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."
Hey Eagles fans....quit complaining and DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. Cancel your season tickets, stop buying all the Eagles jerseys, hats, etc., just stop putting money into the Eagles' Management pockets!!! This team needs to learn a lesson! Stop your financial support of this team...hit them in the wallet! This is a JOKE! Go Broncos! Win the Super Bowl for Dawk....Lurie/Banner/Reid: I hope you go 0-16, you friggin cheapskate losers!!!!— Phront_Runner- I was crushed when I heard that Dawk was signing w/ the Broncos, BUT....5 years and up to $27m w/ incentives? There was no way the Birds would have met that. The question is, would Dawk have taken much less to remain w/ this team?— djsaitta
- aside from his sentimental value... Who is our new free safety? the guy who abused and made boneheads plays in the most important game of the year. WTF— ag
- It's a sad day for Eagle Fans.The FO cares nothing for the fans. Where can I buy my Bronco Dawkins shirt.— JMOMMOM
- 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
- Right guys,its a business. Its Dawkins'last contract. If a team is willing to give him more than 1 year at his age,well then more power to him. But I don't blame the Eagles for not signing him for more than a year.It's time for both team and player to move on. After all,its a business.— jks
Comment removed.- I just became less of an Eagles fan. This is not only classless, but stupid. From a football perspective, there is isn't a snowball's chance smell that the Eagles win anything this year. They just pulled out their heart. Those are pretty big shoes for Demps to fill. McNabb can't lead this team AT ALL w/out Dawk. Lurie & Reid: You should be ashamed of yourselves. And you'll definitely regret it next season. Good luck Dawk. I just became a Broncos fan.— McRocks33
- We'll miss you, B-Dawk!— philly4sure
- I love Dawk as much as any one else here. For most of my life he has been the cornerstone of the Eagles, he's been my personal favorite player since the day he came into the league. I love everything about the way he plays and the way he is and the Broncos are very lucky to get a player like him. With all that said if you go onto the Espn website you will see that the deal for Dawkins was a 5 year deal. The eagles countered yesterday's 2 year deal and added more money, then the Broncos add the 3 extra years. You can't blame Eagles ownership for losing him to the Broncos at this point. They messed up by not resigning him prior to free agency— jcu1210
- What makes me mad is that we all really saw this coming. I mean, the way this organization has treated its tenured veterans, Trotter, White, Vincent and now Dawk. The FO is business and only business. They know that we, the fans, will continue to buy the merchandise, buy tickets and support the team so what do they care how we feel about losing one of the best players to ever suit up in green and white? They don't care. The fans are an insignificant part of their business equation. My favorite Eagle since he first stepped on the field (and I'm not alone) has been discarded and yes I am bitter and angry and could care less about the Andrews signing. Maybe after I calm down but right now I'm still reeling over this disgusting display of business. I will be making my first ever non-Eagles purchase - the new Dawkins Broncos jersey. Good luck Dawk - you will always be #1 in my book!
- Eagles couldn't match a 5 year offer to a 35 year old player, I'm sad to see Dawk go but this is a business. Good Luck Dawk, we love you!— soilwork007
You know, I'm not going to say they ruined the team, or any of that stuff. I understand the business decision not to overpay or not to offer a multi-year contract to a player who may not have multiple years left in the tank. But still, this is a crushing blow emotionally. Brian Dawkins is the most beloved athlete in this town, and I would rather be 0-16 next year and see him retire as an Eagle than to win the Superbowl while he's playing somewhere else.— Hutch- this is the worst thing that could have happened, even if they win the superbowl i do not care. Banner and reid have to go. Im tired of their dumb football decisions. i will not watch one game this year i guarentee— kenzo9126
- I wish Dawk the best in Denver. His heart will always be in Philly and he will always be an Eagle. It was a great run.— psuwelsh
