|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Philly Inquirer CNN World Papers Action News | VH1 MTV HAL Food Network |
Share |
|
Farewell to B Dawk The birds were chirping all day and now the word is final. Asante Samuel, who had 23 of his 45 career interceptions in an Eagles uniform, was dealt to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a seventh-round pick. Samuel had two years left on his contract with the Birds, set to earn $9.9 million next season and $11.4 million in 2013. He's 31 years old and the Eagles front office doesn't think a man that mature is worth the previously agreed to price tag. This isn't new or erratic behavior from the Eagles. One m an comes to mind when I envision Samuel pumping up the crowd in the Georgia Dome. Brian Dawkins retired from the NFL two days ago and his exit from Phill y rang all the same bells as the Samuel trade. Dawkins, who epitomized what it means to be an Eagle and is just as much an icon as Swoop , was 35 when he had to sign with Denver, which only further proves that if you're signed with the Eagles and cross th e 30-yard line (so to speak) , you are NOT safe. But I'd like to fill the rest of this space with the latter of the two aforementioned defensive backs. The morning Dawkins tweeted his retirement, Michael Barkann and Rob Ellis were on 94WIP asking listeners who was the greatest Philadelphia athlete of the last 20 years (since Reggie White). Allen Iverson immediately raced to the front of my mind like a gag reflex. AI has always been my favorite athlete ever. (I share that sentence with thousands of other 18-2 4 year olds who grew up in , or around the city.) That would make Dawkins a too-close-to-call second. The more I think about it the more similar I realize the two are. H ow they each captivated the city and held the crowd in the palm of his hand. When they took the field, or court, they played with a fearless swagger that was unmatched by any opponent and could not be measured on a stat sheet. Dawkins made quarterbacks flinch when he sprinted up to the edge before the snap, making it clear that Weapon X was coming, airborne and spread eagle. Be it Iverson's armbands and tattoos or Dawkins' black visor and pulsating veins, either way, you had to be there. If you weren't then you can't possibly grasp how quick Iverson was with a basketball, or how loud a “crunch” it was when Dawkins caught a tight end trying to convert a third down over the middle. (Every night before he goes to sleep, Alge Crumpler still checks his closet and under his bed for Wolverine.) Luckily for Dawkins, his story appears to have a happier ending than all the questions facing the Answer nowadays. B-Dawk will probably be Rev. B-Dawk before this get posted and Eagles fans are no longer counting down to the beginning of the season, but instead to the game on September 30 when Dawkins will be honored in all his JACKED-UP glory. Personally, I'm counting down to a day five years from now and a trip my father and I planned around the time Dawkins picked off that deep Brett Favre pass in the 2004 playoffs. It will be my first time in Canton, Ohio, and I'm very much looking forward to it. His speech will be well mannered, modest and composed, much like the man. The only thing I'll be thinking about, however, is that deranged lunatic who emerged once a week from a tunnel of smog. Brian Dawkins makes me proud to be an Eagles fan. He's the reason I love football. Thankfully, he's going out the right way, in Kelly green.
Justin Boylan can be reached at justin.boylan@temple.edu
Justin Boylan can be reached at justin.boylan@temple.edu
Jules talks with Brent Celek 6-5-10 Jules: Brent thanks for taking the time to sit down with me here at ITE. I'm excited to have you the opportunity to talk to you. Brent: Thank you for having me, I appreciate it. JULES: Having been born and raised in Cincinnati how have you adjusted to Philly life and how do you like it? Do you go back to your hometown in the off-season? Brent: I like it a lot more. There is a lot more going on in the city as opposed to the suburbs. I do go back to my hometown to visit my family in the off-season. JULES: I'm sure you have tried out a few cheese steak places here. Any favorite? Brent: Jim's is definitely my favorite, Jules. JULES: Nice, ok that's enough of the warm up conversation; let's talk some football because that is what the fans care about most. And of course the biggest change is at the QB position and that not only affects the team but you. What kind of relationship do you have with Kevin? What kind of adjustments to your game do you think you will have to make? Brent: I have a good relationship with Kevin. We came to the team in the same draft class. When neither of us were starting we had a lot of time to work and practice together which I feel has given us enough chemistry to where I won't have too many adjustments to make come game time. JULES: Do you think your role on the field will change in any way? More or less balls thrown your way? Brent: If Coach Reid and Coach Mornhinweg think that it will help us win games then I will see more balls thrown my way. JULES: I realize that losing Donovan was a big change for the team but how do you think the team will adjust to the loss of McNabb and do you think the Eagles will continue to be successful? Brent: Of course I think that we will be successful. Don was a great player and he will be missed but the assumption that we cannot be successful without him is motivation for us. JULES: The Eagles are a very young team now. How do you feel being part of a younger group of guys? Do you see yourself taking on more of a Leadership role with this team? Brent: It feels good because the future is ours. I definitely want to be a leader. I hope to be the type of player and person the new guys can count on for guidance on and off the field. JULES: Brent, the fans love the intensity you bring with your game, do you have any personal goals for the new season? Brent: My personal goal is to help my team reach our goal of winning the Superbowl. JULES: What would any interview be without mentioning the Captain Morgan celebration pose? I think all of the fans really liked it, are you working on some new material for the upcoming season. Obviously, one that won't get you fined by the league or a penalty. Brent: I have a couple of legal but hopefully still entertaining things in mind, keep an eye out. JULES: Brent, you have been a great sport, as we wrap up here can you give me a juicy controversial quote that will make ITE get some big time exposure? Just kidding. But one last question. What do think of passion of the Philly fans? Brent: I have never seen anything like it. The passion that the Philly fans have only adds the passion we have as players. JULES: Thanks for sitting with me and giving me some of your time. Good luck in the upcoming season. Brent: My pleasure. Thank you very much. You can follow Brent on Twitter @BrentCelek or on Facebook too.
|
Join us on
Shop Eagles gear
|
