SWIFT HITTER Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 IRVING – As Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin raced into the end zone last week in overtime against Kansas City, not far behind him was veteran linebacker Keith Brooking. Brooking was on the sideline right in front of Austin when he caught the ball at the 48. As Austin pulled away from the Kansas City defense en route to the winning touchdown, Brooking ran down the sideline with his arms in the air, jumping in celebration. Austin said he saw Brooking's reaction when he watched a replay of his touchdown. "It was awesome," Austin said, smiling. "Not only is he running around all over the place when he's on defense, he's running around for the offensive guys when we're on offense. It's great to have a guy like that." Brooking's exuberance has been a typical scene this season. His high energy and raw emotion make him a natural leader. He's quickly earned the respect of his new Cowboys teammates since signing a three-year contract in late February. For the first time in his 12-year NFL career, Brooking is playing for a team other than the Atlanta Falcons. That makes Sunday's home game against Atlanta a special one for Brooking. "It will be very exciting. I've had it circled on my calendar since I signed here," Brooking said. "I'd be lying to you if I told you that I didn't." Brooking is in uncharted territory playing football outside his home state of Georgia for the first time. Born in Senoia, Ga., Brooking became one of the best defensive players in Georgia Tech history before the Falcons made him a first-round draft choice in 1998. In Atlanta, Brooking was named to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2001 to 2005. His best seasons in Atlanta came in 2002 (212 tackles) and 2003 (207 tackles) under Cowboys coach Wade Phillips, who was then the Falcons defensive coordinator. Brooking, who has started 133 consecutive games at middle linebacker since 2001, said his move to the Cowboys was made easier because of his experience with Phillips. Brooking leads the Cowboys with 37 tackles (29 solo) through five games. "I've really enjoyed my time here. It's been a great experience," Brooking said. "I think I've fit right in with these guys and what we're trying to do." Talk to anyone in the locker room, and they rave about Brooking. "He's added fire. He's added passion. He's very productive," linebacker Bradie James said. "I'm just happy that we got Atlanta's seconds." Added nose tackle Jay Ratliff: "He came in with the attitude that he wanted to work and just be a great teammate. He plays with a lot of emotion and we just feed off of that. You can't help but follow a guy like that." Linebacker Anthony Spencer was answering mundane question after mundane question last week before he was asked about Brooking. Instantly, he lit up, flashing an ear-to-ear smile. "I love playing with Keith," Spencer said. "He loves the game so much. I don't see him retiring any time soon. He's an old guy, but you don't see it on the field at all." Or on the sideline. Asked last week if he's noticed his players being more vocal this season, Phillips quipped, "Well, you notice Keith Brooking because he runs up and down the field when the offense is out there." Phillips said he was impressed with how Brooking rallied the Cowboys a week ago after they fell behind Kansas City, 10-0, in the second quarter. "He was coming by, talking to all the players offensively and defensively, 'We're going to win this game. We're going to win this game,' " Phillips said. "Real positive attitude. That's what you want. I think everybody felt that, but he was going around saying it to everybody and going out on the field and backing it up. He's come in and become a leader." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlantaprodj Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I loved Brooking as a Falcon but I can't wait to see Turner run him over as Cowboy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evo Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Dont worry, Brooking will have his handful of game changing play when Turner run over him Up and down that field this sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWIFT HITTER Posted October 19, 2009 Author Share Posted October 19, 2009 I loved Brooking as a Falcon but I can't wait to see Turner run him over as Cowboy!agree that would make my day as a lil pay back for 3rd and 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripedss Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I'm so glad he's on their side. We will get many first downs, no worries about being stopped behind the line of scrimmage. We will get positive yards in the run game every time going to his side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlantaprodj Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 agree that would make my day as a lil pay back for 3rd and 16I hope he bowls him over several times... like that play last night when Turner hit those two guys on the side line and they both got knocked down as Turner went out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbaby Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I'm so glad he's on their side. We will get many first downs, no worries about being stopped behind the line of scrimmage. We will get positive yards in the run game every time going to his side.If Norwood plays Sunday Mularkey should find a way to isolate Brooking so that he could be one on one against Norwood. Advantage - Falcons all day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigSmackDaddy Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I loved Brooking as a Falcon but I can't wait to see Turner run him over as Cowboy!X2... anyone who's been on here for a while knows prior to this season KB was my favorite Falcon... had been since 98. He's a Cowgirl now so he is the enemy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 SWIFTHITTER... What would you do if it was 3-16 and Brooking picked it off an took it to the house for the game winning TD.. LMAO.... The man said he would hang himself..... LMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philosophico Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Dont worry, any play brooking makes will be 5 yards or more down field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umpcam Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Dont worry, any play brooking makes will be 5 yards or more down field. Ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Rider Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 One thing that is not good about Dallas having all this time to game plan against us, Brooking knows everything we do offensively and defensively. Hope that doesn't help. The bye week will help them enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakim24 Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 We should target him ALL game. Put TG on his side to make him cover him and run right at him when we have the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philosophico Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 One thing that is not good about Dallas having all this time to game plan against us, Brooking knows everything we do offensively and defensively. Hope that doesn't help. The bye week will help them enough.Good, he can tell them to make sure they are 5 yards downfield at all time and that if they gang tackle somebody he gets credit for the tackle as a solo tackle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Rider Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Good, he can tell them to make sure they are 5 yards downfield at all time and that if they gang tackle somebody he gets credit for the tackle as a solo tackle.lol. That is all fun and games (and true) but he knows what we are trying to do on offense and he knows what we try to do on defense. Can't underestimate that because you don't like the dude. He knows our schemes and they even have an extra week to prepare and learn our schemes. It doesn't matter what Brooking can or can't do, he has inside info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcndave Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 All I know is he has been in the backfield a bunch as a Cowboy. They seem to let him hunt and free lance a little on passing downs. I've also noticed they rarely hook him up in man coverage...sometimes in zone. I think Wade just knows how to use him.I don't lament his absence, but he is better at Dallas than he was here last season. I live out of the South, so I end up having to watch the freakin' Cowboys way too much. I can't stand them...but I admit to still being a Brooking fan for all times other than this week. I'm an Atlanta guy, a Tech guy, and a Falcon's fan. Keith has played a bunch of enjoyable football in my eyes over the last 12 years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I loved Brooking as a Falcon but I can't wait to see Turner run him over as Cowboy!I doubt that, it seems he can't run over anybody yet, this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyIceIsSoNice Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 At least we know what to do on any 3rd and 16s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveybirdman Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 don't worry... Just wait til he's supposed to cover Tony G accross the middle....With all due respect of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossFALCON™ Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 brooking matched up with TG brings a smile to my face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanka Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Hopefully Turner runs all over him. I still remember 3rd and 17 against the Cards Keith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZFalcon Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 At least we know what to do on any 3rd and 16s ^^ This but in all seriousness Brooking was one of my fave falcons but now he is a cowboy i want to see him at the top of the tackling charts, coz then atleast we know that we are getting tackled 10+yards down the field each time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZFalcon Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 Hopefully Turner runs all over him. I still remember 3rd and 17 against the Cards Keith!3rd and 17? lol guess you dont remember it to well :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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