Dawkins deal not done; Lito to Jets?
Here's the latest on what has been an unbelievably hectic day of Eagles offseason news.
Dawkins deal not done; Lito to Jets?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Here's the latest on what has been an unbelievably hectic day of Eagles offseason news.
Let's start with Brian Dawkins. We played it safe here at MTC, waiting to hear confirmation on the deal in Denver before going ballistic. And that has not happened yet. David White of the San Francisco Chronicle, who first reported that Dawkins and the Broncos had agreed to a deal, just e-mailed me. He has recently heard from Dawkins' agent, and the two sides are still in negotiations. In other words, Dawkins has not yet signed. It's not a done deal. I don't know if that's good news for Eagles fans or if everyone is bummed that it has even gotten this far. Maybe someone can direct Dawkins to the comments on today's blog posts, where we've seen nothing but an outpouring of support for him.
Just a few minutes ago, an e-mail from reader Jake:
Is our beloved Dawk gone yet? It is pretty much inevitable? It seems as though we're all living in one big nightmare today...
Many of you have expressed similar sentiments. We could have updates on this later tonight or tomorrow.
We'll just have to wait and see how it plays out. The backlash from the fan base if Dawkins lands in Denver will be like nothing we've seen during this current era of Eagles football.
The Lito rumors
League sources tell Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News that the Jets are closing in on a trade for cornerback Lito Sheppard. According to Cimini, the sides are close enough that Sheppard will visit with the Jets Saturday. NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that the Eagles will get a fifth-round pick this year, and a conditional pick in 2010, which could be as high as a second-rounder or as low as a fourth-rounder.
Thanks for reading
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who joined us today. It was a record-setting day in terms of readership at MTC. Other than my girlfriend, who is in town visiting, threatening to throw my laptop out the window a few minutes ago, I'd say things went pretty smoothly.
Should news break in the next couple hours, I'll be back. If not, check us out Saturday for the latest
Comments (34)
I think someone ought to direct Joe Banner, Jeff Lurie and Big Red to those comments, I'm sure Dawk already knows how we feel about him.— sean gaffney- I feel sick. The NFL is gonna see a huge drop in attendance next year as more and more people find themselves unable to scrounge up the spare $$$ to buy tickets. Does the Eagles front office really think that the best way to keep as many of those paying fans as possible is to dump one of the most popular players of all time and the heart and soul of the team?— djsaitta
I'm trying to be level-headed about the B-Dawk thing. On the one hand I hate the prospect of losing a HOF'er. On the other hand Montana and Rice left SF so it's not unheard of. Lastly- Sheil...No disrespect to your girl- but does she have an NFL events calendar? WHY is she in town TONIGHT in the first place?- djsasitta: the eagles f/o make moves with their head, not with their heart. Maybe they see Dawk can't play at a high level every game. You would be screaming at the Eagles' front office for keeping Dawk the first time he gives up a long TD pass. It's time to move on. I'd rather have a 26-year-old stud at FS than a slow 35-year-old.
