What the... Derrick Brooks?!

[ChadTower]

As a lifelong Bucs fan, I need to vent something:

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What the HELL are the Bucs thinking today?!

[wutang]

I guess 11 pro-bowls doesn't get you any leverage with a new head coach. That is harsh. I am a Bears fan and can't imagine if some new coach came in and released Urlacher.

[ChadTower]

And it's more than Urlacher, even... Brooks is by far the most important player in franchise history. He is the best team captain in the NFL and not only was NFL defensive MVP but was NFL Man of the Year for doing more charity and youth work than most other TEAMS.

This isn't like cutting Urlacher without warning. This is more like cutting Walter Payton.

[wutang]

This isn't like cutting Urlacher without warning. This is more like cutting Walter Payton.

Or Dick Butkus to stick with the linebacker comparison. Bottom line-it is a messed up deal. I wonder how long the fans will support the new coach?

[ChadTower]

Or Dick Butkus to stick with the linebacker comparison. Bottom line-it is a messed up deal. I wonder long the fans support the new coach?

I was supporting him until this. Today I'm not even sure I'd slow down my car if he stepped in front of it.

[Vlap]

Who's your favorite player... Mr. Derrick Brooks!!! (For those who don't know there was a commercial with Derrick Brooks leading a school bus of children signing some songs.)

Derrick Brooks is an absolute class act and will be terribly missed here. I hope at some point he returns in some kind of coaching role. He is easily the best player to have ever worn the buc uniform including the old orange and white uniforms. Not many bucs left that remember those days.

This being said I was in shock yesterday when I heard the news. Also seeing Warrick Dunn go really hurts as well. Both were great people on and off the field.

Now the part you won't like. It was time. Brooks on field time was limited and he has lost a few steps. The bucs have lived in the past for too long and it is time to finally think of the future. They have made many bold moves that show they are re-thinking the team and going in a new direction. I fear it may take a couple seasons for the move to pay off and in that time the new coach and gm are really going to be harassed and criticized. I am keeping my hopes high and will try to believe in this new team.

Ronde Barber better watch his back since he is one of the last two that was there when the bucs won the superbowl. I would hate to see him go as well.

The free agent period should be interesting.

[DaveNH]

Location: Massachusetts, Bucs Fan?

[ChadTower]

vlap, I watched every snap of every Bucs game including preseason this year. Brooks isn't what he once was, that is true, but he is still an above average linebacker. He was slowed in the last month of this year by a hamstring injury. He probably shouldn't have been playing on it but that's more on Gruden than on Brooks. If the coach points you out there you go.

Dave, man... not everyone is currently where they have always been! :)

[supervman]

They jettisoned a bunch of boys down there.
The youth movement has started abliet not a popular move.

If I was a Bucs fan I'd be pissed.

[ChadTower]

If I was a Bucs fan I'd be pissed.

The only one of those cuts that was really bad was Brooks. Dunn is still useful as a change of pace backup but mostly in Gruden's offense. Galloway is done. Cato June has gas left but didn't show nearly enough last year when we needed someone to step up.

I can't believe they'd cut Brooks and keep Barber. Barber gave up as many long TDs last year as any CB I've ever seen over a full season. He has started to miss tackles, too, which was always his main strength. Take Barber out of that "low safety" spot of Kiffin's cover 2 (and Kiffin is gone obviously) and he becomes a complete and total liability. The only reason I can think of that Barber is still around is that Morris was the secondary coach and Barber is his boy.

...and just in case someone points out that Barber made the Pro Bowl this year... so did Derrick Brooks. Niether one of them really deserved it.

[Vlap]

Only thing I can give Barber is that everytime he got burned it seemed he turned around and made a huge play. I also am surprised that Barber did not get cut with the changes that are being made. Season has not started yet.

Don't get me wrong though. I will miss Derrick Brooks for he is a true Buc.

[ChadTower]

I'm just hoping they finally smarten up and snag a QB in the draft. I'm fine with McCown starting this year and letting the new guy season a while at #3. Garcia is likely gone and I just don't see the new coach going the mentor route with Warner as a followup to Gruden's carousel.

[Vlap]

Not sure if you missed the news but Garcia is gone. Although not likely I sure wish they could get ahold of kassell.

[ChadTower]

I can't even find the news... nfl.com still has him on the roster and I dont' see any mention anywhere of him having been cut. No mention in the official transaction log either. Of course, I assume he will be gone, and just isn't yet.

I live 5 mins from Gillette Stadium... my wife's family are all die hard Pats fans going back decades. I end up watching every snap of every Pats game too as a result. We don't want Cassel. Trust me. Take him out of the Pats' system, take away Moss and Welker, and you'll see a very very different Cassel. A large part of the Pats' fanbase was actually pissed that Cassel made the roster at all in this past preseason... that's how bad he is when not surrounded with pro bowlers on both ends and all over the OL.

[Vlap]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2009/...ell-garci.html

Here is some information.

I can see what you are saying about Cassell. Look what Moss did for Culpepper in Mn.
Someone will pick up Cassell and we will see what he can do. I didn't watch any of the pats games but he seemed to do a pretty good job in Brady's absence.