Dawkins leaves, an era ends
by JasonB on Feb 28, 2009 3:00 PM EST
in Philadelphia Eagles News
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PrintToday I think about how Reggie White finished his career as Carolina Panther. Brett Favre finished his career as a NY Jet. Emmit Smith finished his career as an Arizona Cardinal. Joe Montana finished with the Chiefs. Franco Harris retired as a Seahawk. Johnny Unitas finished with the Chargers & Joe Namath with the Rams. Jerry Rice ironically ended his career with the Broncos. Art Monk finished as an Eagle and the great Harold Carmichael finished as a Cowboy.
At 36 years of age Brian Dawkins will finish his career as a Denver Bronco. He signed a five year deal, but whether he plays beyond two years remains to be seen. What we do know is that his last game will not be in the uniform he wore on his way to becoming a legend. Hopefully one day we'll get the chance to see Dawkins honored at the Linc and we all be incredibly proud to watch him enter the hall of fame as an Eagle.
As sad as I am today, this is the NFL. It's a business and this nothing new. Like all the examples I gave no one will enjoy watching Dawkins hang on for a year or two with another team but it doesn't change the impact he had here or the esteem with which he's held in this city. The Eagles did what they felt was best for them and Dawkins needed to do what he thought was best for him.
When I think about what impact the loss of Dawkins will have on the team I'm reminded of Troy Vincent, Jeremiah Trotter, Bobby Taylor, Brian Mitchell, Hugh Douglas, Deuce Staley... More often than not, the Eagles have been right when it comes to letting older veterans go. As I search for things to be optimistic about here, that's a pretty decent one.
On the field, Brian Dawkins was still productive last year in the role he played. That role had changed from when he was in his prime. No longer was he being asked to play centerfield and cover deep. When Brian Dawkins made big plays here over the past two years, he did so playing up near the line of scrimmage as a safety/linebacker hybrid. By the end of the year Quintin Demps was more often playing the deeper safety role. The Eagles literally changed their defensive formation to accommodate Dawkins. Now, he still made plays. He was still instrumental in winning several games this year. He was the deserving defensive player of the month in December of last season! The question that the Eagles seemed to face was whether his production in that role over the next two years was going to continue to be worth changing the defense in that way. As much as it pains me to say it's pretty obvious Dawkins is only going to continue to decline as he turns 36 and 37 years old. How much and what is it worth was clearly the issue at hand.
Off the field, Dawkins impact was immeasurable. He was the longest tenured athlete in the city, a fan favorite, he was the team's leader, it's heart and soul. I look at the kind of success the Eagles have had over the past few years. In 2006 and 2008 when they pulled themselves out of the ashes a made good playoff runs long after they'd been written off as done. Those runs had as much to do with the character and leadership of guys like Brian Dawkins as it did with the talent of the team. If things start to go south now, do we have the players in the locker room capable of instilling belief in this team? Who is the guy that's going to say this? I don't know. I can only hope that someone was watching #20 all these years and taking notes.
On a personal note, Brian Dawkins is my favorite football player of all time. I have only asked one Eagle for an autograph in my life, Brian Dawkins. I framed that "Eagles Insider" he signed for me at training camp and proudly display to this day. The first jersey I ever bought and still the one I wear more than any other, is Brian Dawkins' #20. As a guy in my twenties I've quite literally grown up watching Brian Dawkins on the Eagles. Just about every great memory I have of this team happened while he was a part of it. I'm not alone either, so search youtube and watch some of the over 500 tributes people have made to the man.
Right now, I'm going to reflect on a great career and a great man. I wish him the best of luck. I'll finish with my greatest memory, Dawkins' speech after the 2004 NFC Championship game
What are your favorite Dawk moments?
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damn
do i miss this already ima miss every pregame sppech he did he set the tone all the time it just pumped me up watchin him made me wanna jump in the circle with them cant wait for him to return to philly next season its just gunna be weird tho
Great Player, Not a Hall of Famer
I don’t really know why everyone is so upset that Brian Dawkins signed somewhere else. While he had an excellent career and was a great leader, his skills have diminished considerably over the past two -three seasons and he is no longer worth the money that Denver paid him.
