Andy Reid on Dawkins, McNabb
"We should be as strong, if not stronger, as we were the year before," Eagles coach Andy Reid says in an interview with the team's Web site.
Andy Reid on Dawkins, McNabb
Daily News staff
Eagles coach Andy Reid has been silent on Brian Dawkins' departure, opting instead to issue a statement through the team's public relations department. Reid, and all NFL coaches, are scheduled to meet with the national media next week at the league's annual meetings in Dana Point, Calif.
Before then, the coach expressed his point of view via an interview with Dave Spadaro on the team's Web site. This is the first of several portions of a 30-minute session that Spadaro indicates will be posted over the next several days.
Reid told Spadaro that offseason has gone according to plan, even with the departure of several longtime members of the team, including Dawkins and Tra Thomas.
"We made some changes with a few of the guys who had been around here for a long time and who did just a great job for us for a number of years, but we also feel like we have an influx of young guys that have been able to mature and that deserve an opportunity to play. In some cases, they might have to move a position or so to do that, but we should be as strong, if not stronger, as we were the year before."
A few excerpts, and then the link at the bottom:
DS: What is your account of Brian Dawkins and his departure?
AR: "What a great job Brian Dawkins did here. He was phenomenal over the years and he is a great person. His legacy is solid with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a Hall of Fame player. It didn't work out. Those things happen. You see them throughout the league and you've seen them throughout the history of the league. I wish him nothing but the best of luck in Denver. On our side, we feel like we've groomed Quintin Demps to step in and fill that position. If that doesn't work out, we've signed a couple of free agents in Sean Jones and Rashad Baker that we think are good football players. Are any of them Brian Dawkins? Well, no, it's not fair to compare any of them to Brian right now. But they are young guys who have the opportunity to try and strive to be as good Brian has been."
DS: If they aren't as good as Brian, why not keep Brian before he gets into free agency?
AR: "That's a good question. We did make an attempt and it didn't work out. Obviously, he got a phenomenal deal from the Broncos. That is all part of this business and that's what Brian did and that's what we did. Like they say, the sun comes up every day and the NFL season comes around every year. Brian is getting ready to do his thing with the Broncos and we're getting ready to do our thing."
DS: Fans see a team that has enough room under the salary cap to do whatever it wants in terms of acquiring players. The approach seems to be more conservative. Can you explain the approach so far in the off-season?
AR: "You can say it's a conservative approach or you can just say it's smart. People are hesitant to say that, but … Because you have the money, you just don't go blow it on something that you don't think is good enough quality to put on the Eagles uniform. That can be perceived different ways. We're going to try to bring in the right people here and do the right things in free agency that we feel are best for this football team. That's the way we have approached and I think that's the way you have to approach it."
DS: Can you explain where the team is with Donovan McNabb and the reported meetings that you had and his contract situation?
AR: "I talk to Donovan often and I try to keep him informed of the things going on here. He's earned that right to know those things over the last 10 years. We're good. I think Don is just getting ready – he had been coming in every day since the season ended and working out and he just left recently for Arizona to continue his workouts – for a big season.
"We have talked to Donovan and we have kept open communication with him. I'm going to keep the content of that communication private."
To read the interview at philadelphiaeagles.com, click here.
To read Les Bowen's commentary on the interview, click here.
