Time For Glazers To Hire Derrick Brooks
February 1st, 2017
BY IRA KAUFMAN
For any Mark Dominik fans still out there in BucLand, this is a good time to shield your eyes.
Jason Licht’s predecessor as GM is unlikely to land a job with the 49ers.
Media reports of Dominik joining forces with John Lynch in San Francisco mushroomed quickly after a single tweet by a national writer who suggested Dominik was a natural fit on the personnel side.
It didn’t take long before speculation spread that Mark (28-52) Dominik was well on his way to another NFL gig after several years as an ESPN insider.
Not so fast.
My information is Dominik is not in the mix for a substantive job within the 49ers organization, despite his relationship with incoming coach Kyle Shanahan.
The hiring of Lynch by the 49ers stunned many NFL executives and surely angered several others because San Francisco didn’t follow traditional protocol. Lynch went directly from the playing field to the broadcast booth — where he steadily improved to the point where I thought he was Fox’s premier analyst.
Lynch supposedly didn’t “pay his dues” by working his way up the chain of command as a personnel executive.
So that leads me to another Buccaneer icon, a former Lynch teammate who still lives in Tampa and spends most of his working hours running a football operation.
Mr. Derrick Brooks.
Mr. President
I’m in no position to tell the Glazers how to spend their money, but Brooks could be a significant addition to Tampa Bay’s front office.
He won’t come cheap and he won’t take a token job, either, but there’s got to be a way to hire Brooks and allow him to enhance the organization at One Buc Place.
For more than five years, Brooks has served as president of the Arena League’s Tampa Bay Storm, overseeing the team’s budget, player acquisitions and coaching staff from his office at Amalie Arena.
The first-ballot Hall of Famer has immersed himself with the business side of sports, but he hasn’t lost touch with the other pro football team across town.
Brooks reaches out on a regular basis to current Buc players, answering their questions, offering wise counsel to their concerns.
Why not make it official?
Multiple Rewards
The Bucs are one of only four NFL clubs that don’t feature a designated team president. Bryan, Joel and Edward Glazer are listed as co-chairmen, followed by Licht and Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford.
Surely there’s a place for No. 55.
The 2016 Bucs media guide lists hundreds of employees, working together for a common goal. How about one more?
If Brooks is brought aboard in an official capacity, he could play a pivotal role in convincing free agents that Tampa Bay is an enticing NFL destination. Although he hasn’t made a tackle since 2008, Brooks still generates tremendous respect among young players.
Even the league recognizes the class Brooks brings to the table, hiring him as an appeals officer for on-field discipline.
On the surface, the Bucs are doing very well without Brooks on the payroll. The value of the franchise keeps going up and a 9-7 record suggests Licht and Dirk Koetter are on the right path.
But history tells us to be cautious with this organization. The Bucs haven’t cobbled together two consecutive winning seasons since Jon Gruden roamed the sidelines.
If Lynch can be tabbed to lead an NFL franchise in one Bay area, Brooks deserves a chance to play a part with the Bucs — a team he loves and supports.
Brooks knows what an NFL player looks like. He’d be thrilled to help coach these guys up, if asked, and young players would improve just by being in his presence.
He’s already in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor, but that’s not enough … put Derrick Brooks in the front office.
Then sit back and reap the rewards.
Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter, Ira Kaufman, pens columns for JoeBucsFan.com Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Ira churns out his popular podcasts here Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also listen to the award-winning podcasts on iTunes or Podbean.
February 1st, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Gawd I hope they do🙏.
February 1st, 2017 at 2:15 pm
yes, The DON is a must. Great message and points.!
February 1st, 2017 at 2:21 pm
Well said Ira.
I hope this idea gains traction.
The question is – what would be his role?
Are you talking a personnel director position or President of operations or what?? At what level do you bring him in that’s worthy of his talents and stature?
