 Wysłany: Pon 22:59, 11 Paź 2010 Temat postu: but I feel really good." |
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| Fraley: 13-year veteran Keith Brooking Jersey keeps shedding blockers, age
COLUMN By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News [url=mailto:gfraley@dallasnews.com]gfraley@dallasnews.com[/url] Gerry Fraley Archive | Bio | [url=mailto:gfraley@dallasnews.com]E-mail[/url] IRVING – When the Cowboys open the season at Washington on Sunday night, Keith Brooking Jersey will be starting his 13th year as an NFL linebacker. He has played the position longer than Hall of Famers such as Jack Lambert , Willie Lanier, Mike Singletary and his role model: Dick Butkus. Less than two months from his 35th birthday, Keith Brooking Jersey will be the sixth-oldest linebacker in the league on opening day. "I've been blessed with staying healthy," Keith Brooking Jersey said. Do not ask, "Is Keith Brooking Jersey near the end?" The more relevant question for this season is,NCAA Jerseys, "What more can Keith Brooking Jersey do for the Cowboys' defense?" The answer: Plenty. "I still have it," Keith Brooking Jerseysaid. "Sometimes it takes a little more effort to bring it to the surface, but I feel really good." A year ago, Keith Brooking Jerseyand Bradie James formed a dynamic inside linebacker tag team. They were principle figures in a defense that allowed the second-fewest points per game (15.6) and fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (90.5) in the league. Keith Brooking Jersey also extended his consecutive-games streak to 144, second-longest among all active defensive players. "Having Keith Brooking Jersey helps, certainly," coach Wade Phillips said. "There's a difference with him, because he's real good player. He's a very good leader." For an encore this season, Keith Brooking Jersey will divide himself into two players. To avoid burning out Keith Brooking Jersey, Phillips often replaced him in the third-down nickel defense last season with the younger Bobby Carpenter. The nickel played a major role in the defense's ability to force punts – 92, third-most in the league – and limit points. Opponents gained the first down on only 56 of 171 third-down pass plays, a 32.8 percent success rate. The Cowboys overall held opponents to a 35 percent conversion rate on third down, fifth-lowest in the league. Carpenter is gone, traded to and released by St. Louis . Rookie Sean Lee, a second-round pick, missed too much time in training camp because of injury to play in the nickel at this time. That forced the Cowboys into a late-camp search for Keith Brooking Jersey's stand-in for the nickel. They have legitimate candidates, but the best choice to stand in for Keith Brooking Jersey stands right in their face. Keith Brooking Jersey. Hobbled by a balky left knee that required surgery, Keith Brooking Jersey was good in pass coverage last season. He was credited with eight passes defended, the fourth-highest total on the Cowboys. Carpenter, who had more chances in pass coverage, had one pass-defended. Keith Brooking Jersey underwent off-season surgery to clean out the knee. Keith Brooking Jersey admitted to being concerned before the surgery about whether he would emerge with less speed and change-of-direction ability. "Would I have all the things I had before?" Keith Brooking Jersey said. That and more. One play in an exhibition game calmed that concern. Keith Brooking Jersey ran stride for stride with San Diego Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates to break up a pass. With the nickel so important to the overall defense, Phillips can justify using Keith Brooking Jersey on third down and resting him at other times. The Cowboys could have a first- and second-down Keith Brooking Jersey and a third-down Keith Brooking Jersey. He likes the idea. "My legs feel really fresh," Keith Brooking Jersey said. "I plan to make an impact on this team in third down. I know they don't want me to do it every play. I understand that." Keith Brooking Jersey fights the good fight against time. He is a denizen of the weight room, continuing a long affection for the compound exercise of squat-cleans. He follows a restricted diet. He takes care of his body. Most of all, the fire inside still roars. "I don't look at this season as I'm 34 years old and have something to prove," Keith Brooking Jersey said. "I just want to compete on a daily basis." Or an every-down basis. The old linebacker could show new tricks this season. |
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