Has Dawkins played his last game?
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Has Dawkins played his last game?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
It's been nearly three years since Brian Dawkins left the Eagles and signed with the Denver Broncos.
This offseason, the 16-year veteran will decide whether his playing days are over.
Dawkins last played a full game in Week 13. He saw limited action in Weeks 14 and 16 and was sidelined for both playoff games because of a neck injury.
On Friday, he joined Jeremiah Trotter and Harry Mayes of 97.5 The Fanatic to discuss his future.
"I'm going to take this offseason, pray about it, and whatever the Lord puts in my heart, I'll do at this point," he said. "I've been blessed to play this game for a long time at a high level. The Lord has blessed me to do it, and blessed me to make another Pro Bowl here so I'm going to take this time off, enjoy my family and pray about it. And if the Broncos want me back, then I'll come back and play, if the Lord tells me another year is available for me."
Dawkins turned 38 in October. He was recently added to the Pro Bowl roster after Troy Polamalu backed out because of injury. He talked about the different things he has to do during the week just to get ready to play on Sundays: the stretching, massages, acupuncture, trips to the chiropractor, etc.
"It definitely takes a lot of time and effort on my part to get my body back ready to be able to do what my teammates expect me to be able to do on the football field that next Sunday," Dawkins said. "I go out and I give everything that I have, whether it be running into the linemen, running into the running backs, whatever the case may be."
Dawkins said part of him hated seeing the Eagles' struggles this past season. He admitted he has no inside knowledge of the Birds' locker room or what went wrong, but Dawkins spoke about how the Eagles can turn things around.
"It takes chemistry. Sometimes going through tough times can allow you to build something from that, but you have to be willing to admit mistakes. You have to be willing to say you were wrong in some areas and correct areas in order to improve," he said. "So can things turn around? Absolutely. But will it happen just because? No. it's going to take some leadership. It's going to take some people willing to swallow some pride to get the season turned around for them next year."
The best part of the interview was when Dawkins talked about leadership. He discussed how he and Trotter policed the Eagles' locker room and held players accountable. It was a long-winded response, but one worth sharing in full.
"We were blessed to have a great rapport with our teammates," Dawkins said. "They trusted us because they knew we would never tell them to do anything that we wouldn't be willing to do. We would never tell them to cut out doing this, that and the other because they knew we would do it. We would always tell them to run into somebody full speed because they know we would do it. If we're missing a tackle, we would let them know: I was wrong. I gotta make that play. There's no excuse for that. They know we would be first to say that to them.
"So when we do come to them about something, they know it's from a good place. It's not from a place of pride or arrogance or 'I'm better than you.' It's a place of 'Listen, this is what has to be done in order for us to fix what we're going through right now. We're going to have to close the doors. We're going to have to make sure we have a conversation, and once we have this conversation, the conversation stays in here. But the play outside has got to get better in order for us to get to where we got to be. Period.' So that's what it was. It was about believing in one another. They were believing in me, believing in Trot. And they saw it. They saw me running into 350-pound dudes taking on blocks. They saw it. So it was nothing new to them. It was about being energetic, not being fake."
Trotter admitted he got chills just listening to Dawkins' response. He also asked his former teammate if he'd consider finishing his career with the Eagles.
"The place that I would be is with the Broncos," Dawkins said. "My family's here, I'm here now. My kids are in school here. I'm not moving them nowhere. So the place that I would be would be here with the Broncos if they gave me a chance to play. And that's if the lord put it in my heart to play another year."
But he added he has no ill will toward the Eagles' organization or the city.
"There will always be a huge part of my heart that's Eagles," Dawkins said. "That'll never go away. I spent too many great times, too many great years there to hold a grudge or have any animosity towards the Eagles. That'll always be a place that I'll call a home. I'll always have love in my heart for the city of brotherly love."
