The word out of Chicago is that the team is in contract negotiations with former Tampa Bay Bucs Derrick Brooks. The 36-year old linebacker has not signed with a team this off season and maybe this is the opening he needs to prove he can still be a force. If the Bears sign him, it would make sense since Brooks and Lovie Smith worked together in Tampa Bay. Lovie knows all about Brooks and he should know if Brooks still has it in him to play. The ideal situation, is putting Lance Briggs at middle linebacker and putting Brooks on the weak side, because Nick Roach is replacing Pisa Tinoisamoa at the strong side linebacker. Brooks would be a better linebacker than say Hunter Hillenmeyer. He probably won't be the same force, but he can still be a solid linebacker, and provide a lift for a depleted linebacker group. I like the idea, but only time will tell what the Bears do.