What have we learned today?
Dallas swapped a 40 year old Brad Johnson for a 36 year old Jon Kitna. They swapped a 35 year old, undersized Zach Thomas for a 33 year old Keith Brooking, who has the size to play inside. He also has the experience, posting his two best statistical seasons playing ILB for Wade Phillips in 2002 and 2003.
It's clear that Brooking could no longer play outside in a 4-3, which he tried to do for this year's Falcons, but he may be stout enough and smart enough to provide production. I hope so. My lingering memories of Zach Thomas are from the two Redskins games, where Thomas played the pinata and Chris Samuels and Pete Kendall played the stick swinging kids -- without blindfolds.
This increases the odds that Dallas takes an ILB in the earlier rounds, but takes the pressure off that draftee to perform immediately.
The moves also show that Wade Phillips is treating '09 as his last, as well he should. If Phillips is going down, he's going down with players he knows and trusts. Wade made Brooking a lot of money and Brooking can help prolong Wade's career if he has any gas left in his tank.
Other News of Note:
Funky Dollar Bill -- Chris Canty remains in New York and one report says the Giants are toying with the idea of adding him to their DT rotation.
The same report also claims Canty's agent is contemplating moving his agent to other stops. Canty apparently wants $8M a season, which may explain why he lost out to Albert Hayesworth in Washington and Rocky Bernard in New York.
That's right -- $8 million a year.
Springs Loaded? -- Free agent DB Shawn Springs will visit the Patriots tomorrow. Gil Brandt told Sirius NFL Radio tonight that the Cowboys should bring Springs in for a visit. They might not get the chance.
Note the linked story claims the Patriots are contemplating moving the 6'0", 207 lb. Springs to free safety.