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People need to remember that Dawkins left for more money in Denver. The Eagles offered him a fair deal but they weren't going to make a 35 year old the highest-paid safety in NFL history. We love him but he left for a few extra million.— Leegles- I love Dawkins of course like everyone but he never gets cited for contributing to the loss of the NFC championship game against Arizona. It's always about how McNabb didn't pull it off, but Dawkins was burned TWICE toward the end by Fitzgerald. A great player but people tend to look past that game in particular.— Leegles
- A few things. First, Dawkins is one of, if not my absolute, favorite Eagles of all time. He showed true leadership and went all out consistently. Also, for everyone saying he wasn't clutch in the playoffs, do you not remember his interception of Brett Favre in 2004 to advance to the NFC championship? With all of that said, nobody can be blamed for Dawkins departure. He had lost a step, Denver offered an ungodly amount of money. It is, what it is. I just hope he ceremoniously joins the Eagles when he chooses to retire.— dmo86
- Eagles Secondary Coach Dawkins has such a nice fitting sound to it. Unfortunately, we're talking Arrogant Andy here and as long as he is the Head Coach, that intelligent type of appointment will never happen.— younged
- Did you Dawkins fans know that Denver made him take a HUGE pay cut this year to continue playing? That great above market 2 year contract they gave him was smoke and mirrors and he went for it. The Eagles made him a very fair offer of substantially more money than he was making and HE turned it down for Denver's offer. You folks also forget he was contantly injured his last couple years here and also had lost a step and was a liability in coverage. People always remember players in their prime and don't realize they're not the same players later in their career— 09
- The Decision to let Dawkins go ranks second in the category of 'Disloyal Releases to Safe Money' by the Eagles:
The absolute worst decision was letting Reggie White walk; then comes Dawkins, then comes Akers. Like most employers the Eagles DEMAND loyalty from their employees...but offer NONE in return— dsg00 - Dawk's #20 was the only jersey I ever bought. This year proves character is what really matters. That is where champions come from.— jdgolf60
- Many have said it well, all i can tell ya's is losing Dawkins took the heart right out of me. Others too of the same caliber player let go and killed this team...and me. For me, the best thing is to clean house, start anew with fresh new players and watch them grow into a Super Bowl team. Hopefully sooner than later, I'm 65! And never ever doubt we lost the SB because they knew our blitz signal and we were to dumb to change it and use it to our advantage. I still sticks in my craw but do get a laugh when Cartman says it like it was!— joemash
- AFTER THE WAY GEEKBOY BANNER TREATED HIM, AND HE WOULD COME BACK? FAT ANDREW AND COMPANY DON'T DESERVE HIM.— Pete60
- A pro's pro, a man's man. God we could have used him the last three years. For his sake and his families sake, I hope he retires and stops putting his body and soul through such torture, he's too good of a man to see him end up on the human scrap heap of broken down ex-NFL players who can barely function through everyday life.
He should have never been alowed to walk out the door. While I understand that Denver gave him out of this world money for a 35 year old player, Joe B should have made him a decent offer before instead of his typical "go see what the market is willing to pay you and then check back with us." Joe B is a bean counter who wouldn't make Dawk an offer, figuring noboby would have a need or want to pay for Dawk's services. Joe thought wrong and hurt the team. I will never forgive him for what he took away from the fans, the team and Dawk by not letting him retire an Eagle. Flat out unforgivable. If Andy goes this year, they better send Joe down the road as well.— AngryGregR - All this love for Dawk who never showed up in the postseason. He was so great when the Eagles let him go that they needed Tim Tebow to get to the playoffs for the first time while he was there. Great safety, MAYBE a HOFer, way too hyped in Philly.— tremo12
- How did Eagles not pay this man and instead let him get away?He defines the word LEADERSHIP!— snowman100
- It shouldn't have mattered if there was a market for him elsewhere. There was a market for him here....The Philly Fans. They knew how important he was to us, they just didn't care. Never care about the fans, just the almighty bottom line. Miss you Dawk!!— gonegator
- Dawk was classic. If there's one guy that truly deserved more money it was him. Letting him become/retire as a Bronco was the worst move the Eagles organization has made to date.— SF-Eagle
- The Eagles are so stupid. They should never have disrespected a good man like Dawkins the way they did.— GigantiSP
- I love Dawk from the bottom of my heart. He is the greatest Eagle I have ever saw and he should be with the Eagles...but he got an outstanding offer from the Broncos. He got way more than anyone thought he would get and he took it. He did what was best for him and his family...period. I respect him for that I just wish he was still an Eagle. It's no ones fault...it just is. The Eagles major mistake was not locking him up either during or before the season he left. They didn't because no one saw that market for him.— K.D.