- To Andy Reid: Get off your fat f---ing hamburger eating a-- and get Dawk back onboard, you moron. Or, I'll tell you now, you stubborn ignoramus, you haven't seen Philly fan rath yet.— eagles7777
- He CAN'T play for another team. It just doesn't make sense. 13 seasons, from 3-13 to the SuperBowl, he can't go to Denver. Please. Stay or retire. Please.— Muck the Fets
- Dude; You're good, but Florio's better. See the attached http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/archives/2009/02/dawkins-finally-a-done-deal-in.html In case you haven't noticed, these guys don't get it. Just don't. Dawk can play in the box for two downs and then turn it over to Demps if he doesn't do so well. But he willed us to the playoffs, then was popping people in Minnesota and NY. He may be old, but this cat is nuts - he's not done. And just who is going to lead this team - McNabb in between vomiting spasms?? This town has begun to turn Red. I'm sick too djsaitta. Just sick.... The eagle who has best represented the fans of this city was left to walk when there's $48M to spend in a dead market. Move over 5, I'm puking too...— Diaperman50
- who is this 26 year stud FS??? The bottom line is the Brian Dawkins and his skills will start to diminish, however, the locker room aspect of what B-Dawk brings to the Eagles will not diminish. Dawkins playing in Denver or any other city will be far worse than Reggie White going to the Packers. The Eagles need to get a deal done with Dawk if only for the locker room. Dawkins is still a top ten FS is this league. Show me the 26 year old stud, and I will show you Dawkins going crazy in the playoffs getting this team to rally around him. Dawkins needs to stay. Bottom line! Are you listening Eagles???— Dawkblitz
- eaglesond - please...have you seen the available free safeties on the market? this is a move made w/ their wallets, not their heads. Which would be fine if they weren't so far under the cap that they can't spend it all if they tried.— djsaitta
Comment removed.- I love Brian Dawkins as much as everyone else, but why did he turn down the Eagles offer. At this point in his career he should not care how much he is making.— crazyeyes
- crazyeyes: You don't know what he was offered. "Knowing" Banner and Reid, it was probably a slap in the face for everything he has given over the years. I really abhor this management team of Banner and Reid. They are stubborn ingrates, preying on the fan's money, heart, and loyalty and both of them have no heart or emotion. I can't wait until we get either new leadership or new owners that will peg these idiots for what they are. They are not responsive to the fans and should be. Philadelphia fans are among the most knowledgeable in football and I would replace Reid in a heart beat with one of our own.— eagles7777
- crazyeyes: You don't know what he was offered. "Knowing" Banner and Reid, it was probably a slap in the face for everything he has given over the years. I really abhor this management team of Banner and Reid. They are stubborn ingrates, preying on the fan's money, heart, and loyalty and both of them have no heart or emotion. I can't wait until we get either new leadership or new owners that will peg these idiots for what they are. They are not responsive to the fans and should be. Philadelphia fans are among the most knowledgeable in football and I would replace Reid in a heart beat with one of our own.— eagles7777
- FIRE SALE!!!— foley26
- If Dawk goes, I'— MOJR
- My 10 year old signed cried when I told him that Dawk may leave. I has been holding out on my payment for club seats, but I am revoking my them right now. I had held out hope that Lurie and Banner maybe "got it" in the least as it related to Dawkins. I can't beleive they would allow this to happen. Choke on your cap room, boys. Choke on it. You will NEVER get another cent of my money.— genius784
- I think it will be a real sad day in Philadelphia if the heart and soul of this team leaves and goes out to Denver. B-Dawk is the real leader of this team and if or when he goes it will rip the hearts of Eagles fans. I will really have to think how much I will invest my time in this team next season. B-Dawk if you go, YOU WILL BE MISSED— Anthony Palma
- This really does make me sick to my stomach....sometimes in sports there is an exception and this should be the one time.....How could they EVEN think about doing that? Dawk needs to be here......this is what the Eagles are ALL about! I can't imagine and won't imagine watching, going to the games and supporting them if they get rid of him!— Leannern
- So let's get this straight, we sign a 2nd tier OL in the hopes that he'll help his emotionally challenged brother live up to his potential yet we're willing to let the heart and sole of the team leave? Un-freak'n-beleivable!!! This is not a Trotter or Vincent or Douglas thing, Dawkins is the Eagles and he had a "darn" good year last year. For the money Reid (and don't kid yourself, every decision is all Reid) wastes on the Pinkston's & Brown's so freak'n what if we have to over pay to keep Dawkins for another year or two? (and i'd like to see the final numbers anyway, i'd wager they're not that bad) And finally, IF Dawkins is gone, who will lead this team? McNabb? Please!!! Give me a break. Even if it was allowed (which it isn't, there are rules for fandom!!!...) I'm too old (37) to switch teams but this front office makes me want to!!!
