October 19, 2009

COWBOYS' BROOKING HAS A DIRECT APPROACH

Keith Brooking, consummate combatant on the field and refreshingly frank orator off it, has quickly provided stability at a position that lacked it and accountability in a locker room that needed it.

The Dallas Cowboys inside linebacker spent the first 11 seasons of his career playing for the Atlanta Falcons. Those in the media who covered him most described the five-time Pro Bowler as the conscience of the defense, switching positions for the good of the team, consistently leading the unit in tackles and speaking up when others walked away in tough times.

"He just came in and his only thing he wanted was to win and just be a team," Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff said. "And who can’t respect that?"

Coming out of the bye week, the Cowboys face another earlier-than-expected must-win scenario Sunday against Brooking’s old team, the Falcons, a rising NFC contender.

"I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t have it circled on my calendar since I signed here," Brooking said. "I’m an emotional guy so I have to tame my emotions. This game is not about me, it’s about us winning. Do I want to win this game really bad? Yes. But, it’s about winning and going to 4-2."

Playing at home for the first time since Sept. 28, the Cowboys can’t afford to drop to 3-3 with a loss — and 1-2 at their supposedly inspirational palatial new home. Defeat would ignite new rounds of criticism and derision, and questions of impending divisiveness.

Yes, Brooking came to Dallas well aware of last season’s fallout. It’s a big reason why the Cowboys wanted him. Brooking played nine seasons under special teams coach Joe DeCamillis and spent time under Wade Phillips when he was defensive coordinator and then head coach of the Falcons.

Brooking, without hesitation, proclaimed locker-room issues won’t split these Cowboys.

"I’ll be dead honest with you, I didn’t know what to expect when I signed here, you hear so many things," Brooking said. "It’s 100 times better than I thought it was going to be. This locker room is tight. We’re together. There’s absolutely no distractions."

Brooking’s free-agent deal with the Dallas Cowboys came with little fanfare amid the still-burning wreckage of 2008; just another aging veteran — Brooking turns 34 in 11 days — to fill the revolving spot next to Bradie James.

In Atlanta, management made the difficult decision to part ways with the Atlanta lifer — born in nearby Senoia, Ga., and a star at Georgia Tech — believing Brooking’s most productive days are behind him.

Maybe so, but through five games with the Cowboys, he’s played exceptionally well, leading the Cowboys in tackles, with 37, as well as in spirited, arm-waving charges to the sideline after a big play like his fourth-down stop in Denver.

More surprising is how quickly the newcomer has emerged as a prominent voice of reason and cohesion in a locker room full of Cowboys veterans.

"If it takes me being more vocal, whatever it takes, I’m going to try to do my part for us to win ballgames," Brooking said. "If I see something that needs to be addressed, for sure, I feel comfortable in doing that. I think these guys know me well enough to know the kind of person I am and that I have great intentions in doing it. I’m here for these guys in whatever way. If it takes that to win ballgames, heck, yeah, I’ll do whatever."

Story courtesy of www.star-telegram.com

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