Brian Dawkins a liability?

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 17, 2008 3:46 PM EDT

It's the question on quite a few Eagles fan's minds since our Monday night loss to the Cowboys. Is Brian Dawkins a liability? I asked this very question back in August. My answer was "No", and it still is, but not as emphatically. The biggest concerns that I have are his mental mistakes, and his speed.

In the preseason game at Pittsburgh Santono Holmes caught a pass at the line of scrimmage, and took it 20 yards for the touchdown. Brian Dawkins took a bad angle, and got burned. 3 or 4 years ago, he could have taken that same angle, but he would have been able to catch Holmes and tackle him. At the time, I thought that it was an isolated incident, and there was no body of work to substantiate the notion that he was done. Although, there isn't a huge body of work to support the claim, it grew during the game in Dallas.

Jason Witten got behind the defense twice against us, once in the 2nd quarter (42 yard completion), and again in the in the 4th (32 yard completion), setting the Cowboys up for the game winning score. Here's what he had to say about getting beat over the top.

"I don't like the fact that I gave up a couple of big balls down the field. I took a couple of bad angles on the football today. I went for the interception on one and the other one, I wasn't quite in position. That wasn't good enough. I hold myself to high standards and it wasn't good enough.'' -Brian Dawkins

It's a long season, and don't believe that Weapon-X should hang up his cleats right now. He can still produce. He was strong against the run, and he can still lay the smack down on unsuspecting receivers, Bbut he can't rely on his speed to compensate for mental mistakes anymore. I wanted the Eagles to go after Miami's Kenny Phillips in the draft as Dawks eventual replacement. Do the Eagles look to next years draft? Maybe use Carolina's pick to do it?

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I cant bring myself to answer this one

http://vimeo.com/1590229

by 700 Level on Sep 17, 2008 4:16 PM EDT reply actions

word

BEdgers

by Sabonis4Ever on Sep 17, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

he did land that huge hit for the incompletion

Homo is Romo

by anuj on Sep 17, 2008 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

That was a great hit that he leveled on Martellus Bennett

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 17, 2008 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s see what the man himself had to say:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/dneagles/BDawk_Says_He_Can_Still_Play.html

"He’s in trouble. Whatever he throws me, I’m going to hit it."
-- Alex Cintron

by BrianS on Sep 17, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

BDawk looks a tad slow but its early…Hes an intellignent player and will figure it out by the end of the year…its not how you start, its how u finish

by Bugzy on Sep 17, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

by Remis on Sep 17, 2008 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

We're talking 1 game here...

and it’s the second one of the season. Let’s wait until week 4 before we start passing judgment on anyone (except maybe Considine)…
Seriously, Dallas has one of the best offenses in the NFL.

by cavortingEagle on Sep 17, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Admittedly, he looked less than sharp on some coverages. He is getting old, but I’m sure he’ll find a way to compensate. Older safties like Darren Sharper and John Lynch could still fare pretty well despite their age (Sharper isn’t that old, but just to make a point).

That being said, not many people looked sharp on our defense. Dallas has a high-powered offense, but 37 points is a lot regardless. I think things will work out for Dawkins and the rest of the D.

by Walcott on Sep 17, 2008 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

Older safties like Darren Sharper and John Lynch could still fare pretty well despite their age

well idk about that man, john lynch isn’t on an nfl roster right now

by Remis on Sep 17, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Safeties

The Eagles don’t draft safeties in the first round, just like they don’t draft linebackers then – no value vs. other opportunties from more important positions (QB, OT, DE, DT, CB).

