Will He Or Won't He? Dawk Says He'll Be Back

[Rome]

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/12954377.html

Dawkins 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.

[PhillyGirl]

What do you mean, Will he or won't he?

Of course he'll be back. Not sure what the question about this is.....

[Rome]

Did you even read the article?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

He'll be back.  The question is, "Will he be an effective player?"

[MadMarchHare]

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.

[rjs246]

Dawkins is exactly the type of player that will never know when to call it quits.

[Rome]

Cold dead hands!

[PhillyGirl]

Yes, I clearly read it...did you?

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."

[Rome]

The "will he or won't he" was a rhetorical question, PG.  I thought that was self-evident but I guess it wasn't.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

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.

[Sgt PSN]

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. 

[phattymatty]

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. 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Sorry, I forgot to log in with my TRUCK RATHMAN handle.

[Magical_Retard]

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?

[ice grillin you]

when next season starts 06 will be two years gone by...which at dawks age in the nfl is a lifetime ago