http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/12954377.html
QuoteDawkins is eager for a fresh start
Many are "going to be pleasantly surprised," says the veteran, who plans to return.
By Ray Parrillo
Inquirer Staff Writer
Brian Dawkins has a message for anyone who believes it's time for him to pursue a different line of employment, something that won't require him to use his 34-year-old body as a battering ram, which is probably what he's done as well, if not better, than any defensive back in Eagles history.
Boiled down to its essence, that message is: I'm not done yet.
"If that's your outlook on me for [next] season, you're going to be pleasantly surprised," he said yesterday, when the Eagles gathered for the final time before scattering to their homes.
For Dawkins, 2007 couldn't end quickly enough. It was a season that never really began for him. He missed six games with injuries - five because of nerve damage in his neck that occurred against Washington on Sept. 17 and another because of a sprained foot suffered against New Orleans two weeks ago.
Even when he played, Dawkins wasn't the big-play threat that became the hallmark of a career during which he has had 33 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries, 32 forced fumbles and 18 sacks, numbers that make him worthy for the Hall of Fame.
This season, he had one interception, no fumble recoveries, no forced fumbles and no sacks.
Yesterday, Dawkins suggested that even when he returned from the neck injury, he couldn't play with his typical abandon.
"Even when I came back, it was still there," he said of the injury. "As much as you don't want to think about it, it's still there."
Without Dawkins, Quintin Mikell showed star potential. But without Dawkins, the Eagles had only 19 takeaways, the fewest in the NFL. In 1999, Dawkins had 10 himself.
Of course, injuries to older players don't heal as quickly as they once did, and age can make older players more susceptible to getting hurt. And Dawkins will turn 35 in October. Also, older players usually have to work harder during the off-season to keep pace with the younger guys, and Dawkins never had that chance last year because of a family crisis.
In April, his wife, Connie, prematurely delivered twin girls, and their well-being understandably took precedence over off-season training and minicamps, none of which Dawkins attended. Then he missed most of preseason camp with a sprained Achilles tendon.
"I wasn't able to train the way I needed to, but for three great reasons," Dawkins said. "I wasn't able to do the things I needed to do. This off-season will be completely different. I'll be able to concentrate completely on what I need to concentrate on and get myself ready to be what I need to be for this team. I'll be able to get back to where I need to be.
"I didn't play a lot of football this year, so my body is not beaten up at all. So I'll be able to get right back into lifting and back into getting my body ready for next season."
Asked how much he had left, Dawkins shrugged and smiled. "I don't know," he said. "I don't have a dipstick to dip in there. But when it's time for me, then I'll step down and allow these young guys to do their thing."
He said he'd like to play until he's 40. But he also made it clear he was not interested in hanging on. When asked how he would know it was time to put away the helmet, he said, "If I'm out there struggling and I have to stay 20 yards deep because I can't cover guys."
"But that time is not now," Dawkins said. "I'll know. When I'm on the field and I can no longer do the things I need to do on a consistent basis, then I'll know."
Through the injuries and frustration of this season, though, Dawkins, who has been in Philadelphia longer than any other current professional athlete, said retirement never entered his mind.
"This is not the way I envision myself going out, so it wasn't even a question that I was not going to come back and play next year," he said. "Not even a question. And when you have people who are doubting you, that gives me a little extra to push that weight maybe two or three more times when I'm fatigued."
I sincerely hope he comes back. I can't help feeling that Dawk is the sort of player who will have to have the jersey torn from him cold dead hands before he hangs 'em up, though. The last thing I want to see is him playing for a division rival or God forbid playing out the string for some loser team in God knows where.
Is Dawk the player who was the defensive player of the month last December or is he the broken down shell of a player who missed seven games in 2007? I tend to think he's more the former but his suggesting he'd like to play until he's 40 makes me queasy. The Eagles will never let that happen and if there's ever been a player who deserves to retire an Eagle, it's Dawk. Here's hoping he makes the right decision.
What do you mean, Will he or won't he?
Of course he'll be back. Not sure what the question about this is.....
Did you even read the article?
He'll be back. The question is, "Will he be an effective player?"
Precisely. Clinging to a fan favorite who's not up to snuff is foolhardy.
Dawks best days are beyond him. He's merely adequate now. They need to determine if his replacement is on the roster, or in the draft.
Dawkins is exactly the type of player that will never know when to call it quits.
Cold dead hands!
Yes, I clearly read it...did you?
Quote
He said he'd like to play until he's 40. But he also made it clear he was not interested in hanging on. When asked how he would know it was time to put away the helmet, he said, "If I'm out there struggling and I have to stay 20 yards deep because I can't cover guys."
The "will he or won't he" was a rhetorical question, PG. I thought that was self-evident but I guess it wasn't.
Quote from: rjs246 on January 01, 2008, 10:42:27 AM
Dawkins is exactly the type of player that will never know when to call it quits.
It won't be as painful as watching Jerry Rice slap on a #19 Broncos jersey.
