Posted by Aaron Wilson

The silence has nearly been deafening for veteran linebacker Derrick Brooks.

Ever since being abruptly released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February as a salary-cap casualty and the victim of a youth movement, Brooks has been earnestly trying to find a new NFL employer.

It’s been quiet, way too quiet for Brooks’ taste.

And the 11-time Pro Bowl selection and former NFL Man of the Year has struggled to land a new job at age 36.

Despite Brooks’ 895 career tackles, 25 interceptions and 13 1/2 sacks in 14 NFL seasons, his underwhelming 2008 season where he didn’t record a sack and registered less than 100 tackles for the first time this decade and his age are apparently working against him.

In an interview with former NFL defensive lineman D’Marco Farr of ESPN Radio St. Louis, via Sportsradiointerviews.com, Brooks made it clear that he’s not giving up.

“There’s enough interest out there from teams for me to keep the fire burning,” Brooks said. “So, I’ll continue to stay in shape and we’ll see what happens.”

Although Brooks was caught off guard when the Buccaneers cut him loose, the former Florida State star says he isn’t harboring any bitterness.

“That’s the business again of the NFL,” Brooks said. “Everybody knows that when you come in and expect anything different, then you’re going to get disappointed. But with me, the news itself, you know I dealt with it for 14 years.

“I just wanted it to happen. It could have been handled a little bit better in my opinion and I would have been ok with that I think. But the news itself, no i had no problem with that.”

Brooks’ name has been mentioned in speculation with at least two teams: the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints

However, nothing tangible seems to be brewing at the moment.  More – ProFootballTalk.com