I have to admit, up front, that my heart is not in this one. But you know, after the Dallas game, that people are now going to be asking the question if Brian Dawkins is done. I don't think he is -- but I honestly can't decide if my judgment is being clouded by the fact that this is a conversation I just don't want to be having. But here we are. Again, I don't think he is done. But the conversation is a fair one at this point.
Dawkins had a poor individual game in pass-coverage against the Cowboys. The game was a track meet and nobody on that defense covered himself in glory -- and that means Dawkins did not, either. He was beaten downfield on a couple of passes to Dallas tight end Jason Witten, and he was abused in a goal-line situation by Terrell Owens for a touchdown. It all happened. There is no sense denying it.
On the Owens play, where he somehow was isolated on the wideout by himself in a goal line situation, TO ran a slant route in front of him and scored easily. Dawkins said later, "I was anticipating the fade route (to the back corner of the end zone) and he ran the slant. It was a good move by him."
As for the rest of it, Dawkins said, "I don't like the fact that I gave up a couple of big balls down the field. I took a couple of bad angles on the football today. I went for the interception on one and the other one, I wasn't quite in position. That wasn't good enough. I hold myself to high standards and it wasn't good enough."
He is a Hall of Fame caliber player, but he isn't not as fast as he once was. He still gives you a lot in the run game, and he's still a significant hitter. But the speed was an issue last year and it is an issue this year. It is becoming painfully obvious in some passing situations.
Again, I hate this conversation -- but we all have eyes. Dawkins can still be an effective player but it is almost more as an in-the-box player now, as a quasi-strong safety rather than as the human rocket/centerfielder of old. It looks as if they are trying to stick him down there in the box now when they can. Again, he can still play that game at a high level, I think.
But you get caught sometimes. Safeties have to be interchangeable in the NFL in 2008. Everybody has to be able to run and cover. Dawk talks about bad angles but they look like they are a product of getting there late. I don't know. I will say that it is complicated. One of the main complications on Monday night was Witten, a Pro Bowl caliber tight end who will abuse a lot of secondaries before the season is over.
This obviously bears watching now. We all sensed that this was going to be the final season for Dawkins anyway, and we were all preparing ourselves to mark the passing of an era. But now, this. If anybody deserves a smooth landing, it is this guy. At this point, we can only hope.
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 11:20 AM
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93 comments
i said in the other blog and i will say it on this one, how come the eagles don't swap the safety positions. move dawk to ss and mikell to fs. i think it plays to the strength of both players at this point.
Rich,
John Lynch played until this year by using his head. Dawkins was fundamentally flawed last night. He seems to have expressed this in your article. He continually took his eyes off the receiver to take a peek for the ball. This would'nt be so bad if he followed the receiver a bit closer then took a peek. I think he knows the quaterback is trying to throw to his guys. At least we should hope as fans!
Rich thanks again for your prediction on the game, way to go out on a limb. No B-Dawk is not done. Like you said, last night was track meet, not necessarily the best marker of how the Eagles will perfrom the rest of the year. It's early in the season anyway. I take away more positives than negatives here. The Birds win that game w/o the late fumble. Look for the D to pick it back up at home vs. Pittsburgh.
While I was watching the game last night, I came to the realization that Brian Dawkins will not retire as an eagle. The Birds will need t olet him go at the end of the year and he will think he can continue to play but he is just a shell of a player right now. Not only is he a step slow but he is taking bad angles and his defense is just launching himself at the receiver which offers great hits when he connects but when he doesnt connect fully, the runner gets open field to run. I love Dawkins, I have his jersey (and I am anti-jersey) because I respect everything he has offered the fans of Philadelphia. He is the heart and soul of the defense but moving forward, the defense will need a body and he doesn't offer that.
He was a "shell of the player he once was" LAST YEAR!
Most of the above comments are on point - even possibly switching spots with Mikell, however in the end, he was and continues to be a significant liability in the secondary. If he won't hang 'em up, the Reid has to do it. PLEASE!!
BDawk will have a monster year, please be patient.
Dawkins has never been able to cover witten. It is plain and simple. Mikell can't cover either...My suggestion: Give Lito a new contract, Move Sheldon to FS and Dawkins to SS. Mikell plays in the dime and Considine gets cut.
