Dawk on Eagles
Brian Dawkins hasn't talked much about why negotiations with the Eagles didn't go well, but he seems to get more into that topic in an interview taped for Wednesday on ESPN 950-AM.
Dawk on Eagles
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Before we all let the Brian Dawkins trauma go for a while, I think we'd like to know why he ended up taking that trip to Denver last week where the Broncos blew him away with their offer, how things came to that state of affairs, after repeated assurances from Dawk (and from the Eagles) that they ought to be able to work something out.
Dawkins was unwilling to discuss his negotiations when he spoke with the Daily News on Sunday, but excerpts from an ESPN 950-AM radio interview scheduled to air this morning suggest he's thawing a little on that front. The answers show the process was pretty much what we all expected, I think.
A station producer sent me an e-mail with a link to some excerpts that I couldn't get to work, but later Tuesday evening, I got a partial transcript that goes as follows:
Did the Eagles let it be known they can go on without you?
“Yeah, in so many words. For that organization, this was a business deal and it was not business for me. People think I wanted to get to free agency. I did not want to get to free agency. I’ve never gone to free agency. I’ve had times in the past where I could have collected big bucks on the open market, but I did not want to get there. So why would I want to get there all of a sudden now on my last contract. No, I wanted to be an Eagle.”
On if talks with the Eagles got contentious:
“I wouldn’t say ugly, I would just say that they opened my eyes right away that this was a business deal that this wasn’t about me being here, who I am to the team to my teammates and what I’m continuing to do. It was about my age and a business decision and that really hurt.”
On how the Eagles made him feel:
“At the end of the day you’re a 36-year-old safety.”
On the contract that the Eagles offered him:
“What I was offered, that was it. I wouldn’t say take-it-or-leave-it offer. No one gave me any impression that there would be any flexibility in it.”
Was owner Jeffrey Lurie involved in the negotiations?
“I don’t know if he was involved in the negotiation, but I feel like if perhaps he was things would be different right now.”
The after effect of this is that Demps needs to be in the weight room like now!!— jimbo macdonald- penny pinching maggots---JOE MUST GO! JOE MUST GO! JOE MUST GO!
Comment removed.- With all of the money they saved, they better give Sheldon Brown an extension and make him happy!— dry ice man
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- At the end of the day you're a 36 year old safety?? Well, guess what Joe Banner...at the end of the day, you're a general manager that has failed to put together a team capable of achieving the ultimate goal of any NFL franchise. You're the GM of a team that takes its fan base for granted and seems to, clumsily and shortsightedly, repeatedly slap its fan base in the face. You're the GM of a team that has an overinflated opinion of its ability to manage a draft. All of the aforementioned is accomplished with either a "no comment" or "it's a business decision". Well, I'm not happy with the direction of the organization and won't invest our hard-earned money purchasing Eagles tickets until the organization seems to sync with the wishes of the fans (customers) and gets its house in order. Don't worry Joe, it's just a family "business decision". I'm sure if enough people start to do this that Jeff Lurie won't hold it against you....— downtheshore
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- Unfortunately it is a business. The FO is too stubborn to realize there needs to be exceptions with Dawk and Thomas. I just feel no player will retire as an Eagle.— palmyra21
- downtheshore--I have to breathe some of that salt air too--that was dead on! Calabrese--the only difference is the The Giants had Jacobs to step in-we have Demps.
- That Joe Banner he's a real charmer that one.... " At the end of the day Brian Dawkins is 'just' a 36 year safety" ??? Wasn't Joe Banner's wife convicted of a fatal hit and run a few years back ?? I can tell they are real nice people..— MJPD345
- It appears that the Eagles do not want to win a Super Bowl. They are breaking up the team that got them to the NFC East Championship. The owners are more concerned with money then building a team. McNabb will not get a contract extension and Westbrook will be gone in about 2 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— Rev.
- “At the end of the day you’re a 36-year-old safety.” Yes that is the bottom line and why he was paid so well for so many years. That's pro sports people. That's why they make the big money. That's why Dawk moved to Denver. Can you imagine the noise here in Philly if the Eagles signed another player of the same age and quality for that kind of money? I'm happy for Dawk to get that kind of money from someone, but let's face it, his quality days are behind him.— craig123
- It sucks losing Dawk. Still, without knowing what exactly they offered him, I can't judge what happened. The FO had to draw the line somewhere, and that line rightfully should have been short of what Denver gave him. I'm sure the FO thought they needed to replace Dawk by next year at this time, if not sooner.— NEMark
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- Eagles have NO loyalty what so ever!! It is all business to them. Dawkins should've been an Eagle until he retires, he was the heart and soul of that team! GO PHILLIES!! That is an organization that works and knows what they are doing.— trvlgrl