Quote from: MadMarchHare on January 01, 2008, 10:36:52 AM
Dawks best days are beyond him. He's merely adequate now. They need to determine if his replacement is on the roster, or in the draft.
Dawk is much more than adequate imo. His best days are behind him, no doubt, but he still brings alot to the table. And I'm not just talking about veteran leadership either. His play is still at a relatively high level. The only real ?? hanging over his head right now is durability. He's been a little more suseptable to injury over the last couple years. When healthy though, he's still making plays.
Quote from: FastFreddie on January 01, 2008, 05:17:21 PM
Quote from: rjs246 on January 01, 2008, 10:42:27 AM
Dawkins is exactly the type of player that will never know when to call it quits.
It won't be as painful as watching Jerry Rice slap on a #19 Broncos jersey.
yes it will because most of us are not 49er fans.
Sorry, I forgot to log in with my TRUCK RATHMAN handle.
Quote from: Sgt PSN on January 02, 2008, 01:17:27 PM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on January 01, 2008, 10:36:52 AM
Dawks best days are beyond him. He's merely adequate now. They need to determine if his replacement is on the roster, or in the draft.
Dawk is much more than adequate imo. His best days are behind him, no doubt, but he still brings alot to the table. And I'm not just talking about veteran leadership either. His play is still at a relatively high level. The only real ?? hanging over his head right now is durability. He's been a little more suseptable to injury over the last couple years. When healthy though, he's still making plays.
statistically did he not have his best season in 06?
when next season starts 06 will be two years gone by...which at dawks age in the nfl is a lifetime ago
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 03, 2008, 08:04:41 AM
when next season starts 06 will be two years gone by...which at dawks age in the nfl is a lifetime ago
You also forget that Dawkins takes care of his body as much, if not more then a guy like TO does. And I'll buy what he said about being too busy with other aspects of life this past off-season to work out like he usually does. Until he proves that he's still playing bad even when healthy, then I'll say it's time to hang em up. But 06, his last full healthy season, he put up almost career numbers.
See how he does this year. If he's not playing as good, keep him one more year after but draft a replacement ASAP.
youre assuming he can even stay healthy this coming season...dawk is essentially done...face it...can you get another year out of him possibly...but thats it...and even in 06 it was clear he had lost steps...getting run over and run past more in that year than in his entire career previous...
its much more than being hurt this past season...its time to draft his replacement let him learn under dawk next year and then send dawk out to stud
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 04, 2008, 11:32:34 AM
its much more than being hurt this past season...its time to draft his replacement let him learn under dawk next year and then send dawk out to stud
I mostly agree with this except that I think Dawk can give 2 more years. But his replacement needs to be addressed now. Whether it's drafting someone or moving Mikell back over to FS and drafting/signing a SS.
Dawk got a few left in him. He's still one of the best safeties in the league and without a doubt the best guy in our secondary. minus last year w/ the injuries he has been the most consistent player on the D overall. Top notch player still at his age. Hall of Fame player. Too bad he won't get a ring with Reid coaching.
Quote from: mussa on January 04, 2008, 02:47:42 PM
Dawk got a few left in him.
No, he doesn't.
Quote from: mussa on January 04, 2008, 02:47:42 PM
He's still one of the best safeties in the league and without a doubt the best guy in our secondary.
No, he's not. And Sheldon Brown had a very strong year and was healthy all season.
Quote from: mussa on January 04, 2008, 02:47:42 PM
minus last year w/ the injuries he has been the most consistent player on the D overall
Sean Taylor was an impact player in 2006 also, and even the first few games of 2007. The point is recent success or failure is a much better indicator of future contributions than distant past.
Quote from: mussa on January 04, 2008, 02:47:42 PM
Top notch player still at his age.
There is no reason to believe that right now.
Quote from: mussa on January 04, 2008, 02:47:42 PM
Hall of Fame player.
I hope so.
Quote from: mussa on January 04, 2008, 02:47:42 PM
Too bad he won't get a ring with Reid coaching.
Well, no shtein.
You know, speaking of Sheldon Brown (sorry to go off topic here)...the toolbags on DNL were talking about how he shouldn't be a starting CB, he should be a #3? wtf is that all about?
its ridiculous...sheldon gets more hate for a good player than anyone i can remember (quarterbacks dont count)
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 04, 2008, 03:48:52 PM
its ridiculous...sheldon gets more hate for a good player than anyone i can remember (quarterbacks dont count)
You're new to philly sports, aren't you?
Quote from: PhillyGirl on January 04, 2008, 03:44:59 PM
You know, speaking of Sheldon Brown (sorry to go off topic here)...the toolbags on DNL were talking about how he shouldn't be a starting CB, he should be a #3? wtf is that all about?
It's about them not understanding the game of football whatsoever.
Brown is an exceedingly competent cornerback. He's not the best cornerback in the NFL but he's a solid, reliable player who shows up every week and hits like a motherfarger. He gets burned occasionally but there isn't a cornerback in the league who doesn't.
