Happy Fourth of July, Derrick Brooks. Not even the Jaguars want you.
The 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker and future Hall of Famer has not received many sniffs, if any, since being cut by the Buccaneers in February.
Jacksonville is the latest uninterested party, according to a Florida Times-Union report.
Here’s an excerpt from Gene Frenette’s mishmash column Saturday:
“It doesn’t appear the Jaguars have much interest in throwing a life line at 36-year-old linebacker Derrick Brooks, who is still job-hunting after getting cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even if Brooks wanted to play for the veteran minimum, the Jaguars think 2008 draft pick Thomas Williams and rookie free agent Russell Allen will alleviate concerns about depth at the position.”
Brooks has played in all 224 games of his 14-year career in Tampa, starting all but three in his rookie season.
He is clearly on the downside of his career. Brooks registered a career-low 73 tackles in 2008, and became a liability in pass coverage as the team opted for younger options on third downs.
The Jags already have three entrenched starters at linebacker: Daryl Smith (who plays weak side, same as Brooks), Clint Ingram, and Justin Durant.
They have little depth, but apparently would rather take a chance on an unheralded youngster like Williams or Allen, especially when backup linebackers are needed on special teams.
Good for the Jaguars. They are sticking to their guns and staying young.
Remember the last couple times Jacksonville welcomed past-their-prime linebackers?
Bryce Paup. Hardy Nickerson. Just sayin’.
Brooks should be pleased, too. He is too accomplished and intelligent (and perhaps too slow) to cover kickoff duties.
The Jaguars are not the type of team he should be looking at.
Sports Illustrated reported last month that Brooks had yet to receive any offers.
Be patient. As training camp nears, the phone will ring.
Hopefully for Brooks, it will be a team that has players closer to his age.