Dawkins and Considine were picked apart like last Thanksgiving turkey. Jim Johnson HAS NOT been the same without Spagnola.
subsonickharma - That isnt true, dawkins used to cover TE very well until the last few years. I believe Dawkins can still play but not in the way he used to be used by the Eagles. They can't depend on him to be that sideline to sideline cover Safety anymore... he needs to play deep or up close.
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That's an interesting suggestion, timm2. That would work. But Dawk is not done just yet. We put him in a tough spot last night asking him to cover Owens on the goal-line and Witten down the field. Let's not forget that Dawk is only 5'10, 200 pounds; how is he able to match up with a 6'3, 225 and 6'5, 250 guy. We don't even have anyone to cover Witten. JJ has to do a better job coming up with the schemes so that Dawk doesn't draw tough assignments like that. Now, if he starts coming over late from his safety spot in help situations, I would declare him done, but he had a good play there where he forced an incompletion along the sideline. His role needs to be just that and being utilized as a blitzer.
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its over trade asap.
prez - I'm not talking about all TE's just Witten. thats why i say:
S. Brown for FS! and move Dawk to SS. cut Considine!
I know guys have bad games but he was burnt all night. He'll bounce back this week cause Pitt like to run but he is a major issue with team that like to go down field, like last night. Andy has to make a move now to sure the D up or we will see more of last night.
Dawkins was done last year. The NFL is very unforgiving when it comes to losing even a fraction of a step. If he had any class, he would look in the mirror and step down himself. He has always talked the talk about team first, now its time to do whats best for the team. It's a young mans game
Good topic Rich, but a better one: Why is Sean Considine playing? He gets burnt like it is his job. Can someone explain this to me?
Or Spagnuolo. If your going to make a "point" you should probably know the guy's name.
i don't think so - it was a real tough opponent and a leader like Dawkins is going to be helping - out sometimes at his own positions's expense - if he got there late I think that's as much the reason. Gambling as a whole defenseive squad.
Prez, Dawk used to be able to cover tight ends but I don't recall him doing well against the elite tight ends, except for Agle Crumpler (haha). Shockey used to dominate Dawk, too, even as a rookie. The Eagles have rarely had success against Witten and I'm guessing that he presents a matchup problem as he is too fast for a linebacker and too big and physical for a corner or safety to deal with.
Sounds like the same feeling Dallas has had about Roy Williams the last few years.
dawkins is one of the classiest eagles of all time, let him leave on his own terms, and immediately make him a coach
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Another game watching Considine's fanny on touchdown replays.
Subsonickharma - I know, but really whitten isnt a burner..he uses his body very well and sells his routes... But Dawkins was 4 or 5 yards behind him. I'm all for Brown moving to Safety but he isnt as big or as physical as Dawkins...that would really hurt us against another 6'5 TE. Considine is no better..he is HORRIBLE in coverage and against the run. I have never seen a guy get ran over so many times in my life...LOL.
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Witten against the Eagles for his career - 10 games, 56 catches for 742 yds. with 3 TD's...thats far and away higher then everyother team he has ever played including the NYG and Wash.
Greg, it's not a question of why Considine is playing..but a question of what does he have on J.J., Lurie, Ried and/or Banner that keeps him from getting cut.
I must say BD's game was the first thing I got angry about last night during the games course. I'm not sure what should be done but, something has to definately be discussed and another alternative in place. I do think we can when the war in the long run though...early season mistakes tend to lead to end of season greatness :)
"Hi, I'm Brian Dawkins, welcome to the Borgata".
Why would Dawkins ever be lined up one on one vs. T.O. when we have three of the best corners in the league. Jim Johnson called an awful game last night. When blitzing early in the game Dallas couldnt do anything (except one big play). As soon as they stopped blitzing Dallas moved the ball easily.
Also, Sheldon won't play safety. They get paid less then corners and he'd be paid pretty well somewhere else before giving up his position. I still think he's the best corner we have.
considine single-handedly cost the Eagles a playoff spot last year with his play against the bears.
Better luck next time. Cowboys WIN, Cowboys WIN
Sheldon is the best run-stopper, hardest hitter and one of the best cover guys we have...and i think he does what is best for the team.