Comments (92)
Best coach in Eagles History = Andy Reid. Best QB in Eagles History = Donovan McNabb— constitutionalist
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- had a visitor today who lives outside philadelphia. durning conversation he stated "it's baseball season and all philadelphia is talking about is the eagles". my comment was "it's nfl draft preseason". the eagles rule, winter, summer, anytime. cole hammels fly's to philly for arm check, hohum. andy reid gives an interview and it's all the news. love what they do or hate losing a star player, the eagles are the news.— JACK V
- >>>>>"We made some changes with a few of the guys who had been around here for a long time... we should be as strong, if not stronger, as we were the year before." Everyone knows that the buck drives this train. The Banner Group took a team that competed in the NFCC and gutted the veteran leadership to save a buck. They should have moved Donovan and gotten value for him rather than keep him around as a practice dummy while Kolb gets over his fear factor. They won't add any weapons to help Donovan out...just keep him around to put butts in seats.— hope55
- I feel like the people from Saturday Night Live. "He's earned that right to know those things over the last 10 years." Reallllllly, Andy Reid? That's why you didn't have the guts to tell him to his face that you were benching him in the Ravens game? Reallllly? You want him to throw 70% of the time, but only once have you gotten him a big time WR? Reallllly?— derrickwh
- exagerate much?!!— 82tank
- When is the media in this town going to wake up and grow some balls. "They" are the reason we are stuck with AR and his ineptness. Stand up and take him to task. You will be cut out by him in a totally un-NFL way and believe me the people in this town will support you and the NFL will admonish him for being dictatorial in his treatment of the media. He has lost his aura and has been exposed as being the worst coach in the league. It takes only a minute to rehash all the super bowls lost because he is the worst game day coach ever. Stand up and do it for US.— riedmustgo
- you guys are jacka**es.i was upset when dawk left as well.but history shows when the eagles think someone is done they usally are.trot,simon,taylor,vincent.if they throw good money after average players or players past thier prime,then everyone will say why did they do that?give them a break,i am also tired of their "gold standard" attitude.but history says they are right most of the time.dont panic,big things will happen in the next 4-6 weeks.remember,we used to be akin to what the bengals,lions,browns are right now.perspective is a powerful thing.— eglftbl1
- Twisting names is childish. make your points like men. Facts;not trash.I hope this FO is gearing up for a big move. think about it; plenty of draft picks and plenty of money under the cap. something's got to be up.— 82tank
- pedal to the metal- maybe they weren't talking about the gas pedal- the whole interview is akin to a kangaroo court- pretense of a "real, fair interview" , but shown to be an embarrassment to journalists everywhere- next he'll be asking, "andy you are looking so thin! how have you done it?" "andy you are the smartest person in the history of the universe- how do you manage to put up with the rest of the ignorant populace, day after day?" "andy when you created the heavens and the earth, what was it like?" Ask a real question, like, "andy you're stupid, fat, stubborn, and abrasive- no one likes you- why are you still here?" "andy when will you win a superbowl?"— justatc1
- Who cares what Andy Bleed said? He only speaks what is provided to him. It isn't coming from his heart that's for sure. Then he gives his speech to McDrabb so he can parrot it next. Please! Haven't we seen this show over and over again??
- Spadaro works for the Eagles! He is PR pure and simple. Makes me nuts when Philly media portays him as a reporter. Get a clue.— jhjack
- 5isking--Couldn't tackle anymore?did you watch any of the games?Particularly the dallas game.Dawk was nfc player of december. he can still rattle skulls.they should have re-signed him during the season;the fact that they didn't tells me they planned not to pay him all along.they're cheap and don't understand the value of leadership.don't disrespect Dawk's memory;he's a top 3 eagle of all-time.— 82tank
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I am so sick of Reid, Lurie, and Banner, and Spadaro the lackie. All we know is the following fact for the NFC East Division: Cowboys have 5 Super Bowls, Redskins 3 Super Bowls, Giants 3 Super Bowls, and we have ZERO SUPER BOWLS!!! Thanks Lurie, Reid, Banner, and Spadaro (FOR NOTHING. Thanks for putting together a quality organization of winning like the Steelers.— gelang- Which one is Larry, which one is Curly and which one is Moe?????— sykesl19119
- Andy Reid will never win a super bowl. For those of you who think he will, you have already been proven wrong ten years in a row. and for those of you who dont care and only want them to make the playoffs, why are you even philly fans??— FireAndyReid
- im smart too because i can count all the super bowl wins.— green faerie
- Judging from the public response here it would have been better to say nothing now rather than stir it all up again. If you couldn't say something with some gumption to it, why rehash all those platitudes that say nothing and just stir people up again? Whose good idea was that?— Chuckle Berry
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- I'm happy andy finally spoke up. He's the best coach we have ever had in Philly and I trust him to do the right thing. banner & lurie are complete a-holes though.
