Former Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks entered training camp without a job, waiting for the right injury to give him another chance in the NFL.
That injury appears to have happened Saturday, when Saints linebacker Mark Simoneau tore his triceps in a team scrimmage. New Orleans has decided to bring in Brooks for a workout in response.
The Saints want to make sure Brooks is in good shape, but we suspect they wouldn’t have a player of his stature visit if they weren’t planning to sign him.
It’s a perfect fit.
Simoneau was slated to be a top backup for the Saints, with the ability to play at middle linebacker and on the outside.
Brooks’ snaps would likely be limited, but he would provide an intelligent veteran presence for a unit that has been adrift for years. New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams also has a history of maximizing the play of heady veterans like Brooks.
Saints coach Sean Payton seemed to pre-endorse the move Tuesday.
“When we graded [Brooks] last year prior to him getting nicked up and injured, we felt like he was still playing at a high level,” Payton said.
“He’s an intelligent player; he’s instinctive; he’s a guy that has really been a pain for us over the years. We have a lot of respect for his ability and we’ll see when he comes in.”
Simoneau will undergo surgery Tuesday, and it’s unclear how the Saints will handle his recovery. He could be placed on injured reserve or possibly released, then re-signed later in the year.
No matter what the Saints do with Simoneau, it sure sounds like Brooks’ induction speech in Canton will be delayed a year.
