The Great Debate: Is It Time To Forgive Keith Brooking?
by Caleb Rutherford on Oct 29, 2010 8:01 AM EDT
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In this series of posts, I seek to find the answer to questions that are brought up around here or around the various sports conversation sites. I use a realistic, low-stat opinion to generate discussion about these topics, but I also encourage the use of stats in an argument.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As you can see, I'm pulling a Double Whammy and going two consecutive days of awesome debate postage! Then you get me tomorrow for the Saturday Six Pack for a Triple Whammy! Isn't this fun?!?
This is a bit of a special post, but it is something Jason and I debated about very briefly on another thread. I'm going to stay away from stats this time and leave it completely up to opinion.
As the title suggests, this is a post about former Falcon Keith Brooking. In this thread of Falconliness, there were votes all over the place. Most of the people who commented scored him relatively high, but there were some varied opinions.
Now I ask you all this simple question: It has been a few months since Brooking's thread, and the Falcons have enjoyed some success along with the Cowboys laying a typical Dallas Egg. Is it time we forgave Keith Brooking and moved on?
Follow me after the jump and let's talk about it!
There's no denying it. In a flash of.....irony, when you think of the Falcons defenses over the years, a few names come to mind: Nobis, Tuggle, Brooking, and now Lofton. All of those men are/were great linebackers, and all represented the Falcons in a most.....Falconly.....fashion. I use the past tense, but The Police represents the Falcons in a most admirable way, too.
Unfortunately, I did not start following the Falcons hardcore until the 2008 season, which just so happened to be Brooking's final year with us. I do remember 3rd and 16 very well, but there's no way to know for sure whether he's totally to blame for biting on the run fake. After all, 16 yard runs have happened before, especially when the defense gets spread out.
I'll let you read the Falconliness thread for yourself, but his transition to Dallas was not smooth. He was very upset at how he was treated, even though he had his opportunity to hang around Atlanta. I'll echo my side of the debate with Jason. The NFL, as unfortunate as it is, is a business. Playing football at the highest level is not only a game, but it is also a business. The Falcons had given Brooking his chance, but I think 3rd and 16 left people with a horrid taste in their mouths, mine included.
We gave him an opportunity, and he decided to take his services elsewhere. That happens in this league. People want to get paid, so they go to either the highest bidder or their best hope for a ring. Keith, whatever his reasoning, went to the Cowboys. That's all fine and good, and I have no problem with him wanting to further his career in football.
What I do have a problem with is his lack of understanding that this league is a business. Falcon Nation loved and adored him. He was easily the most recognizable face on the defense, and was treated as such. For him to go to another team is one thing, but to make a fool out of himself against his former team was something that left a very, very sour taste. I understand why he would want to do it, but there's no real reason to do it.
We, as Falcons fans, don't need for him to prove anything to us. We've known how good he was for us, and the gloating and showboating only tarnished his image, in my opinion. There was simply no call for the extracurricular activity he felt so inclined to show us.
Personally, I'm certainly the kind of person that forgives people, almost regardless of the situation. However, Brooking, as great a Falcon as he was, has a permanent black mark on my opinion of him. I'm all for being excited for making a great play, but intentionally shoving it in your former team's face is just not the kind of thing I'd consider Falconly.
Have I forgiven Brooking? Absolutely, but until he gets right with this team, he's going to have a stain on his record that could've easily been avoided if he'd just manned up and accepted the deal for what it was, a business deal.
What do you all think? Have you forgiven Keith Brooking and moved on? Have you reconsidered and find Keith Brooking to be more Falconly now than you did back in June? What is your opinion of him now?
I look forward to discussing this with you all!
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Nah
If you turn heel, you turn heel.
by NeedATicketToTheGame on Oct 29, 2010 8:15 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Nope
I still have my Brooking jersey, but have not worn it since he left. Sure, business is business, but he could have been one of two people in NFL history (I might be in error here) to play their entire high school, college, and pro career in the same state. Tuggle being the other. On the other hand, I guess if Sanders can be honored after his actions and words towards the Falcons, I’m sure Brooking will too. Oh well, break-ups from a long term relationship always have a love/hate edge to them.
Oh well, break-ups from a long term relationship always have a love/hate edge to them.
I feel like Keith Brooking right now in my life.
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
by brotherbrown on Oct 30, 2010 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Out of complete ignorance...
Did the Falcons give Brooking an offer after the 2008 season?