February 1st, 2017 at 2:22 pm
“For any Mark Dominik fans still out there in BucLand” = The Joes lol
Seriously concur with the Derrick Brooks idea.
His name should be stamped all over One Buc.
February 1st, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Agreed, it’s not just a reward for Derrick, it’s a reward for the team and the entire area. A+ class act, a great mind, there’s no way you don’t find a place for someone like him – well assuming he wants the job, it’s not exactly like we’re talking about someone that needs a job to pay his mortgage. BUT, assuming he’d like a position on the team the team should be doing backflips at the prospect of hiring him.
Also find a place for Sapp. This team is boring, when it comes to the national stage. Jameis is great, high energy guy, but outside of that there isn’t much of a personality from this team. Also to all the McCoy haters who think if you’re not a dick to everyone you’re not a great player, maybe Sapp help him there. I’d make Sapp the team ambassador, get this club some personality so when we start winning and make it to the Super Bowl people around the country aren’t bored to death like they are with the Falcons. For those that think it’s not important – yes, yes it is. Football is entertainment and when football stops being entertaining it goes away. The Bucs have been in a lifeless dull rut since 2004, lets fix that.
February 1st, 2017 at 2:28 pm
I agree 100% Ira! Great article!
February 1st, 2017 at 2:30 pm
“I’d make Sapp the team ambassador”
LOL – Mons Venus tours for every visitor…..
February 1st, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Love me some DB55 but he racked up double digit loses in each one of his 5 seasons with the storm and didn’t win anything significant in term of championships.
If it’s just a matter of having members of the Tampa 2 for the fans sake then by all means but if your putting him in a position to make decisions on players and/or rosters then im not sure if he’s capable of making the team better.
February 1st, 2017 at 2:50 pm
There is no team president because Bryan, Joel, and Edward know so much about football and what it takes to be a winner. They leave no stone unturned and will pay whatever they have to field a champion. These guy’s are the ideal owners that have built their wealth all by themselves from nothing and they embody swagger and winning every time you hear them speak.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Pickgrin – Perfect! Get some attitude back into this boring team and this boring area. Now if you were saying that in a bad way, wow have they neutered you Generational Glee so-called males.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:11 pm
@Eye-Rah KAUFMAN
Is it your job to jam everyone that was with the Tampa2 to every award and position possible??? The past was great, But can we move on to a new winning movement!!!!! Maybe the fact that the Bucs were so terrible since 2009 was that they were trying to recreate the past!!!!!
last year broke all ties to the tampa 2 past from both coach and GM and we had success!!!! Keep moving forward Glazers!!!!!
There is a ring of honor for the old timers!!!!!!!
February 1st, 2017 at 3:14 pm
DB55 Says:
February 1st, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Love me some DB55 but he racked up double digit loses in each one of his 5 seasons with the storm and didn’t win anything significant in term of championships.
If it’s just a matter of having members of the Tampa 2 for the fans sake then by all means but if your putting him in a position to make decisions on players and/or rosters then im not sure if he’s capable of making the team better.
Couldn’t have said it any better myself. Was exactly what iwas thinking as i was reading the comments. Going to hire someone who I would bet money that he would have retained lovie
Smh at this article
February 1st, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Malcolm Glazer was the last person to hold the title of President for the Buccaneers. After he passed away, the title of president was not handed off to anyone, and I doubt it ever will be. I don’t think the sons want the idea of their father being “replaced”, when their business structure doesn’t need a President anyways.
From what I hear, Licht handles the football side and Brian Ford handles the business side. No need for a president.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Rod
Get some attitude back into this boring team and this boring area. Now if you were saying that in a bad way, wow have they neutered you Generational Glee so-called males.
WTF does that even mean? Does it means you think guys are aren’t asssswipes are weak or “generational glee so called males”. Apparently you are not confident enough in your own masculinity Rod and need jerks to reaffirm what REAL men are like. Dude you are freaking clueless.
