Brooks Lends Advice to Cousin Vick

Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks sat Michael Vick down and told him the facts of life in the NFL.

It’s the least an older, more experienced man can do for his little cousin.

“I told him not to worry about the game. If he works hard, he’ll be OK,” Brooks said. “I talked to him about all the things off the field and how they can hurt you on the field if you’re not careful.”

And Brooks should know. He might not have hit the NFL with the hype and hoopla of Vick, the most exciting college quarterback in years, but Brooks learned last year about the problems that can accompany success.

“You find a lot of new friends,” Brooks said. “All of a sudden everyone wants to be your buddy. You need to keep your mind focused and remember what counts when that happens.”

Brooks, who at 25 is five years older than Vick, shares more than a family with his cousin. They both grew up in Newport News, Va., and were coached in high school by Tommy Reamon, although at different schools.

Brooks starred at Virginia, and Vick wanted to be just like him when he went to Virginia Tech. Vick even hired Octagon to represent him in the NFL, the same company that represents Brooks.

The 6-foot-1 Vick stakes up well with the 6-4 Brooks on the field, too. Brooks has run a 40 in 4.4 and has a 35-inch vertical leap. Vick was clocked at a sub-4.3 and has a 38-inch leap.

“It’s a level that’s bigger, faster, stronger, and I’ll have to play more from a mental standpoint,” Vick said about the NFL. “I just want to challenge myself. . . . It was something I dreamed of my entire life.”

Vick was expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Brooks was taken in the fourth round by the Green Bay Packers in 1999.

Saints coach Jim Haslett said he and general manager Randy Mueller believe everyone blew it in that draft by not taking Brooks higher.

“Randy and I looked at him when he was in college and we thought he was going to be an excellent player,” Haslett said. “I had him rated up there with the guys that came out in the first round.”

Obtained from Green Bay during training camp, Brooks made a flashy NFL debut when starter Jeff Blake was injured. Brooks completed 17 of 29 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown, ran for two more touchdowns and led the Saints to a 31-24 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

He finished the season as the Saints’ quarterback, and New Orleans ended up 10-6 and won a playoff game for the first time ever. It was the team’s first winning season since 1992.

“It’s a credit to his preparation that he stepped in and didn’t miss a beat,” Saints offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy said. “He’s always been athletic. But once he stepped in he really matured.”

Brooks will compete with Blake for the starting spot this year. Both quarterbacks are busy with offseason work.

“This will always be a learning process for me,” Brooks said. “I’m constantly taking notes, constantly watching everyone, very eager to master my position.”

That’s a given for every player, Brooks said. He’s not worried about Vick on that point. He said his advice on life in the NFL was not about playing.

“My advice to him was to prepare himself as far as life is concerned,” Brooks said. “He has to understand the life skills he will need out here in this real world. Football is second nature to him. He can play football with his eyes closed. But you can’t walk through life with your eyes closed.”

Brooks said the things young players need to learn include how to be cordial to fans even when you’re not in the mood, how to be responsible to the team, to your family, to yourself, and how to handle demands on your time and money.

“All of a sudden everything changes. You go from being broke to having money. From being unknown to having people recognize you everywhere,” he said. “You suddenly have people wanting your help because you have more money than any of us ever thought we’d have coming up.”