Inside the Iggles
FanSided

Forgotten Eagles on the roster: Safety Terrence Brooks

By Geoffrey Knox

Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Fans tailgate outside Lincoln Financial Field before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Fans tailgate outside Lincoln Financial Field before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

When Joe Douglas took over as Eagles vice president of player personnel, it wouldn’t be long before looked back to some familiar territory to improve the roster.

Almost two weeks later, debate continues over how well the Philadelphia Eagles did or didn’t do in the 2017 NFL Draft. One thing’s certain. Nobody’s complaining as much as they were a year or so ago. Joe Douglas appears to have a plan in place.

Douglas and executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman seem to be getting along pretty well. The 2017 season is on the horizon, and most fans are anxious about how the recent acquisitions to the roster will fare. The eight selections made by Philly weren’t among Douglas’ first roster moves however. Before there was a draft class to discuss, his fingerprints were placed on the depth chart when he reached back to some old stomping grounds. He was a key factor in bringing former Baltimore Ravens safety Terrence Brooks to Philly.

Some of you probably have no idea who that is, so we’ll help you out.

A little background info:

More from Inside the Iggles

Brooks played a key role in the Florida State Seminoles being crowned the National Champions of college football in 2014. Yes, he was a teammate of current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston.

His decorated college career includes being part of two ACC Championship victories (2012 and 2013). He was First-team All-ACC and a First-team All-American in 2013. The Ravens made him the 79th-overall pick when they drafted him in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, an injury would force the team to place him on their injured reserve list. He’d be released on September 3rd of the 2016 calendar year.

The Eagles signed him one day later on September 4th.

The “other Brooks” in the secondary:

Okay, some of you are still a little hazy. We don’t mean Ron Brooks. Yes, he also battled a recent injury. Yes, he plays in the secondary as well, but Ron Brooks wasn’t on the field at the end of the 2016 season. Terrence Brooks was. His role increased as the year rolled along, and it appears that we know a few things about him that we didn’t know last year at this same time.

Could Brooks make strides in 2017?

The only safety the Eagles took in the most recent draft will be converted to linebacker, former Nebraska Cornhuskers standout Nathan Gerry. That’s a clear indication that the Eagles may be content to run with what they already have in the upcoming season. Brooks is another of those versatile guys in the secondary that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz seems to always fall in love with.

Next: 5 Things to watch during rookie minicamp

Towards the end of last season, Brooks played as the third safety behind Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod. We’ve heard he can also play the slot corner if needed, and if fellow safety Jaylen Watkins struggles or if there are any issues at cornerback, you may be hearing Brooks’ name called with some regularity in 2017.

No one will have any complaints if that’s what happens.

Home/Eagles News