Cleaning out his locker Sunday, Brian Dawkins stopped to talk about what he described as “a roller coaster ride” of a season.
“In the middle of that roller coaster ride, there was an up that nobody saw coming from where we started,” Dawkins said. “It was some joy, it was some believing in teammates, it was a character-builder, it was young players growing up, and it did a lot for this team to help us get into the playoffs.”
Dawkins doesn’t buy that the team “backed in” to the postseason.
“No,” he said. “We earned that spot.”
But once the team got there, Dawkins wasn’t able to join his teammates on the field.
After suffering a neck injury against the Chicago Bears, Dawkins missed four of the team’s remaining five games, exiting the one game he played in the first quarter after aggravating the injury.
Dawkins was listed as doubtful for the team’s Divisional round matchup with the New England Patriots, and when Saturday came, he couldn’t suit up.
“It was very disappointing,” he said. “Obviously I want to listen to what the doctors were telling me, and this is what they were telling me, that it’s not ready to go. I would’ve done nobody any good to be on the field and get hurt again and be right back off. Then we also lose a spot for a guy who could actually play that week. It’s very, very frustrating not to be on the football field to help my guys out on the field.
“Lord willing, if we would’ve won this past week, it would’ve taken a move from on high to keep me off the field this coming week if we had passed this last test.”
But Dawkins is left to wonder what if. He won’t let that emotion affect his decision-making as he gets a little time away from the game this offseason.
As he does every year, he’ll work to determine his future plans through prayer.
“Like I always do, where I am in my career, obviously I’ll get down and get in some prayer, get away from the game a little bit and allow the Lord to talk to me and speak to me on what it is He would have me to do next,” he said. “If I decide that I’m listening and He tells me that another year is available for me and the Broncos want me back, then that will be the case.”
Head Coach John Fox said Monday that he told Dawkins, like every other player, to “take a nice, long break.”
“I told them we would do whatever it takes to win the Big Boy Championship and not just the AFC West Championship,” Fox said.
Dawkins said he’s excited about the fight the Broncos showed in 2011.
As for where the team goes from here, he said “it’s up to us.”
He stressed the importance of training in the offseason, and holding firm in the belief in what the Broncos are building in Denver.
“We just laid the foundation, to me, of what we can be as a football team,” he said. “From here, we have to take it and be better next year.”
Tags: Brian Dawkins
And with McCoy gone, it would be clear than Allen is the next man up, so to speak.. Lol
I think a new position just opened up:
Tackling coach… Enter Brian Dawkins??
Well darn it then. Why do both have to have interviews? They just want to confuse me.
I want to see the Harboughs play each other in the SB.
Have any brothers ever played against each other in the big game?
Call me freaking CRAZY, but, if we talked to Hugh Jackson about a potential opening at our OC slot that wouldn’t bother me a bit. I think someone else posted something about this a couple of days ago (IDK?)
Go Broncos!
Pick up Jackson, so we can look like NE! LOL
Pardon me LOL! Hue Jackson from the Raiders!
The Raiders fired Shanny back in the day! Why not bring back that grudge match?
I said it as soon as Jackson was fired … I would take the man as my OC anyday … he has alot of creative plays … utilizes reverses well. Is built on run like John Fox and probably would like to stick it to the raiders twice a year. Some one also mentioned he might be able to bring Michael Bush with him which wouldn’t hurt I suppose. The guy would be fantastic especially looking like McCoy got the job … I dont think mccoy turned down the raiders cuz he is such a bronco at heart … he must truly believe he has a good shot at the Miami job. In which case … we need to talk to hue jackson before he is scooped.
The other natural selection like stated would be our interim headcoach from last year and current RB coach … who lobbied for McGahee. He is rooted in the run, which fox would like, he wants to be a HC … which means he has to graduate from positions coach to Coordinator before the shot at HC ever comes along. The guys love him, These would be the 2 that make sense …. other Rick Dennison would be awesome but I don’t see him leaving Houston anytime soon.
TRB
i think that it is funny that two years in a row that Miami could not get the coach they wanted and have to settle for another choice. That Ireland guy must be a SOB cuz no one wants to work with him.
I would take Hue Jackson in a heart beat.
no one up huh?
so tired but cant sleep, going crazy!! cold darn night here in SoDak!
Bay, this is my final post on this matter, but you can continue to try to get your little digs in all you want, and I see there have been quite a few. It doesn’t faze me, and you’re actually doing a great job of proving my point….so thank you. Truthfully, I expected no less from you, since that’s pretty much your M.O.
Just remember, this blog is for all Broncos fans, and not just for you and the ones YOU think should be allowed to freely express their opinions here without being ridiculed.
Going back into what you called the “woodwork” now, but like hundreds of others, I’ll be watching, as I always do. Go Broncos!
Good Morning!
Wow, some interesting posts I read through this morning……….
I guess I’m a Bay Desciple…………lol
I have never had a problem with him. I respect his opinions even though I don’t always agree, and he has respected mine………and I really appreciate the tidbits of news and articles he brings to the blog……..not to mention the scoring contest.
