Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

[FRESH]

I heard Reid talk about Brown being the one leading the defense last Thursday, and then there is THIS follow up piece:

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/ ... y_id=16821


Does it seem to anyone else that the Eagles are making a preemptive strike towards possible negative public opnion for when they DON'T offer Dawkins a new contract? I thought so when I heard Reid, and even moreso now that i see the follow up on teh Eagles site.

[Vote for Kalas]

Re: Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

Personally and emotionally, I would like the Eagles to give Dawk 1 more year and have him ride into the sunset having played for no one else and make him a coach.

But, objectively, Dawk's play has become less consistent. He still has games where he looks 25 and is killing folks, but most of my memories of him the last 2 years are WR/TE catching TD or making long plays on him or RB breaking his tackles. Teams are starting to target him and that never happened before; they used to avoid him like the plague.

As a leader, Dawk is still the man on defense, but when one's play dips it is harder to rally the troops. Brown has the same approach and attitude as Dawk and is still playing at a consistent high level.

I think its probably just coincidence and Reid/Eagles giving Brown props...if I remember correctly Brown was a bit ruffled when Samuel was signed as well, a bit ruffled when Lito was kicked to the curb and a bit ruffled when JJ mused about having Will James compete for his spot. It may actually be a sign the Eagles are prepared to discuss another extension with Brown so they have Brown/Samuel for years to come.

[FRESH]

Re: Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

Well, I would hope they WOULD look at extending Brown as he is our best corner (yes, I said best). But I see no reason not to keep Dawk around for another year at least, say a 2 year deal where they can cut ties after on e year without taking a bath. Let him help groom Demps and another safety that should be drafted this year. THEN you give Dawk a job. Secondary coach, special assistant, what ever you want to call it. And you keep him a part of this franchise as long as he is willing.

IMO, Dawkins means THAT much to the organization, and my and many others identity with the organization. Don't disrespect him going out the door or you will have a ravenous bunch of pissed off Eagles' fans lloking for blood. If Dawk comes out and says he is going to retire, then fine. But it is important this eventual transition goes smoothly. I don't know of a finer representative of the Eagles in the many years I have followed the team. This one you treat special, and you bend the conventional practivces if need be.

[NoDakIggle]

Re: Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

Just playing devil's advocate here but.... are you (or any fan actually) willing to see Dawk ride the bench? If not, how long do you wait for him to retire? He looked real good the other night but that hasn't been the rule of thumb this year. Myself, I think he has lost a step (and thought he probably did going into the year). If he beats out his comp then I am all for him being there. But he should be held to the comp like everyone else.
I am also all for them offering him a position in the org. Not necessarily coaching but something that he has a talent for.

[FRESH]

Re: Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

See him ride the bench? Yes, if he is identifiably hurting us with his play. I supported McNabb being benched, and yet supported him getting a chance to start last week. No one is exempt from being acountable for their play.

[balto-eaglefan]

Re: Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

I think that, in the past, some guys like Otis Smith were hired as "coaching interns" or "professional consultants" or some such thing before they were officially announced as assistant coaches.

Hell, I think that next week he'll tie Harold Carmichael's record for games played as an Eagle, and then break that record when we play Cleveland....if anybody deserves a soft landing and graceful exit from the field, it's this guy. It'd be great to see him as a coach. But for staying here, I have to imagine that his role would need to start changing in some way. Not that I want to see him getting a lot of second-string time, and it'd seem wrong for him to play anywhere other than here......I know that Rod Woodson ended his career at safety after many years in the NFL, but I have a hard time seeing Dawk playing more than another two years.

[ThoughtProcess]

Re: Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

I heard Reid talk about Brown being the one leading the defense last Thursday, and then there is THIS follow up piece:

http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/ ... y_id=16821


Does it seem to anyone else that the Eagles are making a preemptive strike towards possible negative public opnion for when they DON'T offer Dawkins a new contract? I thought so when I heard Reid, and even moreso now that i see the follow up on teh Eagles site.

That article sounds to me to be the first move toward preparing the team and the public for Dawkins' eventual departure from the active playing ranks. I could be reading too much into it, but why mention Dawkins and the "passing of the leadership torch" in an article if your sole intent is to praise Brown? I do hope that Dawkins remains with the team in some capacity. Starter (?), reserve, or as a coaching intern. (Hey, if Otis Smith and Mike Caldwell can do it at Novacare...)To see him in another teams colors would seem wrong.

[FRESH]

Re: Paving the way for Dawkins departure??

TP, also...why make that mention right after Dawkins played a tremendous game? I got that same vibe.