SANTA CLARA – Starting outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks spoke in the media tent on Wednesday and discussed what he did this offseason, the level of his current conditioning and the progress of the young outside linebacker, Aldon Smith. Here’s a transcript.
Q: What went into your offseason?
BROOKS: I really wanted to stay out here and stay close to the guys. Coming off a good season last year, I thought it was imperative to stay in good shape and not get out of shape in the offseason. Usually when I go home I start hanging out and eating good cooking from my mother. I just wanted to stay out here and work out with Justin (Smith), Ray (McDonald) and Tavares Gooden.
Q: We’ve heard multiple times that you’re in the best shape of your life. Do you feel that way?
BROOKS: Best shape of my NFL career? Yeah. I think I’m about 16 percent body fat, about 270 (pounds). My bench press definitely went up, my squat went up. I haven’t squatted in two or three years. I feel a lot more in shape on the field play-to-play running to the ball. I’m feeling a little bit more swift out there.
Q: What was your body fat last year?
BROOKS: Probably about 20 percent.
Q: And you weighed more than 270 pounds?
BROOKS: No, I was about 265 pounds.
Q: How do you see Aldon Smith progressing as a starting outside linebacker.
BROOKS: He’s a beast out there. He’s out there working hard and having fun with it. He’s definitely going to make the defense excel and make other guys better.
Q: What specifically have you been able to help him out with the transition to outside linebacker?
BROOKS: The biggest thing is for him to know where he’s going. When’s he dropping back, (he needs) to know what zone he has to play. I think that’s all he needs. He doesn’t need too many bugs in ear – just let him go out and play the game.
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I said it before and I’ll say it again, this was the priorty signing above the others. He’s going to take his game to the next level because mentally he is calm within the system which will allow him to play faster.
I liked A.Brooks after watching him play at Virginia. He was a big athletic LB who was a candidate for the prestigious Dick Butkis award.
When he came out as a supplemental pick I was hoping that we would draft him. But Cincy took him in the 3rd rd.
When we signed him off waivers I felt that we were getting good player, but he has really come into his own over the last couple of seasons and exceeded my expectations.
Glad he is in great shape and ready to make our LB corps arguably the best in the NFL.
All this is music to my ears. With the Brooks and Aldon pincer movement on the edges, and the Justin and Ray wrecking crew up the middle, this defensive front will be a joy to watch.
Parys Haralson is an adequate sub and still very good at setting the edge. If Cam Johnson can do even a little situational pass rushing our depth will be improved too.
I suspect Brooks and McDonald are going to have very good years. Offenses will be concentrating on Cowboy and Aldon. Brooks and McDonald will reap the benefits of that.
@undercenter
If offenses do what Grant suggests and spread us out, they will be spreading out their OL protection schemes. Plenty of space for our fast DL to get to the QB. Think Indy D for last decade with the added bonus of the best rush-D in history. That spells trouble.
Ds
The D has the merits to be one of the best if not the best ever!!