- Denver's D just got a lot better. Show 'em all, Dawk. They made a great move getting Buck too. Reid, with his one track mind, never took advantage of what he can do.— steelydad
What the heck. All we see is quality players and the heart of this team leaving, aand who is coming here? A Bengals lineman (like the Bengals were any good) who's brother is wacky. Great, just f--king great! Geez I can't stand Reid. It's getting worse. No heart left to this team. Buckhalter leaves, Considine leaves, Dawk leaves, Tra Thomas leaves Next.Last call... All aboard..Train leaving Penn Station from Eagleland To other NFL playoff bound teams, All Aboard, but you Eagle fans must stay behind with a screwed up management team. Playoffs? Did you say Playoffs? Not any more with this team say hello to 4 - 12. Maybe Andy will finally get fired then along with Banner.— PHAZED- You have a girlfriend, lol???????— wingslax35
- Diaperman50, your name is pretty apt. If you're believing a loser idiot like Florio (who already got it wrong earlier in the day, saying his "sources" told him the contract was done before EVERYONE, including the original 'source' on this, backpedaled and said nothing was signed) over Dawk's agent, you really are a Grade A moron.— gotwestbrook
- Dawkins' wishes trump whatever the Eagles think his values is. He's earned it, even if he's not what he was. I've never turned my back on this organization. Ever. But I'm close now...— dmanns
- Comment removed.
- all i have to remind the FRONT OFFICE of our Eagles is the game against dallas ( last game of the reg season)..i remember dawk going to crazy on the cowgirls...I will really miss not seeing Wolverine in the silver and green....I DON'T CARE WHAT IT TAKES, JOE BANNER NEEDS TO GET THIS DEAL DONE WITH #20...Eagles are $48 million under the cap...$48 MILLION...WTF...Even if they draft a rookie safety, who better than Dawkins to mentor him for 2/3 years....EAGLES FANS WANT DAWKINS BACK...GET IT DONE JOE BANNER!!!!!!— xrajux
- Exactly, who is this 26 yo stud you speak of eaglesondefense? IS it Demps? Thats who they plan on using to replace Dawk. Has he proved enough? Let the guy finish his career here, its not even like he would be asking for huge amount of money. Eagles are a bottom line team, the bottom line is that they would be losing a lot more than just a player in this. And if the Eagles were so good at eveluating talent and when guys should leave, how come they have yet to win a SB. This is not about getting the the NFC Championship, its aboput winning the SB.— Flyers2001
- Yea, didn't your girlfriend know what day it was?— fineedge1
- The Eagles cannot afford to lose Dawkins. While you have to admire how tightly the management runs its operation, he is just too important as a team leader and fan favorite. Improve his deal! He deserves it!— NickFromGermantown
- Banner you dope! You realize the Phillies - the REAL GOLD standard - will be coming back up to start the new season soon and what do you do?...let the heart and soul of the team walk???!!! WTF you IDIOT!! I HATE YOUR GUTS!!!— Bleedsgreen
- If the rumor is true getting a 5th round pick for Lito now is a bigger slap in the face that Dawkins or Buck leaving ! We need help now.— Gringo4
- Girl friend needs to understand that you are just like a doctor working on the weekend making house calls. People don't stop getting sick and the news doesn't stop being made. You are just practicing your profession, which enables you to have money to spend on a big house you will buy for her. Everything is actually about her.— CouchKing
- They can raise my season ticket prices but cant sign Dawk?— arb
- Enough is enough. Is B Dawk really not giving Philly a first right of refusal??? He owes that to his relationship with the fan base. If the Eagles cant match what he is being offered then that is one thing, but there is a delay in this for a reason. Dawk wants to remain in Green, can you imagine him coming into the LINC next year as a Bronco??? OY!!!!!! He is the heart and soul of Philly let alone the Birds. He means too much to have him leave prior to retirement. This must be stoppped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— dbscu
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About this blog
Sheil Kapadia is in his fifth 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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