At 35, Bucs' Great Brooks Is Still A Game-Changer

This has been a tough year for the Bucs. They've lost only three games, but they've had to say goodbye to three legends.

In recent months, franchise icons Mike Alstott, Warren Sapp and John Lynch all hung up their cleats. It makes you wonder, can Derrick Brooks be far behind?

Surprisingly, the answer seems to be no. Brooks may be 35, but there have been times this season you would have sworn the legendary linebacker was 25. Last week's win against the Vikings was one of them. When he went back to look at it again, Coach Jon Gruden's eyes popped.

"I have him for five tackles, two assists, a pass broken up, a key stop on fourth-and-one and a tackle for a loss," Gruden said. "For that I say, 'Way to go Brooks.' I mean, he's just something else. He's the heart and soul of our team."

He might be its savior, too. That "pass broken up" Gruden talked about might have been the play of the game against the Vikings. Shoot, it might have been the play of Brooks' career. And this is a guy who has made a lot of plays.

Forced to defend Adrian Peterson, who slipped past primary cover man Barrett Ruud on a fourth-and-1 play in the third quarter, Brooks not only read the play as it materialized, but also somehow managed to catch up to and stay with Peterson.

Think Brooks has lost a step? If so, he found it on that critical fourth-down play. And found a couple more to go with it, maybe. If Peterson catches that ball - he was squeezing his hands around it when Brooks got his hand up and slapped it away - he's gone. Touchdown.

Game over? Not necessarily. But there were plenty of players in both locker rooms who thought a catch there would have altered the game's outcome. Instead, Brooks altered it. Not just on that play, but also on several others. An old friend wasn't surprised.

"The one thing that never, ever ceases to amaze me about Derrick Brooks is his preparation," said former Bucs defensive line coach and current Lions head coach Rod Marinelli. "He knew right [away] who had that coverage and he went right to that spot.

"We nearly fell off our chairs when we [watched it on tape]. I think the bigger the play, the bigger the time in the game, that's when Derrick shows up. Derrick is a special guy. He's always done that. It doesn't surprise me. It was a great play, but that's who he is."

Brooks has been that way pretty much all year, which is rather remarkable when you think about it. Remember the season opener he had in Seattle last year? It was painful to watch at times. Brooks looked like he was through. Now look at him. He looks like he could play forever.

If only he could. They say you never know how much you miss something until it's gone. Bucs fans know the feeling. What some would give to see Alstott, Sapp and Lynch line up and play another game - just one more - in pewter and red.

It would be special. Brooks still is. From the looks of things, he's going to be special for at least a little while longer. Cherish him while you can.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? Bucs defensive end Greg White has decided to follow the lead of Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson - er, Ocho Cinco.

No, White isn't turning into a loudmouth or looking to become a wide receiver. He is, however, planning to change his name.

By the time the year is out, White will officially be known as Stylez G. White instead of just Greg White.

Why?

"You can always remember Stylez White,'' White said. "Greg White, nobody knows Greg White."

Quarterbacks know him. White made a name for himself last year when he led the Bucs with eight sacks and seven forced fumbles.

White hasn't been quite so proficient this year. He has just 3.5 sacks and is yet to force a fumble. If that doesn't change, it won't matter what his name is, people will have a hard time remembering him.

But White isn't changing his name with football in mind. He's got bigger plans that may include a career in politics.

"I want people to judge me off who I am, not what I am," he said. "And I want to do more for the community. I want to make a difference in people's lives."