Obviously, I disagree as Brooks is making $5,050,000 (base = $2,700,000) in base salary this year. He is due to make $7,500,000 (base - $5,150,000) next year. This is nothing for a 2-time probowl alternate (where only WILL OLB's make it) and 2nd team all pro. We can agree to disagree, naturally. Again, I think you are gravely confusing and lumping in the two types of OLB's and their responsibilities which are very very different. If you were to compare Brooks' numbers and overall value to this team compared to all SAM OLB's, Brooks signed a very reasonable contract for us and you KNOW this FO does their homework. He was the first one we signed. It's now coming out that he played hurt at the end of the season with a shoulder injury but was again, the only OLB that did anything for us not only when it mattered most, but consistently through the playoffs/Superbowl.
If you really want to blow your mind, go compare his contract to some
WILL OLB's who have had 13 collective sacks over the past two years (if that's the stat you are focused on). Another thing of note, TFL are sacks and the NFL is very very poor at tracking these properly (like tackles). I can personally tell you, by team stats (sometimes released), he is typically leading the team. If you really want to get into his "value" also consider the countless sacks he lost d/t penalties and tackles of QB's from behind for a 1 yard gain. God, he must have had 6 of those alone last year...no joke. So his "sack value" is well into the double digit area which is the equivalent of a WILL OLB getting 20+. He was also THE best OLB in the red zone, accounting for numerous stops and forcing rushed incomplete passes that would have been easy TD's had the QB rolled to his left instead of his right. Brooks is so quick at diagnosing a play, he is in the backfield chasing the QB...people don't realize how hard this is. He is in no-man's zone...he either has to rush the passer or drop back with the wide open TE. If he goes with the TE the QB can run for a TD. If he rushes the QB and doesn't get there, the TE is wide open in the EZ. He not only has to diagnose the play but know where his help is while then making a split second decision. Nobody is better, or even close to him, when it comes to play recognition. This is experience or in your case, "age."
So its all in how you value a player not only at his position compared to the rest of the league (SAM) but the value he brings to your OWN defense.
My advice to you is to focus less on sack numbers and grouping OLB's together and more on the the complete skill set and responsibilities required of each in our defense. It sounds like we may have gotten both Brooks, McDonald and Aldon and Justin some help and depth this year (finally) which, ideally, should help everyone down the stretch. That is our solution. But don't expect Lemonier to come in this year or even next year and take Brooks' spot. It takes a good three years to learn to be a complete OLB in this defense, in particular and the SAM position has even more responsibilities than the WILL.
After the 2014 season, then we are looking at a possible restructure like a lot of vets we're seeing this year @ $8,350,000 ($6,000,000). So I agree there.
On another note, I also could not agree with you more re: Carlos Rogers. I thought it was very important to get this guy signed like we all did but this past year, he kicked me in the gut by getting pwned all year and playing 1/2-assed. I can't remember a single play he made for us that mattered. If he had actually knocked down that Boldin pass in the Superbowl, I'd "consider" he earned his contract. See post #57:
http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/niners/173301-carlos-rodgers-thinks-hes-starter/page4/
On a side note, Dorsey seems like a real humble dude...seems to be getting really coached up well and focusing on his technique (e.g. foot work, angles, leverage, etc.). Again, we continue to use the NT/DE interchangeably as well (not a fan but)...he alludes to this, although playing "outside" may mean inside DT on a 4-man DL as well rather than NT lined up over the C.
http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/Glenn-Dorsey-Enjoys-Fresh-Start/707d679a-f39d-4995-a6af-c08be977544b
[ Edited by NCommand on Jun 2, 2013 at 7:51 AM ]