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
Yes they did offer him another contract
It would have been a pay cut but he was being phased out anyway.
Apply that cold, hard business lens to our side of the deal too, Caleb.
On the one hand: The fourth or fifth best defender and possibly the best leader in franchise history. On the other: Some gesturin’.
Easy call. The reasoned, analytical mind has no problem dismissing a heat-of-the-battle moment in favor of Brooking’s mountain of contributions. I was mad about it a year ago too, but let’s move on, bros. This is some silly little shit to keep hanging on to.
And his egregious disrespect wasn’t even all that bad, when you think about it. Y’all make it sound like he went on NPR and slammed the city, fans, and franchise for an hour while plugging his new book, I Will Always Hate Atlanta, Georgia And Everything In It. Or did he just wave his stumpy arms around like a big dork?
(By the way, if making one critical mistake at the end of a playoff loss is to be considered a major mark against an ex-Falcon, it’s time for number three on our list to take a tumble. It’s one play from eleven years of service.)
I am proud to be a Kennesaw State Fighting Owl. -- Vince Dooley
I think what gets people riled up about Brooking is that he's on the downside
of his career and he showed his a** when they played us last year. I’m all for being competitive and showing your old team that they made a mistake, but this guy was completely out of character. All the jumping around and yelling…he certainly didn’t do that when he was here. Let’s take Favre for instance. The guy is a competitor but has he ever gone out like Brooking? Nope. The same with Jason Taylor.
The Falcons were willing to keep his dimishing-skilled butt on the team and he said no to what they offered. He would have been on the team instead of Peterson right now. As far as where he falls in the franchise, that IMO is another debate.
Yeah Brett Favre hasn't done anything disreputable since leaving the Packers.
Regarding Brooking’s supposed lack of yelling, taunting, and gesticulating as a Falcon:
There were about 15 more images I could’ve included here. He’s always been clumsy, over-expressive, and chip-on-shouldered. And we don’t like to admit this, because it takes the edge off, but he does that stuff against other Cowboys opponents too. It wasn’t always well-coordinated or appropriate, but Keith has always done absolutely nothing but Keith.
I am proud to be a Kennesaw State Fighting Owl. -- Vince Dooley
by Jason Kirk on Oct 29, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you
for posting the pictures. Brooking always was and always will be a mellow guy off the field and a psychotic villain/hero on the field. While with us we would defend him saying he wears his heart on his sleeve, or he is a motivator, or he is an example of how to get pumped up in a game. Now he is a complete dolt for doing that against us? Yes it is a business and I know he understands that. All he wanted was a fair contract for his services and so many forget that for most of his career here he was playing out of position, willing to play anywhere he was needed and where the coaches felt it was best. I have nothing but props for old 56.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
by muuzilla on Oct 29, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of pychotic villians
Did y’all see Jarred Allen on the new Jack ass 3D? He fit right with those guys.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Oct 29, 2010 12:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It's not about him being disruptive
it’s about his play on the field and his actions after he left. A few still shots doesn’t tell the story. As I said before, there’s competitiveness and then there is being overboard. As I said somewhere else on this post, I wasn’t a fan of Brooking any way so I’m biased.
I am with you on this one...
Having been been with my wife for 5 years now, I would hope a little uncalled for arm waving wouldn’t warrant a divorce!
We can’t ever play tennis against each other again. The last time we tried, In the heat of the moment, things were said, balls were tossed, and arms were waved. It happens.
Brooking’s acts weren’t calculated or even that big of a deal. While stupid, they were done in the heat of the moment.
How do you think this guy feels? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGZUKHtW7vg
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
i guess i take it less seriously
Football is entertainment. Brooking is now “villain” – and it only took a minute for him to categorize himself as such against our beloved birds. Forgiving him would take away from the entertainment value.
by NeedATicketToTheGame on Oct 29, 2010 8:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ten years
We can forgive him after ten years after he retires.Well maybe five years.Biz or not it was a relationship and as you all know sometimes we say things that can never be taken back.
Last time I attempted a Triple Whammy,
it resulted in an awkward conversation with my girlfriend and a very embarrassing trip to the emergency room.
Don't worry man, I will save this joke
I know exactly what you mean, with a face of disgust.
by Creek Johnson on Oct 29, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't try this at home
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At least you have (or had) a girlfriend to try a triple whammy.
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
by brotherbrown on Oct 30, 2010 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Nope
I wished the Falcons got rid of him 4-5 years before they did. I wasn’t a fan of his.
