Brooking ‘sad to be leaving the Falcons’

Keith Brooking, the last link to the Falcons’ only Super Bowl team is headed to Dallas, having signed a three-year deal that includes $2.5 million in bonuses, according to his agent Pat Dye Jr.

Brooking will be reunited with Cowboys coach Wade Phillips, who was the Falcons’ defensive coordinator in 2002-03 and the team’s interim coach for the final three games of the ‘03 season.

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Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Linebacker Keith Brooking played 11 seasons for the Falcons and led the team in tackles for the final eight.

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“That played a big part in the decision,” Dye said of the chance for Brooking to be reunited with Phillips.

Brooking, who played at Georgia Tech and East Coweta High, became a free agent at 12:01 a.m. Friday, but Dye said he had discussions with the Falcons through Saturday before Brooking chose the Cowboys’ offer.

The Falcons wanted to re-sign Brooking, but wanted him in a reserve role. With the Cowboys, Brooking will get a chance to start at inside linebacker.

The Falcons play the Cowboys this season in Dallas. The date has not been set.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement Saturday afternoon: “Keith defined the Falcons in so many ways: his tenure, his leadership on and off the field, his commitment to excellence and his many resulting accomplishments, his love for Atlanta, and so much more.

“He will always be a Falcon in the hearts of his teammates and our fans. We wish him the very best in his future NFL endeavors, and we extend best wishes to his wife, Holly, and their children, Logan and Juliette.”

Even after the free-agency period began, the Falcons continued to negotiate with Brooking but could not reach a deal.

“After 24 hours of very active discussion with multiple teams, including the Falcons, Keith Brooking has decided to sign a three-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys,” Dye said. “This was a very difficult decision for Keith and came only after a lot of thought and deliberation. Although we had ongoing discussions with the Falcons, after weighing all the factors, Keith felt that it was in his best interest to sign with Dallas.”

Brooking was a rookie on the Super Bowl team in the 1998 season after he was chosen in the first round (12th overall) of the NFL Draft that spring. He played 11 seasons for the Falcons and led the team in tackles for the final eight.

“It is with very mixed emotions that I am leaving the Atlanta Falcons to join the Dallas Cowboys,” Brooking said in statement released to the Journal-Constitution. “I am sad to be leaving the Falcons organization, my teammates, my coaches, and of course, the great Falcons fans. However, I am excited about this new chapter in my career and rejoining my former coach Wade Phillips.”

Brooking played in Phillips’ 3-4 defense when they were together with the Falcons. He played mostly middle linebacker for Jim Mora and Bobby Petrino.

He was moved back to weakside linebacker last season. While he led the team in tackles, he struggled in pass coverage. He made a blunder in the Falcons’ wild-card game against Arizona, allowing his man to get open on a third-and-16 play that effectively clinched the Cardinals’ victory.

“As I leave here, I know that I’ve given every ounce of my body, mind and soul to this organization and hope that I’ve contributed to the team’s success along the way,” Brooking said. “I also leave here with the peace of knowing that the Falcons are poised for great success in the future.”

Brooking, through his foundation, was one of the more active members of the team in the community.

“The Atlanta area is my home,” Brooking said. “It will always be my home. Although, I will play for the Cowboys for the next few years, I will always be a Falcon at heart.”