Looks Like Ahmad Brooks is Toast

[HoosierCat]

At least if Hobson's read on the LBs is accurate and frankly I can't argue much.

LINEBACKERS (7): If Saturday night's depth chart and playing time hold, it is starters Keith Rivers, Dhani Jones and Rashad Jeanty backed up by Brandon Johnson, Corey Mays and Darryl Blackstock.

Going off special teams work, wouldn't Jim Maxwell have to be the seventh guy? He had three tackles Saturday night after getting one from scrimmage Sunday against the Lions.

Jeanty hasn't practiced since early in camp and while head coach Marvin Lewis is mum on injuries, radio analyst Dave Lapham said on Saturday's broadcast that he's suffering from a previous injury in which a rod was placed in his leg. But indications are he could be back Thursday, or the opener for sure.

Why do I get this sinking feeling that Brooks -- who briefly looked great vs. Balti last year in the middle, but subsequently got hurt, and then this year yanked to the strong side and did nothing -- is going to end up being a crackerjack MLB someplace else?

Oh well. Another high defensive pick down the drain.

[Walrus]

At least if Hobson's read on the LBs is accurate and frankly I can't argue much.

LINEBACKERS (7): If Saturday night's depth chart and playing time hold, it is starters Keith Rivers, Dhani Jones and Rashad Jeanty backed up by Brandon Johnson, Corey Mays and Darryl Blackstock.

Going off special teams work, wouldn't Jim Maxwell have to be the seventh guy? He had three tackles Saturday night after getting one from scrimmage Sunday against the Lions.

Jeanty hasn't practiced since early in camp and while head coach Marvin Lewis is mum on injuries, radio analyst Dave Lapham said on Saturday's broadcast that he's suffering from a previous injury in which a rod was placed in his leg. But indications are he could be back Thursday, or the opener for sure.

Why do I get this sinking feeling that Brooks -- who briefly looked great vs. Balti last year in the middle, but subsequently got hurt, and then this year yanked to the strong side and did nothing -- is going to end up being a crackerjack MLB someplace else?

Oh well. Another high defensive pick down the drain.

I'd like to hear people's theories as to what happened here. At the beginning of the '07 season, I said a healthy A Brooks would be THE key to revitalizing our Defense. I felt pretty good about that prediction after the Baltimore game. Finally we had a guy to be a disruptive force -- a guy who could be feared. A guy to play MLB week-in and week-out. Of course then he got hurt. A temporary setback, right? So why hasn't he been able to catch on w/ the new coaches. If he had any talent whatsoever, it seems like Fitz would see it and find a way to tap it. I like Dhani Jones as much as the next guy and hope he can start 16 games this year at MLB, but he'll never be confused with Ray Lewis. Brooks seems/seemed to have a shot at being that kind of player.

Is he not as physically talented as I'd hoped? Is he still injured? Is he too dumb to play? Has Chris Henry-gate sapped his will to live? Did he fall off the good-behavior wagon and none of us know about it, (a la Thurman in the spring of '06)? What is going on??

[HoosierCat]

Well, the popular explanation is that Brooks isn't the sharpest tack in the box. Whether that's true or not, I dunno. I will say that I'm sure it hasn't helped him to be rehabbing and switching positions and learning a new system all this year. That's a lot for any player to have on their plate.

[rwalling]

Personally, I don't think Brooks' groin is right and he'll spend the year on IR and comeback and compete next year. Having said this, in spite of him being a physical beast, he is not extraordinarily gifted between the ears and this may be how he's playing himself out of the league.

[COB]

Did he fall off the good-behavior wagon and none of us know about it, (a la Thurman in the spring of '06)? What is going on??

After the '08 season, he punched some lady in the face. A neighbor who was arguing about a dog or something.

I actually like the idea of Brooks being let go. Let him underperform somewhere else. And I like the thought of unloading Rudi. This team is finally looking for players that can actually play. Maybe this will instill a sense of urgency in the Bengals players.

[TJJackson]

The redeemer will redeem this man!

Can I get a hallelujah! say it with may!

[BengalszoneBilly]

The redeemer will redeem this man!