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- ok 5 just youtube the game and both touchdowns demps is the closest person to fitz.. dawk is number 20 fella.... keep trying though— bleed green forever
- As a wise man said, the only thing listening to fans gets you is fired. Reid has a great record here, 60% wins, eight wild card wins, five divisional wins and one championship win. Sure I want a Super Bowl but there is more to this game than a Super Bowl. I'll take a consistent winner over a one and done team or worse, a Bills or Lions team of consistent losers. Also, I love Dawkins, but Reid has consistently been proced correct in letting older players go. Taylor, Vincent, Trotter, Douglas, Simon all left with cries here of FY Reid and guess what, they all stunk up after they left. Calling the team cheap is also incoorect. They have signed big names, TO, Samuels, The Freak, and they use their money to lock up good young players rather than waste money on old ex-superstars. Michael— mjposner
- Whether you blow rings, hearts or any other fancy shapes, it is still smoke!— cleansports
- Please name a player Andy let go in free agency, over 30, who actually went on to make a difference somewhere else. The current Eagles' management always puts a competitive, entertaining product on the field. Maybe they should move the team to a city that would appreciate their efforts.— Lockyer
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- 5isaking: let me explain something to you.. first of all dawk led the team that game with tacles and tackles for loss. also he was playing in a box.. that means he was playing where the linebackers are contolling the run.. he did his job, both of fitzgerald touchdowns, demps was on the field... so learn the game before you talk about one of the greatest eagles to ever live...— bleed green forever
- Every year just about during his tenure with the team Andy has always stated that he thought his team was good enough to win it all. Now of course this has not yet happened. But the whole front office preach the same thing, Think about it if they told you that they were going to be fighting every year for a playoff spot with no expectation of winning it all.. How many of you would rush to go get those season tickets. They know the only thing Eagle fans what to hear is Superbowl. If they don't get there then Andy goes with the same song and dance " I need to put players in better positions to suceed". Now any other coach who continously had a team capable of winning a Super Bowl every year as Andy and the FO claim but don't would have been fired long time ago. The reason why it has not happened is because they know that they don't have a team on the same level as the Patriots, Colts or Stealers for that matter. But the bottom line always looks good at the end of the year see billionar Lurie for more input. People want Donovan to stand up and demand better players around him but yet the fans won't stand up and do the same. Start hitting those pockets and lets see what happens.— Tejayanie
- Every year just about during his tenure with the team Andy has always stated that he thought his team was good enough to win it all. Now of course this has not yet happened. But the whole front office preach the same thing, Think about it if they told you that they were going to be fighting every year for a playoff spot with no expectation of winning it all.. How many of you would rush to go get those season tickets. They know the only thing Eagle fans what to hear is Superbowl. If they don't get there then Andy goes with the same song and dance " I need to put players in better positions to suceed". Now any other coach who continously had a team capable of winning a Super Bowl every year as Andy and the FO claim but don't would have been fired long time ago. The reason why it has not happened is because they know that they don't have a team on the same level as the Patriots, Colts or Stealers for that matter. But the bottom line always looks good at the end of the year see billionar Lurie for more input. People want Donovan to stand up and demand better players around him but yet the fans won't stand up and do the same. Start hitting those pockets and lets see what happens.— Tejayanie
- AR and Spuds............more like a fast food item than an interview.— mick314
- The real celbration in this town will come when you ride out Reid, Banner and Laurie out town on a rail!— losteagle
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- I love the defenders of Reid and the organization in general. They have not and will not ever win a title. Andy "Father of the Year" Reid and his staff get out-coached in every big game, and we have a QB who chokes in every clutch situation. Like justin Tuck said, "The Giants are the team to beat."— Phils2Repeat
Get a life 5isaking aka calabrese aka dmacrules. You're one of those lowlifers who just like to annoy people with your stupidity..like nerf420 who knows completely nothing about football..well fantasy maybe..why do philly reporters feel compelled to make a story about ANYTHING tht Reid says? He either flat out lies or gives his normal mumbo jumbo...— wokmaster- Dawk, Tra & Dan Leone are all dead to me! Out with the old, in with the new! We'll be contending for a Super Bowl this year, JUST LIKE EVERY YEAR!— Super5
