Keith Brooking: Cowboys have shown interest

[Bonecrusher#31]

Keith Brooking: Cowboys have shown interest


March 5, 2012


Keith Brooking has been viewed as one of the vocal leaders in the Cowboys locker room since signing a three-year deal with the team in 2006.

So to no surprise, Brooking didn't agree with Jason Hatcher's comments about the Cowboys not having any leaders.

"It's easy when you're 8-8 and things don't go your way [to say] we don't have leaders," Brooking said Sunday during an interview on CBS affiliate KTVT in Dallas. "I know for a fact that I'm a leader. I don't care what anybody says. I know for a fact that Jason Witten is a leader. That man works harder than anybody I've ever been around in my life. His passion and his love for the game and his intensity and the way he holds guys accountable, he's one of the best leaders I've ever been around.

"I've seen [Tony] Romo progress in the three years I've been here and [he has] become a true leader of a football team, in his own way."

During an interview last month on the Ben and Skin Show [KESN-FM], Hatcher was asked who the Cowboys leaders were. The defensive end candidly said he didn't know.

"Dude. I gotta be honest with you: That's a good question. That's a good question. I really don't know," Hatcher said. "It's just another thing we really need."

Brooking was then asked if the leadership isn't the problem then why haven't the Cowboys been more successful. He responded that he wasn't the type of person to talk about that on camera.

And if you think the quarterback is to blame, Brooking put that theory to rest as well.

"I believe in No. 9. I believe in Tony Romo with all of my heart," Brooking said. "I really believe he has what it takes to win multiple Super Bowls. Regardless of what anyone says, I know that the Cowboys, whether I'm here or not, … Jason Garrett's the right guy, there is no doubt in my mind. I believe Rob Ryan is the guy, there's no doubt in my mind."

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

This shit and the franchising of Spencer are the exact moves that Al Davis would make. Let's hope that Jones follows suit real soon and takes a dirt nap.

 

[superpunk]

holding onto Brooking is just the kind of cheap savvy move that teams like GB and NE make.

 

[dbair1967]

This shit and the franchising of Spencer are the exact moves that Al Davis would make. Let's hope that Jones follows suit real soon and takes a dirt nap.

Considering alot of teams would have interest in Spencer the day he hit the street, I think some of you need to quit going overboard on this franchise thing.

Now if they turned around and gave him an Albert Haynesworth type stupid deal, then you can feel free to complain. But ensuring you dont open up another gaping hole on defense by tagging the guy for 1yr is not foolish at all.

 

[superpunk]

Considering alot of teams would have interest in Spencer the day he hit the street, I think some of you need to quit going overboard on this franchise thing.

Now if they turned around and gave him an Albert Haynesworth type stupid deal, then you can feel free to complain. But ensuring you dont open up another gaping hole on defense by tagging the guy for 1yr is not foolish at all.

Unless they had given him a deal like that, in which case you would be defending it.

 

[dbair1967]

Unless they had given him a deal like that, in which case you would be defending it.

No I wouldnt, but think whatever you please

 

[superpunk]

No I wouldnt, but think whatever you please

oh thats right you just picked the worst FA signing of all time and made that the benchmark of criticism. Anything less stupid than that and the Cowboys are in the clear.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Considering alot of teams would have interest in Spencer the day he hit the street, I think some of you need to quit going overboard on this franchise thing.

Now if they turned around and gave him an Albert Haynesworth type stupid deal, then you can feel free to complain. But ensuring you dont open up another gaping hole on defense by tagging the guy for 1yr is not foolish at all.

Look. I'm HOPING that this move was simply Jerry's attempt to hedge. Hopefully he is looking to get an OLB in the draft: Branch, Irvin, Perry. And in case he doesn't get any of them, then at least he has Spencer. Ok, if that's the idea then, I'm with it.

But this mess of bringing back Brookins.... I don't have much faith.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think Jerry was competing against himself in franchising Spencer. Much along the same lines of trading what he traded for Roy Williams.

 

[dbair1967]

Look. I'm HOPING that this move was simply Jerry's attempt to hedge. Hopefully he is looking to get an OLB in the draft: Branch, Irvin, Perry. And in case he doesn't get any of them, then at least he has Spencer. Ok, if that's the idea then, I'm with it.

