There's already some raging competition at the linebacker position in Raiders training camp, with even boilerplate veteran Kirk Morrison fighting for his starting job.
But Head Coach Tom Cable wants even more raging competition at the linebacker position.
The National Football Post is reporting that the Raiders have contacted free agent linebacker Derrick Brooks. Brooks, who has spent his entire 14-year career thus far playing in Tampa Bay, is reportedly also drawing interest from the New Orleans Saints and has been invited to the Big Easy for a workout.
Brooks is 36, and there's more than a little wear and tear on him after 14 seasons in the NFL. There are former Raider head coaches out there that are younger than Derrick Brooks.
But it's not like the linebacker is one of those veterans who spends all his time on the exercise bike or in the hot tub -- Brooks started all 16 games last season, and has in fact started 206 consecutive games to lead the league among active players. And whether it was for sentimental reasons or not, Brooks did make last season's Pro Bowl. He is, technically speaking, a Pro Bowl talent.
Yes, there are reasonable football people out there who say Brooks can't play any more.
Just like there were also reasonable football people out there who said the same thing about Ronnie Lott when he joined the Raiders.
Sports
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who is also older than some former Raider head coaches out there.
