I got an email today (one of the few non-hate emails) asking me why the Indianapolis Colts have not made an offer to former-Tampa Bay Buccaneers LBer Derrick Brooks. Brooks, a future Hall of Fame lock, was released by TB early this off-season in a move that sent a clear message to both the team and the NFL: The days of Tampa 2 in Tampa Bay are over. They also released him because, at age 36, 2008 saw a sharp decline in Brooks' productivity. Since 2001, Brooks has averaged (averaged!) at least 115 tackles. In 2008, he had only 73.

So, to answer the question, Why hasn't Indy signed, or made an offer, for Brooks?, the simple answer is this: The current crop of Colts LBers are now better than Brooks. Clint Session, Indy's third year LBer, had 94 tackles in 2008 to go with 3 forced fumbles. He is penciled in to start at weakside backer, the position Brooks helped revolutionized in the Tampa 2. Backing up Session are two former Colts starters, Freddy Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler.

If Indy were to sign Brooks, it is very likely Brooks would not even make the final roster cut down, let alone play any meaningful snaps.

Right now, Brooks is doing what Marvin Harrison is doing. They will wait. They'll wait for a few pre-season games to go by, and some players on some teams will start to get hurt and land on the PUP. This could even happen to the Colts. If a rash of injuries hits the weakside spot, I can pretty much guarantee you that (if Brooks is still out there) Bill Polian will certainly consider bringing him in. They did this with DE Simeon Rice back in 2007. He came in for Dwight Freeney when Dwight broke his foot. Unfortunately, Rice didn't play well. He was eventually cut.

Like so many teams, the trend is work with youth and ability as opposed to veteran "savvy." This is why great players like Marvin and Derrick are still lingering out there. They are simply waiting for some of this youth to break down. When that happens, NFL GMs will then give their agents a call, asking the to come in and right the ship a bit.