- I love Reid!!! I can't wait till he gets out of Philly and wins a SuperBowl with a city that will appreciate all he has done!!! Philly is filled with arm-chair GM's who think they know better than the most successful regime the Eagles have ever had!!! Funny thing is, most Philly fans can't even balance their own checkbooks!!!— TempleOwl70
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- 5isaKing you just lost every sinlge shred of credibility, dunce, if you ever had any. Where is the "Softykins" B.S. (very creative, are you taking lessons in humor from Lonewolf, the dou*hebag?) coming from? "Soft" NFL players don't make Pro Bowls MULTIPLE TIMES. They usually get cut in training camp when they are run through the gauntlet, I mean, IF you pay attention any other time than four hours on Sundays in the fall. People like need need to be owned...like what just happened to you.— elektrika
- ISN'T SPADARO PAID BY THE EAGLES. WHY WOULD YOU CONSIDER ANY OF HIS INTERVIEWS IN DEPTH?— flip77
- More smoke from the Arrogant One......and it helps him keep his job with the real power....Joe, the bean counter, Banner....Jeffery's friend and non-football man.....Don't beat up on Dave...He is a writer paid to do his puffy pieces....(wouldn't we all love to have that cushy job ?) Andy is simply a mouthpiece for Joe....So don't be sruprise with his double talk— nuggett
- Every time Andy talks, we get the same comments from the same people. This is getting boring. So I'll repeat my own comments. CHILL OUT, PEOPLE! The offseason work is less than 50% complete. Don't judge the team until they're done! Their track record is pretty good, so let's look at the whole plan when it's complete. And for those that will slam me for saying they have a pretty good record when we haven't won the big one, go root for the Lions. At least we get the thrill of rooting for the Eagles in the playoffs more often than not.— dlscholt
- Spuds interviewing Ried? That is like the Whitehouse Press Secretary interviewing O'Bama. If he asked a hard question, he will be sitting next to the Facebook guy. Spuds is an Eagles employee. He is not a member of the media, as much as he thinks he is. That he even attends the boring press conferences is absurb. He has total access to these morons, why is he asking questions at a media press conference. Reid never talks to the Philly press. He will go have double cheeseburgers with national media guys who will also lob snowball questions. When is he going to answer some real questions about the team? I miss the throat clearing he has to start off a tough answer.— Pat c
- Ugh...you people! Dawk is a grown man and decided to take the money, whether or not he felt shafted by the Eagles offer! He would have been a idiot not too. We ALL know what was going to go down and it did! It did with Taylor, Vincent, Douglas, Simon, Staley,Ike and know Dawkins and Thomas. And when its McNabbs turn it'll happen to him too. When Dawk gets cut next season, he'll be working alongside, Ike, Douglas and Ruyan, either on TV or radio and all will be forgotten just like with the rest of them. Get a clue people and think instead of having this man crush on Dawkins! If your smart you'd make that move to if you were running a team. Oh and by the way it happens with every team, in every sport in every decade...even the legends like Montana, Jordan, etc ,etc, ect! And when this team is playing for the NFC championship again later this year, we'll see how still crying about Dawkins!— Sheed
- Dawkins may be the exception where they could of overpaid to keep him and still keep the locker room in tack. But it is definitely smart to keep your spending inline with the contracts you already have. You see how cooperative Lito was with Samuels contract. If they get Samuel in here with a comparable contract (never would of got him but..) we have the best secondary in the league. Instead we had a top 10 cover CB riding our bench?— who123
- Every offseason, we collectively scratch our heads as fans when the Eagles and Andy do what they do. But in 70% of those seasons, Reid somehow gets this team into the playoffs, and they make a run. He makes some questionable personnel decisions, but he also sees things we don't behind the scenes, things that maybe aren't a good fit in the locker room, or in a workout or something. For all we know they're trying to pry Boldin out of AZ and nobody has leaked it. The point being, this head coach, no matter how infuriating, has never been one-and-done in the playoffs. And he has a 70% success rate of getting the team in. His job isn't to tell all his business and create drama and all like Jerry Jones. You, the fan, are important, and they want to win for us. But their business is their business. Some of the fans here cry and whine like Jay Cutler because the Eagles and the QB keep business business and personal personal. I don't get that. You don't have to be a rah-rah person to be a leader on an athletic team, you know.— thealphawolf
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- …" Because you have the money, you just don't go blow it on something that you don't think is good enough quality to put on the Eagles uniform." So he is saying that Dawkins isn't good enough to stay in the Eagles uniform? Why did Reid even make a comment? He was better off saying nothing!!!— Katharine
- The thing that this regime has done best is let older guys walk and bring in younger guys. That part is smart. Now, filling gaps like punt returner or fullback or clock management during the game - that could use some help.
