All OLB projections   •  Current OLB rankings   •   All TB projections   •  TB team report

OLB Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

HT: 6-0, WT: 235, Born: 4-18-1973, College: Florida State, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 28

2008 Projections

Best Case

Brooks, the standard bearer for the stud group of weak side linebackers who have found success in the Tampa-2 scheme, continues to play at an above-average level into his mid-30s. Consistently one of the higher scoring WLBs in the league, Brooks has shown the durability and longevity that few of his colleagues have. Back for yet another season in the primo spot in his defensive scheme, Brooks still has the talent to put up a top fifteen season.

Worst Case

Brooks, like many of his Buc teammates, saw his numbers decline during the second half of 2007. On pace for his usual 90 plus solo tackles, Brooks fell back later in the year and finished with only 84. It's also concerning that the solid peripheral coverage stats that Brooks consistently averaged have dropped off significantly over the past two seasons. Now 35 years old, Brooks doesn't have the range and recovery skills he once had and his stat lines are likely to suffer because of it.

Outlook

Brooks needs opportunity to stay in the upper tiers of IDP options at linebacker. With the Buc defense improving and his skills on a slow, but steady, downslide, Brooks may not get the chances he needs to be a top IDP linebacker this year. Brooks remains talented enough to put up LB2 numbers, but is more likely to finish the season as he did 2007 as a reliable LB3, but not much more.

Writeups last modified: 2008-05-03 13:28:26