- Dawkins... a real class act.— blunted1
- No bigger heart that dawk but his last season in philly he was burned like toast early and often. It sucks that the guys you love to root for get old and slow. Brian Westbrook is the same. So awesome until father time catches up with them. I would hope they retire #20 the day dawkins calls it a career. That would be cool.— djack10
- He may have lost a step in his last year here but he was the NFC defensive player of the month in December of that year....and that defense carried a weaker offense than the past few years into the NFC title game before they got gassed by Warner and Fitz. — TheRomanMeatHelmet
- That whole 'first you accept you did something wrong' thing is why the Eagles downward spiral will continue - unless/until Reid moves on or has an epiphany. With the likes of Vick and DeSean the apparent voice(s) of the team, 'have to do a better job' and denial of accountability are this groups' mantra. The Castillo mistake and 'see how good he did the last few games' (against the dregs of the NFL) rationlization epitomizes that denial.
Is a great picture. We can at least hope 2013 brings a new regime.— raoool - It's curious to see Dawk's leadership commments printed the same week we hear about TO's GQ interview in which he falsely pulls Trotter over to his side in the dispute with Eagles management and McNabb. If Dawk was such a great leader, why didn't he put a stop to TO's nonsense?— dave308
- Reids biggest failure was letting go of a man like Dawkins and going after players like Vick. And the Eagles are where they are b/c of it.— RealizticFan
- Mr. Lurie: You have to give the Dawk the biggest sendoff celebration this city has seen in 30 yrs. It will cost a LOT, but I know you will do it.— tommy_the_k
- Truly a class act and by and far the best Eagle of his generation. I only hope that Canton will recognize his talents the way Philly fans did.— TheRomanMeatHelmet
- What an honor it was to see #20 in the secondary punishing any receiver that dared to come into his area of responsibility. Stuff the run; count on Dawk. To lose a man the quality of Dawk and do nothing to replace him speaks volumes on the denseness of the decision makers. Dawk, you deserved better in Philly. The fans still love and respect your effort. You will not be forgotten.— Joe Nickels
- Uncle Stosh, you have a good point. Philly sports reporters, with an exception to Ray Diddy, are lazy and unimaginative. I see the disdfain in Andy reid's face when they ask another of their inane question and Andy asks " Where you at any practices this week?" These so called reporters have forgotten that reporting is a "job" and therefore some amount of work is required. Case in point as to when McLane called out Bowen on this exact point.— StorminNorman
Mr. Reid and Mr. Lurie, please hire this man immediately to replace the other gentleman that was just released. I originally posted this demand with stronger language but it got filtered out. I wasn't even that harsh. This blog is censored...— Mr.Spock- Played his last??? I thought he did when the Eagles gave up on him. Hmmmm?
— MooseBreathMints - No disrespect to Dawk, but in reality he has played on his reputation more than his ability on the field for the last few years. I don't believe he's a Pro Bowl Safety at this point in his career. Hasn't been for several years. Time for him to hang them up before he gets an injury that will haunt him for the rest of his life.— SteveS11
- No One compares to B-Dawk-he would be ideal as a coach in Philly..johnnyu— john ullman
- Picture says it all.— tpizza
- If I could have been an NFL player I would have modelled my game after B Dawk, few players match his intensity, desire and respect for the game. Weapon X still rules!— northeagle
- Dawk's neck has been an issue for years & playing the game he plays / the way he plays it could be dangerous to his long term health. I hope he retires as a player and does go on to coaching as others have suggested. I know he will continue to preach :) - best wishes to him & his family, was blessed to watch him play (for the Eagles)..! He will retire (sadly) as a Bronco, but maybe his # will be retired as an Eagle... I wouldn't mind seeing that..!— highfive
- with or without him, we still wouldn't have won a supe. Stop with the player worshipping. Root for the jersey, not the dope in it.— thingfish
- What a class act. Theres no one in the entire Eagles organization at this time, with half the spirit, leadership, that Mr. Dawkins (Mr. out of respect) has. It was my pleasure to enjoy your play over the years.
