Brooks could provide competition for Rocca.


Durant Brooks has bounced around during his short career after being drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2008 draft, and now after sitting out of football in 2009, he has signed on with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brooks will come in as real competition for Sav Rocca, who has been plagued with inconsistencies since he first arrived in Philly from the Aussie football league. Rocca's strong leg and flashes of brilliance have kept him around, but his inconsistencies could mean the end of his career in Philadelphia.

Brooks was not only a Ray Guy Award winner, but he was personally tutored by Ray Guy, considered by most to be the very best punter the NFL has ever seen.

The fact that he sat out of football '09 is a bit unsettling and tempers any optimism that he'll be the consistent performer the Eagles have lacked since Sean Landeta was in Eagles green, but it's a no-risk, all-reward move for the Birds.

Even if he doesn't make the team, it's at least a bit of competition for Rocca which may show him that he can't just stroll in and keep his job without working on becoming more consistent.

In fact, it's highly unlikely that Rocca leaves when considering the comfort level that kicker David Akers has with Rocca as the holder. It's the reason why Koy Detmer stuck around as long as he did, and it could buy at least one more season for Rocca, who is a restricted free agent this season, with or without a CBA in place.

It won't get much attention, but it's certainly worth watching during training camp if Brooks can punt well enough, and hold for Akers well enough, to unseat Rocca.

That is, if Brooks even makes it to training camp.