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- Reid issuing statements about the off-season through the team's press office?...he simply doesn't have the guts to address the fans directly - and with Lurie joining the ranks of billionaires, why the H doesn't he spend some available money on some studs and get this team over the hump? - Because he is as greedy as any AIG exec - and doesn't give a damn about the Superbowl, but simply what his bottom line profit margin is. With the mounting leadership losses that are happening right now, the Eagles in my eyes are no better than a 6-10 team next season as they have done NOTHING to fill any urgently needed and obvious gaps in the line up. Gold Standard? - pure PR BS!— CTL
- Hey, don't confuse me with the WIP listeners. I am actually an Andy Reid fan. My anger is not at him, it is with the front office. I enjoy the Eagles making the playoffs but I just don't think that they are making wise decisions this year. Do you really want a rookie playing Left Tackle or another lineman playing out of position? Are you comfortable with Eckles or Klecko as your fullbacks because they did not want to spend a few more bucks on a proven FB from the Seahawks? There is a fine line between being thrifty and being cheap. What side are the Eagles on this year? A lineman coming off major knee surgery...The departure of a 13 year veteran Safety who redefined the position and could ignite the crowd and team like no other before him?...(he should have never been allowed to leave town to begin with)...The only thing that I can figure is that perhaps they are gearing up for some trades on draft day. If that is the case, and we do get the players needed, then I am wrong in what I have stated. It hurts me to write negative things about a team I have loved for so many years, but sometimes you have to take the blinders off and see what is really in front of you...— Bubby Q
- One year in Denver and then WIP, hmmmm, some people are starting to catch on. It's out with the old and in with the new. Wake up people, you can't have a team with a bunch of 30 somethings in the NFL. Watch what happens to New England this year with there group of old timers. They will do OK, but trouble is on the way. Smart move Andy, time for some fresh NEW blood.— craig123
- For the record, the Eagles have won the NFC once during Reid's tenure, not five times.— p-diddy
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- Weaver isn't "good enough quality to put on an Eagles uniform"? He's better than any FB currently on the Eagles roster!— p-diddy
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you guys sound like you want ray rhodes back... maybe rich kotite will suit your whining needs. i've been a philly fan since i could see, but eagles fans are a mess these days. ever since 99, everyone just crys. sound like a bunch of redsoxs fans. move to cle or det, atleast they'll have something to cry about.— azguz- Hey Stephen...those NFC Championships are a little more enjoyable when you win the stupid things. I guess you will always be happy if when you have children, if you don't already have some, your daughter is always a bridesmaid but never a bride.— Bubby Q
- I don't know. Obviously there's a lot of animus toward Reid/Banner/Lurie/McNabb for failure to deliver on a championship. However, IMO, Reid's comments are honest, but are met with hostility instead of actually listening to what he has to say. I see no reason to blow up the ownership and coaching staff. That would be counterproductive, IMO.— jbarts
- We should start a pool where each of us predicts Andy's talking points. Since most of us will get 98% of the gist of what he's going to say, you have to get the exact words in the exact order to get it right. Honestly, why even interview him? Just provide some good analysis.— Bobby G
- AR-please keep McNabb informed to where he will be playing in 09, if the management is crasy enough to keep him around I would bet the old, overweight, out of shape prima donna will be injured by mid season.— jwatson
- Man, a lot of you fools on this board sound like WIP parrots. it suprises me that many of you are able to bang out "coherent" thoughts at all, considering the double digit IQ's of the average WIPinhead.— Justanothervoice
- I would prefer that the majority of my fellow fan-commentators who have here vented their vitriol were actual employees of the Philadelphia Eagles . . . so that they could be fired and forgotten. If you cannot take some pleasure from 5 NFC chamionships in 10 years, you have clearly made up your mind that you will never be satisfied until the second coming of Buddy leads you to a promised land of bounty bowls, black hightops and wimpering wildcard losses.— Stephen_Niksa
- who wants to win a championship anyway? lurie would rather add to his billions of $$...— FireAndyReid
- I can guarantee you Spadaro was told what questions to ask. "good enough quality to put on the Eagles uniform" what does that mean? we'll sign you if you are coming off a serious injury and you can be had at a bargain price? boy, I tell you this organization really has a high opinion of itself and I don't know why.