— olddog - letting him go is the biggest mistake this franchise has ever made. they never adequately replaced him and he played so well in denver.— Ryan
- Would be sweet if he retired and the Eagles hired him ad DB Coach— Wide-9
- DAWK WAS GREAT.— Pete60
- It's easy to forget but Denver offered Dawk an OBSCENE amount of money on what I'm sure they thought was going to turn out to be a one year deal. Can't blame Dawk for taking the offer but I also can't fault the Eagles for not matching it at the time.— almar169
- Brian Dawkins. Another championship-less player Philly fans love regardless of the fact HE failed to show up for BIG games. But because he looked angry when he was playing and acted like what Philly fans wanted he was given a free pass in an Utley sort of way.— OurCity2000
- That foregone conclusion that the Eagles know when to let players go, which as you see are the Ray Rhodes players which carried this team during the beginning of Reids tenure, other than McNabb, who lately has he let go that couldn't find a job? I've seen plenty of ex=Eagles playing in the playoffs the last few weeks. The premature loss of Dawkins definitely cost the Eagles several games over the years, not counting the leadership he would have provided. They don't get into the playoffs and make that run in 2008 without him, the NFL defensive player for the month of December.— watsonmr
-
The picture confirms it, Dawkins is superman! I selfishly hope to see him play another season because he is exactly what a football player should be. More importantly, I hope my kids become the type of person he is.
It will be great to see him enshrined in Canton, HOF player and person.— willbert31 
Comment removed.- No heart, no chemistry, no leadership. Can't wait until 2012 season!
Man, I miss Dawk— Luriesucks - As much respect and love as I have for B-Dawk, That Policing the locker is pure BS! Where were they when T.O was tearing it to pieces????— citysims
- You're an idiot citysims and probably don't even know what a pair of shoulder pads looks like. Good defense requires men being willing to take on blocks, hit backs that may be bigger than them, and otherwise sacrifice their bodies. The missed tackles and blown leads that occurred this year would not have happened in such a sustained fashion in the B-Dawk and Trotter days, because of Jim Johnson yes, but also because anyone slacking off in that regard would have had to go through one of those two before they even got to the film room for the coaches to chew them out. While you were reading articles on T.O. B-Dawk and Trotter were helping the Defense remain as dominant as it was at the time. We still need men like that "on that line" - they would have ordered a code red on you citysims. — mx55
- TO was an OFFENSIVE player....Dawk could police the defense, as he said, because he led by example. I think it's rare that someone from the D is getting on an offensive player and vice-versa. Not to mention, do you really think there was ANYONE that could've controlled TO?! — jimyd0315
- He was the last great Eagle on defense. Makes you wonder if there'll ever be another?— banned
- I would take Dawk as D Coordinator over Juan anyday.— kelprod2
- If Dawk is in fact retiring, he should sign a contract here and retire as an Eagle.
- It's easy to take out our crayons and connect the dots between the fired secondary coach and B-Dawk's possible retirement. But great players don't always make great coaches; in fact, it's the exception rather than the rule.— andrewfrombrooklyn
- AR: Can you say Coach Dawkins? Make it happen!!!— M60tanker
- That's an awesome pic of Dawkins!— SilliBilli
- Comment removed.
- They also let Mikell walk and he had a great season this year as well. He actually had a solid year the Eagles let him go. They planted it in the press that he didn't and the reporters repeated it(instead of looking at film and drawing their own conclusion) and then the fans repeted it and everybody had him as a scrub. He was also named to the Pro bowl as the alternate that year and played in Hawaii.— UncleStosh
- Over the years Vincent, T Thomas, Trotter, B Taylor, H Douglas the FO has been timely and right..The Dawkins decision was / is unforgivable..The man was the heart of the team and fan base..I would rather see the team have gone 7-9 with him and have some 'Dog' in the D than the pathetic last couple of years.Marlin jackson, Demps, Macho harris, Page...Absolutle pathetic..nate 'marshmallow' Allen..Well done And , Joe and Howie..well done......2011 Gold Standard Paper Champs T-shirts on sale now— PhillyMike5959
- Another pro bowl, for the Broncos, thank you Joe and Howie, you guys are really the best— camasbud
- B-Dawk should be our new secondary coach. What a shame if they miss out on that opportunity!— cocheese
- The Eagles usually get it right when they let the old guys go, but Dawk has hung on till age 38 and the Eagles still have not replaced him.— Sidewinder7
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