Bucs Cut Brooks and 4 others in Youth Movement

The Bucs sent shockwaves through One Bucs Place Wednesday by releasing 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Brooks as part of a sweeping youth movement.
The team also released running back Warrick Dunn, receiver Joey Galloway, linebacker Cato June and receiver Ike Hilliard.

"We want to give our younger guys a chance to play,'' general manager Mark Dominik said Wednesday.

Brooks was a first round selection of the Buccaneers in 1995, and has been the Bucs' biggest team leader, and community icon.

A surefire Hall-of-Fame selection, Brooks was named to the Pro Bowl for the 11th time following the 2008 season. But he had taken a reduced role the past two seasons, coming off the field on passing downs. Brooks had restructured his contract two years ago, trimming his inflated salary-cap to around $3-million per year, his release is more about a move toward younger players than finances.

For some of the other players, finances were at least a consideration. Galloway's cap number was $3.5-million for 2009. Dunn's and June's cap numbers also were more than $3-million. Collectively, the moves will clear millions more in salary-cap space as the Bucs enter the start of the free-agent signing period, beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

New head coach Raheem Morris has said he wants a tougher team and will practice in pads more often. These moves will be linked to both Morris and new GM Mark Dominik and will certainly set the tone for their tenure in Tampa Bay. Whether it works or fails, they will go down as the duo that dramatically changed the team's course.