While co-hosting “The Red Zone” with Ross Tucker on Sirius NFL Radio Friday afternoon, former Bucs great linebacker and current BSPN analyst Derrick Brooks has some interesting things to say.

First, he confessed he was in talks with the Patriots since New England is playing more of a 43 defense. Brooks claims it came down to him and Junior Seau and the Pats picked Seau only because of his history with the Patriots.

Brooks got into a long discussion about the Bucs when a Bucs fan called asking, “They let go of you and now look at that franchise. What’s going on?”

Brooks said he wasn’t sure.

“If I knew, I’d pass it along so they can right the ship.

“They are struggling with inconsistency. Raheem is frustrated. You can hear it in his voice. You can see it in his press conferences. One week it’s the offense. The next week it’s the defense. The next game it’s special teams. Then his defense plays well and they let up a couple of big plays.

“He’s trying to get through the first year as a head coach. There will be frustrations. Coach Morris is trying to simplify things and trying to get everyone to play consistently. Everyone has to look in the mirror and correct what they are doing.”

Porter than asked Brooks if he had an idea he was going to be cut when the Bucs turned him loose earlier this year.

“Not quite. I wanted to be communicated with better. If the process was better, than I’d be OK with the decision. Hey, I knew the nature of this business. I worked every day to earn my right to be with [the Bucs]. I knew the nature of this business. I never woke up and assumed my position was solidified.

“But in the communication, I wish we had a discussion beforehand. What direction do we want to go in?

“Also from the PR standpoint, they could have put it in my hands and then walk away.

“I’m past the personal feelings. Yes, I was disappointed and yes I was fairly angry. But at the end of the day, I compared myself to the people of the world and I am blessed. I played as if every snap was my last snap. I tried to develop relationships that when I retired, I would transition into other things. So I don’t hold any hard feelings to the Bucs. They paid me well. Relationships [are] what it’s all about.”

Tucker was taken aback by Brooks’ putting his exit from the Bucs behind him.

“Well, I’ll never get over how [the Bucs] offered contract extensions to guys like Kellen Winslow and not to Donald Penn or Barrett Ruud. I don’t know what they are doing down there.”

Later, when Brooks picked the Bucs to beat the Panthers, Tucker said, “How could you pick the Bucs the way they treated you?”

Brooks even got some love from current NFL players who appeared as guests, like Ryan Clark of the Steelers who seemed like a kid on Christmas morning finding his new bike.

“This is special for me,” Clark said. “I’m on the air with Derrick Brooks! This is an honor.”