Looking back on his career, he will be remembered as an excellent player and emotional leader, but, as with all Eagles of this generation, ultimately as a failure and contributer to losses in big games. This makes him a border-line hall of famer at best and realistically he’s on the outside looking in.
I understand the reasons to give love to the man — he gave his heart and soul to this city — but he is definitely not one of the “all-time greats” as the author of this post seems to allude to. Brian Dawkins can’t hold a candle to Brett Farve, Emmit Smith, Joe Montana, Franco Harris, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath or Jerry Rice. He’s not in the same league.
The Eagles will be better off now that he is gone because they can start building on defense for the next Super Bowl run. Now we just need to escort McNabb out the door to complete the transition.
by BigBlackPeter on Mar 1, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions
You can’t compare dawkins to quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers. players get consideration for the hall of fame for excelling at their position and brian dawkins in his prime was the best free safety in the nfl for a number of years. I know that he may not seem as glamorous as joe montana and emmitt smith, but who is? seriously, name another free safety that was as dominant as brian dawkins in his era. maybe rod woodson? anyone else? rod woodson will be in the hall of fame as well. I’m not saying that dawk is a shoe in first ballot hall of famer, but he will garner serious consideration and has a very good shot at getting in.
"In this league you have to have a short memory"
We all know who said it so many times here in the last 13 years…We always remember U BDawk! All I want is a Broncos-Eagles SB…
Favorite Memory
The annihilation of Alge Crumpler (i.e. Alge Crumpled). I give him props for hanging onto the ball but you could tell Crumpler briefly regretted playing professional football.
favorite memory
him forcing the fumble in the dallas game this year and watching it returned for a touchdown while mcnabb and westbrook helped him to his feet and he looked on in amazement.
The 2004 NFC Championship in general. The hit on Crump, the inexplicable dancing around with the plyon, and the speech afterwards.
The 2002 game vs. Houston where he had a sack, a forced fumble, an INT and a TD on the fake punt (I was there)
His diving INT in the end zone vs. Dallas in the Christmas 2006 game. It was just such a great effort and happened right in front of TO, who made no play on the ball at all.
Forcing those fumbles in the past season’s game vs. Dallas at the Linc.
I wonder if I can bill Jeff Lurie and Peter Angelos for the years of therapy their teams are going to put me through.
damn...
just watching that dawk video from the ’04 nfc champ game still gets me fired up! he will be missed big time. aside from a.i., he was probably the most passionnate player in modern philly sports history. they left everything on the court/field.
What a bummer
An end of an era for sure and one of my three favorite Eagles (thus players) of all time.
It will take some time getting used to
"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"
Unbelievable! I can’t actually believe I’m typing this. B-Dawk is a former Eagle. He has signed with the Broncos. The details of the contract make this a little easier to swallow, but damn it’s still tough. I don’t think I would have given Dawk five year contract, either. This is a sad day to be an Eagles fan.
My favorite has to be the hit he put on Michael Vick in the division round game in 2002. It looked like he took one of Vick’s lungs out. Just a fantastic moment.
My favorite memories
Man……that’s TOUGH.
The ike hiliard hit when he knocked himself out , and then got back up SCREAMING!! Crumpler hit in 2004 CG of course. Man, I really don’t know there really is too many. My favorite memories were 5-6 years ago when he just used to fly around the field and crush people. The suplex wasn’t my favorite but who can forget that one?
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
Hard pill to swallow
This still hasn’t hit me yet and I don’t think it will for a while. I’m going to miss seeing that passion and emotion out there along with those crazy flying tackles.
Thanks for all the memories Dawk and best of luck to you in Denver. We’ll make sure to give you the longest standing ovation in history when you come to visit town this coming season.
Caption time
Dawkins “Im gonna eat your babies!!!”
Giants Player “Oh shit, Oh shit, Oh shit, Oh shit!”
"If they end up 2-14 and both of those wins came against Dallas, that's a pretty good year."
by midnitegreen on Feb 28, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
its sad to see dawkins go but the front office definitely made the right call. i think most of us would have said beforehand “the eagles should resign dawkins unless we have to match a monster offer elsewhere” which is exactly what happened.
its tough to see a fan favorite leave but football is a business. the eagles have been competitive while staying away from cap trouble for the past decade because the front office knows what its doing. as much as people like to make fun of banner and lurie they made the right call here. the eagles dont overpay for players even if it is at the expense of loyalty. its a cold-hearted policy but its ultimately the right one. thats why they are the front office and we are the fans. teams that run their franchises like a fan reside in places like detroit.
