Dawk's Gone
The Broncos announced a deal with Brian Dawkins. Meanwhile, the Eagles introduced Stacy Andrews, the newest member of their offensive line, and Shawn Andrews talked about his excitement, as he anticipates playing with his brother.
Dawk's Gone
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
It's a dark day in Eagles Nation.
If you have the stomach for it, here's the link to the story on the Denver Broncos' Web site about the signing of Brian 
Dawkins today. Dawk didn't want to talk about Philadelphia during his press conference in Denver. Aparently, the five-year, $17 million deal boils down to two years and $9 million guaranteed. When the Eagles last extended Dawk's deal in August 2006, he got just $6 million in new money, spread over three seasons. I think we can assume $9 million over two years was way, way more than the Birds had planned on spending on a 35-year-old free safety.
Also, the Eagles confirmed the Lito Sheppard trade with the Jets, for a fith-round pick this year and a 2010 pick that can be anywhere from a second- to a fourth-rounder, depending on how Lito fares. (They couldn't have gotten this a year ago? Of course they could have.)
My take on Dawk: Ultimately, the loss of the longest-tenured Eagle might not harm the defense as much as it harms the psyche of the fan base. Dawkins really did struggle early last season, before a role adjustment helped him dominate down the stretch. But if anybody ever earned the right to grow old gracefully, to net a "reward" contract near the end of his career, it's Dawk. I think public opinion was the main reason Birds management cobbled together Dawkins' 2006 extension; the team was acting against its "precepts" even when Dawk was 33. This time, I think management, in yet another example of the tone-deafness that has long rankled the rank and file, thought a bare-bones offer would be accepted because Dawkins didn't want to leave. If Dawkins didn't want to take a bare-bones offer, well, that would be that.
Value in catering to the fans by giving Dawk a two-year deal, even if you doubt he has two good years left? Why, whatever could you mean? Fan revolt? What's that? Is this like the time the peasants got all upset about not being able to take those long, cylindrical sandwiches into the stadium? How quaint!
Meanwhile, the Eagles officially announced the addition of Stacy Andrews this morning, signed to a 6-year contract that is believed to average about $7 million a year. Eagles coach Andy Reid was coy about whether Andrews will play guard or tackle -- Reid wants to keep his options open, with other o-line signings possible during free agency -- but I have to think the Birds aren't giving a guard $7 million a year, in the long run.
The Jan. 7 ACL surgery that might have made Andrews less attractive in free agency to some teams didn't bother the Birds, Reid said. "We feel very confident about his knee," Reid said.
Later, in a conference call with reporters, Eagles guard Shawn Andrews said the opportunity to play on an o-line with his brother was "a pleasure, an honor, and a gift." He said if Stacy does end up at right tackle, next to Shawn at right guard, they will form "The Great Wall of Philadelphia."
Reid, by the way, announced at the onset of the Stacy Andrews press conference that he would not discuss other situations, including the Dawkins matter. Near the end of the session, ESPN Radio reporter Brian Seltzer tried respectfully to convey to Reid that despite his statement, fans throughout the region would want to know what he had to say about Dawkins. Reid then upbraided Seltzer for disregarding his "rules."
Later, after the Dawkins signing was announced, Reid released this statement.
Shawn Andrews said Dawkins going to Denver would be "definitely a loss to the team and a loss to me personally."
"If I had to pinpoint one guy, since I've been in Philadelphia that I respect as a husband, as a father, as an athlete, a football player, it would be Dawkins. He will be dearly, dearly missed."
This hurts and it hurts deep. http://biased-sports.com/say-it-aint-so-brian/— nesgodawg- Clayton reports 5 yr @17 million total. Not sure if that was right (I did a double take at 5 years) but if it was, it wasn't the money he left for. It was the respect shown conveyed by the 5 year term of the contract. We keep hearing it is a business, but when you start treating human beings like parts of a machine that don't have feelings, humans that who bleed, sweat, cry and suffer pain for its fans and, most importantly, for an organization, then this is what you get. When the parts, who made all kinds of money for the team (sure, I know these athletes get PAID, but take a look at the percentage compared to the haul the owners take), are treated like parts and not humans, then who can blame them for going somewhere where they are wanted and will get a little respect as humans. Denver wants Dawk for what he will ring to that locker room. Bet on it. Dawk knows the fans respected him here and loved him for his humanity--too bad the owners are all about parts and the money they will bring.— jrwoznicki
- Broncos fans seem estatic...— MrMayhem
- Good for Dawkins. He got a great deal, but there is no waaaay he's worth that kind of money. He WAS a great player here, but you can't overspend on a 35 yr.old safety. Remember when we let go of Taylor and Vincent and everyone thought that was a bad move? It sucks, but it's time to move on.— jonnyb0916
- Best wishes to B-Dawks for continued success in his new venture and future endeavors. I think Dawks wanted to prove to the eagles some fan (myself included) out there who thought he was done that he still have some left in the tank and that he can still play at a higher level. Whether thats true remains to be seen. I still think our secondary will be good...and i am glad to see Considine gone...and not in the plan.— Bonnadn
- What did Seinfeld say - we root for the laundry??? Good luck Bdawk...we'll miss you.— fulham
- This is a ridiculous contract and as much as I love Brian Dawkins, I'd have screamed if the Eagles matched this offer: according to the story on NFL.com, it's 5 years, as much as $27 million, with $7.2 million guaranteed. More power to Dawk, God bless him and I hope he has nothing but success, but he is not worth that kind of money to the Eagles.— Montco PA Dem
- If the Eagles are so ready to turn their back on this era of football... they should just clean the whole house. Reid. McNabb. Runyan. Thomas.— rodnougat
- Get over it. Now way is he worth that kind of money. We let Taylor and Vincent go and things worked out fine. Dawkins is one of the greatest Eagles of all time, but a 35 yr. old safety is nothing but a liability.— jonnyb0916
- It's a business folks. Understand the emotions and the rest of Eagle Nation mindset that goes along with it. We went down this road with Reggie & Trot. Yes, it hurts to see a long tenured vet go like Dawk. But I have to throw this out there. Before the season started he gave clues he was 90% sure that he was not returning. Again, hate to loss a veteran presence in the locker room. But I do believe there is enough leadership left. B Dawk taught the young ones well. Because Dawk knew, it's a business. Never take it personal......— STIII
- Make these moves if you have a Super Bowl in your closet but we don't. You keep Dawk around and reward him for his on and off field contributions to the team and city! Sad and pathetic we could not figure out how to win or keep a guy like #20. F- this team to hell.— foment3
- As much as everyone wanted Dawk to stay, he's 35. He may be at the end of his rope. What if he ended up in pass coverage next year and blew a coverage that cost us a game? What would fan reaction be then? That he should have been out there before of all his years with the Birds? He was paid handsomely for his time, but the Eagles have to do what's best for the team, not for the fans. Sorry, but that's the way it is.— brob1900
- What bothers me is this: The Eagles had only 4 safeties on the roster at the start of free agency. They let two of them go, and now they are showing interest in some schmuck from New England, and Leonhard from Baltimore. Why not just resign Dawk to begin with? It makes no sense. Now they are scrambling for a 3rd safety, when they had Dawk the whole time. I get the money and age issue...but this seems like a team unprepared for possible changes. It just doesn't make sense.— Hexfoliation
- The Eagles tick me off more than any other Philly team. Letting Dawkins go is the dumbest move I can think of. So they think he is too old, or not good enough, but who are they going to replace him with? With Considine also leaving via free agency, they have no safeties. Dawkins was the best availble fee agent Safety, period.— edf
- No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no . . .— Muck the Fets
