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Kiffin, Others Heap Praise On Brooks

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 25, 2009

TAMPA - Monte Kiffin was a few minutes away from heading into a University of Tennessee meeting in Knoxville Wednesday afternoon when he was informed the Bucs had released five players, including perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks.

Thankfully, he was sitting down.

After a 20-second pause to digest the news, Kiffin took a deep breath and collected his thoughts.

"Derrick Brooks is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, an awesome, awesome player and person,'' Kiffin said. "I consider it a privilege that I got to coach the man. He's meant an awful lot to my career.''

Tampa Bay's former defensive coordinator was one of many observers surprised by the Buccaneer purge that swept Brooks, fellow linebacker Cato June, running back Warrick Dunn and receivers Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard out the door.

"It's an unfortunate day for the guys involved, but it's also an opportunity that younger players can take advantage of,'' said Tampa Bay defensive tackle Chris Hovan. "Guys like Quincy Black and Adam Hayward are going to get their shots now, but remember one thing – you're filling big shoes when you talk about No. 55.''

Former Ravens coach Brian Billick said Brooks represents a rare breed.

"There are a lot of great players in this league -- but there are only a handful that define a position,'' said the NFL Network analyst. "Derrick Brooks did that. In the Tampa 2, you ask a lot out of the 'Will' linebacker. Whatever you asked out of Derrick Brooks, he did it better than anyone else.''

Defensive tackle Warren Sapp, who broke into the NFL with Brooks in 1995, said: "Nobody was more prepared for Sunday, and you couldn't stop him. He's the best 'Will' linebacker to ever play.''

Now the Bucs, led by first-year GM Mark Dominik and rookie coach Raheem Morris, must restock the roster through free agency and the draft.

Brooks and June missed only two starts between them at outside linebacker, and if Tampa Bay pursues a veteran, Miami's Channing Crowder, Michael Boley of Atlanta and Buffalo's Angelo Crowell may be worth a look in free agency.

Brooks' departure could also provide second-year pro Geno Hayes with an opportunity to impress new defensive coordinator Jim Bates and supplant a fellow Seminole.

"Today's moves are another reminder that pro football is also a business,'' said Bucs middle linebacker Barrett Ruud. "If it can happen to No. 55, it can happen to all of us. For anyone to make it through 14 years with one organization, that's pretty darned good.''

Wednesday's overhaul won't fully hit home until the Bucs gather for workouts this spring at the facility.

"Since I got here in 2005, there have been a lot of changes,'' Hovan said. "It's going to be weird not seeing No. 55 when we get to Orlando for training camp. In all my years in football, I've never seen a guy who took charge of a locker room like Derrick Brooks. A man like that can't ever be replaced.''

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