This is where I find Jeff Lurie to be so full of Sh!%. Lurie pretty much hung that huge banner of Reggie White up at the Linc because he was impressed with Reggie as a person and a player. Lurie thought Braman should never have let Reggie White leave and he should have been an Eagle his entire career. Well Jeff, Brian Dawkins was the Reggie White of your era. You were $48 million under the salary cap and let him go. You and your scare crow wife have shown me that you really aren’t that much different from Braman.
But Dawkins will always be one of my all time favorites. My favorite memories will be the Houston Texans game at the Vet and this last game against the Cowboys.
by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Feb 28, 2009 3:49 PM EST reply actions
SOOOO???
WHAT THE HELL DO WE DO WITH ALL THE MONEY WE HAVE LEFT WE HAVE BARELY SPENT ANY OF IT WHO SHOULD WE GET??
Pedal to the metal.
Like Lurie and Banner say, they are aggressive and spent right up to the cap.
by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Feb 28, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
THINK LOGICALLY
The both of you!
We have to extend Steward Bradley and Bunkley. We will probably extend abirimiri as well. You know, key YOUNG pieces to our defense!
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
The Eagles are $48 million under the cap
Even Banner has said that they probably can’t spend up to the cap.
by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Mar 1, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
Details of Contract Emerge
Via NFL Network:
It is basically a 2-year deal, with $7.2 million guaranteed. The Eagles were offering $5 million guaranteed. How the hell could they let him go over a $2.2 million dollar difference?!?! Next year will be uncapped too! This is unbelievable.
A better question...
is why Dawk would take more money to go to a non-SB contender? If he wanted to win a ring, he should’ve stayed here.
Sad day for Eagles fans.
I sure hope somebody steps up to at least try to fill Dawks shoes in regards to leadership. I have no idea who could replace him.
Time to move on
Dawk did what he had to do, the Eagles did what they had to do. Turn it around for a second- how would we feel if the Birds signed Derrick Brooks to $7.2M guaranteed. I love #20, but he’s not worth that kind of money at this point in his career.
I wish you the best Wolverine! Stay healthy and walk away next year.
I bleed green and I piss silver and blue
I see where you are going, but
A. The Eagles are fine at linebacker.
B. The Eagles are $48 million under the cap. Banner himself has said they can’t spend up to the cap.
C. The Eagles don’t really have an heir apparent to Dawk. Dawk showed that the tank was not totally empty last year. He was defensive player of the month in December. Dawk’s leadership role is still needed. Something I do feel that Reid undervalues from players – leadership ability.
D. Would have been a good time to resign Dawkins to both show the fans and the players that they aren’t a cold business-first organization. This opens up the comparisons between Lurie and Braman.
by Baron Dainer Von Tresvant on Feb 28, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions
I was using Brooks as an example. I frankly don’t think Dawk has much left. He’s lost a step, he had that nasty neck injury, and he put every bit of his 36 year old body on the field in the closing weeks of last season. It’s a numbers game, and $7.2M for an “old” safety is just not a smart business decision.
I bleed green and I piss silver and blue
maybe we should just pay houshmandzadeh
we need somebody i dont want this money goin to waste maybe baltimore is interested in tradin ed reed while he has value and their defense is in rebuilding mode now that they lost all but one linebacker
Front Office
While it’s still tough, the organization made the right choice by letting him walk. That is too much money to be paying ANY 35 year old player. The only thing I’m curious about is why the front office couldn’t get Dawk to agree to a REASONABLE 2 year deal BEFORE the free agency began.
Even if we win the Super Bowl this year, it certainly will not feel the same without #20. It’s just really too damn bad that we couldn’t win last season and let Dawk retire as a winner in an Eagles uniform.