My issue is while witten is a good tightend...it seems like he is alwyas just running straight down the middle of the field with dawkins 5 yds back everytime they play. If they had someone a little faster...Witten's numbers ddrop dramatically.
Thanks McNabb for the fumble :)
Dawkins is still the man. But he needs to move to Strong Safety, period. At least when we play team that have a pro bowl TE. Take advantage of the fact that we have Brown and Demps, along w/ Mikell. At SS, he'll be productive for another year or so, because he's lost nothing at the line of scrimmage.
Nobody save Asante can cover TO, but a free safety should be able to cover a tight end. BD is an icon here and anything we gain in coverage will be offset by losses in team chemistry and leadership. He needs to be spotted more often, and we do need another safety in his spot, soon, next year, is that Demps?
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Given the Eagles' unforgiving philosophy when a player loses a step, I would look for B-Dawk to B-Gone next year. Until then, they need to do a better job in how and where they use him.
Dawk is going to get picked on 'til he makes plays defending the pass. It would help if JJ sent more than four pass rushers now and then, but if I were an opposing offensive coordinator watching that game last night I'm liking my long ball attack against #20.
What I saw is that none of the three safeties could cover Witten or Owens. Considine made a high school mistake (why is he on this team, he missed an easy tackle on special teams also), allowing Owens to get behind him, and Mikell can't cover either. Makes it tough for a defensive coordinator if none of his safeties can play cover defense. Guess he has to play cover 2, but got no rush from the defensive line, so he was pretty much out of options. Hopefully, Dallas is the best we'll see.
is he as fast as he once was, no. Is he too slow to play the position. no way. he is smart enough and has anough experience to conitnue to contribute. Is he the best player in their secondary, probably not, but he's still a starting calibre NFL safety. He can't be out there one v one with the best WR in football. and I think the Cowboys will take Witten 1 on one wiht most safeties in the league. No shame in that. Romo had too much time all night. When he was rushed, he stunk.
yea, he's done. We'll just plug Considine in there....BRILLIANT!!!
Obviously, B-Dawk can't cover the WRs like he once could, but he still has value in the run game and certainly in the locker room with all the young guys on that defense. This is a pointless article....he's going to be on the field alot this year, and then he'll probably hang it up at the end of the year. End of story.
One of the greatest players in Eagles history, without question. The guy wears his emotions on his sleeve and will always be a fan favorite in this city.
Wolverine's blades are looking a little dull
I'm happy I wasn't the only one who saw it, I just couldn't admit it either. I luv B Dawk, but he was beat all night long.
Is it just me, or does anyone realize Considine is not an NFL-caliber safety; way too light, very poor in coverage. How is he on this team still?
Why is the undersized, non-playmaking Considine still on this team? Remember when J.R. Reed was making some plays last year?
Dawkins is done. Speed kills. Put a fork in it already.
subsonickharma....you're on pt with everything except moving mikell to the nickle package. he is a starter at either FS or SS. kid hits like a ton of bricks, he's paid his dues on special teams and still does. just like we had to do with trotter last year and hugh douglas as a few yrs earlier, there will come a time when Dawkins needs to make a decision.....either retire as an Eagle with a great career or try his luck elsewhere. that didnt work out too well for Trot or Hugh. fact is the Eagles organization is VERY good at determining when a player is at the end of his career. hopefully Dawk listens to them when that day comes.
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The problem I see is that he will face many solid TEs this year in Whitten, Heath Miller, Cooley, Boss (is a nice young player) and others. All of them can make it a long day for BDawk
First of all, Dawkins should have never been matched up on TO. That was a mismatch. There is not one safety in the NFL who can cover TO one on one and probably not any CBs who can consistently cover him one on one. So I don't think that TD says anything about Dawkins ability to keep playing safety in the NFL. Also, name any safety in the NFL who can shutdown Witten? Again, there isn't one. Witten is probably the top receiving TE in the NFL right now because he's fast, he can take a hit, he's got TO to open up the middle of the field for him, he's got a QB with a strong arm and a good running game that teams have to stop. As a result, teams cannot gameplay to take away Witten, they have to stop TO and the run first. You saw the Eagles in a lot of zone in the 2nd half because they were going to give up passes to Witten instead of passes to TO. This is why Witten has big games against pretty much any team. So I don't think Dawkins is "done" or even close to done. He didn't have the greatest game in the world but there are safeties in the NFL who can stop Owens or Witten 1 on 1 and the gameplan in the 2nd half was to give up underneath stuff to Witten so that there was extra help deep to stop TO.