Can I get a hallelujah! say it with may!

I tried to. Couldn't pull it off.

[kingwilly]

Did he fall off the good-behavior wagon and none of us know about it, (a la Thurman in the spring of '06)? What is going on??

After the '08 season, he punched some lady in the face. A neighbor who was arguing about a dog or something.

I actually like the idea of Brooks being let go. Let him underperform somewhere else. And I like the thought of unloading Rudi. This team is finally looking for players that can actually play. Maybe this will instill a sense of urgency in the Bengals players.

Amen.

[Walrus]

Did he fall off the good-behavior wagon and none of us know about it, (a la Thurman in the spring of '06)? What is going on??

After the '08 season, he punched some lady in the face. A neighbor who was arguing about a dog or something.

I actually like the idea of Brooks being let go. Let him underperform somewhere else. And I like the thought of unloading Rudi. This team is finally looking for players that can actually play. Maybe this will instill a sense of urgency in the Bengals players.

I remember that now. Apparently my memory on Bengal arrests/altercations/hissy-fits is a bit overloaded and faulty.

[Your(_0_)IsNext]

I have heard from several sources that Brooks is really not that bright, I always wondered why they were moving him around so much, first I thought it was because of his athletic ability, then I was like, I wonder if he is not picking up the system, so fella's if he gets cut... You know it was because he's about as smart as a bag of rocks.

[chrishcovga]

Not sure what happened to him, but I can say this.....

- The Bengals were SUPER SUPER "SERIAL" about letting Rivers stay in a spot (WLB) to make his transition as smooth as possible.

- I think the Bengals did that with Ahmad Brooks originally, because all he's ever played was Middle Linebacker. However Bresnahan toyed with the idea of letting Brooks rush off the edge because of his athleticism and then he tore his groin muscle early in the Browns game.

I have to think the main reason why he hasn't progressed and was replaced so fast is because he's still suffering from complications from last year's injury. - I remember that he wasn't cleared to play until the may camps, so he's probably several months away from being fully healthy. The fact that he's playing is showing the kid has heart.

- But the decision to make Dhani Jones the starting MLB was based on his experience, and since the Bengals were too cheap and or Stupid to go after a guy like Zach Thomas for a year, is the REAL reason why the linebacking corps remain suspect.

[Dadraftnick]

Ahmad Brooks should have never played at LB.

Brooks should have been a DE ,if they cut him with out trying him at DE it will be a mistake.

Brooks has the tools to make a nice pass rusher .

Chalk up another draft choice blown.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I don't think there's a real chance that they cut him in favor of a guy like Jim Maxwell. He is another player that gives you almost nothing from scrimmage. Blackstock, Johnson and Mays are all core special teamers, as is Dhani Jones. There is a possibility the Bengals might look at the waiver wire for another LB, though. I think the LB position has been the one surprise and positive of camp and the preseason. Rivers, Blackstock, Johnson and Mays have all played very well. Jones has played pretty decent, too. It's still early to give up on a player as physically talented as Brooks is.

[Munchkin]

I'd like to hear people's theories as to what happened here. At the beginning of the '07 season, I said a healthy A Brooks would be THE key to revitalizing our Defense. I felt pretty good about that prediction after the Baltimore game. Finally we had a guy to be a disruptive force -- a guy who could be feared. A guy to play MLB week-in and week-out. Of course then he got hurt. A temporary setback, right? So why hasn't he been able to catch on w/ the new coaches. If he had any talent whatsoever, it seems like Fitz would see it and find a way to tap it. I like Dhani Jones as much as the next guy and hope he can start 16 games this year at MLB, but he'll never be confused with Ray Lewis. Brooks seems/seemed to have a shot at being that kind of player.

Is he not as physically talented as I'd hoped? Is he still injured? Is he too dumb to play? Has Chris Henry-gate sapped his will to live? Did he fall off the good-behavior wagon and none of us know about it, (a la Thurman in the spring of '06)? What is going on??

I think he is every bit as physically talented as he was..

If the stories are true (the same that have been mentioned here a number of times) he simply is not smart enough to play LB in this league.