seems to have exceptional speed, and learning under some guys like Brooks and June will surely help in the development of any young player.  No Chance - All have a chance to make the roster Battling for spots - Antoine Cash, Geno Hayes Gruden and Monte Kiffin have been speaking very highly of former FSU player Geno Hayes.   The guy has incredible speed, and is built very similar to the way DB was when he first came into the league.  The obvious Brooks comparisons were made the whole time he was a 'Nole.  He's not quite DB though!  At worst, he would seem to have a chance to be a freakish special teams player.  Antoine Cash is a freakish special teams player but did not get a chance to prove himself after a knee injury left him on the IR all last season.  I know Monte loves this guy, and him and Geno should have a nice battle in camp to land a roster spot.  I will say though, there is a small possibility, depending on the number of defensive lineman that we carry, that neither guy makes the final 53.  Hayes would seemingly be a great candidate for the practice squad at that point.  Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:07:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290214 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290214 My love for sport has lead me to the yard.Ladies and gentleman James has arrived,so lets go have some fun. Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:01:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289918 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289918 When Michael Strahan announced his retirement Monday, a door automatically popped open in Canton, Ohio. Five summers from now, he'll join Brett Favre in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With Strahan, there is no doubt he'll go in on the first ballot. How many active players can you say that about with absolute certainty? Give yourself 10 seconds and spill out your answers. Peyton Manning, Tom Brady -- yeah, that's obvious. LaDainian Tomlinson's probably right there, too. Now, take a little more time to go beyond the glamour positions and teams. Think about the one remaining guy who might be the best ever at what he does. If you still haven't got an answer, go back and look at some film of Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks in the late 1990s or the first five or six years of this decade. It would be a stretch to call Brooks the best linebacker ever, but it would be a stretch to call anybody (and that includes Lawrence Taylor and Dick Butkus) the best linebacker ever. The position is too varied because of different schemes and responsibilities. Taylor was a phenomenal pass-rusher and Butkus could stuff the run like no other. Guys such as Derrick Thomas, Jack Lambert and Jack Ham excelled in their niches, and Junior Seau is headed for the Hall of Fame if he continues playing this season or not. But has there ever been a more complete linebacker than Brooks? Has there ever been a linebacker who's played at Brooks' level for as long as Brooks has? Has there ever been a linebacker who has done more for a franchise than Brooks? I say no. this is a write up i had a hand in, check it out and let us here in the yard know what you think, peace out ck0712 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:22:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276741 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276741 TAMPA, Fla., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Derrick Brooks, NFL linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will appear on Thurs., Apr. 10, to raise money for a worthy cause: Derrick Brooks Charities, an umbrella organization that provides local lower-income youngsters with a variety of educational and recreational opportunities from local school programs to sporting event tickets and trips to Africa. The free, public event will also feature a consumer contest and educational activities to help consumers learn ways to save. Five individuals will win $2,000 in cash every hour, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. The event is part of a multi-city tour that will award participants more than $190,000 in cash. Who: NFL's Derrick Brooks, linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers What: Brooks' Grab for Dollars for Derrick Brooks Charities with $5,000 Donation from Wachovia; Consumer contest Awards Total of $10,000 to 5 Attendees; One Winner an Hour When: Thur., Apr. 10 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Free Event, Open to Public 2:00-2:30 p.m. - Derrick Brooks, charity grab 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. -- $2,000/hour won by contestant in "World's Largest Money Machine" Where: Gaslight Square Park 410 N. Franklin Street Tampa, FL 33602 CLICK u can donate online too!! enjoy the rest of your day i'm outta here Peace ck0712 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:40:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/231245 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/231245 Here's my "all star" team for this year not including O-Line and strictly by stats; Offense: QB Tom Brady HB Adrian Peterson, Brian Westbrook WR Randy Moss, Braylon Edwards, Terrell Owens, FB Tony Richardson TE Jason Witten,Antonio Gates Defense: DE Patrick Kerney, Jared Allen, Osi Umenyiora DT Darnell Docket, Shaun Rogers, Jovan Haye OLB Ernie Sims, Angelo Crowell, David Thornton, Derrick Brooks MLB Patrick Willis, Jon Beason, Nick Barnett CB Antonio Cromartie, Marcus Trufant, Nate Clements S Bob Sanders, Ed Reed P.S. sorry eagles fans i had to take TO Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:04:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73332 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73332 Friday's FIO weekly fantasy football columns deals with those leagues that implement Individual Defensive Players (IDP) - co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter discusses some of the key defensive players to keep an eye on in Week 9. Check this article each and every week on Fridays. Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:24:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/34161 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/34161 With the 2007 NFL season right around the corner, FIO writers Matt Hinzpeter and Tim Hays square off against each other to discuss the NFC. FIO's "The Splits" is a debate/discussion style article between two FIO writers. See where Hinzpeter and Hays agree, and where they butt heads. Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:53:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/25834 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/25834 The Buccaneers were 4-12 last season. They averaged 13 points per game. Is Jeff Garcia the answer at quarterback? Will Gruden get this team back into playoff contention? Read this Bucs blogger preview and see what he thinks about the upcoming season. Vote how many games you think they'll win. Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:40:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/24630 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/24630 Here is my list of the 20 best backers in the league: 1. Brian Urlacher 2. Shawne Merriman 3. Ray Lewis 4. DeMarcus Ware 5. Adalius Thomas 6. Takeo Spikes 7. Mike Peterson 8. D.J. Williams 9. DeMeco Ryans 10. Lance Briggs 11. Lofa Tatupu 12. A.J. Hawk 13. Jonathan Vilma 14. Joey Porter 15. Zach Thomas 16. Derrick Brooks 17. Ernie Sims 18. Antonio Pierce 19. Julian Peterson 20. Cato June Honorable Mentions: Jeremiah Trotter, London Fletcher, Ian Gold, Nick Barnett, Keith Brooking, and Gary Brackett Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:43:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/23278 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/23278 If the Bucs interest in Lance Briggs is legit and the team was able to acquire him via trade, it would leave Tampa with three weakside linebackers (Cato June and Derrick Brooks being the second and third). While Brooks still has plenty in the tank, he's not the player he was just a few years ago. June and Briggs would enter camps with long term contracts and Brooks wouldn't. Hmmm. Mon, 14 May 2007 18:07:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/14053 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/14053