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Rich,
As hard as it is to admit it, I believe Dawkins is done as well. While he can still deliver the big hit, his lack of speed is hurting him. it has been like this for the past couple of seasons now. I hope he realizes this soon and calls it quits after this season. This way we can remember how he was instead of remembering him as a guy who stuck around too long
Where is JR Reed in this mix? I think he has made some great plays at safety and seems to make things happen. Can't he be on the field some of the time as well?
Once again McNabb could have won this game. He scrambled and didn't throw the ball out of bounds instead of getting sacked, over threw his receivers, muffed a hand off to Westbrook (twice) and looked cool and happy, smiling while his team was going down the crapper. This is NOT a HOF q-back as is advertised. I can't blame McNabb for the loss solely, but he could or should have pulled the game out.
He's done if the Eagles want to move to the next level. He's not if they want to be mediocre. He can't cover, it was obvious last night, and the other team took advantage. The problem is: do they have anyone better? Considine is a waste.
Sean Milano I mean Rich Considine is to the eagles what Bush is to America. Totally incompetant and nobody knows what he is still doing here other then making US look bad. Everybody talks about his lack of coverage skills but that is even dwarfed by his weak tackling skills, he is Simnueo light. I agree with other posters, move Dawk inside to Mikals position and Mikal to his or start training Brown to take that spot. AND YES< CUT CONSIDINE!
its over trade him while we can still get something in the deal.
Rich knows him personally so I'm sure that makes it tougher. We all know what he's meant to this team over the years. He should probably be a HOF'er. But last night was tough to watch, it's not the same guy now and it wasn't that hard to see. A great, great Eagle, though, and always will be.
They should have been traded that guy last year. He's injury prone and he knows it. What's the logic in trying to hit a guy so hard that you hurt self. That's what he does. Now, don't get me wrong Dawkins is definetely a leader, but a leader should know when you have ran your course. He should fall back like Straham. F.Y.I. Runyan also... Another guy pass his prime... Why continue to keep these guys? Big paychecks with little performance!
For all of the people who are saying Dawk will come back, is it faith, or just the fact that you don't want to actually believe it is happening? This isn't the first year, he has shown to lost a step. He is my favorite player on the defense, he has been since he has gotten here. But I havve also come to the realization that he just isn't the superior safety he used to be. In my mind, he will always be one of the fiercest safeties I have ever seen to play the game...
Dawk could switch postions as a poster said. Why not use Lito , Mikel and even Demps now rotating? Put Dawk in a place where he is still effective and can still use his hard tackling. Youth still will come and one cannot just blame Brian for the D's problems last night. How bout Johnson himself? Why no pressure on Romo in the first half other than one play where Assante gets the pick? What happened to the famous Johnson blitzes???? The O tried very hard and the last 2 minutes did hurt, of course, but the D just did not stop the Dallas O so no one can just blame Dawk.
B-Dawk can't cover any longer. He is a step slow as evidenced all night last nite and in many games last year. They drafted Demps for a reason and they need to start working him into the secondary. Considine is horrible! he is undersized and slow as a safety and he can't cover. How the hell does he bite on a pump fake when you have over the top coverage responsibility and your twenty yards downfield. Cut Considine, he can't play.
What get overlooked is once again - how D. Mac comes up small with the game on the line. When was the last time Donnie Mac took the offense down the field on the last possession and scored a TD to win the game? In the last two drives - he made a couple of poor throws, one bad decision not to run for the first down and then fumbles away a chance to win. Coming up short is getting old.
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Eagles D was invisible last night. Thank goodness the Cowgirls didn't decide to pound it with the running game in the first half. D-line no pressure on Romo. The few times they got pressure or flushed him out of the pocket, he threw a pick, overthrew receivers and fumbled in the endzone. Still not convinced he's the guy to get them another ring -but you have to rattle him which the pass rush did not do last nite. (D-Line grade=D+) Where were the Eagles LBs - they look confused in coverage and rarely around the ball at the line of scrimmage on running plays. Stewie needs to go bakc to the play book and study the schemes because he was thinking too much out there last nite and did not react well at all to the ball. Gocong - you have to read then react when playing linebacker! When your on a blitz and the RB assigned to block you lets you by something's up LIKE a SCREEN PASS!!! he was bad last nite. Omar was okay and may be their only impact LB but he has to step up and make plays while the other two are learning (LBs grade=D-). Already talked about the safeties and the CBs played a decent game, shutting T.O. up in the 2nd half (grade C+).