If Dawk needs replaced, they’ll look to rounds 2 to 4.

by Andrew B on Sep 17, 2008 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

Just a dream I have, that’s all. You are totally right though

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 17, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

i like this kid from Georgia Tech, has a Dawkins build to him, first rounder material , look him up, i saw him against VTech he looked sharp. I think he may be our guy to replace BDawk

Romo is a Homo

by XxBleedGreen5xX on Sep 18, 2008 6:35 AM EDT up reply actions

b dawk

when hes done and gone it will be a sad moment , hes done so many awesome things , kinda like when they got rid of the ole wood chopper TROTTER knowing he wasnt the player he was, i was still like say it aint so . but i dont think dawkins is done yet people still fear him and they should , go b dawk.go eagles

2008/2009 the body bag season

by EAGLE_MAN71 on Sep 17, 2008 6:04 PM EDT reply actions

I like Trotter and all, but B Dawk is just so much more the epitome of awesome and brings so much leadership to the table. Excellence on the field, complete class off of it. (I recall Trotter sticking his foot in his mouth several times during the TO situation and its aftermath).

His career here will end at some point, but his jersey will never go outta style.

"He’s in trouble. Whatever he throws me, I’m going to hit it."
-- Alex Cintron

by BrianS on Sep 17, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

i'd actually like to see dawk as a linebacker.

he knows the system, he’s a physical presence in the box, and he’s still got the legs to go sideline to sideline.

he’s still got the instincts to be a ball hawk, and he’s still got the coverage skills to cover 90% of the backs and receivers he’s going against, but i’m not sure he still has it in him to be a safety anymore.

i’m pretty sure that this team would be better off going to a 3-4 system, and using dawk, mays, bradley and gaither at the ILB, with cole, clemons, gocong, and daniels/jordan at the OLB.

again, as i said, i have a real affinity for the 3-4, so maybe i just see something that isn’t there.

(also, to correctly run the 3-4 this season, they’d need to either start feeding klecko reid’s children, or move nick cole to D)

ANATOMY OF ERA:
Variables Don't; Constants Aren't

by variablesdont on Sep 17, 2008 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad moments

Dude, When I heard that Trotter was cut the last time. I was rocked. He’s been my favorite Eagle. I’m not saying it was the wrong thing to do. Just really sad. I think Dawkins still has gas in the tank, but maybe he would be better suited at this point to situational play, and that’s a big maybe!

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 17, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

The whole Trotter situation makes me more comfortable with Dawkins…let me explain. If the Eagles were willing to get rid of Trotter because he just couldn’t hack it anymore then it would seem they would do the same thing with Dawkins. By not letting him go it tells me that Andy Reid and Jim Johnson who get to see him most, know that he still can be an NFL safety. I trust their judgment on talent from their sterling history.

by TwoTonsOfIrony on Sep 22, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

what about Quintan Demps

He looked good in camp and the preseason. He has been great on special team tackels and hes a ball hog. to top that off he is learning under Dawkins.

Now since Q Mickell is looking very good our Strong Safty is set(?)

Are we counting Demps as waste after 2 games? thats just wrong.
I think we got a steel with him and he can be a future weapon and even Probowler

by NickPampani on Sep 17, 2008 6:25 PM EDT reply actions

best quote ever ...

"I’m not a Pro Bowl player, I’m a Super Bowl player," Q. Demps after the draft … I want this kid x 10 on the field, he is going to be something special.

by Whodie126 on Sep 17, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I love this kid

on draft day he also talked about how excited he was to learn from Dawkins

by NickPampani on Sep 17, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Great confidence, It that is something, I’m not going to be closed minded about this. Just my opinion. I will root him on so longs as it isn’t too costly to the team.

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 17, 2008 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a waste,

I have a really true appreciation for Sean Taylor, and I think that Miami does an excellent job producing safeties. It’s just an opinion, but I just don’t know if Demps could fill Dawk’s shoes. This isn’t based on numbers. Just opinion.

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 17, 2008 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, what I meant with John Lynch is that he found a nice positional niche in Denver, being an inside-the-box ren stopping safety. The Patriots did cut him, but everyone’s career has to end at some point. I was just pointing out that his play evolved over the years from a ballhawk to a more run stopping-oriented FS.

by Walcott on Sep 17, 2008 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

I just watched BDawk's press conference from today on PE.com

With the way that ended, i got 50 bucks says someone gets laid the hell out this week!

http://vimeo.com/1590229

by 700 Level on Sep 17, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

i hope its sweed, if hes not already hurt…

by Remis on Sep 17, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Boom, here comes the Boom! Ready or not

I love when he levels someone! God I love it!

