Andy Reid: Thomas and Dawkins likely to be re-signed

by JasonB on Feb 20, 2009 4:42 PM EST in News Comment 8 comments

Hot off the presses from the NFL scouting combine...

INDIANAPOLIS - Eagles coach Andy Reid today suggested the team will re-sign safety Brian Dawkins and offensive tackle Tra Thomas, two veterans who are eligible to become free agents when the signing period begins next Friday.

"I think that'll all take place within the next few days or week or whatever," said Reid, who is attending the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "There's communication."

Seems like a no brainer at this point. Dawkins is coming off a good year and the team is very thin at safety. Plus, his value to the franchise goes far beyond what he does on the field.

As for Tra Thomas, that seems like a no brainer as well. I said a month ago that one of Thomas or Runyan would have ot be brought back. With Runyan's injury, the choice got pretty easy. The prospect of the Eagles finding two new starters at offensive tackle is a pretty scary one. Bringin back Thomas for a year or two at least gives the team some options. They'll only need a new starting right tackle, plus they'll have a little more time to develop a new left tackle.

LEKSensei beat me to it!

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SWEET!!!

Rob Wetmore
Leading Edge Martial Arts
www.leadingedgema.com

by LEKSensei on Feb 20, 2009 5:27 PM EST reply actions

:-)

sounds like were starting off good

by ABails8 on Feb 20, 2009 5:52 PM EST reply actions

Nice to have a better picture of the team going into the draft and free agency. Chances are runyan wont get any bidders in free agency due to the knee surgery and age. If he can heal well and prove to us he can still play, there is chance tra and runyan will be starting together for maybe one more year. It takes a lot of pressure off of the front office in the draft.

by andyb on Feb 20, 2009 7:44 PM EST reply actions

hope he does i like BIG JON

"My first and foremost goal is to win a Super Bowl. I also set goals in terms of having a type of year to make the Pro Bowl. If I'm going to the Pro Bowl, I know I'm making plays for the team." Brian Dawkins

by EAGLE_MAN71 on Feb 21, 2009 1:43 AM EST up reply actions

now that would be chest bump worthy.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Feb 21, 2009 7:59 PM EST up reply actions

Both would be great

I am of the opinion that brian dawkins embodies what football is all about and is the epitome of what the Philly Eagles are all about. He must be signed he won’t ask for much money and he can still be a force. Thomas is a hard worker who has done a good job during his tenure he may be getting older but unless the eagles draft a great OL to take his spot away I think we should keep him. I feel the Eagles need to improve in certain areas but the team they had last year was great. A little more consistency and one or two key acquisitions from trade or draft and we may be a force to be feared.

by Gabecm21 on Feb 21, 2009 4:30 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

+1

by EAGLE_MAN71 on Feb 21, 2009 5:25 AM EST reply actions

Backups.

I like Dawkins and Tra as much as any other Eagles fan, but these guys are getting old…

I really hope the Eagles will focus on drafting guys to replace them—especially Tra Thomas, who looked like he had lost a step or two this past season. Dawkins is a great leader of the defense, but it is likely that he too very soon will need to be replaced.

by cybourgeoisie on Feb 21, 2009 8:29 AM EST reply actions