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
No fair, I’m out then, LOL.
seweatherman, you are righ tin that assesment … if u read shaz article u will see it said there as well. We are would love to be what the 49ers are … difference is that thier defense is WAY better … and I guess QB play too but once again … it toook Alex Smith what? 6 yrs? But the strong D and Run game is what fox aims for that the 9ers have. We have a few good defensive pieces but most of our guys are cast offs and would be nothign more than back ups on other teams minus guys like Doom, DJ, Champ, Von and the emerging Ayers.
Another thing about Goodman is that it may not necesserily be his fault. On that deep ball he got beat before the end of the half, he had tight coverage (WR got away with a bit of a push) … the problem for Goodman is he is no champ. he cannot survive on an island by him self … especially not agaisnt Bradies pin poin accuracy. Since he has been here, we have had shoddy Safety play. Dawk has mainly been run support and our FS have flat out sucked. On that same goodman play … we had 2 bums at safety at the time … I believe Rahim Moore and Bush (QC and Bruton were out) … they both bit on the inside, (probably because they had been getting owned by the Tight ends all day) …. instead of 1 of them helping Goodman along the side line. Its such a split second decision but really good experienced instinctual Safeties can sniff it out. And its usually a understanding that its better to give up few yards … than a home run hit. So Good man maybe bad … but Safety is such a KEY position … look at the pitsburgh steelers without FS Ryan Clark … the supposed 1 pass D was completely crippled without his Deep coverage. Safety is a major position.
TRB
I personally believe that if this team wants to be good next year … especially on D … Champ has to move to free safety. Which would mean we would have to draft a CB … but we need to anyway. We will lose champ as a CB but we will gain so much more in his safety play. For one he is experienced. Also he has great instincts. His coverage skills and ability to read plays are great as well. Also another quality of a safety is to be the safety net. The last line of defense … which means u MUST KNOW HOW TO TACKLED … VERY WELL. Champ may not lay a big hit but he will wrap up your legs. Not unless Rahim improves vastly, Champ needs to move to FS and QC and Bruton can play SS. QC is coming along … more at the FS position that at the SS position and if he does … then I supposed Champ may not be needed for FS … but the goal was to draft Rahim for FS and QC for SS.
Thats the other thing about them. Rahim Moore runs somewhere in the 4.5s … QC in the 4.6 … no closing or recovery speed whatsoever …. for SS not as important but for FS … very important.
TRB
Actually Bay, the usage of expedient is correct, as in appropriate to a purpose, or advantageous to a situation. The DP had it right all along, but as you said up thread, this is not a blog for Harvard. The irony is rich.
Furthermore, my apologies for making my first post here all about you instead of the Broncos. As you’ve said yourself, and I quote, “it’s because I always tell it like I see it and it often offends people, so be it.” Well, sometimes I’m inclined to do the same, so it works both ways.
Nonetheless, the bottom line is most of the people here are diehard Broncos fans, and we all want the team to be successful, although some seem to think they have the blueprint for accomplishing that, while others support the decisions of the organization, coaches and team. I lean toward the latter, and that’s mainly the reason I don’t chime in on the conversations. However, I completely understand the need for some fans to voice their criticism or praise with other fans, and for the most part, I get as much amusement out of some of the comments as I do the blog article. Sometimes though, this particular blog gets a bit one sided and almost reads like the comments section of The Denver Post, which to me, gets quite disgusting with the boundless negativity about the team, coaches, and the players.
Again, my apology to all of you regulars for disrupting this thread.
I will say this. If I have not learned anything else this past season it is the one fact that I continually heard no matter where I looked or listened. That is that good defense wins championships. Although it has been discussed on this blog, as well as by every analyst across the nation and probably the world, our defense was lights out after the change was made at qb. Without their play to help win those games we would be looking at a much higher draft pick than what we currently are. We would not be looking at the “what ifs” about Tebow or for that matter, we would not even be having any discussion about Tebow because he would not be here.