AMEN!!!
He seemed to be in the wrong place, a step behind, or missing a tackle on 50% of his plays. The other 50%, he’d hit em and come up flexing and yelling. WAY over-rated, and should’ve been gone much sooner.
Now that he’s a Cowboy, I have even more reason to dislike him – cuz I HATE the Cowboys.
So, is it time to forgive? Forgive him for what? Leaving or ever being here in the first place?
I haven't really thought about it
Personally, I have to just look at the situation as it is now and say we’re doing just fine. I’m not sure that if Brooking was signed we would have the LB corps that we do now so I would have to say I’m glad he’s gone. It’s a little disappointing he felt the need to show his emotions like that, but I can’t really let myself care given what we have now.
It was funny watching him cry about the score being driven up on him and his team though….
On the other hand, I’m still disappointed that Mort Anderson left, but Matt Bryant is making me feel better.
I was never a fan of Brooking. Every interview he gave I found my self changing the channel. He was ignorant, chauvinistic, and always come across as dumb. However, i thought he played well enough. On a Falconly scale, he’s no higher then a 5 to me. So to answer to the question: I don’t need to forgive him. I didn’t care for him to begin with.
Naaa not 4 me
As a linebacker fan, during his time here he was probably my favorite falcon. How he acted in the game last year was understood, but still a disrespectful slap in the face. He could get the love back, but as of now I don’t honestly care 4 him much. I do however think that the blue star contributes to the disrespect because I’ve always hated the cowboys
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Oct 29, 2010 11:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
My wife talks about it all the time. When he talks about women, its usually in a stereotypic way (Little lady belongs in the kitchen or She should be serving me and my friends).
by Caviarhound on Oct 29, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
for something like that
I would like to see it in an interview or something somewhere. It is so easy for someone to say something bad about someone and say “I heard it from…”. Remember the game we all played in 1st grade or whatever where we sat in a circle and the teacher whispered in a kids ear and that kid repeated it to the one next to him and so on? It never got back to the teacher as she said it. It might have started out as “The sky is blue” and by the time it got back to the teacher it would be something like “purple panties are on the flag pole”. No offense to your wife or anything but something like this I would have to see (or hear) to believe.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Honestly, I don’t need to prove my feelings. I saw it, she talks about and if that makes us 1st graders, so be it.
by Caviarhound on Oct 29, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I was misunderstood
I didnt call anyone first graders. I simply said that stories never end up the way they started and used that analogy and I never asked anyone to prove their feelings. I simply responded to someone saying he said chauvinistic things by asking them (or anyone reading my post) that I would like to see it in an interview or something somewhere.
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
He has acted a fool as of late but
Now I just feel sorry for him. I ain’t mad. He still lives here and has given alot of himself for our amusement.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Oct 29, 2010 11:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Not now, not ever.
I still don’t forgive him, and likely never will. It was the first time that I recall seeing him act like all the other idiot punks out there today that don’t know the definition of sportsmanship. That’s what really gets to me. When he was a Falcon, he epitomized professionalism. Take a look at his stat line from that game – 2 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 passed defended, 0 INTs, and 0 FFs. Hardly worth all the antics that ensued. Sorry, but simply un-Falconly. Every time I see some tool like Marion Barber prancing around after a 2 yard gain while his team’s down by 14 points, I have to fight the urge to climb in a clock tower with a high powered rifle (jk).
Water under the bridge
Brooking was always one of my favorite Falcons. His playoff snafu and his dumbass act against the Falcons pissed me off, and I still think it was a bizarre way for him to handle it. That said, he will go down as a Falcons great when a little time has passed.
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about that 3rd and 16
Was he the only one on the field? I thought he had 10 others around? So no one was there to blame on a poor pass rush and no one was there to blame on a bad play call?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Oh yeah I forgot Brooking 3:16. Booo!
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Oct 29, 2010 12:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If one can forgive Vick's actions, they sure as hell can forgive Brooking's
Brooking let his emotions / mouth get the best of him once or twice. Big deal! It happens to lots of people, especially those in the public eye that have every word scrutinized.
I was no big fan of his, but respect his career as a Falcon. He wouldn’t have lasted as long as he did if he wasn’t a pretty good player; they don’t pay that big money for mediocrity. He never brought disrepute to the team, gave his best effort, and played hurt. Remember when he played half a season with cracked vertebra in his back? That’s old school tough, if you ask me.