But this mess of bringing back Brookins.... I don't have much faith.

I think the most likely scenario is Spencer playing under the 1yr deal, and them drafting soemone high to take alot of the pass rush reps away, with the idea that said player would be ready to take over the role FT next year.

Now the IDEAL scenario (IMO anyway) is they sign Mario Williams on the first day, convert to the 4-3 and rescind the tag on Spencer.

 

[dbair1967]

I think Jerry was competing against himself in franchising Spencer. Much along the same lines of trading what he traded for Roy Williams.

Considering everyone has Spencer rated as the top OLB available, and that alot of teams play the 3-4 I'd say you are just bitching again just to bitch.

Ahmad Brooks is not as good a player as Spencer is, and is already a guy who has been disciplined by the league. Spencer's deal would have been AT LEAST what he got, and most likely more on the open market. I dont know why this is so hard for some of you to understand.

 

[dbair1967]

oh thats right you just picked the worst FA signing of all time and made that the benchmark of criticism. Anything less stupid than that and the Cowboys are in the clear.

Its easy to see why you worship Obama's wang.

 

[cmd34]

I think the most likely scenario is Spencer playing under the 1yr deal, and them drafting soemone high to take alot of the pass rush reps away, with the idea that said player would be ready to take over the role FT next year....

So we pay Spencer $8.8M for his one year of tutoring said draft pick? That doesn't seem at smart at all. We can probably sign 2 starters for that same $8M in 2012 that will still be here starting in 2013.

 

[dbair1967]

So we pay Spencer $8.8M for his one year of tutoring said draft pick? That doesn't seem at smart at all. We can probably sign 2 starters for that same $8M in 2012 that will still be here starting in 2013.

Such as?

 

[cmd34]

Such as?

We'll see what the market is but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to land 2 starters with $4.4M or less 2012 cap hits each. This team has way too many holes to lock up $8.8 M on a player that even the biggest homer (you) would describe as above average.

 

[dbair1967]

We'll see what the market is but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to land 2 starters with $4.4M or less 2012 cap hits each. This team has way too many holes to lock up $8.8 M on a player that even the biggest homer (you) would describe as above average.

We havent locked him up yet, we just ensured he couldnt go elsewhere unless we let him go free

 

[Theebs]

We have three threads on the main page fir the same topic........merge city

 

[superpunk]

We have three threads on the main page fir the same topic........merge city

stfu theebs we're trying to give the illusion of site traffic.

 

[Cr122]

Watkins: What happens if you bring Keith Brooking back?


By Calvin Watkins

Keith Brooking told ESPN Dallas that talk about him returning to the Cowboys in 2012 is "all speculative at this time."

Brooking told CBS 11 the Cowboys have reached out about him possibly coming back to backup at inside linebacker or maybe start alongside Sean Lee.

The Cowboys have spoken with Brooking's agent, Pat Dye, about that happening but the talks should be deemed nothing serious.

From a financial standpoint, it might not cost much. Brooking, who earned a base salary of $2.5 million last season, most likely will take a pay cut. The minimum salary for a veteran of 10-plus years is $925,000. Brooking, should he make the 53-man roster in 2012, will have 15 years of NFL experience.

Now is it worth keeping Brooking, 36, around for at least $925,000 to provide veteran leadership on and off the field? Maybe. It's interesting to note the Cowboys will have Bruce Carter ready to take over the other starting spot next to Lee.

The Cowboys had a first-round grade on Carter last spring but his recovery from ACL surgery lowered his stock in the NFL Draft. Carter has speed and the athletic ability to play inside linebacker.

Keeping Brooking around is insurance.

At what cost?

Does keeping Brooking around mean fewer snaps for Orie Lemon, who spent 2011 on the practice squad?

The Cowboys can also sign a younger version of Brooking in free agency. It's not going to happen in the beginning of the free agency period, but once everything settles a veteran inside linebacker could be available.

 

[cmd34]

If we go the whole free agent period, not sign a LB, and Brooking is still available (he will be) then maybe I bring him back at a veterans minimum. Signing him right away would be stupid, so I fully expect us to do just that.