FALCONS’ BROOKING COULD BE ON CHOPPING BLOCK

Atlanta Falcons veteran linebacker Keith Brooking is likely to be cut prior to February 23 when he’s due a $1 million roster bonus, Pro Football Weekly reports. Per the article, which cites an anonymous source, the Falcons want to get faster at linebacker to upgrade the NFL’s 24th-ranked defense and are prepared to move on from Brooking, 33, a former Georgia Tech star who has played in Atlanta for the past 11 seasons. Brooking has an $8.3 million salary cap figure for 2009. Brooking is unlikely to be retained by G.M. Thomas Dimitroff unless Brooking consents to a steep reduction in pay. Naturally, Brooking isn’t convinced his play has declined and will look to play elsewhere if the Falcons cut ties with him. According to NFL.com, Brooking has 972 career tackles, 17 sacks and 12 interceptions. He was credited with 102 tackles last season in 16 starts and has started every game for the past eight seasons.