Sad day for Eagles fans. Dawkins to the Broncos...

**San Francisco Cy** · 02-28-2009, 07:37 PM

Brian Dawkins was my favorite Eagles defensive player, and I hate seeing him get away. But, I can't blame him or the Eagles for moving on. He signed for 5 years!! 5 years! He's a 35 y/o safety. The Eagles only were willing to offer him a couple of years. I believe that's about all he has left at the level he has played at.

That leaves safety a mystery for next season, with Considine signing with the Jags and Lito getting traded for a bag of balls. I'm not sure Demps and Mikell are ready to be taking all of the snaps at safety. The only other safeties I see on the market worth looking at are old or injury-prone. I don't know that they are going to be able to pick up an impact safety in the draft either.

I also hate to see Buckhalter leave (also to Denver). It will be interesting to see what they do with Thomas and Runyan at the tackle spots. Both are old and Runyan is having fairly major surgery.

So, with not re-signing Buck, Dawk, and Considine, they have needs at both safeties, probably both tackle positions, running back, and as always receiver. I would like to think with this cap room that they'll make a push for TJ Housh. That would help ease my pain a little. But, this has started out to be a tough off-season!

ps. I know there are maybe only a couple of Eagles fans here, but their message board is a cesspool like ours is right now, so I'd rather get it out here. :-)

**Nedrick** · 02-28-2009, 07:40 PM

I'll share in your misery... Sounds like reconstructive surgery for the whole Eagles team this year! Let's hope they can pull off a good draft!

**laytonz** · 02-28-2009, 07:51 PM

I have been an Eagles fan for almost my whole life and it is hard to remember the Eagles without Dawkins. This is shaping up to be one long offseason

**LeBron** · 02-28-2009, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by AnkenyCy24

Brian Dawkins was my favorite Eagles defensive player, and I hate seeing him get away. But, I can't blame him or the Eagles for moving on. He signed for 5 years!! 5 years! He's a 35 y/o safety. The Eagles only were willing to offer him a couple of years. I believe that's about all he has left at the level he has played at.

That leaves safety a mystery for next season, with Considine signing with the Jags and Lito getting traded for a bag of balls. I'm not sure Demps and Mikell are ready to be taking all of the snaps at safety. The only other safeties I see on the market worth looking at are old or injury-prone. I don't know that they are going to be able to pick up an impact safety in the draft either.

I also hate to see Buckhalter leave (also to Denver). It will be interesting to see what they do with Thomas and Runyan at the tackle spots. Both are old and Runyan is having fairly major surgery.

So, with not re-signing Buck, Dawk, and Considine, they have needs at both safeties, probably both tackle positions, running back, and as always receiver. I would like to think with this cap room that they'll make a push for TJ Housh. That would help ease my pain a little. But, this has started out to be a tough off-season!

ps. I know there are maybe only a couple of Eagles fans here, but their message board is a cesspool like ours is right now, so I'd rather get it out here. :-)

O RLY?

**CycloneRulzzz** · 02-28-2009, 08:19 PM

As a Bronco fan I'm loving these moves.

**cycloneman003** · 02-28-2009, 09:59 PM

Agree with CyclonesRulzzz.... thanks for Dawkins and Buckhalter!

**Cylink** · 02-28-2009, 10:32 PM

Also a life long Eagles fan. It leaves a big leadership hole on the defense. Losing Trotter and now Dawkins, who is going to step up as the leader of the defense? Considine was never going to be more than a backup level safety and was smart to get a good deal and a chance to start while he could. Agree that there is not much in free agency so I expect them to draft one in the first couple of rounds since they do have two first round picks.

**San Francisco Cy** · 03-01-2009, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Cylink

Also a life long Eagles fan. It leaves a big leadership hole on the defense. Losing Trotter and now Dawkins, who is going to step up as the leader of the defense? Considine was never going to be more than a backup level safety and was smart to get a good deal and a chance to start while he could. Agree that there is not much in free agency so I expect them to draft one in the first couple of rounds since they do have two first round picks.

Hopefully they can draft like they did in 2002, when they got Lito, Michael Lewis, Sheldon Brown, and Westbrook in the first 3 rounds. I remember thinking they were crazy that year for drafting two DB's when they currently had two of the best in the league (Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor). Two years later, all four guys were starting, and three of them were pro bowlers.

I'm starting to get my hopes up that they pick up Housh, even with his baggage. He could be the final piece to the offense for this season. And then draft defense and OL to build for the future...

**mwitt** · 03-01-2009, 06:15 PM

The Broncos must really like having strong safeties who are older and aren't as good as they used to be.

**LeSchmick** · 03-01-2009, 06:38 PM

Who cares? Go Cowboys!

**TitanClone** · 03-01-2009, 06:47 PM

The Broncos got a good player, sadly.

I just can't believe that they were dumb enough to give him a 5 year deal. He's 35 and past his prime.

**San Francisco Cy** · 03-01-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

The Broncos must really like having strong safeties who are older and aren't as good as they used to be.

I don't think that could be true of Dawkins now. He was a pro bowler this past year for the 7th time, and really doesn't look like he's missed a beat. However, I don't think the same will be said a couple years from now.

**mwitt** · 03-01-2009, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by AnkenyCy24

I don't think that could be true of Dawkins now. He was a pro bowler this past year for the 7th time, and really doesn't look like he's missed a beat. However, I don't think the same will be said a couple years from now.

That was my point. He'll probably be cut by then, but cutting a player in the NFL isn't free, either.