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 17, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

BDawk the ball hawk

JJ will figure ways to give him help in man coverage…yea, his speed IS off, but that happens. I’ll take the experience, heart and hits as long as he’s able to compete. These are the guys you need in December!

by birdy on Sep 17, 2008 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

I still bet Dawk makes the Pro Bowl

Didnt he start sort of slow in 2006 and then had an awesome streak of three of four games down the stretch.

Remeber the Ginats game in Giants stadium that year when he had a pick or two, forced a fumble, and recovered another

He can still do that stuff

http://vimeo.com/1590229

by 700 Level on Sep 18, 2008 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

BLASPHEMY

I will be so sad when Dawkins leaves Philly, my only hope is that he retires when his time here is finished. He can be our secondary coach … I would love having his enthusiasm with this team as long as we can even if he can no longer play.

All that said I think he is going to come back, he took some bad paths to the ball the other night. Wait for it, Dawk is back baby!!!

by Whodie126 on Sep 18, 2008 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah,I don’t think that you will ever see Weapon-X dawn any jersey that isn’t an Eagles’ jersey. It’s a real treat to have a guy of his talent spend his entire career in one place!

by Midnightgreen33 on Sep 18, 2008 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

...

I don’t want to see Brian Dawkins in any other uniform other than the Philadelphia Eagles. I just don’t think I could ever, ever stomach seeing him playing elsewhere. Has he lost a step? I think so, but every player comes to that road after playing for years.

You can find someone who may be able to cover the big receivers in this league, but you cannot, I repeat, cannot find anyone with the leadership skills Dawk possesses. He’s the real leader of that defense, even when Trott was here. He’s still a force out there, and he can still break up plays and potential completions with his ferocious hits.

Dallas, we HATE you!

by rpalena on Sep 18, 2008 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t want to see Brian Dawkins in any other uniform other than the Philadelphia Eagles.

I might take some shit for this, but I would rather go 0-16 than see Brian Dawkins on another team, I don’t care if he is out there in a wheel chair.

by Whodie126 on Sep 19, 2008 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

he’ll be yellin at the kids to get off his lawn

by foos05 on Sep 19, 2008 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

haha

or suplexing them.

by Whodie126 on Sep 19, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree

i would really be heart broken if he goes to another team.

by NickPampani on Sep 19, 2008 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Funny

I was actually going to type that I’d rather see them go 0-16 then see Dawkins on another team. I just love his passion for everything, even outside of football.

In an age where no one stays with one team their whole career, I just want to see him stay here and not go on and end up on a St. Louis or Miami team that is going to finish last.

Dallas, we HATE you!

by rpalena on Sep 20, 2008 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

you can’t put too much blame on bdawk on those td passes. it was the whole scheme that didn’t pan out. sure, he may have lost a step but so has guys like rodney harrison. unless you have 11 pro bowlers on defense, it’s the scheme that is the most important factor that makes or breaks your defense. now that romo has a quicker release to his passes, i seems that it’s getting harder to put pressure on him and like any qb, once they get in a rhythm, they become more accurate and make better reads.

(hindsight is 20/20 however…) if i were jim johnson, i would have faked blitzing early in the game and played more zone coverage to confuse romo and get him out of his rhythm. it seemed like the dallas offense was dictating the pace of the game and got our defense out of its rhythm. by now, the whole world knows that our defense likes to blitz so we should use that to our advantage.

enuf about bdawk and our d, by the way has anyone noticed mcnabb’s ‘happy feet’ towards the end of the game? he looked like he was tap dancing out there! i know that he had a good game and all but when ‘money time’ came, it looked like he was a bit ‘jumpy’ and confused. maybe he should take some beta-blockers to calm himself down?

by ringordietryin on Sep 20, 2008 10:06 AM EDT reply actions