When we saw that we were playing each other, we said we would settle it on the field. The day of reckoning has arrived for Brooks and Cowart, and each has played a pivotal role in helping the Bucs and Bills again rank among the NFL's best. Neither defense would be ranked as high without the services of Brooks and Cowart. The former Seminoles are their team's leader in tackles, although each gets it done in a different way. Cowart has an amazing 174 stops to go with three sacks and two interceptions.
Statistics are only part of the story, however.
Both linebackers had to assume a greater leadership role. With Hardy Nickerson having moved on to Jacksonville, Brooks has taken over the huddle in Tampa Bay. Cowart makes no effort to hide his Pro Bowl desires. He's eager to make the trip to Hawaii, much like Brooks was before he made the first of three Pro Bowl appearances in 1997. Cowart remembers when he was still at FSU, Brooks vowed that he would make the Pro Bowl before any of the other linebackers drafted in his class.