Yeah bring back Sapp so he can tell fans to eff off and beat up some prostitutes on Dale Mabry. Some of you guys are literally sick.
AGAIN…if you’re bored by class and sophistication…if somebody believes things like the Golden Rule or heaven forbid they are practicing Christians( I am not Christian btw but I pay their faith and believers respect) then they are “so called males’. Rod you wouldn’t know a real man if you saw one.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:30 pm
@DB55
I hear ya. I LOVE Derrick Brooks but this idea scares me. What exactly would his position be? Atlanta named McKay President because they were after a new stadium and that was his assignment. The team is put together and run by Dimitroff.
If there is some “special” assignment then great…DB is a hero in our community.
But if he’s simply looking over Licht’s shoulder…or worse still made Licht’s supervisor…I’m not really down with that.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:48 pm
@Ira … “But history tells us to be cautious with this organization. The Bucs haven’t cobbled together two consecutive winning seasons since Jon Gruden roamed the sidelines.” Great Ira, now we Bucs fans have something else to be concerned about. History obviously hates us.
Derrick Brooks for president of the Bucs? Nah, too many fingers in the pie already. Bucs have an excellent coaching staff right now it appears. Don’t need to pull another Greg Schiano and have coaches looking over coaches looking over coaches.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:52 pm
@Stpete
If he was to get hired I would hope it would just be as an ambassador. Let him talk to free agents they bring in and be easily accessible to the players for advice/tips or something along those lines.
I don’t think they would have him involved in any major decision making.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:55 pm
And on a totally unrelated side note, Corey Davis hurt his ankle training and might miss the combine. Sucks.
February 1st, 2017 at 3:58 pm
This idea of bringing Brooks into the fold in some significant way has nothing to do with “Tampa 2 mafia” or re-living the glory days.
Brooks’ talents off the field may well be as great as his play was. He’s incredibly smart, classy and knowledgeable about the game of football. He has operations and front office experience now from his time w/ the storm and at some point an NFL team is going to hire him to play a significant role in their operations.
Ira is simply suggesting what makes sense as Brooks played his entire NFL career here and has such strong ties to the area already.
February 1st, 2017 at 4:09 pm
So Dominick can’t even get a sniff as Lynch’s money monkey? I’m guessing Dominick is the one who floated his name to the journalist hoping to be considered. It’s like he tried the ole Jon Gruden trick to stay relevant but instead eroded his leverage with his current gig….Slow clap for the Rockstar
February 1st, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Absoooooolutely!!!!! yep yep yep
February 1st, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Hiring Mr. Brooks will result in only good things for this organization. Are you sure they are ready for that?
February 1st, 2017 at 4:25 pm
A lot of respect for you Ira, but time to let these guys go. What makes Brooks qualified for a job like that.
Brooks is out of touch with what is needed to win in today’s NFL. He puts it on display weekly on 620. His solution to everything is patience. Oh and needing to learn a “complex system.” Cover 2 as a base defense doesn’t cut it anymore man, get over it.
February 1st, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Better idea. Promote Licht to president. My résumé is ready for the vacant GM position. They won’t be sorry
February 1st, 2017 at 5:44 pm
Just hit the Brooks ball outta the park Ira, now go hit the grand slam to bring Lynch home to the HOF where he belongs, we all know you can do it. GO BUCS!!!
February 1st, 2017 at 5:59 pm
Bobby M. …lmao.
February 1st, 2017 at 6:33 pm
This whole article reads like a shot at the Joes misplaced admiration for Dominik and I love it!!!!
Ira keep taking the Joes to school just like I do
February 1st, 2017 at 6:36 pm
No Possible I could agree more and great article Ira
February 1st, 2017 at 6:40 pm
Joeypoppems Says:
February 1st, 2017 at 3:55 pm
And on a totally unrelated side note, Corey Davis hurt his ankle training and might miss the combine. Sucks.
…………………..
It might not suck at all for US Popps! This means he could fall to 19 maybe.
