Broncos sign LB Keith Brooking

Today the Broncos added a veteran presence to not only the Linebacking corps but to their defense as a whole when they signed Keith Brooking.

Brooking is a 6'2 245 pound 36 year old inside linebacker. He was drafted 12th overall in 1998 by the Falcons. He played there for 11 years having 5 Pro Bowl seasons from 2001 to 2006 and 2 All Pro seasons.

Brooking than signed with Dallas and remained there for the previous three seasons and was now a free agent.

Brooking has two 200-plus tackle seasons and has played in every game since 2001.

Brooking, 36, said he expects to work at the middle and weakside linebacking positions. He is providing depth to the second team where we don't have experienced reserves. The current second-teamers at middle, strongside and weakside linebacker, Mike Mohamed, Nate Irving and Danny Trevathan (while DJ is out), who are 2011 draft picks who have combined for one career tackle on defense and a 2012 sixth round pick. While not guaranteed a position, Brooking will push the young guys to be their best.

When linebacker Keith Brooking got word the Broncos wanted to work him out, he didn't waste any time.

In fact, he told his agent he'd book his own plane ticket.

"I came in this morning, ran around a little bit, showed them that this 37-year-old body can still move," Brooking said. "The circumstances had to be right for me. I wanted to play for a contender, and this team was right up there on the list. It worked out great."

"I’m just really excited to be a part of the Broncos -- what they bring to the table -- and to make a run at this thing."

Unlike safety Jim Leonhard, who the Broncos signed Saturday, Brooking does not expect to be put on the active/physically unable to perform list and expects he will be practicing by Saturday.

"I haven't been in the offseason program, so I'd be lying to you if I said that I was in game shape and ready to go, but my legs feel good; they still have pop in them," Brooking said. "I had a lot of blows to the head and a few surgeries. I'm not what I was eight years ago, but relatively speaking, my body feels really good."

Brooking and Del Rio talked about the team's defensive scheme, which got him even more excited about his new situation in Denver.

"Del Rio,Coach Fox, the whole organization, when I got here, it was exactly what I thought it was going to be this morning when I worked out for them and got a chance to sit down and talk with them," he said. "It just validated everything even more."

Fox noted that Brooking has played both the Mike (middle) and Will (weakside) linebacker positions, and that's where the veteran expects to compete as the preseason unfolds.

"I think competition brings out the best in everyone and brews success," Brooking said. "I’m here to do that, whatever role it takes. Mike, Will, special teams -- I’m not too big for that, even though I’ve been in this league a long time. Whatever role I can find, I’m willing to do."

"At this point in my career, you’re striving for one thing," Brooking said. "I think this team is set to make a run, and I’m very excited to be a small part of it."

Also on Monday, the Broncos placed running back Mario Fannin on injured reserve with an Achilles injury. Fannin, a second-year player out of Auburn, spent the 2011 season on IR as well.

Let's beat those Bears. Go Broncos ~ Aussie.

References:

NFL.com, MHR.com, DB.com One, DB.com Two

Brooking and Training Camp video