I harbor no ill will, and wish him luck (unless he’s playing the Falcons).
by tom slick on Oct 29, 2010 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Unfortunately, history shows that we did pay a lot of money for mediocrity.
Brooking is no exception. He always made tackles 7 yards after initial contact. He may go down as a Falcon great but during the years of the Smith family, what does that really say?
The only problem I have
With Brooking is how he rubbed the Falcons faces in the Dallas turf last season acting like a punk ass little snot nose brat. Should of rubbed his face for biting on the run fake. Was lukewarm as far as my support was. Glad Spoon got #56. He will represent a lot better.
I forgive him
He hooked us up with Spoon! If the kid can get over his injury, he’ll fill in just fine.
Didn't Arthur Blank send Brooking off with a very nice dinner honoring his time with ATL or something like that?
I don’t think Blank has done that for anyone else who chose to leave. And Brooking cried like a baby. Then he shows his ass when we play against Dallas. Nope, can’t forgive him yet. I’ll wait and see how he acts the next time we play Dallas. I think one could argue it’s time for him to forgive the Falcons as well.
Child please, i got angry just reading about him and his third & 16 “mental breakdown”
by AlexanderTheFalcoholic on Oct 29, 2010 4:56 PM EDT reply actions
Brooking
Come on guys, Kieth was a great Falcon!! I’m all about forgiveness and compassion. I think you guys have missed the point though. The moment you become a Cowboy you have celebrity status. Bad behavior is a prerequisite for any Dallas Diva, heck, its the only way to get any presstime.
by Charles G. Gay on Oct 29, 2010 6:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
great falcon?
He was the 7-yard ranger. I think we’re setting a pretty low bar for greatness here.
by NeedATicketToTheGame on Oct 29, 2010 8:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
He went to 5 Pro Bowls
If you have to set the bar higher than that, then the Falcons have only had ONE great player in franchise history (Claude Humphrey went to 6).
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Forgiven? Forgiven?! Forgiven?!?
No way. He blew the huge play and acted like a jackass when he came back. Karma is a bitch though isn’t it…1-5 is not a good look. In other words…Keith who?
by DirtyBirdTakeover on Oct 29, 2010 6:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
We're talking about one play, one incident
It absolutely amazes me how often I’m told I should forgive someone for a hell of a lot more than that, but Brooking catches endless hell.
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No, not forgiven
Once he’s retired, we can forgive him being a punk last year and his whiny sense of entitlement to a lucrative contract.
Using Favre as an example, he never rubbed in Green Bay’s face, and they haven’t forgiven him. After that aged fossil finally hangs it up, the Cheeseheads will welcome him back (providing he’s not in prison or killed on the field).
Same with Brooking. Once he hangs them up, fine. Not until then. Because we’re not Keith Brooking fans, we’re Falcons fans.
As much as I want to
I can’t really argue with this logic.
What's funny
Is if you look at keith brooking and Mike petersons stats, you’ll notice those two are interchangeable. very, VERY similar stats.
by Mattyice318 on Oct 29, 2010 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Never changed my opinion
He did not do anything that much different than most anyone else would. Yes, it is a business, and Brooking knows it is a business. If you felt your employer dissed you, and you found a job at a competitor, and continued to have a productive career…When you got the opportunity you would make sure your old boss knew it. (Just few of us would have the opportunity on TV) Human nature. I don’t blame him at all.
3rd & 16? Please! Anyone that wants to regurgitate this – I dare you to find the NFL player that never had a bad play.
I remember him becoming a favorite whipping-boy of bloggers his last couple of years as a Falcon. He was blamed for everything but Blank’s hair style. However, he was working within the system we had. I thought it was interesting that the guy many had complained was “too old and slow” continues to be successful with a staff that apparently found a better use for him.
He spent his best years as a Falcon, and has made substantial civic contributions to the area. Still a Falconly 10.
must be
Maybe he is the scapegoat of Dallas like he was in Atlanta? Not generating any front line pressure? If only Brooking played better. No run D support? Must be Brookings fault. Getting torched through the air? Yup, his fault too. Hell, if everything is blamed on one person, he must be one hell of a player since that means he is the only one on the field?
Dont cloud the issue with facts!
Keith will always be my favorite Falcon
Because he was my first favourite player. Even though he essentially gave the franchise the finger, it’s just him not being happy that he didn’t get paid. He we always be a Falcon and you know what? He’s probably regretting not taking that paycut, because right now we have more of a chance to make the Superbowl than those Cowboys.
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