February 1st, 2017 at 6:55 pm
@SB
Yea he could. I was just looking forward to seeing the numbers he put up lol. Someone else who can fall to us is Malik Hooker the Ohio State safety. He had surgery and will be out until training camp. Daniel Jeremiah says he can be the next Ed Reed.
February 1st, 2017 at 6:58 pm
I have wanted Brooks to have a position in this organization for a long time too. Ira you are 100% correct. I propose giving him the title of Chief Sombrero. I have no idea what his role would be but the title sounds super cool, right? Lol. But in all seriousness he belongs. When you say his name you immediately think Tampa Bay. Surely there is s spot for him in the teams operations.
February 1st, 2017 at 7:10 pm
He would refuse. He has his hand in too many other things that he enjoys.
February 1st, 2017 at 7:11 pm
So Corey Davis is showing that he will be injury prone?
😉
February 1st, 2017 at 7:27 pm
Wow, that balloon took off flying before popping. I agree with the pop.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:05 pm
I think that the recent “buzz” for the 49ers to hire Spandau Ballet-loving ex-GM Mark Dominik is mainly generated by Spandau Ballet-loving ex-GM Mark Dominik. He’s a good behind-the-scenes self-promoter.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:12 pm
Definitely Not big on drafting guys coming off surgery. But man oh man, Corey Davis would be a steal at 19.
February 1st, 2017 at 10:54 pm
Way over due
The glazers boys aren’t their dad.
They don’t have it
February 1st, 2017 at 11:25 pm
I waited Patiently for 27 years for us to win our first SB. I can wait at least two more right?
February 1st, 2017 at 11:43 pm
@Stpetebucsfan – It means you’re a boring fruit. I didn’t really think there was any other way to interrupt that but glad I could clear it up.
February 2nd, 2017 at 12:10 am
I have never interjected in the 5 yrs or so that I have been here but you are not a flea on a dogs ass compared to SPBF Rod. Guy spent his life in Journalism and dealt with as$holes way worse than you on a daily basis and now that he is free he is nothing but The main voice of Reason on this site. Dude. Get a grip.
February 2nd, 2017 at 12:13 am
Arena Resume ??
No Doubt one of the greatest Bucs EVER !!
February 2nd, 2017 at 12:15 am
Sorry TBBF….(whom I have not seen in a while) No slight to you. You are prolly 1B……..1A even I am not God. Don’t you send people after my crew up here. We take that personally. 🙂
February 2nd, 2017 at 5:18 am
4 years ago I got rid of my storm season tickets and have not been to a game since. Brooks has only brought his name to the storm. Even then no big players have signed with the team. Lots of great college players go undrated every year. I thought he’d be able t tap into that pool to make the storm better as a NFL HOF’er. Nope. If he can’t make the storm better. I don’t want him making decisions for my bucs.
Loved him as a player. And a better man than a football player. But he is not GM material. He can be in the front office and he can help kids Mentor kids show them the right way to save their money and all of that but I do not want him making decisions that have to do with my football team he’s already killed one of my teams I don’t want him killing the other
February 2nd, 2017 at 7:33 am
Rod
Thanks for outing yourself. “Boring Fruit”? Wow. You have the intellect of a seven year old. You ARE “that guy” aren’t you. That guy who was with his buddies after a loss to Minnesota and leaving the stadium dropped all kinds of MFers and other obscenities. When asked by a father to chill since he had his two young boys with him you threatened to beat his….or you’re THAT GUY who sitting behind me in the last row of the top deck lit up a cigarette to the dismay of those around you. When I informed you that smoking is not permitted you asked so bravely…yeah what are you going to do about it?
Yeah Rod I’m sure you’re a bad BOY Grow up jackasss. Stop being THAT GUY!!!
February 2nd, 2017 at 9:49 am
Man you have done changed StPete up here! Never seen him get so raw with anyone like you Rod! StPete gettin gangsta on ya!