Ahmad Brooks let him go or keep him?

Originally posted by JerryRice1848:
If we don't re-sign Brooks, prepare for a barrage of "(Insert random Niner) can play OLB?" threads

Too late! LOL

YEAH I THOUGHT SO........Brooks was too valuable not to keep. And if you look at the Free Agent OLB's there are none out there.

I like Brooks journey too.......he was a top rated guy but had some problems. Went into the Supplemental draft and ended up on the Bengals and was cut. That's a big fall for a guy that could have been a 2nd round pick with 1st round talent.

Nice pick up by McCloughan on the Waiver wire. It didn't seem like the guy really turned it around until 2010 mentally.

Here's the scouting report from 2006 on Brooks.

Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia6-3 3/8, 260 pounds, 4.69 40-yard dash



Strengths: When in peak condition, he was a prospect with an outstanding combination of size, speed and athletic ability. He has shown the ability to be extremely productive and versatile at the highest collegiate level. He plays the game with a mean streak and flashes the ability to hold ground at the point of attack. Shows outstanding instincts and always seems to be around the ball. Has the speed and lateral mobility to make plays from sideline-to-sideline versus the run. Can change directions quickly, has the burst to get into the backfield and makes plays in space. Possesses outstanding athletic ability for his size. Displays good range in zone coverage. Shows good ball skills and is a playmaker. Is fast for size and has the cover skills to stay with most backs and tight ends in man coverage. Takes little time to reach his top speed, does an adequate job of anticipating the snap and is a relentless pass rusher. Explodes into tackles and is powerful hitter capable of forcing some fumbles. Has experience lining up at defensive end in pass rush situations, can line up at inside or outside linebacker, has some experience retuning kicks and has excellent versatility.

Weaknesses: While he possesses great recognition skills, he doesn't always play with sound technique and is still somewhat raw. Doesn't always use hands well, is vulnerable to cut blocks and takes too long to shed blocks at times. Needs to improve his overall consistency. There are also major concerns regarding his durability, work ethic and character.

Bottom line: Brooks attended Hargrave Military Academy in the fall of 2002 before enrolling at Virginia for the spring semester. He broke the school record for tackles registered by a freshman in 2003 and was named one of the 12 finalists for the Butkus Award in 2004. Brooks, whose father played defensive tackle for the Washington Redskins, finished the 2004 season with 90 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 6½ sacks and two interceptions. Brooks played in just six games as a junior in 2005, as he was sidelined in six others due to injuries (knee, ankle and back). He reportedly ballooned to 280 pounds before hiring a trainer to prepare him for his June 22 individual workout for NFL scouts.

Brooks reminds me in many ways of Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, as he possesses a similarly rare combination of size, speed and athletic ability. Brooks has the potential to play inside or outside linebacker in the NFL and can also be effective when turned loose off the edge on obvious passing downs. Unfortunately, Brooks has some major "red flags" as a pro prospect, including character, work ethic and durability. In our opinion, Brooks is too risky to consider in the first round but too talented to pass up in the third round.

YEAH I THOUGHT SO........Brooks was too valuable not to keep. And if you look at the Free Agent OLB's there are none out there.

I like Brooks journey too.......he was a top rated guy but had some problems. Went into the Supplemental draft and ended up on the Bengals and was cut. That's a big fall for a guy that could have been a 2nd round pick with 1st round talent.

Nice pick up by McCloughan on the Waiver wire. It didn't seem like the guy really turned it around until 2010 mentally.

Here's the scouting report from 2006 on Brooks.

Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia6-3 3/8, 260 pounds, 4.69 40-yard dash



Strengths: When in peak condition, he was a prospect with an outstanding combination of size, speed and athletic ability. He has shown the ability to be extremely productive and versatile at the highest collegiate level. He plays the game with a mean streak and flashes the ability to hold ground at the point of attack. Shows outstanding instincts and always seems to be around the ball. Has the speed and lateral mobility to make plays from sideline-to-sideline versus the run. Can change directions quickly, has the burst to get into the backfield and makes plays in space. Possesses outstanding athletic ability for his size. Displays good range in zone coverage. Shows good ball skills and is a playmaker. Is fast for size and has the cover skills to stay with most backs and tight ends in man coverage. Takes little time to reach his top speed, does an adequate job of anticipating the snap and is a relentless pass rusher. Explodes into tackles and is powerful hitter capable of forcing some fumbles. Has experience lining up at defensive end in pass rush situations, can line up at inside or outside linebacker, has some experience retuning kicks and has excellent versatility.

Weaknesses: While he possesses great recognition skills, he doesn't always play with sound technique and is still somewhat raw. Doesn't always use hands well, is vulnerable to cut blocks and takes too long to shed blocks at times. Needs to improve his overall consistency. There are also major concerns regarding his durability, work ethic and character.

Bottom line: Brooks attended Hargrave Military Academy in the fall of 2002 before enrolling at Virginia for the spring semester. He broke the school record for tackles registered by a freshman in 2003 and was named one of the 12 finalists for the Butkus Award in 2004. Brooks, whose father played defensive tackle for the Washington Redskins, finished the 2004 season with 90 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 6½ sacks and two interceptions. Brooks played in just six games as a junior in 2005, as he was sidelined in six others due to injuries (knee, ankle and back). He reportedly ballooned to 280 pounds before hiring a trainer to prepare him for his June 22 individual workout for NFL scouts.

Brooks reminds me in many ways of Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, as he possesses a similarly rare combination of size, speed and athletic ability. Brooks has the potential to play inside or outside linebacker in the NFL and can also be effective when turned loose off the edge on obvious passing downs. Unfortunately, Brooks has some major "red flags" as a pro prospect, including character, work ethic and durability. In our opinion, Brooks is too risky to consider in the first round but too talented to pass up in the third round.

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