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I agree a little with subsonickharma move Brown to FS Dawk to SS bring shepard back to corner and rotate Mikell keep considine or JR to sub
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You can blame Dawkins miscues on his age and losing a step but what is Stew Bradley's excuse? He is too young? Did Bradleys name get mentioned once last night? And he was supposed to be our new stud MLB? Marion Barber took him to town.
It makes me sick to post this, but I agree. I was wondering who would have the cojones to write an article about it. I really hope that we're all over-reacting this early in the season, and that B-Dawk will come up big the remainder of the season. But if he's flat against the Steelers, JJ is going to have to do something. B-Dawk, we ALL appreciate everything you've done for this team.
I'm not worried about Dawkins. He still has the tools to start for any team. Why would you even fathom Dawk retiring anytime soon. What I can't get past is Why does Considine still have a job on team?? Time and time again he gets beat deep and, he gets run over. CUT HIM! Isn't that why we got rid of Pro Bowler Michael Lewis?? I would much rather have Lewis than Considine.
Three big questions - 1.) Why is Considine still on the team? 2.) Why was Samuel NOT covering T.O everytime? 3.) What happened to the safety's playing over the top? There was no reason to bring Samuel here for the big bucks if Sheldon and Lito continually line up on the opposing teams #1 receiver. If anyone's lost a step - it's Jim Johnson. WAKE UP JIMMY!!
Brian Dawkins is one of the finest people to ever wear the green. Please show this Man the respect he has earned and deserves. It's a young mans game and he is no longer young. He should be the guy the team rallies around to make it happen this year. He has worked to hard and bled too much green to retire without a championship. It’s up to his teammates to allow this great warrior to go out with the ring he deserves.
cut considine! he shouldnt even be playing for the rams!
Typical Philly writer. One bad game and the guy is washed up. Real in depth reporting.
Move Dawkins to linebacker , passrusher. Does Brian D. Flex when he's giving up big pass plays? Cut the flexing ,start covering guys.
Move Dawkins to linebacker , passrusher. Does Brian D. Flex when he's giving up big pass plays? Cut the flexing ,start covering guys.
Move Dawkins to linebacker , passrusher. Does Brian D. Flex when he's giving up big pass plays? Cut the flexing ,start covering guys.
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He's done being the special player that he was with youth but he can still be a contributor. Any time we play an atheletic and talented OL our secondary and LBs will have issues. Especially when they decide to put #37 in when he shouldn't even be on the team. Not to beat a dead horse but #95 should be on the team over #37,period end of story.
guys, guys... its week 2.
i'm more mad Andy Reid didnt challenge the recovered fumble in the endzone.
we could have used that touchdown.
Leave Dawkins in for another year and bring in an upgrade via FA or draft; probably too late to address this year. Cut Considine yesterday - has he ever made a play? Did he remember to grab his jock after watching TO blow past him - he is terrible.
Mikell is such a strong tackler. I wonder if that shuffle of Sheldon Brown to FS would improve anything. Dawk also whiffed on Barber in the first quarter. I hate this too - he's been my favorite Philly athlete since, well, me.
The game is getting faster. As you get older ( slower ) you either play smarter or get beat.Nobody knows this better than Dawk. He's a warrior.But this is his last year before he moves on.
I second cutting Considine!!!!
No more than Sean Consadine.
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Considine must be done too, on that note.D just had a bad game.
Dawk will be back. If a 41-year old can still be the second fastest swimmer in the world (see Dara Torres), I don't see any reason why a 35-year old football player can't run like the wind. I believe.
B-Dawk is my favorite Eagle of all-time...but he is a liability at this point. Move Sheldon Brown to FS and start Lito Sheppard at CB with Samuel
CUT DAWKINS!!!!
cause we'll take him up here in New England :) you morons don't deserve his talents. YOU mean, disloyal SOB's are by far the worst fans in the NFL.
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