Keith Brooking: 'I would love to finish my career in Atlanta'

February 17, 7:55 AMAtlanta Falcons ExaminerDaniel Cox

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It seems that Keith Brooking is trying to tell two things to anyone that will listen:

He can still play and he wants, and thinks he deserves, to return to Atlanta.

On the heels of an interesting article by AJC columnist Jeff Schultz last Friday, that same day Brooking appeared on a local Atlanta radio show, 790 The Zone's Pollack and Bell,  to discuss, among other things, his future in Atlanta.

He spoke about the now infamous third-and-16 play in a game that many are saying was, or should be, Brooking's last in the Falcons' red, white, and black.

When the five-time Pro Bowler spoke of the Arizona game, he did so with exasperation in his voice that so clearly says he's tired of talking about that game and that defining play.

In the Schultz article he admits that he was in a "funk" the whole game and that it was one of the worst games he's played due in part to the playoff game adrenaline that took over his body.

Adrenaline is sometimes player speak for nervousness and perhaps he let his nerves get the best of him in Arizona. That's the kind of thing expected from a young player in the NFL, but not a veteran with his experience.

One can't but wonder if it's Brooking's play that Dimitroff is referencing when he said recently that no evaluation would be based on one play or one game. But on the other hand, you can be fairly certain that #56 is on his mind when he has continually asserted that emotion will not cloud his ability to make decisions that are appropriate for the continued building of this team.

Brooking, an Atlanta-area native, stated his desire to end his career in Atlanta during the radio interview and also shared his hope of becoming a member of the Falcons' Ring of Honor.

He reiterated his comments from the column reminding everyone that he is getting "old" and that he is not the player that he was four years ago.But in the same breath he said his "resume speaks for itself" and he mentions the seven defensive coordinators and four head coaches for whom he's played, the three different positions that he played in one Pro Bowl season, and that he hasn't played with four or five Pro Bowlers around him every year as he took the interview down a lobbying path. He contends that he made it through all of the leadership changes and he feels that speaks to his high level of performance and abilities as a player.

The integrity and character of Brooking will never be questioned, but following those opinions, he shared some thoughts on the play of the defense in the 2008 season that tip toe around finger pointing.

Answering his detractors that feel his declining numbers coincide with his declining play, he points out that the proof is more in the performance of the scheme than in the performance of the player. He felt his lack of big plays was not defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder's fault. But he did believe the scheme didn't allow him the opportunities for such plays, citing the lack of blitzing calls or plays in his directions to make interceptions.

"Look at the stats of our linebackers across the board of our defense. I think there's one sack, or two sacks total from our linebackers. I think a lot of it has to do with the scheme. We're not a blitzing defense and there are a lot of reasons for that. And I'm not going to go into why because I'm not that type of guy."

It seems that Brooking is implying that the scheme has not been as advantageous to his position as it has been in the past. Or perhaps he's saying, especially with that last sentence, that there are players on the defense that led to the linebackers' inability to blitz more. Reading between Brooking's lines, he appears to be indicating that VanGorder's scheme was built around a lack of trust in the secondary's ability to cover, which limited his, and the other linebackers', opportunities to rush the quarterback.

He went on to mention that he felt the front office would most definitely focus on the defensive side of the ball. He spoke positively about general manager Thomas Dimitroff and the front office and the positive changes they've made in the franchise in a short time period and he mentioned that he has had discussions with the franchise concerning his contract. He shared his opinion that Atlanta is headed in the right direction and regardless of what happens this offseason, "they'll make the right moves."

It remains to be seen whether he'll be a part of the right moves, but did point out that he expects to be compensated fairly for his abilities. He didn't mention renegotiating his salary, but it's likely that conversation is the discussion that he cites. If he doesn't believe the offer is reasonable, he seems to acknowledge that he will be cut. On the market, he feels he still has value and he has "realistic expectations" for himself.

As he says, both parties have to do what is right for them.

But what is right isn't what always happens. What is right is for the Falcons to bring back Brooking at a very reasonable and fiscally responsible salary to provide depth and veteran leadership at the linebacker position that will likely undergo a facelift this off season.

Brooking didn't mention retirement, but that should be a consideration, though it's unlikely he'll choose that option. It's the option that, if a contract agreement can't be reached, would ensure that he finishes his career in Atlanta.

It brings to mind a former player situation here in Atlanta, one that dealt with another lifetime Falcon. The ironic thing is that its resolution is what paved the way for Brooking to make all those Pro Bowls.

In 2001, at 36 after 14 years with the Falcons, middle linebacker Jessie Tuggle was faced with a decision to retire or be cut by Atlanta. He ultimately retired, saving Atlanta from having to do one of the toughest things in the business of sports--release the popular veteran.

While Brooking has arrived at this crossroads in his career a few years earlier than Tuggle, the similarities are the same: A popular player with declining performance needing to recognize that it's time for him to step aside and allow the organization that has paid him handsomely to move on and continue to improve.

Brooking will not retire and from the tone of his interview he's not looking to take a substantial pay cut. And thus, the storybook career of a player born and raised in Atlanta, who played his college ball literally down the street from where he's played his entire professional career, will likely not end where it started.

He says he can still play and it appears he's headed somewhere else to prove it.