Good news for Oakland: Brooks gets it done in the 4th

By Anthony Carroll  |   Friday, June 09, 2006  |  Comments( 24 )

Oakland Raiders
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"Aaron Brooks is a Kerry Collins with legs."

In the fourth quarter, completely disregard the above statement.

With the game's final 15 minutes evaporating from the scoreboard, Aaron Brooks is a Kerry Collins with legs, a head, and an impressive track record.

In his eleven-year career, Collins has sat atop the driver's seat of four NFL ball clubs. He started his career in 1995 with the expansion Carolina Panthers, moved onto New Orleans for a single season, and then transitioned onto the Giants' and Raiders' roster for the following seven seasons.

Suiting up in four different jersey variations, the ex-Raider has lined up behind center for a combined 146 fourth quarter efforts. In those game-finishing efforts, he has posted run of the mill numbers, completing 53.9 percent of his pass attempts for 9,511 yards, 56 touchdowns and an equal 56 interceptions. That 56-interception career total represents the worst split of all quarters Collins' has thrown in.

Alternatively, Aaron Brooks has seen prominent success in the latter game stages of his career. The seven-year veteran has appeared in 83 NFL fourth quarters, completing 420 passes for 5,059 yards, 42 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. In all, Brooks has thrown for 14 less fourth-quarter touchdowns than Collins; however, that amount comes at a rate that includes a cosmic 32 less interceptions. Additionally, the ex-Saint has taken off 119 times in the closing minutes of the game, stockpiling a quarter-best 492 ground yards and four touchdowns. Finally, while Collins has lost a quarter-worst 14 fumbles in the game's final stretch, Brooks has posted a personal best of just four lost fumbles.

Still not sold? Compare New England Patriots' quarterback, Tom Brady, to 33-year-old Kerry Collins. Brady started in and won three Super Bowls before his 28th birthday, designating him as the preeminent quarterback to possess in clutch situations.

The next best? Aaron Brooks. Brooks ranks second only to Tom Brady in fourth quarter and overtime comebacks. Among all active quarterbacks in the NFL, Brooks' 16 late-game victories sit just under the three-time Super Bowl champ. In just 2004 alone, Brooks led his team down the field for five game-winning drives, accounting for over half of the team's total wins on the season.

This offseason, the peak of Oakland's managerial hierarchy decided to parcel out approximately $8 million to acquire the NFL's second-best active comeback quarterback. Although the helm is allegedly up for grabs in Oakland, the spot will likely go to Brooks for 2006.

And if doubts about 30-year-old still dance through your mind, simply think back to Week Two of the 2005 regular season...

Losing 17-23 with 2:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, Oakland is sitting comfortably with a first and ten from the Kansas City 14-yard-line. Play one: Kerry Collins throws an incomplete pass to Jerry Porter.

Second and ten: Kerry Collins flips a pass to LaMont Jordan--short gain of four yards.

Third and six: Incomplete pass attempt to LaMont Jordan.

Fourth and six: Kerry Collins floats an incompletion to Jerry Porter one final time.

The Oakland Raiders lose the game, drop to 0-2, and finish the season with a 4-12 record. Following the 2005 campaign, Kerry Collins is released.

In comes the "Kerry Collins with legs."

But, remember: In the fourth quarter, completely disregard the above statement.

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com

Get more Aaron Brooks analysis at Realfootball365.com
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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CommentsComments: 24  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Antoinette Gonzalez		05:20 AM
06/09/2006
Aight, So what ya sayin is that Aaron Brooks is just a Kerry Collins, but can move his ass out the pocket and actually, maybe...
No.2
Austin Raider		09:59 AM
06/09/2006
A clutch QB? Imagine that? A QB who wants the ball and delivers when the game is on the line is exactly what we have been missing...
No.3
neverlooking		11:10 AM
06/09/2006
Awesome stat. The Raiders power running/vertical game is designed for the 4th quarter, when the opposing defenses are worn down....
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