Unconfirmed UDFA signing

[AdamJT13]

According to a draftnik on another board, Arizona strong safety Darrell Brooks said he probably will sign with the Cowboys.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Good find...thanks

 

[Wimbo]

Isn't he a Free Safety?

 

[TheEnigma]

I saw that too. Anybody have any info on the guy?

 

[EMMITTnROY]

good find.. BUT.. I have as good a chance as this guy does making this team as a SS.. with Roy, Davis, and Beriault all projecting as strong safeties, he doesnt have a chance..

 

[Hailmary]

Isn't he a Free Safety?

Darrell Brooks S 6'1 210 Arizona
By: Robert Davis

Darrell Brooks is one of the more active safeties in college football. In four years, his lowest tackle amount was 50, and that was as a freshman. As a sophomore he finished the season with 79 tackles with 3.5 coming for a loss. In 2004, he had 73 tackles, 4.5 of them for loss, with two interceptions. He was all over the place again as a senior, finishing with a career high 93 tackles, while picking off two passes.

Brooks is an aggressive safety that is at his best attacking the line of scrimmage. He wants to hit someone, and hit them hard. He flies around the field making plays near the line of scrimmage or deep in coverage. His tackle numbers are awesome for a safety. Brooks has very good instincts and reads the play quickly, and heads up field without hesitation. He is an excellent tackler in the open field, and always lays the lumber.

Brooks has played free safety mostly in college, but projects to the strong side in the NFL. He is great in the running game, but could use work in deep coverage. He will get too aggressive at times and bite on play action in an effort to hit someone. When asked to cover, he plays a bit stiff and loses a step when forced to turn and cover. Brooks also does not make enough plays on the ball. He puts himself in position to make plays, but he is more interested in the hit than the play. He has to become more of a playmaker.

This year's safety class has excellent star power at the top, and excellent depth, so it hurts a player like Brooks. He isn't the standout athlete or playmaker to draw prime interest early on in the draft. He is a player you can count on though. He will go out there and play hard, and be in on a lot of plays in front of him. If you need a safety that wants to attack, Brooks would be a good fit. He likely won't hear his name called before the fourth round, but he is a player that may outperform his draft position.

 

[BigWillie]

Here are his combine numbers ...

Credit: nfldraftscout.com

Combine Invite? Yes
Height: 6003
Weight: 198
40 Yrd Dash: 4.61
20 Yrd Dash: 2.71
10 Yrd Dash: 1.61
Wonderlic:
Bench Reps: 07
Vertical Jump: 36 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'5"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.38
3-Cone Drill: 6.98

If he is playing SS, he will definetely have to work on his strength. Only 7 reps is HORRIBLE.

 

[el_chevo]

The guy can flat out play. How do I know? I have spent the last two seasons watching him play. He can and will make the cowboys team if invited. Also, he can put a hard lick on people.

 

[Seven]

The guy can flat out play. How do I know? I have spent the last two seasons watching him play. He can and will make the cowboys team if invited. Also, he can put a hard lick on people.

Ya. But can he hit?

 

[DanTanna]

^^^ that ain't right.

 

[AdamJT13]

Apparently, Brooks said the Cowboys showed the most interest in him all along, so he is leaning toward signing with Dallas. So it looks like he'll sign with us unless some other team swoops in and offers a bigger signing bonus, or if we sign some other safety and pull our offer to him.

 

[el_chevo]

Ya. But can he hit?

I like your question. Yes, ask the members of the USC and UCLA teams that came in to play us. He was crucial in our win over UCLA.

 

[el_chevo]

I always wondered why the 'boys weren't looking at Brooks. He does bite on the play action a bit too much, but he can knock the #$#$% out of you. I witnessed Brooks knock a 6'5" stud tight end out of the game on a middle pass. It was such a hard hit, it made you look the other way; just dowright nasty.

 

[RealCowboyfan]

Brooks Highlights:: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/prospects?sort=name&rank_type=2

 

[EMMITTnROY]

again, I hate to be a naysayer..

but why get excited about a guy that won't make the team.. we wont keep more than 4 safeties.. Roy, Davis, and Watkins are no brainers.. then either Coleman (most likely) or Beriault will win the last spot.. especially since this kid is a SS.. Roy, Davis, and Beriault are all projected as SS..

 

[AdamJT13]

It looks like Brooks has officially signed -- again, from the same source, who said he talked to Brooks personally.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

ProFootballWeekly Draft Preview has pretty much tied for seventh with four other players as a Strong Safety. He would be an excellent player to take into camp with. Let him learn the ropes for the next year or two, and see where he is in his development at that point.