Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009, 3:54 PM | 45 comments |
 

Devastating news for Birds fans
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For the past 24 hours, we've been in search of truth and rumors in regards to Brian Dawkins' future.

The chase is now over.

About 90 minutes ago, Les Bowen of the Daily News confirmed that the longest-tenured Eagle has agreed to a deal with the Broncos.

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, it's a five-year, $17 million deal that includes $7.2 million guaranteed. Escalators could boost the deal to $27 million, but the deal could also be voided to two years, $9 million.

The numbers probably don't mean much to you right now. What does matter is that the franchise lost its most universally-liked player in over a decade.

The exact date is unknown, but Dawkins will play in Philadelphia next season. The Broncos have a date with the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in 2009. That will be quite a day. I imagine many will dust off the No. 20 jerseys one more time.

I'll offer more of my take throughout the weekend, but for now, here's a Dawkins highlight video I found on YouTube from NFL Network.

At one point, the highlights go to Dawkins' interview with Terry Bradshaw after the Eagles earned a Super Bowl berth. At about the 2:30 mark, Dawkins says "Gimme some respect right now!" Seems kind of fitting, doesn't it?

And if you don't get chills at about the 2:45 mark, well, this whole Eagles Fan thing might not be for you.

Enjoy, and feel free to chime in with your thoughts on Dawkins' departure.
Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 3:54 PM  Permalink | 45 comments
45
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:45 PM, 02/28/2009
    I'm going to vomit. Hey front office, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
    — ematusko
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:46 PM, 02/28/2009
    owner from Boston, Banner no talent brains at all just a # cruncher for the rich! Reid = MORON Please tell your fans to wake up! Their problem is these 3 stooges that don't care about their fans or city!
    — losteagle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:46 PM, 02/28/2009
    this sucks....
    — vinni
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:51 PM, 02/28/2009
    i hate that sports are a business
    — rockyman63
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:59 PM, 02/28/2009
    It's really a shame that B-Dawk will not finish his career here in Philly. Best of luck in Denver.
    — GHOSTPHAYCE
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:00 PM, 02/28/2009
    no, Sheil, actually the numbers do mean a lot. the Eagles could have easily paid that. how could you let Dawk walk for that? who can watch that video now?
    — tarik255
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:05 PM, 02/28/2009
    And I'm getting sick of all the guys saying he's lost a step, he's past his prime, he's just another player.... clearly, people who don't understand the high value of leadership and inspiration. And he has always been the guy the fans rallied around and made the whole thing fun. Woe be unto the organization if next year sucks....
    — skipintro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:12 PM, 02/28/2009
    Losing Dawk is a tough pill to swallow. If the Eagles were going to use the money they have just saved for a great young player, that would be one thing. However the Eagles continue to be way under the salary cap year after year. I thought Dawk would be the one guy Lurie and Reid would keep around and reward even in his latter years. This is sad.
    — Vituperator
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:13 PM, 02/28/2009
    Makes zero sense and I am still in shock. They are 48M under the cap so they can afford to overpay someone. Who cares if he might not be good 2 years from now. He will help the team next year and isn't that all that matters. The Eagles can lie to us and say their goal is to win a superbowl but the truth is their goal is to always make sure they are good, but don't care about being great. They were right when they let go of Hugh, Trotter, Vincent and Bobby Taylor and I will give them credit for that, but BDawk is an entirely different case then those other guys. He is the heart and sole of this team and even if he turns out to be the worst football player in the NFL next year I will still say it was a horrible decision to let him go. This move goes to show that Joe Banner now has too much power in the Eagles organization.
    — Lemur
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:16 PM, 02/28/2009
    Hold on guys...He'll be 36 years old this season and can't cover anymore. five-year, $17 million deal that includes $7.2 million guaranteed. Escalators could boost the deal to $27 million, but the deal could also be voided to two years, $9 million. Only a hurting team like Denver would pay that much. he's not worth 4.5mm a year for 2 years. You guys want a Super Bowl well the Birds just moved in the right direction. All of Dawkins theatrics don't make him a cover man. Yup he can hit but the guy already caught the ball....Mikell and Demps....Get use to it. Getting rid of Runyan another good move, but they gotta get rid of Tra. He sucks...
    — bryky
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:20 PM, 02/28/2009
    Face it, they just don't care what the fans think. To them, we are idiots. There are 50,000 people waiting to take your tickets if you give them up. The only way to get to them would be to shame them on a national stage, but the lemming fans won't organize or support a fan walkout to the concourse during a nationally televised game, or boycott concessions or training camp or anything that makes the front office look like the chumps they are. They figure they are smarter than the fans and are probably right. Best wishes B Dawk, you left it all out on the feild for us, we appreciate it.
    — jimmymack
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:25 PM, 02/28/2009
    Get a grip, people. Dawkins left for the money. The Eagles would have been stupid to match that deal. It's pro football, not American Idol, and Dawkins is not your special binky to coddle you through the games. I remember the very moment Dawk was drafted, and I've been at all the home games he excelled in. He's one of the greatest Eagles ever. But Denver just flushed a pile of money, while the Eagles will get younger and faster.
    — ahab
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:31 PM, 02/28/2009
    Greg Lewis remains an Eagle and Brian Dawkins is not. Joe Banner strikes again. The gold-standard? Not quite.
    — philadelphialegend
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:38 PM, 02/28/2009
    Really liked Dawkins 'til I saw he had to produce this saccharine tribute to himself. Hey Brian, it doesn't count if you have to tout your own horn. Have some class dude.
    — jakelbi


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About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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