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 04, 2008, 03:48:52 PM
its ridiculous...sheldon gets more hate for a good player than anyone i can remember (quarterbacks dont count)
Its the same way with alot of players here, man. The media and the WIP hacks start a hate train and it spills over to the fans.
There's always, at least in the minds of alot of the media in Philly, another guy out there who can do better than what is already here.
And when said replacement does arrive, he is then picked apart in the same fashion.
It seems an unusual amount of grief for a player who, to my knowledge, doesn't say a whole lot and was never expected to be any better than he is.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 04, 2008, 11:05:53 PM
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 04, 2008, 03:48:52 PM
its ridiculous...sheldon gets more hate for a good player than anyone i can remember (quarterbacks dont count)
Its the same way with alot of players here, man. The media and the WIP hacks start a hate train and it spills over to the fans.
There's always, at least in the minds of alot of the media in Philly, another guy out there who can do better than what is already here.
And when said replacement does arrive, he is then picked apart in the same fashion.
i knew someone would turn this into a wip/philly media thing...when in fact they both love sheldon...i was referring to this board mostly...and the "other board"
It's a shame Dawk won't get a ring. More than any player on this team, and possibly any Eagle ever, he deserves it. He laid his guts on the field every game, and yes, with what went on last offseason, he deserves the benefit of the doubt and shouldn't have his starter status questioned at all by the fans, FO or coaching staff if he can come into camp healthy.
He'll never be the player he was 3-5 years ago, but still could play at high level if healthy, imo.
Who here hates Sheldon? That's a retarded viewpoint that can't be defended.
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 05, 2008, 10:26:06 AMi knew someone would turn this into a wip/philly media thing...when in fact they both love sheldon...i was referring to this board mostly...and the "other board"
No one
here hates Sheldon to my knowledge. The EMB, obviously, is a different animal altogether.
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 05, 2008, 10:26:06 AM
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on January 04, 2008, 11:05:53 PM
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 04, 2008, 03:48:52 PM
its ridiculous...sheldon gets more hate for a good player than anyone i can remember (quarterbacks dont count)
Its the same way with alot of players here, man. The media and the WIP hacks start a hate train and it spills over to the fans.
There's always, at least in the minds of alot of the media in Philly, another guy out there who can do better than what is already here.
And when said replacement does arrive, he is then picked apart in the same fashion.
i knew someone would turn this into a wip/philly media thing...when in fact they both love sheldon...i was referring to this board mostly...and the "other board"
My post was based on what PG wrote about them ripping him on DNL & what I've heard with my own ears on the radio there too. I knew you'd be there to defend WIP too.
Quote from: QB Eagles on January 05, 2008, 11:57:14 AM
Who here hates Sheldon? That's a retarded viewpoint that can't be defended.
i didnt say people hate him i said he gets unecessary hate for a player of his caliber
im not gonna search but theres been tons of people who have said he sucks...hes just average...hes ok but they could upgrade...he should be moved to safety ect...he can hit but he cant cover ect...its run the whole gammut...i know because ive defended him each time its happened
I honestly don't understand how anyone can listen to WIP, especially people who frequent this board. I occasionally listen to the internet feed and usually turn it off after five minutes.
I mean, how many times can you hear Vinnie from the Northeast say that the Eagles don't run the ball enough and Rory Segrest should be fired?
Ugh.
i couldnt live without wip...its all i listen too...what i cant understand is how bad people let it piss them off
It doesn't piss me off, IGY. It bores me.
To each his own, though.
it mostly bores me...but what angers me is when i allow myself to think about the people that are letting the moron callers and hosts affect their opinion
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 05, 2008, 12:19:02 PM
Quote from: QB Eagles on January 05, 2008, 11:57:14 AM
Who here hates Sheldon? That's a retarded viewpoint that can't be defended.
i didnt say people hate him i said he gets unecessary hate for a player of his caliber
im not gonna search but theres been tons of people who have said he sucks...hes just average...hes ok but they could upgrade...he should be moved to safety ect...he can hit but he cant cover ect...its run the whole gammut...i know because ive defended him each time its happened
That's the only thing I've ever heard anyone here say that was 'negative' about Sheldon. But I agree, it doesn't make a lick of sense.
I hate Sheldon Brown.
Motherfarger ganked my weed in 11th grade.
At least you have a legitimate reason to hate him
Quote from: rjs246 on January 05, 2008, 02:14:57 PM
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 05, 2008, 12:19:02 PM
Quote from: QB Eagles on January 05, 2008, 11:57:14 AM
Who here hates Sheldon? That's a retarded viewpoint that can't be defended.
i didnt say people hate him i said he gets unecessary hate for a player of his caliber
im not gonna search but theres been tons of people who have said he sucks...hes just average...hes ok but they could upgrade...he should be moved to safety ect...he can hit but he cant cover ect...its run the whole gammut...i know because ive defended him each time its happened
That's the only thing I've ever heard anyone here say that was 'negative' about Sheldon. But I agree, it doesn't make a lick of sense.
Actually, I said that he was a good corner and would be a GREAT safety. Can't really say that's hating on Sheldon in any way.