I do understand why Elway said last year that this was going to be a 4 to 5 year process, but what I don’t understand is that if this rebuilding is a 4 to 5 year process then why was Tebow just game to game being a rookie this year. I know it wads officially his 2nd year, but his 1st year to me didn’t count because he only had 3 games experience. Same philosophy goes for any other rookie we acquired last year. I have not seen any rookie give his full potential in his 1st year, so why is it that ours are expected to do this?
I see that, the Krieger thing could of gone each way, thanks for your positive input this time around.
Or either way if that’s more proper.
Elway seams to be WAY AHEAD of us when it comes to building a Championship Franchise…
I have chronicled some of his Moves that he made while in the Front Office of His Football team (???) the CRUSH from the Arena League… but here is something that bares repeating…
Elway’s best move with the Crush was to Trade for a Coach… so it should make you all feel good that his First move here was to HAND Pick his coach…
Elway played long enough to know exactly what got him to where he was going… We got Foxxy for his Defensive mind, and Denver Fans have all but forgot Defense was actually a part of the Game after the last twenty years of Shanny and Mc D…
Elway and Co. will build a great team here, make no mistake about it… He was the Best… BEST! and it kills him to lose…
Bright Days Ahead Friends…
VON TEBOW FOOTBALL!!! Elway Style!
Yeah, last year the air used to be ranked at mile high now it’s like a total breath of fresh air.
Last year meaning while McD was still on the sidelines of course.
rank, I really should go to Harvard….
The Miami Herald reported that McCoy has withdrawn himself from consideration for the head-coaching position in Oakland because he considers himself the front-runner to land the top job in Miami.
Im sure Marshall is lobbying for him.
TRB
Brian: Since I predicted the correct season record and won the score prediction contest I felt it appropriate that I give Bay some time off.
The BBBP (Bold Bronco Blog Predictions) is quite simple and in two phases. Phase one is from now until Bays Draft prediction contest starts. Phase two is from the end of that contect until the start of season record prediction contest.
Two simple rules:
1) The prediction must be about a specific player either currently on the team or somebody you expect to become a Bronco.
2) You can make 2 BBBP’s each phase.
During the season I’ll repost a few BBBP’s from time to time. At the end of the season I’lll post some of the good, bad and ugly.
A BBBP would be something like Raheem will lead the Broncos in tackles in 2012.
Hope you’ll like to get in the fun.
We all knew he withdrew from oakland and I suspected it was because he thought he was gonna get miami job … but i never knew reports say he believes himself to be the front runner … interesting.
TRB
I’m pretty po’d at McCoy and Allen for interviewing for HC jobs while they should have been preparing for a playoff game!
Why would Elway let his coaches interview while they were still playing football. I thought the defensive gameplan was crap in NE and it was all Allens fault for being distracted!
I would FIRE Allen and McCoy wither or not they get a HC job! Didn’t they woth sign contracts when they came to work here just six months ago?!!!!
FIRE ALLEN!!!!!!!
FIRE MCCOY!!!!!!!
COUPLE LOSERS!!!
I HOPE THEY BOTH END UP BEING RAIDER SCUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TRB,
Id like to think that McCoy withdrew from consideration knowing how difficult the task will be. 1st its the Raiders, lol. 2nd, who would want to be HC with an aging/past his prime QB? 3rd, how can you build a team in your vision when your first draft as HC wont start until the 5th round? 4th…its the raiders…ick FTR
And we thought we have problems at our QB position? That pales in comparison
Broncos Country Strong 2012!
LOL OC…
Wow pretty Brutal OC. I dont blame em. Wasn because of the interviews. On offense McCoy has always been inconsisten t and on defense the players didnt execute properly enough. As Mike Klis said, McDaniels might have hurt our O more than we think. Like was said in the game they had never seen so many negative plays. As McD sat in the booth and watched teh Oline. 2 members who he drafted. Especially the one handing of the Ball. Thats Klis theory at least. And that was Greatness007 theory as well right after the game. They say Shanahan switched mid season … thats fine … midseason … but post season … not cool and i dont think it should be allowed.
Sndvl,
unattractive position indeed. Looks like the new GM is a micro manager. Oakland hasn’t been a desired destination for a while. They have an aging QB. And They would have no first round pick this year or next year. Heck I think the raiders first pick this year is in the 5th round or something crazy like that. Which Coach wants to walk into that nightmare situation. They will literally be inheriting a Team … not building one.