Well said
Jason, you captured my feelings about this event perfectly. Thanks. I wish it could have worked out differently, but this type of thing is just a fact of life, and I’d much rather remember all the great moments Dawk gave us, than get caught up in all the bitterness — and the truth is from a football perspective (ignoring the leadership issues and the fan sentiment), as you pointed out, he really no longer had enough cover skills to justify being on the field on passing downs.
it had to happen someday
i’m glad most everbody here is being more realistic than on the team site. like most people b-dawk is my favorite eagle of all time, but he has definitely lost a step in coverage which is what you need from your FS. i’ll always remember all the great moments over the years & the pregame speeches! the F/O made a tough decision & i can’t believe how many people are bashing them so hard. they have a pretty good track record of replacing players. i don’t think we could ever replace him as a leader and a person, but on the field i think we’ll be fine.
My love for the Eagles just took a huge hit
It won’t be the same, watching the game without Dawk playing. Losing to the Cardinals hurts even more now. Sad day.
Karma
Wow...Did you hear that!!!
Derrick Gunn just had B Dawk in a phone interview on CSN and #20 coudn’t even talk!
He seemed as upset as we were that he had to go to to Denver. He was in tears. Tried to put on a good act, but you could still tell that he REALLY would have been much happier staying in green.
So..what really happend? Did the FO piss him off that much? Did somebody (or something else) force him out of town?
I’m sure we’ll hear more to this story.
I guess your right Jason
For a couple of extra million dollars, I might be able to cheer for a different team too!
by 17thandShunk on Feb 28, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions
This might help
When people think of Dawk twenty years from now
it will most definitely be paired with midnight green
Broncos fan here:
At least he didn’t trade to the Cowards right? Cheers fellas.
F*** the rest, Peyton Hillis for President in 2012.
Also, cheers to BMarsh and Cannon Cutler rocking the balls off Invesco next year.
Ugh.
This is the worst day in my sports history. Aside from the Flyers trading away Eric Lindros, I can’t remember this time I was so upset over a professional sport.
Words cannot express my disappointment in the Eagles for not throwing an offer out on the table. I understand it’s a business, and we had to do what we had to do, blah blah. But, all we had to do was give him a 2-year deal, and he was ours. =[
Let's go Flyers!
by OrangeAndBlackk on Feb 28, 2009 9:25 PM EST reply actions
mine as well
I have never respected, admired and loved an Eagle as much as Dawk. there have been alot who have worn the green that I love but Dawk has been and always will be my number one
What is going on in them managments minds?
it is as if thier goal is to alienate the fans….
Seventy-one percent of the world is covered by water, the rest is covered by Brian Dawkins
2 year deal and $2.2 millon more!
That’s why he’s a Bronco now. Dawkins had 13 good years in Philly. His leaving should suprise no one. It’s time. He’ll probably never play this well again, he’s getting old. And why did Lindros’ leaving upset you? He helped the Flyers win exactly what?? (showing no leadership ability either – not surprising to me, his mom is overbearing, and momma’s boys do not leaders make)
Sad day
But he did what he needed to do, and I respect him for that. One of my favorite players ever, and honestly, I’ve become a broncos fan, just because of dawk.
Bad move
Maybe the F/O should’ve watched the Youtube video called Player X that was about Brian Dawkins. It was great and I got goosebumps watching it. I’ll try to post in this blog but don’t know if it will work…
Brian was my favorite eagle of ALL time as well. I do understand the business aspect of the game, yet there are some things that money just can’t buy. BDAWKS leadership, emotion, presence in the locker room are all intangibles that can’t be replaced. So for an extra 2.2 million or whatever I think it was a bad move on the Birds part. Even if he has lost a step, he was great in run support. With Demps probably to become the heir apparent to get the starting spot there’s no reason why they couldn’t use him for obvious passing downs and keep Brian for first and most 2nd downs when team normally run. He also asked to play special teams more than once. That’s leadership by example. Is the money too much for a player that would play part of the game, probably yes. But was it worth losing a proven leader like BDawk?? That would be no.
So granted we are 48 million under the cap, I don’t think that an extra 2 million would’ve put a dent in that chunk of change. The Eagles won’t spend to the cap, they never do, which makes letting him go even more absurd.
Hey Jason
Looks like the new yahoo thing is working. You just got linked on here.
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