- A weak exercise in PR. This new trend of having paid smiles (Spadaro, Scott Palmer of the Phillies) pose as reporters is for suckers - being the webmaster of a company website is NOT being a journalist. It's not an interview, it's a press release.— Amberjack
- Did anybody bother to ask him who the Hell is going to play fullback? Last year's approach to the position was a disgrace. They claim to be a west coast offense but you need a fullback. Our shortyardage offense was a laugh last year. I am so sick of Spadaro's "yes man" antics that I can no longer go to the Eagles website. If anybody thinks this team is a good as last year's needs to go back to Football 101. A 30 year-old small running back cannot handle the load of a full season. They better draft one in the first round or you can take the money you were saving for playoff tickets and spend it at Christmas time because they will finish last in a tough division...— Bubby Q
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- Andy Reid is the man. I love his arrogance. Why does he have to answer to any of you. Its great when he gets a question and then laughs before answering. Everyone thinks they can coach a team or be a gm but in reality its a very tough job. Just let him do his job he's been successful for ten years. He could care less about anyones opinions or thoughts, thats the best part of his character. Keep it up AR— jbettner
- Eighteen comments and only one indirect mention of Reid's weight? Get your football hats on, people.— ahab
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- That's like Rush Limbaugh interviewing Dick Cheney— MJPD345
- yeah, the Eagles'smart and conservative approach . . . sometimes the joke writes itself.— DonnyB
- Dave Spadaro is the equivalent of Edward R. Murrow, except the complete opposite. These excerpts sound like a report from the North Korean news agency. Pedal to the Medal!! Gold Standard!!! Go Phils.— Phils2Repeat
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- Reid and Spadaro, the blimp and the wimp. Spadaro will never ask anything more than softball questions and Reid will always tell you that all is well in Eagle land. The wimp interviewing the blimp, what a freakin joke.— billro3
- Dave Spadaro is a TOOL.— mdriban
- When is Spadaro going to ask him: Why wont you talk to the free press in 21st century America?— jb99
- porcamiseria33 - I'm definitely in rehab man. I'm trying not to pay attention to these know-it-all dudes who've never won anything but some division titles. But they make it so easy to get mad. So when I want to get angry and charged up, I read a Banner/Reid interview. Oh and by the way - Lurie is a NEW BILLIONAIRE in this economy! Go birds???— ahjii
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- When are they going to sign Leonard Weaver ?!?!?!?!!!!— Cant Climb
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- Conservative? Smart? Once again WE the Eagles know it all and you people don't know anything. So the off season has gone according to plan? They planned to lose Dawkins? Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth Reid.
The Eagles "PR" is like the "free" press was in communist Russia. The three stooges are even more parinoid than McNabb. It has gotten so sad. Firing a part-time worker for a facebook comment that almost everyone in the Delaware Valley agreed with that day. Godspeed Dawk, you will always be a Bird to everyone but these three stooges.— Earl J- I vowed to ignore the Banner-Reid-Lurie Axis Propaganda machine when Dawkins left. Now something tells me that Dawkins will make a lot of money this year then be cut. I expect next year he'll be on WIP with Angelo and Rhea. BTW I'm not doing a good job of ignoring them. Any Eagle rehabs?— porcamiseria33
- When are they signing Leonard Weaver !?!?!?!— Cant Climb
- Soggy cheesesteaks for everyone— Nico Lange
- What a complete Jack$ss! The smell coming off these words is nauseating!! Please leave FF! We are all done with you!— wah6819
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