tiggerpolice

The Raiders will meet with recently deposed New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks. (Associated Press)

Their options dwindling in locating an experienced starting quarterback for 2006, the Oakland Raiders are expected to have serious discussions with recently deposed New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks.
Brooks, according to an NFL source, is tentatively scheduled to arrive in Oakland on Monday night and meet with the team Tuesday.

A Raiders source said a visit with Brooks had not been finalized. The Saints waived Brooks on Wednesday, the same day they announced the signing of free agent Drew

Brees to a six-year, $60 million contract.

Brooks, who turns 30 on March 24, started 82 consecutive games for New Orleans from 2000 into 2005 before coach Jim Haslett benched him in favor of Todd Bouman.

He left the Saints with a team-record 120 touchdown passes and completed 56.4 percent of his passes (1,563 of 2,771) for 19,156 yards, 84 interceptions and a 79.7 passer rating.

In 2005 Brooks had three touchdown passes and 13 interceptions, the first time in his career he had more interceptions than touchdown passes.

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Brooks is a strong downfield passer and is mobileenough to have rushed for 1,410 yards and 13 touchdowns with seven runs of 20 or more yards in 85 games.

In 2000, his first season as a starter, Brooks led the Saints to the only playoff win in franchise history — a 31-28 win over the St. Louis Rams. He enjoyed his best statistical season in 2003, completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 2,356 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions with an 88.8 passer rating.

As a starter, Brooks had a 43-43 career record until last season's 3-10 mark. He was benched shortly after making comments critical of owner Tom Benson regarding the Saints' accommodations and practice situation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, although coach Jim Haslett (since fired) said the decision was made for football reasons.

Mason Ashe, the agent for Brooks, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune Brooks wanted a chance to be a starter as well as the best overall opportunity.

"We just want to find a team that wants him, that's the first thing," Ashe said. "We'll do what's best for him. He can help a number of teams, and he's a proven starting quarterback in this league."

The Raiders, who began the week $9.8 million under the salary cap, have plenty of room to operate financially to bring in a quarterback with more experience than perennial backup Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter, a third-round draft pick in 2005 who hasn't taken a snap in a regular-season game.

Since Collins was waived March 10, the

Raiders have watched from the sidelines as quarterbacks such as Brees, Daunte Culpepper, Jon Kitna, Josh McCown and Gus Frerotte have changed addresses through trades and free agency.

They brought in Arizona's McCown on Tuesday, but McCown left town and immediately signed with the Detroit Lions to compete with Kitna.

According to a source familiar with McCown, the Raiders offered a two-year, $6 million deal similar to the one he signed in Detroit. However, McCown signed with the Lions because he feared the Raiders would replace him with a 2006 first-round draft pick, and because of his desire to further his career by working with new Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

A Raiders source said McCown left town without a contract offer.

Two more options went off the market Friday. Washington quarterback Patrick Ramsey was traded to the New York Jets, and Frerotte, released by Miami after the Culpepper trade, signed with St. Louis.

Other available or soon-to-be-available quarterbacks include Brian Griese (released by Tampa Bay) and Detroit's Joey Harrington (expected to be released after the acquisitions of Kitna and McCown).


EXTRA POINTS: The Raiders are expected to sign free agent safety Jarrod Cooper within the next day or two and have signed safety Derrick Gibson and guard Corey Hulsey, both unrestricted free agents.

Cooper, according to his agent Ben Dogra, has agreed to terms on a three-year contract. Gibson, who became a free agent when the club declined an option that would have paid him $10 million in 2006, has played six games in the past two years because of a shoulder injury and a dislocated wrist. The 2001 first-round draft pick has played in 53 games with 31 starts. Hulsey played in 11 games with no starts last season.

With the loss of nickel back Renaldo Hill in free agency to Miami, the Raiders may take a second look at cornerback Lenny Walls, claimed off waivers from Denver Nov. 29 but released Dec. 1 because his groin injury had not healed sufficiently.

Guard Toniu Fonoti, who agreed to terms with the Raiders this week but failed his physical, the club said, signed with Tampa Bay.


http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_3615828

TheDeuce

Don't take him Oakland... wait til the draft and then trade up for Leinart.....

Tobias-Reiper

.if he thought the boos were bad here...

.. that's by far the best situation for Brooks: new team in different conference with new coaching staff with 2 stiffs as competition...

... after all, you don't think Tuiasosopo or Walter could bdeat him in minicamp... do youuuu???

gandhi1007

Yes! Yes! Yes! The Black Hole will have Brooks sleeping with the fishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

foreverfan

Anybody notice that Brooks is the second rated QB in FA behind Brees. Would be a great fit with the Raiders because he knows how to throw the veritical game very well. I would be happy to meet the Raiders in the Superbowl.... heck... I'd be happy to meet anybody in the SB.

jrmllb

the black Hole willeat that retard for lunch

LongTimeFan

Brooks would get booed when they call his name the first time he steps on the Raider field, the Raiders need to do the right thing and that's pass on Brooks.

foreverfan

Brooks will not get booed at least until the second half.