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Brooks Weighs Options

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: March 10, 2009

Updated: 03/10/2009 11:49 pm

TAMPA - A return to the Bucs seems unlikely, but remaining in the NFL is becoming more of a possibility for former Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks.

Brooks said Tuesday he is still considering all his options in the wake of his Feb. 25 release by Tampa Bay, and that teams have contacted his agent.

"Playing is still a viable option for me and yes, some teams have expressed interest," Brooks said. "But I'm letting my agent take care of that. The teams that have called have talked to my agent."

Brooks' agent, Roosevelt Barnes, would not divulge the teams that have expressed an interest in Brooks, but suggested that several teams have called to inquire about the 11-time Pro Bowler.

"We're looking around at some teams, trying to figure out what we're going to do," Barnes said. "We're taking our time with everything, but I think playing again is one of the options."

Asked if a return to the Bucs was possible for Brooks, Barnes said, "I don't think so."

Brooks, who turns 36 in April, said during his farewell news conference on Feb. 27 at One Buc Place he would continue to work as if he planned to play in 2009. That is precisely what he has been doing, he said.

"I've been doing what I always do, which is work out in the morning and do my charity work in the afternoon," he said. "We'll just have to see what happens.

"Right now, as I said before, anything is a possibility."

CHARGERS: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson agreed to a renegotiated deal that gives the team salary cap relief.

49ERS: Former No. 1 pick Alex Smith is staying with the 49ers after agreeing to a restructured contract sharply reducing the quarterback's base salary.

Smith was due to make nearly $10 million in the upcoming season under the deal he signed in 2005. The 49ers now have Smith under contract for the next two years at a salary more commensurate with his four up-and-down years with the club.

RAMS: Released Orlando Pace, a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle dogged by injuries in recent seasons. Pace, 33, was the first overall pick of the 1997 draft. The move cleared $6 million in cap space.

RAVENS: All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis has signed his seven-year contract, making official the agreement he struck last week with team officials.

The contract is incentive-laden; Lewis will be paid $10 million in the first year.

VICK CASE: Federal authorities are opposing a plan to bring former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick from a Kansas prison to testify at his bankruptcy hearing in Virginia. Vick is serving a 23-month sentence at Leavenworth, Kan., for bankrolling a dogfighting operation.

ACQUITTED: Former kicker Tony Zendejas has been acquitted of drugging a woman at his San Dimas, Calif., restaurant and raping her.

Information from Tribune wires was used in this report.

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