49ers Clubhouse

Sacramento Bee

Q&A with Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks

January 12, 2003

Four touchdown returns finally bring attention
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer
The 49ers fared well when they went up against the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, Kansas City running back Priest Holmes, limiting him to 51 yards rushing, one reception and one touchdown in a 17-13 win Nov. 10. Today, San Francisco must find a way to contend with Buccaneers outside linebacker Derrick Brooks, voted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Bee's Jim Jenkins participated in a national conference call as Brooks, who returned a league-record four turnovers for touchdowns this season, talked about his award-winning year and the Bucs' major strength, their No. 1-ranked defense.
The 49ers fared well when they went up against the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, Kansas City running back Priest Holmes, limiting him to 51 yards rushing, one reception and one touchdown in a 17-13 win Nov. 10. Today, San Francisco must find a way to contend with Buccaneers outside linebacker Derrick Brooks, voted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Bee's Jim Jenkins participated in a national conference call as Brooks, who returned a league-record four turnovers for touchdowns this season, talked about his award-winning year and the Bucs' major strength, their No. 1-ranked defense.
Q: Tampa Bay seemed ready to take the next big step. Did Jon Gruden, in his first year as head coach, help push the Buccaneers to a new level?
A: I think it's a combination of things. We've obviously had the potential to do it the past couple of years but have just not done it. (With a new coach) coming in, reassigning some things and personality-wise, guys responded well. We've just played better this year, closing out games to get to the position we're in now.
Q: You've had good statistics for several years but this season were recognized for Defensive Player of the Year. Why do you think it took so long for people to recognize you?
A: The touchdowns have been a big part of it. In the past, I've had turnovers that haven't been for scores. Really, the success of this defense, being consistently at the top all year long, has brought the attention. As I said, I'm just humbled by winning it. Hopefully I'll continue the same consistency that I've had the first eight years of my career.
Q: How does Tampa Bay's defense compare to Baltimore's championship defense two seasons ago?
A: I think until the season is over, the comparisons shouldn't even start. They won a Super Bowl championship and, until we do that, there's no comparison. But there are similarities in that we both play the same style of defense. I think they are a bigger defense across the board, and we believe in quickness. But the ability to dominate is there with both our styles and both our demeanors.
Q: What challenge does San Francisco's offense present?
A: It's a tough one. They have a lot of skilled players and are very potent. You saw that they can score in a lot of different ways, and Jeff Garcia has proven he's a special quarterback in this league. Terrell Owens, obviously, is arguably one of the best receivers, if not the best, in the game. They do a good job of setting up their skill-position players to make plays, and we just have to find a way to stop them.
Q: After a big come-from-behind win like San Francisco's, would a team be wiped out or champing at the bit for the next game?
A: They are very confident. Some of their players have already started making comments. We choose to do our talking on Sundays.
Q: What about playing behind a defensive line that has overcome the loss of key players Marcus Jones and Anthony McFarland to injuries?
A: I think we have some depth. It's kind of like the wheels don't fall off, when one of the parts breaks down and you replace it and keep going.
Q: The 49ers have two talented runners with different styles. How do you prepare?
A: You just go out and play your defense. You don't get caught up in matchups. I think that's something that we do well. We go out and prepare for an offense and play our defense. As long as we're able to do that, we can keep ourselves in a position to be dominant. The bottom line is, you have to tackle both guys (Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow).
Q: What about the problem Garcia presents as a mobile quarterback?
A: We have our specific way of how we handle him. You have to cover your pass rush, and you have to cover downfield and make plays. As much as he makes plays against you, you have to go out there and make your plays against him.

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.

Four touchdown returns finally bring attention

By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer

The 49ers fared well when they went up against the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, Kansas City running back Priest Holmes, limiting him to 51 yards rushing, one reception and one touchdown in a 17-13 win Nov. 10. Today, San Francisco must find a way to contend with Buccaneers outside linebacker Derrick Brooks, voted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Bee's Jim Jenkins participated in a national conference call as Brooks, who returned a league-record four turnovers for touchdowns this season, talked about his award-winning year and the Bucs' major strength, their No. 1-ranked defense.

Q: Tampa Bay seemed ready to take the next big step. Did Jon Gruden, in his first year as head coach, help push the Buccaneers to a new level?

A: I think it's a combination of things. We've obviously had the potential to do it the past couple of years but have just not done it. (With a new coach) coming in, reassigning some things and personality-wise, guys responded well. We've just played better this year, closing out games to get to the position we're in now.

Q: You've had good statistics for several years but this season were recognized for Defensive Player of the Year. Why do you think it took so long for people to recognize you?

A: The touchdowns have been a big part of it. In the past, I've had turnovers that haven't been for scores. Really, the success of this defense, being consistently at the top all year long, has brought the attention. As I said, I'm just humbled by winning it. Hopefully I'll continue the same consistency that I've had the first eight years of my career.

Q: How does Tampa Bay's defense compare to Baltimore's championship defense two seasons ago?

A: I think until the season is over, the comparisons shouldn't even start. They won a Super Bowl championship and, until we do that, there's no comparison. But there are similarities in that we both play the same style of defense. I think they are a bigger defense across the board, and we believe in quickness. But the ability to dominate is there with both our styles and both our demeanors.

Q: What challenge does San Francisco's offense present?

A: It's a tough one. They have a lot of skilled players and are very potent. You saw that they can score in a lot of different ways, and Jeff Garcia has proven he's a special quarterback in this league. Terrell Owens, obviously, is arguably one of the best receivers, if not the best, in the game. They do a good job of setting up their skill-position players to make plays, and we just have to find a way to stop them.

Q: After a big come-from-behind win like San Francisco's, would a team be wiped out or champing at the bit for the next game?

A: They are very confident. Some of their players have already started making comments. We choose to do our talking on Sundays.

Q: What about playing behind a defensive line that has overcome the loss of key players Marcus Jones and Anthony McFarland to injuries?

A: I think we have some depth. It's kind of like the wheels don't fall off, when one of the parts breaks down and you replace it and keep going.

Q: The 49ers have two talented runners with different styles. How do you prepare?

A: You just go out and play your defense. You don't get caught up in matchups. I think that's something that we do well. We go out and prepare for an offense and play our defense. As long as we're able to do that, we can keep ourselves in a position to be dominant. The bottom line is, you have to tackle both guys (Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow).

Q: What about the problem Garcia presents as a mobile quarterback?

A: We have our specific way of how we handle him. You have to cover your pass rush, and you have to cover downfield and make plays. As much as he makes plays against you, you have to go out there and make your plays against him.

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.