Ahmad Brooks

[DolFan619]

  Dolphins GM meets with linebacker Ahmad Brooks

BY JASON COLE
jcole@MiamiHerald.com


The Dolphins have taken an interest in former University of Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who is considered by many the top player available in the NFL's supplemental draft on July 13.

Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller and director of college scouting Ron Labadie were among those who attended Brooks' workout Thursday.

Mueller and Labadie met with Brooks after the workout.

In addition, the Dolphins sent Brooks to Michigan last week to meet with Lon Rosen, a psychologist and longtime friend of Dolphins coach Nick Saban, agent Greg Williams said Friday.

Rosen does character research on players for Saban.

Williams also said he presented information to scouts, coaches and executives in attendance, showing that Brooks has passed drug tests taken on a regular basis over the past two months. Williams acknowledged that Brooks had ''issues'' with drug use during college.

Brooks was arrested in March 2003 on a marijuana possession charge.

According to two sources, Brooks failed multiple drug tests for marijuana use during college.

That led to the school's dismissal of him from the team this winter.

''Ahmad knows that he has to make good decisions in the future and change the people he hangs out with if he's going to take advantage of the athletic talent he has,'' Williams said. ``He's a good kid who wants to get this turned around and be an example to kids about how someone can change for the better.''

Brooks weighed 260 pounds, down approximately 30 pounds from two months ago. The weight issue is another question for NFL teams.

Brooks was considered one of the top high school players in Virginia history before going to college.

Some scouts have said he has the talent to be a first-round pick.

However, the off-field issues could drop Brooks into the fourth or fifth round of the supplemental draft.   



Here is his bio from Virginia for those interested. 

http://virginiasports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brooks_ahmad00.html


     Okay, we took a chance on Manny Wright last year and towards the end of last season he made some positive plays for us.  We all agree on the fact that another young LB is what the Dolphins need.  Okay guys do you think this guy will be in a Dolphins uniform come training camp?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Considering we need LB help and considering he's got some serious talent and could develop into a quality player if he keeps his nose clean, I would take him if the price was right.  I say no higher than 4th

[bsfins]

I feel Manny Wright,and this guy are 2 different problems...M.Vick didn't cost us anything,This guy will cost us a pick....I wasn't sure we'd take Manny,because it would cost us another pick....

Next year,we're missing the pick for Joey Harrington...unless this guy is just uber awesome,I don't see it...But then again...I'm nobody..

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I feel Manny Wright,and this guy are 2 different problems...M.Vick didn't cost us anything,This guy will cost us a pick....I wasn't sure we'd take Manny,because it would cost us another pick....

Next year,we're missing the pick for Joey Harrington...unless this guy is just uber awesome,I don't see it...But then again...I'm nobody..

A guy like this.... you gamble where you should in the draft.... in the late rounds. 

[DolFan619]

     More on Brooks:

Must-have Cav?
 
By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports

June 24, 2006
 
 
 Ahmad Brooks has the skills to be a first-day selection in the NFL draft, but two talent evaluators who reviewed the former Virginia linebacker's tapes and workout believe he will slide somewhere between Rounds 3 and 5 in this year's supplemental draft.

Brooks, one of four prospects granted "special" eligibility this week for the July 13 draft, worked out for scouts and coaches on Thursday. He was timed between 4.69 and 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash and registered a 32-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-8 broad jump.

While those in attendance were pleased to see Brooks weigh-in at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds – 26 pounds lighter than his original training weight with Chip Smith of Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta – most scouts noted that he struggled some with his footwork in the shuttle drills (4.42 seconds in the short shuttle, 7.41 in the three-cone and 11.80 in the 60-yard shuttle) and produced average results in the bench press for his size (19 repetitions at 225 pounds). Still, they felt Brooks looked in good shape.

Known to be an underachiever with some lazy habits, Brooks reportedly has had off-field issues with failed drug tests at Virginia. His agent, Gregory Williams, told team decision-makers that his client had successfully passed five independently administered drug tests in the past three months. Also, a full medical evaluation of Brooks' previous right knee injury was provided to teams by Dr. James Andrews, whom Brooks had visited a few weeks ago in preparation for Thursday's workout.

Most 3-4 scheme teams see Brooks as being a good fit inside, while others feel he can play outside and put in some work at rush end in passing situations. Everyone is in agreement that having a solid support staff and veteran leadership on the defensive side of the ball will be crucial to keeping Brooks in line.

  The Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers were the teams that paid close attention to Brooks' workout, which was conducted by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker coach Ricky Hunley. The Packers, Bengals and Giants met with Brooks on Wednesday. Next week, he will travel to San Francisco to visit with 49ers officials and take a physical.
 

[Dphins4me]

Considering we need LB help and considering he's got some serious talent and could develop into a quality player if he keeps his nose clean, I would take him if the price was right.  I say no higher than 4th

IMO SF will go 4th, so if Miami wants him they will have to go 3rd.

[The_Phinatic]

Known to be an underachiever with some lazy habits, Brooks reportedly has had off-field issues with failed drug tests at Virginia.

Underachiever with some lazy habits.  That's a huge sign that he had a weed problem.  But, we knew that already.

The Alcatraz Dolphins may as well grab this kid if he falls past the 3rd --- if Saban's buddy gives him a good grade.

[DearbornDolfan]

The way I look at it, if we take Brooks then the Lions have to wait a year to use the Harrington pick. After the way the Lions fans and Bly's little man!harem mouthed off, that sounds like a mighty fine idea to me.

[Phishfan]

We would not be able to affect any Lion's picks. The deal is done, it is theirs now.

[Dphins4me]

The way I look at it, if we take Brooks then the Lions have to wait a year to use the Harrington pick. After the way the Lions fans and Bly's little man!harem mouthed off, that sounds like a mighty fine idea to me.

From my understanding of the trade, it only affects the pick Miami traded to the Lions if Miami uses the 5th or 6th Rder on him, which ever pick Miami ends up owing them..

[Dphins4me]

We would not be able to affect any Lion's picks. The deal is done, it is theirs now.

No, its not simply theirs.  The trade was conditional on whether Miami used the pick in the Sup. Draft. 

Meaning if Miami uses a 6th Rd. pick to get a player & they end up owing Det. that 6th Rd. pick after the season, then Det does not get the pick until '08 draft.

[Phishfan]

Maybe I misunderstood the conditions of the pick, but I was under the impression we had agreed on a pick and the conditions were that it could be a higher pick if Harrington ends out meeting certain playing criteria. Much like how we had to give up a second first round pick in the Ricky Williams trade. In that scenario I don't believe we would be able to use that choice in the supplemental draft.

I could be completely wrong though.

[LUDUPORCU]

There's 3 LBs in the Supplemental Draft worth considering. If MIAMI were to use a 5th to grab one, and a 6th to grab another, that would not only improve MIAMI's young LB depth, it would also push DETROIT's 2007 Pick back to 2008. I'd like to see MIAMI do so, just to give MILLEN one last ream in his ever-lovin' rectum..