Dawk Talks the Talk...

…And walks the walk. B. Dawk thinks the Eagles are a Super Bowl-caliber team….If – the big if with any NFL team, really – if they can stay healthy.

The media focused on Jeff Garcia’s capable stewardship of the Eagles offense during the 2006 late season push. But lost amid that feel good story was #20’s play. The all-world and half of fame safety stepped it up and practically by sheer force of will improved the defense and made critical plays that helped decide games (i.e., forcing a Giants fumble and intercepting Romo in Dallas to name two). Indeed, the News Journal neatly summarizes the one man wrecking crew Dawkins was last year. “Over the last five games, Dawkins registered two double-digit tackle games -- including 16 against the Giants at the Meadowlands -- picked off three passes, forced two fumbles and sacked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell on a critical third down to prevent a go-ahead touchdown as the Eagles went 5-0 to rebound from 5-6 and win the NFC East.” The article also gives props to Lito Sheppard whose play also was decisive, but notes that neither were really a factor in the Saints playoff loss. (the article does not note that Sheppard did not play due to an ankle injury.)

Interestingly, this is the first article I’ve seen that references the “personal issues” for which Andy Reid has excused Dawk from off-season activities. His wife gave birth to premature twin girls.