Brinkley brothers make stop in CSRA 7/4/2009 12:18 AM
By Noah Feit Staff writer
Jasper and Casper Brinkley were on the same side Friday for what might be one of the last times in a long while.
The football-playing, twin brothers who starred as defensive stalwarts at Thomson High School and the University of South Carolina weren't gearing up to face Tim Tebow or Knowshon Moreno. Rather, they took time to greet fans, sign autographs and show their appreciation for their native CSRA, before heading off to NFL training camp.
For the first time since they've been playing on the same level, they won't be on the same team. Casper is gearing up for his second season with the Carolina Panthers while Jasper just agreed to terms on a contract after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings after being selected in the fifth round of April's draft.
"It's one of those things. We knew it would come," Jasper said during the autograph session held at Ann Taylor Certified Pre-Owned Car and Truck Sales in Augusta. "We've been able to handle the adjustment well, but if there weren't cell phones, we'd be devastated."
Casper echoed his twin's sentiments, saying it was a great feeling to have played together for so long but the two knew it wouldn't last forever.
"We prepared," Casper said. "We knew one day it would be like this."
The only reason the twins didn't face this dilemma as NFL peers a year ago was because of a leg injury Jasper suffered early in the 2007 season. He missed so much time that he was eligible to redshirt and returned to Columbia for an extra season, preparing himself for NFL scouts.
While Jasper played another season as a college linebacker, Casper gained some NFL experience. He was signed by Carolina as an undrafted rookie and spent the majority of the season as a defensive end on the Panthers' practice squad.
What sage advice does Casper offer the new rookie in the family?
"Only thing I tell him is to be positive," Casper said. "Take a deep breath and take things one day at a time. Don't put too much on your plate."
Casper said the biggest adjustment in becoming an NFL player was "staying in the playbook. The hardest part was the playbook and all of the meeting time."
Jasper seemed to be heeding his brother's advice saying, "I don't know what to expect because I've never been there. I know it's going to be tough. I was told to show up (to training camp) in shape and be ready to run like the wind."
One thing Jasper plans on doing is learning from the experienced players on the Vikings.
"The great ones do extra things to make themselves great," Jasper said. "I've got to hook up with some veterans and see how they do things."
One of the veterans Jasper potentially could turn to is free-agent quarterback Brett Favre who is rumored to join Minnesota.
"I grew up playing old Sega games with him on it," Jasper said of the 18-year veteran who made his NFL debut with the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, when the Brinkleys were 6 years old. "I'm going to get a couple of things signed. He's a Hall of Famer."
Before enduring the rigors of an NFL training camp, the Brinkley brothers are trying to make the most of the time they have to spend with each other, the rest of their family and their fans.
"It's great to be home and just slow things down. It feels like we're giving something back," Jasper said of the autograph session.
"I don't want to be one of those guys fans don't like and don't come back to where they're from," Casper said. "I'm loving (the time off) but that time is coming to an end. When he leaves, it's going to be a long time before we see each other again."
Barring the unforeseen, the brothers should have a reunion on Dec. 20, when the Vikings travel to Charlotte to play the Panthers. Although it's unlikely that they will be on the field at the same time, Jasper did have a warning for his brother whom he admits he's ultra-competitive with.
"I always told him if I saw him on the field, watch out," he said.
One thing is for sure, fans in the CSRA will definitely be watching.
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