Dawkins deal not final with Denver

The news was almost as devastating as one of the many Eagles NFC Championship game losses.

A report out of the SF Chronical yesterday reported that Brian Dawkins had signed with the Denver Broncos.

Dawkins, a 13 year vet with the Birds, has been the heart and soul of the team for years.

Emotions upon hearing the news were rough - sadness, disappointment, anger, frustration.

But wait, a deal might not be done yet.

It's hard to know what to believe as some sites are reporting it is a done deal. However, there has been nothing official released to this point.

There is still hope he might return to the Eagles.

Prior to fee agency a deal seemed certain. Dawkins said he wanted to return and Andy Reid said he expected the safety to return.

How the Eagles have not gotten a deal done is beyond me.

Reports say the Eagles offered Dawkins a one year deal and will not budge from that. Denver is offering two.

Historically, the Eagles will not re-sign older players due to a decline in their level of play.

This has to be an exception.

Although he has lost a step, Dawkins made the pro-bowl this year. And nore importantly, he is the teams leader.

I never in a million year's thought I would see the day where he was not in Eagles midnight green. Yesterday, I thought that was a reality and the feeling was terrible. I woke up this morning and it was the first thing I thought about.

There is still a good chance a deal gets done with Denver.

But there is hope. I'll hang on to that for now.

Is NFL offseason as exciting as the regular season?

One of the best part of fantasy football is the draft, when everyone wonders who will hit the jackpot and pick up the names. As teams begin to come together, everyone is searching for the diamond in the rough - a player who may not be a key name but is due for a breakout year. The wondering and curiosity of how your team will shape up is both exhilirating and thought consuming.

The same can be said for an NFL offseason.

What positions will the team address? What free agents will they go after? Will they make a quick move in free agency? Who will be there when they draft? What college player can have an imediate impact on the team?

Ever since the Eagles season ended with a heartbreaking loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game, my focus has been on next year.

My mind has been racing about who the Eagles might target in free agency and the draft. I have constantly been searching around the internet reading rumors, predictions, mock drafts, and other peoples opinions.

It's pure excitement. I can hardly take the mystery.

February 27th, hurry up and get here!

So many questions, so little answers.

Will the Eagles go after a big name receiver like TJ Houshmanzadeh or could Anquan Boldin be available via trade? Or will the Eagles not add a big name receiver, the route they have typically taken. Could they trade for Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez. Could they lure offensive lineman Jorgan Gross or defensive lineman Julius Peppers from the Carolina Panthers?

What about their own guys? Will they bring back Brian Dawkins, Jon Runyan, or Tra Thomas? If not, who replaces them?

How will they draft the need for another running back? What about Lito Sheppard?

Will they give Donovan McNabb an extension?

And what about the draft - will they keep their two first round picks? Who will they draft? Will they draft for now or the future?

So many questions, so little answers. The truth of the matter is that nobody really knows what is going to happen. We can guess but not of us really know who will have the franchise tag slapped on them or who will still be on the board when the Eagles draft.

The Eagles brass has an idea of what they want to do. Unfortunately for the fans, they are really good at keeping that a secret.

But hey, we can still ponder what might be.

In some ways, this wonder and mystery is just as exciting as the regular season.