TRB
oldsouth………..here’s my BBBP.
Now that black cloud of McD is gone and a new regime has full control, Peyton Hillis decides to return to the Broncos and has over 1350 all purpose yards next season.
It could be a lot simpler than that.
McD may have withdrawn from the Raiders not to compete with Allen for the same job.
I meant McCoy obviously.
BTW OC, I don’t believe either Allen nor McCoy interviewed with any team prior to our final playoff game, rather the organization was simply asked permission to interview them as soon as we’de be out of the playoffs, just clariffying for the sake of fairness to these guys.
And if they are that good it would be up to Mr Bowlen to give them enough incentive money wise to keep them here, it’s been done before, assistant coaches asked to become HCs somewhere else and turning it down saying they are very happy where they are, I just think your anger is misplaced.
Take it for what you paid for it…
PLAN B
The Broncos are prepared for Mike McCoy’s departure
By Brandon Spano
The Broncos have requested to speak with Colorado Buffaloes assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer. Multiple sources have told me that if McCoy does in fact leave the Broncos, Scherer is a 100 percent lock to join the Broncos staff. In fact, the Buffs have actively been seeking out replacements for what seems to be a vacant quarterback coaching position in 2012. The talk inside the Buffaloes facility is that Scherer will take over as the offensive coordinator of the Broncos in 2012 if McCoy is no longer on the staff.
as soon as we’d be out of the playoffs, just clarifying…
Oh no…. The Buffaloes have been bottom of the basement in the big 12 for years now… but I can see where they come from, he would be cheap… money, money, money….
Killerkod….
that would be amazing! Tebow, Hillis Willis…
Broncos Country Strong 2012!
(and with a backfield like that, it may just be the answer to all the monster TEs)
I’m assuming our organization is pretty cash strapped right now, eh? Prob won’t see much in the way of FA signings.
Wouldnt it make more sense to promote from within?
I cant imagine after a home playoff win, and the mania that is Tebow, the organization would be cash strapped….
Bay you could be right about not competing for the same job.
scherer?!?!? who the crap … if we are gonan go to the colelge ranks at least get a Options Guru or something. So far Bays endorsement (or should i say lack there of) doesn’t make me happy for the scherer future. I might want McCoy to stay afterwards … just when u don’t think u can get worse. HUE JACKSON … HUE!!!! darn it … always about the money. I would take Studes over Scherer at least he already has respect of the lockerroom.
snvl … I hear that .. Tebow alone has probably brought them more money in this past year than in a long time, between his sales, the spike in tickets bought, the magical runs … dunno if they get love for ratings … and not to mention the playoffs … I guess “strapped for cash” is relative.
TRB
Last year, the broncos were plus 20 mil under cap but according to X, spent 98% of the cash budget.
So, unless I’m missing something the Broncos are either poor and had no cash or were unwilling to spend the money for some reason.
did Studes call the plays when he was interim?
I’m not going to go into the money thing with the organization right now, I’ve been insulted enough as is, LOL.
Starting TT took a hit on the books as well, did it not?
killerkod, would not mind having Hillis back. He was a favorite of mine. I was so mad when he got traded.
Been out of commission with the stomach flu the past 2 days, so for whatever it is worth I thought I would offer my opinions on random topics:
– Don’t know if McCoy leaves, but if he does I just want our next OC to work wonders haha. Get our TE’s involved and mix things up on first down.
– I still believe in Tebow, and I think an offseason with Elway coaching him up will be good for him. I think Tebow deserves more than one season of games to develop and show progress. Alex Smith got 6 years. Even JaMarcus Russel got 2-3 and he was lazy. I understand some people don’t like Tim, but give the kid a chance to develop. If next season tanks, then perhaps then we can talk a new QB. In the meantime, draft talent around Tebow to help him along. If he doesn’t make it, then at least we will already have the new talent on offense to help out a new QB if it comes to that.
– Need help on defense. LOVE the idea of moving Champ to FS and drafting a new CB. Perhaps we could trade up since we have a lot of picks in this upcoming draft. (At least I think we should? Anybody have our full list of picks?)
