Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
His agent says Sept. 9 season opener is deadline for agreement with Bucs on a contract extension.
By RICK STROUD
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 9, 2001
TAMPA -- Derrick Brooks took the first step, walking back into training camp for Wednesday night's workout and ending a 10-day holdout.
When he arrived on the field at Pepin/Rood Stadium just a few minutes after 7:30, a crowd of about 5,000 gave him a standing ovation. Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp swept his arms and pointed in Brooks' direction as if there was need for introduction.
Although no new contract had been signed, Brooks was back on the field, back in the starting lineup and seemingly put the Bucs back in the hunt for a Super Bowl.
But now that Brooks is back, the question is, how long will he stay?
Agent Roosevelt Barnes said Wednesday that Brooks gave the Bucs a deadline of the Sept. 9 season opener against the Cowboys in Dallas to reach an agreement on a contract extension that undoubtedly would make him the highest-paid linebacker.
By all accounts, a deal could come much sooner -- possibly this week.
Brooks has two years remaining on a contract that will pay him $3.25-million this season and $5.5-million in 2002.
"Right now, we've come to a mutual understanding. The stalemate is over," Brooks said. "As long as everybody's intentions are to get a deal done, we'll get a deal done."
The Bucs insisted that Brooks end his holdout before any agreement could be reached.
And certainly, Brooks missed the Bucs as much as the Bucs missed Brooks. Named to four straight Pro Bowls and having led the team in tackles four of the past five years, Brooks itched to return to the field and found it increasingly difficult to remain away.
"It felt good, I guess; being introduced by No. 99 (Sapp) was kind of fun," Brooks said. "That kind of capped my whole day. It's been a long day for me. I woke up this morning not really expecting to be here. To constantly get good news throughout the day really made me feel good. I'd like to thank the fans and the crowd for more or less welcoming me back home.
"I was thrown right in the fire. I wasn't used to hitting at all, they threw me right in and I responded well because I was looking forward to this day for about 10 days."
Barnes negotiated with general manager Rich McKay well past midnight Tuesday and talks resumed Wednesday afternoon. As late as 3 p.m., Brooks told reporters he had not decided whether to end his holdout.
But several hours later, he was pulling his familiar No. 55 jersey over his head and receiving pats on the back.
"There's a renewed sense of urgency now to get it done," Brooks said. "I've rededicated myself by coming out here to camp and right now we're back on the same page and everybody is moving in the same direction and hopefully it'll get done."
McKay would not comment on negotiations but released a statement:
"It's always nice to have everyone back. It's good to get Derrick here and get started."
Brooks took every repetition Wednesday with the first-team defense, apparently without error, although coaches tried to confuse him by calling some new alignments.
"I bet they had some surprises for him," coach Tony Dungy said. "But it's always nice to get everything behind you and I thought our team did a great job of not letting it be a distraction, of just going to work and taking care of business. And I think Derrick was always confident it would get worked out. So we made the best of the situation.
"He's like our guys were 10 days ago the first day of practice. He was very fresh and ready to go and I know excited about being out here. We just have to be careful not to go too fast, but I think he'll be fine."
Although Barnes indicated the sides were far apart, he remained confident an agreement would be reached soon.
"(The Bucs) felt it would be in good faith to have Derrick come in," Barnes said.
"We're relying on our relationship with the Bucs that this thing will get done. We've always had a good relationship with them and we've always been able to work things out with them. And Brooks really wanted to get into camp and play, so it was kind of a mutual thing. He wants to play and we have some confidence that we will be able to get something done."
What if no agreement is reached by Sept. 9?
"I don't know," Brooks said. "I hope we don't have to cross that bridge. I don't even want to think about it."
During his holdout, Brooks said he kept in shape with individual workouts and expects to play in the preseason opener against the Dolphins Monday night at Raymond James Stadium.
His return Wednesday night meant the Bucs could move Shelton Quarles back to strongside linebacker. Alshermond Singleton, working with the starting unit at Quarles' position, will be used as a reserve again.
During his holdout, Brooks took some hits from fans and media. But he said he never regretted the decision not to report.
"If you noticed, my teammates were supportive because they knew what was going on behind the scenes and they knew my reasons (for holding out) were justified," Brooks said. "From that standpoint, I feel good. You know, it wasn't all about money. There were other things that had me feeling uncomfortable to where I couldn't focus on football.
"People were making their opinion based on one side of the story. With my respect of who I am and my privacy I chose not to speak. The ground I was standing on is because of what Derrick Brooks is as a man and what my integrity holds. I have peace with that."
Of the 86 players, Brooks and running back Rabih Abdullah were the only ones not report to training camp July 29. Abdullah's absence was excused because of a death in his family and he since has reported.
"It was tough," Brooks said. "You hear the stories of guys doing this, year in and year out. But until you go through it, you really can't describe it."
- Staff writers Darrell Fry, Roger Mills and Jamal Thalji contributed to this report.