Keith Brooking Appears To Be Headed For Free Agency
by Dave the Falconer on Feb 24, 2009 8:00 AM EST
in Falcons News
20 comments
Barring a last second deal, the writing is on the wall for the long union between the Falcons and Keith Brooking.
This doesn't mean our stalwart veteran linebacker is gone. It just means there's a wide gap between what the Falcons think his market value is (borderline starter, talented veteran backup) and what Brooking and his agent think that value is (starter, Duke of Georgia).
“We had multiple conversations this weekend with the Falcons regarding their interest in re-signing Keith,” Pat Dye Jr. wrote in an e-mail to the Journal-Constitution. “At this time, I think both sides are struggling a little bit to assess his market value.”
Out of all the guys we could lose this off-season, Brooking's the guy I most want to come back, if just so he can finish his career in front of a fanbase that has long adored him. Nobody has been a better role model than Brooking. Very few have played as hard as he is, and the results speak for themselves. He's a very good bet to someday end up in the team's Ring of Honor. I can't think of a single bad thing to say about him.
Let's hope the Falcons are able to put some sort of reasonable offer on the table and bring him back to bridge the gap. I fully expect the Falcons to draft his replacement or insert one of our young guys there, but if he sticks around he could still be a valuable tutor for the linebacking corps.
Your thoughts?
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Bittersweet...
If we were not in a position to contend next year I’d say to bring him back. With the infusion of youth on the Defense especially… My heart says keep him (at a decent price bc lets face facts hes a borderline starter and not on a team built on youth…)
But, my head says to part ways with the vet LB and play the draft game. Nicholas could play there although Id guess the replacement will come via draft.
" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln
by tapate50 on Feb 24, 2009 9:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It'd be nice if we could keep him "at a decent price"
But I think the point is that he doesn’t want to sign for what the Falcons see as his market value. In other words, he won’t sign for what the Falcons consider a reasonable price.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
by FrankyWren on Feb 24, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So basically,
He ain’t a Falcon. Let him join turncoat Mora lovers Kerney and Milloy in Seattle.
"If the Falcons ever manage to win a Super Bowl in my lifetime, I'll french kiss a toilet." - a friend.
by tlozwarlock on Feb 24, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
not sure,
but didn’t Kerney sign with Seattle the year before Mora was fired?
by Jesse28 on Feb 26, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kerney left during FA 07
Right after Mora was fired.
"If the Falcons ever manage to win a Super Bowl in my lifetime, I'll french kiss a toilet." - a friend.
by tlozwarlock on Feb 26, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
falcon's are making this very difficult
to figure out what their plans are in the offseason…
guess all this cap room will help – but TD said he isn’t looking to build through FA. How much do they really think they can build a defense off of rookies and how about all that cap room we are developing?
by MentallyMIA on Feb 24, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I have a feeling
We’re going to be active in mid-level free agents.
by Dave the Falconer on Feb 24, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think your right...
its coming out that Haynesworth will sign with Washington (thank goodness, didnt want him myself) and I think DE is a position where we could use a mid level guy to compete right away in JA98s spot…
LB i think is a draft issue. I hope we resign FOX… I think hes gonna get a nice deal. 3 mill per guaranteed?
" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln
by tapate50 on Feb 24, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure on this one...
I love Keith on and off the field, but I think hw has definately “lost a step” to quote an old adage. The Cardinals game was probably not a good representation of Keith’s skills, but it did expose a few weaknesses. I hate to see the guy go too but my head says maybe it is time.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Feb 24, 2009 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Would be a shame to lose a long-term Falcon, one with such a history.
But honestly, this is a new look team and he’s an old hat. I personally think he’s had enough time in the NFL and he should just retire and enjoy all the time he can spend in Senoia doing nothing and spending all that money he’s hoarded.
"If the Falcons ever manage to win a Super Bowl in my lifetime, I'll french kiss a toilet." - a friend.
by tlozwarlock on Feb 24, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I just worry about the lack of veteran leadership
For so long Brooking has been a veteran on the defense. While I agree that this is the best decision in terms of getting some younger guys in and building, I worry that the defense won’t have the veteran leadership it needs.
But I appreciate TD for being realistic about the Falcons needs and think he’s handling this with some class. He was honest with Milloy and he’s being honest with Brooking, and he’s still making decisions without emotion. Since he’s earned the benefit of the doubt in my mind, I give him some lee way.
Still, just gotta wonder about that lack of veteran leadership…
by LetsGoFalcons on Feb 24, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Prime Time and Favre
… could probably bring some veteran leadership to the table. Doesn’t mean either would be a serviceable/financially reasonable option.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
by FrankyWren on Feb 24, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Baffled
I thought for sure we’d re-sign either Milloy or Brooking. At least one would serve as a positional stopgap as our young defenders gain experience.
So I don’t get it. Does TD think we can build on last season’s success (or even maintain it) with minimal veteran leadership??? If we were signing Haynesworth I could see going with an extremely inexperienced secondary. Call me crazy, but I’m just not comfortable with replacing all of our defensive free agents with rookies and other mid-tier free agents. Heaven forbid Abraham get injured!
Falcon Fans UNITE!
by Blue Falcon on Feb 24, 2009 8:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It seems a little crazy, but something tells me that TD has something up his sleeve. He’s earned my trust, so I believe that he is going to pull off something to get what we need.
by acie4mvp on Feb 24, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Step off the ledge!
Brooking was an absolute liability in coverage. Milloy’s skills were diminishing, and he wasn’t interested in being a stop gap.
Our choice w/ Brooking: Overpay for a player who can reasonably play 50 percent of the defensive snaps before he starts to hurt the team. Or … let him walk.
Our choice w/ Milloy: Give him a long-term contract. Or … let him walk.
Yes, they both brought veteran leadership, but so will Abe, Fox (assuming we sign him), McClure, Burner, and Roddy.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
by FrankyWren on Feb 24, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just a thought
but maybe he’s trying to get younger players to step up into that leadership role. i think he wants matt ryan and curtis lofton to really become vocal and lead the team next year. just a thought.
by iloveroddywhite on Feb 24, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
also
channing crowder looks like a good bet to become a free agent. maybe we could snag him too. we’d have a really nice young lb corps then.
by iloveroddywhite on Feb 24, 2009 8:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Young, talented kid
But this is what really sells Crowder:
Crowder was asked in August 2007 who might play him in a movie. His response:
“There aren’t any actors out there, you know, fine enough. I don’t know. Got to be light-skinned.
Got to be big. Got to be fine. Got to be like a sex symbol. But nobody’s got dreads, ain’t nobody sweet enough.
Got to be animated. Like a Thundercat! Or a Transformer!”
One of the ten greatest athlete quotes ever.
by Dave the Falconer on Feb 24, 2009 8:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
THUNDERCATS!!
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Jesse28 on Feb 26, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
best
quote
ever
If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother.
-Bo Jackson
by Pregame with Pabst on Feb 24, 2009 11:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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