– DT. Surely nobody believes Fox is going to continue to ignore that position? I think we pick up a big one in the draft.
– LB, Williams and Miller are great on the outside. Mays was slipping late in the season. Unless Irving is going to pan out, we need a monster at MLB.
– Prater and Colquitt are going to become the premier K/P combo in the league. Both have big legs, and are clutch.
– RB help is a must. Love McGahee, but he can’t do it by himself. Either get JJ more involved, or go after a big/fast RB in the draft. Or like many have said, go after Bush from Oak.
– We need depth at WR as well. And I mean quality depth. DT, Decker, Royal, and Willis is all we had after trading Lloyd. DT runs a limited amount of routes, Royal is small and drops a lot (more of a returner than a receiver), Decker was dropping a lot, and Willis “has potential” (for like 3 years now) but is seldom used.
– TE. Julius was a playmaker in training camp, and was inactive like all year. What? Surely he was better than Rosario?
– Some people think we are going all in with the option. No way. I still believe we only used it as a temporary fix to hide Tebow’s flaws in the passing game and to win while they tried to help Tebow progress. I think the offseason is used to transform Tebow from a RB who throws into a Pocket Passer who can run. However, I do see them keeping parts of the option to boost the running game. McGahee is awesome, but we became the number 1 rushing offense because of Tebow and the option. But like I said, no way do we stick with the option full time. If we do that, then this time next year we will still be arguing Tebow’s ability to become a pocket passer.
– DA, stay a Bronco. We need stability at DC and we made a lot of progress with DA.
All in all. I just want the Broncos to be great again. And I believe we can be. I don’t care about the past. Just give me a promising future.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!
Rip Scherer is in his first year as the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach, joining CU on January 24, 2011 as the final hire by Jon Embree to complete his first staff. Scherer returned to the college ranks after spending six seasons in the National Football League with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns and in all has 32 years of full-time coaching experience, 26 at the college level.
Scherer, 59, worked the past two seasons (2009-10) for the Carolina Panthers, where he was the quarterbacks coach after spending the previous four seasons (2005-08) with the Cleveland Browns. Prior to that, he had logged time at 11 different schools from coast to coast in just over three decades in the collegiate ranks.
At Carolina, Scherer was integral in the development of Matt Moore, who led the Panthers to a 4-1 record starting the last five games of the 2009 season and generating a 104.9 quarterback rating after veteran Jake Delhomme sustained an injury. With injuries taking their toll on the 2010 stable of quarterbacks, Scherer and the Panthers used four different quarterbacks under center throughout the season.
of course panther ties. TRB
Good point.
Spano reports that some in the Buffs’ crowd believe Scherer would be named the new Broncos offensive coordinator. However, other sources close to the Broncos believe current quarterbacks coach Adam Gase would be promoted to the fill position. What is certain, according to Spano, is that the team has already asked for permission to interview Scherer.
Scherer joined Jon Embree’s staff at Colorado last January while working with John Fox and the Carolina Panthers before that.
From QB coach to OC is some scary stuff though, specially with your resume being teaching QBs in Cleveland and Carolina, can’t be a more inadequate bunch of QBs there…
They’ll go the inexpensive route I’m sure, no Hugh Jackson for certain.
seems gase is a possibility as well … but panther ties might beat him out. Poor studs.
Altho for once I would like us to look like we are trying. Go after a real OC like Hue Jackson … but noooooo. Just promote from within or get cheap college dude … sigh … at least lets hope this doesn’t turn into another Don ‘wink’ martindale situation.
TRB
I hate to see where we’d turn if we have to replace Allen…
yikes lets not even think about that. i would hope we would turn to another team for that position lol
and also .. the tebow situation might not be appealing to outside OCs
Double yikes! Be careful TRB you are just about to cross the line, LOL.
Oldsouth, Here is my prediction. I predict that Royal is traded and Willis leads the Broncos in receptions.
would jon gruden ever consider being an OC I wonder? I’d bet he’d love to work with TT. Just throwing it out there………..he’d prob want HC or nuthin………