Dawkins wants to return, but only for Broncos

Share

Brian Dawkins is not yet ready to call it a career.

Despite missing all or parts of five games last season with a neck injury, Dawkins says he feels good now and hopes to return for another season with the Denver Broncos.

My health is good, Dawkins said Saturday during an appearance in Pottstown, Pa. The problem I had was a pinched nerve. It needed time (to heal) and during the season, you dont have time. But Ive had a chance to rest up and get my strength back. I feel good.

The former Eagles All-Pro safety is 38 and just completed his 16th NFL season. He would like to continue playing, but he knows there is a possibility the Broncos may release him. If that happens, he said, it would be end of the road. He would not try to catch on with another team, not even the Eagles.

If Im going to play, it is going to be for Denver, Dawkins said. My family is (settled) there. My kids are in school there. I dont want to be away from my family. I want to take my kids to school. When (son) Brian comes home, I want him to have his Dad there to talk to.

If Denver decides they want to move on, I respect that. That will be it.

John Elway, the Broncos vice president of football operations, made it sound as though the team was not expecting Dawkins back. When he spoke at the scouting combine (see story), Elway praised Dawkins for his three seasons in Denver, but as he spoke you could almost see him waving goodbye.

I have not had a chance to talk with Brian to see what his plans are, whether hed like to come back or not, Elway said. Not speaking for him, I know hes probably going through a rough timehaving been a football playerhow hard it is making that decision when youre getting close to the end of your career whether you want to continue to play or not.

Dawkins said he is taking his time and praying on the decision. He is not rushing. At the present time, though, he is preparing as if he hopes to play in 2012.

If Im going to do it, Im going to do it 100 percent, Dawkins said. I just want to make sure Im making the right decision.

Asked if some people have advised him to retire, Dawkins said: Yes, people have said that and its good advice, but at the same time I have to make the decision for me going forward. I know what my body feels like and right now it feels good.

Dawkins missed five games with a neck injury in 2010 in addition to the five games he missed last season. He had the same problem off and on during his time with the Eagles.

It is not what people think, though, Dawkins said. People hear neck injury and they think its the spine. This is a nerve. Its here (the shoulder). It is like what I had before (as an Eagle) except that was on the other side. You lose strength in your arm. You cant lift weights. Now Im working out again and I got my strength back.

Dawkins flew in from Denver on Saturday for a dinner marking the 40th anniversary of Schuylkill Valley Sports, the sporting goods chain that employs him as a spokesman. Some 150 people turned out at the Hope Community Church to hear the nine-time Pro Bowler speak and answer questions.

Not surprisingly, many of the questions focused on his future.

Im taking it year to year, Dawkins said. Im not setting a number, like, Ill play two more years or three more years. If I can go on, Ill go on. If I cant, Ill go on with the rest of my life.

Asked if he would pursue a coaching career when he hangs up the pads, Dawkins said it was unlikely, at least at the NFL level. Again, it was a family issue. Coaches in the NFL work ridiculous hours. Dawkins cant see himself sleeping on a cot in his office.

Dawkins also was asked about Tim Tebow who led the Broncos unlikely run to the AFC West Division title and a playoff upset of Pittsburgh. A youngster in the audience asked about the Te-bow, the end zone celebration pose that was imitated by fans all across the country.

You know what Tebow was doing, right? Dawkins asked.

He was praying, the boy replied.

That was the important thing, Dawkins said. It got people talking about praying.

E-mail Ray Didinger at viewfromthehall@comcast.net

Contact Us