I wanted McCoy and Allen to stay for continuity, but if the opportunities are there you got to take them. I don’t know if there is anyone better available or not but Hue Jackson can come on over so “he doesn’t have to feel like this again.”
I think Hugh would be a great signing………..if we could get him…………as long as he doesn’t try to trade for carson palmer again! hahaha
Funny enough Hue Jackson says he never tried to trade for Carson Palmer … he was just the medium that knew both parties and could get them to sit down and talk. But he says he was not the mastermind behind the trade.
Im happy that our Coords are getting notice but seriously? We finally get a semi capable staff and in their first year (first for mccoy under John) people are already ready to steal them away …. makes me very mad like the universe is conspiring against us to keep us down. Rich Dennison is the man … he is over there in houston doing great things with the offense and minus us, no one as ever asked him to interview for HC. I guess we are just unlucky
TRB
I think that’s why a lot of HC fail is because they have a spark of success, such as McCoy and Allen and then they take HC and they don’t have that type of success…sounds familiar in some why but I can’t put my finger on it..oh that’s right McD!!!
Mornin Bay! LOL!
I think Hue Jackson all the way if McCoy goes to the Fins. Funny thing is I was talking to a Raiders fan a couple of months ago and I was telling him that as a Bronco fan I’m obligated to HATE the raiders; however, I liked Hue Jackson. I think he would fit our scheme nicely.
Go Broncos 2012!
He is run heavy which is good mesh with Fox. Where they differ? Fox conservative. Hue NOT. I mean, the ammount of fake punts the raiders did this past season was astonishing lol. TRB
Maybe that just what we need! Balance out our Denver Broncos universe. LOL!
he could be the ying to fox’s yang……..or yawn……..same diff lol
Is it September yet? lol!
Thanks killer.
When I saw a self described Bronco fan since the sixties who has never made a single contribution ever on this blog come on here like a hurricane like TRB said and doing nothing but abusing a long time Bronco blogger in an extremely lengthy diatribe with absolutely zero contribution to offer to our Broncos, it was impossible for me to take anyone like that seriously. Like I said prior if someone can’t talk about the good I do I certainly won’t listen to all the bad they claim I do.
It is what it is, people will be people and that includes all their luggage.
For the record anyone who could not see that my last paragraph in the Coop’s blog where I said not to bother to argue with me on my season impressions was meant as a joke, hence my big LOL at the end of it, has got some issues. Overly serious people who don’t even get that blatant type of humor are beyond me. And the grammar, spelling corrections, pleeeeaaaase, I mean this is a blog for fun not Harvard.
Anyhow most of the bloggers who know me here really appreciated my season impression piece, even worded it, and that’s what matters, they get me, they get my typing style, they weren’t offended and I would hope Coop wouldn’t be either.
But to each his own and good luck with your life in whatever it is you do and I just hope one time you can come on here and contribute to our love of the Broncos instead of ranting.
BTW, I only take jabs at bloggers who take some at me, I never instigate or at least I never mean to and if sometime I do it’s because I always tell it like I see it and it often offends people, so be it.
Anyhow, I’m also moving on from all that as always, this was far from the first time I get abused as old time bloggers know and it will not be the last…. Keep it coming, but please bring in a Bronco contribution too, something we can all learn from.
For the record I’m all for Hugh, but no need for me to go there until McCoy is gone.
Krieger echoing some of our thoughts this morning:
Will the Broncos do in 2012 what they did in 2011 — run an offense tailored to Tebow’s unique skill set that would be inappropriate for a conventional NFL quarterback?
If the answer is yes, then the organization must draft an option quarterback in April capable of operating the Tebow-centric offensive scheme in the event Tebow is injured. This would signal that the franchise is all in with the read-option offense, at least for next season.
If the answer is no, then Tebow must develop quickly enough as a pocket passer to master a more conventional offensive scheme that a typical NFL backup would be able to execute.
Let’s be clear, because in the polarized world that surrounds any conversation about Tebow, I can see the misunderstanding now: This is not to blame Tebow’s injuries on the read option. Tebow was injured when hit in the pocket after attempting a pass — a conventional NFL quarterback play.
The point is if he had to come out, for whatever reason, how much of the New England game plan would offensive coordinator Mike McCoy have had to jettison for Brady Quinn ? You’re not running the read option with Quinn; at least, I don’t think you are.
Tebow’s late injuries simply reminds us that he is not indestructible, as he sometimes appeared during the season, taking the hits of both a running back and a quarterback and bouncing back to his feet every time.
It should be a reminder to the Broncos’ front office, if it wasn’t determined to address this issue already, that it’s dangerous to run an offensive scheme only one quarterback on the roster is equipped to execute.
Executive vice president John Elway , a strong runner as a young quarterback himself, said Monday that he relied too much on that ability early in his career. In retrospect, he said, he would have liked to have made the adjustment to playing more from the pocket earlier on.
That suggests his message to Tebow when he works with him this offseason will be this: The sooner you become a proficient pocket passer, the sooner we’ll have a chance to be serious contenders.
