Ahmad Brooks: Somebody's pet project?
by David Fucillo on May 10, 2009 8:00 AM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintBarrows posted a new Q&A last night, in which he brought up a topic that has always left me a little perplexed: the potential of Ahmad Brooks.
Question: Matt - love the blog, bro. Which players are you most interested in watching this offseason?
Kyle, Tupelo, MsAnswer: Two players with similar pasts - Ahmad Brooks and Jimmy Williams. Both have off-the-chart talent, but have been hurt by off-the-field issues and lack of motivation. I'm wondering if the Mike Singletary magic will work on these guys. If it does, and Singletary can get Brooks and Williams to realize their potential, then the 49ers suddenly have excellent depth at OLB, where they are thin, and at strong safety where Michael Lewis isn't getting any younger. It also might embolden Singletary to take chances on other so-called high-risk players ...
- Matt
People have spoken about Ahmad Brooks with a general agreement on a high talent level. Although Brooks has played often as a middle linebacker, his scouting report indicates an ability to move outside:
He has excellent size for the middle in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme and is aggressive with some natural playmaking ability . . . He has enough speed to make plays outside the tackle box when he takes good angles. Brooks is a powerful, jarring tackler who arrives with some nastiness. His recognition and instincts need to improve. He will too often take false steps before reading the play . . . Brooks remains a work in progress and he has to stay on the field with more regularity to reach his potential, but there is a lot to build on here and he could have a bright future.
What do folks think the 49ers can really get from Brooks? He's been in the NFL for 4 seasons and has been active in a total of 13 games. Not exactly a broad brush of experience to draw from.
Anyways, I'm curious how much we'll see of Ahmad Brooks this season, so I've attached a poll. For those who don't know, although a team has a 53-man roster entering the season, for each game they can only have 45 active members of the roster. Brooks spent a whole lot of time on the 49ers 53-man roster, but was never activated for a game last season. Given the need for player rotations, if Brooks was activated, it's likely he'd see some sort of playing time.
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like him
hes been bad with off-feild issues cause he was with the bengals
i really wanted him to play last year when we got him
so i hope to see him competing for the job with lawson
+1
I agree. If he can make the switch to the outside, we might suddenly have a really good OLB corps.
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength"- Philippians 4:13
by 49erforever on May 10, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions
competition at OLB
I like the idea of that, but is Brooks the guy for that spot? From what I’ve read, he’s only ever played MLB.
In Singletary we trust.
I doubt
his being with the Bengals caused him to have issues off the field, one could argue that, sure. But one would be wrong. His tactical mistakes along the way were more likely the cause. If what you say is true then Carson Palmer should have off the field issues, maybe he does, I don’t know.
"I sing a song from Sing-Sing, sipping on ginseng."-- Wu Tang
not just the bengals
he had problems his whole career. he was an all american in high school… then went to hargrave military for a year (bad grades). was an all american and butkis finalist at UVA… then was kicked out for “off-field” issues. then went to the bengals. so it wasn’t just the bengals problem, he has always had tremendous talent and has messed it up for himself one way or another. im a UVA fan and live in virginia and i watched him play in person … the dude killed it. lets hope sing gets him in gear.
Ahmad Brooks … I’d say his value to the team right now is the definition of unpredictable – there’s no way I can even pretend to make a prediction with this guy, like Barrows says, it would be pretty awesome if he suddenly becomes a reliable asset
will he or won’t he? – no f-ing clue
"Those boos really motivate me to make something happen." - Bonds
I'd make him my project.
And just line him up over the center on every play. It’d work every time, I’m sure of it.
Awesome.
In Singletary we trust.
Yes..
If you can jump like that, you got games! Bring it on.
I think he'll be active throughout the season barring injury
Because I believe our team is aware of how awesome it would be to have a constant stream of fresh bodies up front. Think back to the Giants superbowl team. Their depth on d line carried them through in my opinion, and I think the Niners can do this as well.
49ers and TOOL live, my personal Heaven!!!
Since there is no depth...
I could see Brooks dressing for all the games. I mean, if he is healthy and works hard I see no reason why he can’t beat out Jay Moore and Mark Washington for the back OLB job. He only has two starts, but that is two more starts than the rest of the backups combined. Much will depend on his ability to play special teams, and of course injuries to the players ahead of him on the depth chart. I love his potential, though, and if he can figure out some pass rush moves he has a Terrell Suggs-like physique, so he will be able to hold up against bigger linemen and be a mismatch on TEs. I say go Brooks!!
I want winners!!
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