Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn Cut

This isn’t terribly shocking news, but both Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn were released from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. The Bucs, and their new coach Raheem Morris, look like they’re cleaning house and starting from scratch. In the salary cap era, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

But when you’re rebuilding a team, isn’t it important to build a foundation? Both Brooks and Dunn (no joke needed, its too easy) have been awarded the NFL Man of the Year award at some point in their career. Both exemplify class and integrity on and off the field. Aren’t those the kind of players that you would want to teach your incoming players? It sounds like even the Bucs owner knows what they are losing:

“Our family and the entire Tampa Bay community owe Derrick an indescribable measure of gratitude for all that he has meant over the last 14 years,” said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer. “His play on the field and leadership in the locker room helped resurrect our franchise and we look forward to celebrating his certain enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

I completely understand why these moves were made. Cap Casualties happen all over the place at this time of the year.  But isn’t it interesting that condenders and champions in the NFL always have strong character guys in their lineup? I’m sure both will find new jobs (if they choose to), it’s just depressing to see moves like this happen to guys that do things the right way.

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