So watch the Broncos’ offseason moves at quarterback for clues about the offensive scheme they will employ next season. If they draft an option quarterback, it will indicate they are willing to continue building their offense around a collegiate-style scheme, at least until Tebow is a more accomplished pocket passer.
If they acquire a more conventional backup, whether through the draft or free agency, it will indicate that the read option was a temporary expedience in 2011 and not one likely to be at the center of the team’s game plans in 2012.
That is a good point, we will most likely know by the draft what style O we’re going to use next season.
And thanks to Krieger, this was his farewell article at the DP.
And even Krieger and the DP can’t get their words right, it’s experience dummies, not expedience, haha.
Shaz: Got your BBBP. Good one.
Why is everyone talking about McCoy and Allen leaving? I haven’t heard that McCoy has been hired elsewhere, and nothing about Allen either. I expect these 2 to return next year.
MrElculver
Allen should be staying even tho he interviewed as HC. McCoy on the other hand is on his second interview with Miami today so its very possible he leaves. TRB
Here is an interesting item from Klis.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncosmailbag/ci_19770861
I agree 100% when he said that Tebow needs to use the easy out instead of going for the home run. I don’t know how many times I screamed at the TV screen about him not seeing an open receiver right in front of him. Hopefully this will be something he also works on.
shaz
He is like blind to check downs. He is always trying to make a big play. Ticks me of. Check it down. I gaurantee u if he did his completion percentage would be a whole lot better. Thats what u call padding the stats and all NFL QBs do it. Give it to RB … let him do all the work. Doesn’t matter tho, if he did that … all people would say was that he doesn’t do anything but dump it off and let people do all the work … he sucks. … thats what will be said … and while the man is far from a great passer, he is damned if he do damned if he don’t. But lookng at the big picture, a couple of check downs would have helped this team get more first downs.
Also like how he points out this team was 25th in rushing before Tebow took over. Something people like to overlook and just say McGahee and the running game is the reason. The same running game that was absent the first 5 games … till defenses had to start worrying about who will run the ball … Tebow or McGahee … which resulted in the 1 rushing offense. But no … Tebow had no hand in that. Just McGahee. And im sure it will just be said it took McGahee and the oline a couple of weeks to get into rhytmn … people can say what they want but a awful lotta good things just “MAGICALLY” started happening when the kid took the reigns. He is the catalyst that made this team move this year in my book and if he can develop into a premiere passer, we will be fine … and its possible … the guys just like 24 in his 2nd (well 3rd now) season.
TRB
Well, I think McCoy interviewed for Miami’s HC position…and my gut feeling thinks they’re not going to hire him as their Head Coach. They might, but we’ll see.
If they don’t, then I think he will return.
I hate the revolving doors of offensive and defensive coordinators in the NFL. I know a lot of them have the goal of becoming a Head Coach eventually, but it would be nice if we could have coordinators that stick around for a bunch of years.
Two words…check-down. In several cases the HB was open in the flat with 5-7 yards of real-estate in front of him.
I think if Tebow can get better as a pocket passer that we’ll be fine with him. I mean, if he got us to the divisional round this year and his passing was below-average, then I don’t see why we would go backwards if he improves. He has “it”, and not many other quarterbacks out there have that “it” factor. His leadership and energy are too good for us to just give up on him right now.
Besides, who else are we going to get as a franchise QB? The great QBs will be gone by the time our first draft pick comes around, and there are no Super Bowl-caliber QBs in free agency, so we really don’t have that many options.
I’d really like to see us get a CB that can play opposite of Champ. I know Squid was on IR and Harris seemed to really step up for a undrafted rookie. But Goodman is on a downhill slide and we need someone to play opposite of Champ and ultimately replace him when his time is done.
Knowing the injuries that Tebow sustained in the 3rd qtr. of the Patriots game, if they plan on making him a pocket passer, then they need to concentrate on putting some beef in front and around him to protect him more from these pocket hits.
Btw, it’s for the Raiders HC position that Allen interviewed for yesterday since TRB didn’t clarify that.
Before anyone blasts me, I am not taking away from the fact that our defense as well as specials teams have huge holes needing to be filled also.
My grammar probably isn’t correct, but I am just an old country boy, so live with it, to those checking grammar.
Colts are clearing house:
Colts have begun terminating contracts of other asst. coaches, including DL coach John Teerlinck and defensive assistant Bill Teerlinck.
It’s a family affair over there, first the Pollians now the Teerlinks.
Old South? did you get my BBBP?
it was in the middle of a Long Post, about defensive formations for Shaz…
My BBBP is that Tebow will break the single game passing yardage record in 2012…
Funny… hey Bay… I went to College with Bill Teerlink, his Dad, John use to Coach for the Bronco’s in the late ’90′s…
We both played the same position for our College team…
Payton Manning is next on their list …
And for the Record… he and his father are both SUPER D-BAGS…
In case you were wondering…
Turtle: OOOPPSSS!!! Missed it. Thanks for keeping my heads on straight.
Bay: Just kidding about taking Dawksw retirement as your BBBP.
I missed something what does BBBP mean..Beloved Broncos Bold Prediction..I’m guessing here.