Days after calling a players only meeting to clear frustrations after four straight losses including a blow-out loss to the San Diego Chargers, Brian Dawkins turned in a defensive performance that had to have Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles wondering how they could have let him sign with the Denver Broncos this past off-season. The Broncos came away with a huge 26-6 win on turkey day over the New York Giants and Dawkins played a lights out game. Dawkins has instilled a toughness physically and mentally in the Broncos team, something they had lacked in recent years and the 36 year old safety is proving that Wolverine never ages and he has what it takes to keep playing in the NFL for a long time.
Dawkins has 79 total tackles through 11 games so far this season, which is just two behind the team leader D.J. Williams. Of those tackles 64 have been solo which leads the team in the category. Dawkins has continually been able to blow up plays in the back field and stuff opposing running backs.
What Weapon X or Wolverine, as he goes by on the field, brings to the field is his intensity and do-or-die mentality. Countless times in the Broncos wins he is able to rally the team around him when it seems like the Broncos defense may start to slip. Whether he makes a big play or a huge hit on the field or brings his team around him on the sideline to instill some confidence and determination in their minds, he is doing what it takes to make the defense competitive. The on-field ferocity he demonstrates can be clearly seen week in and week out when he closes in on a defender near the sideline. While wrapping up on a tackle you can see him drop a crushing elbow right in the center of the ball carriers back to make certain that the opposing player not only does not gain any more yards but that they also remember the hit the rest of the game. It has become as much of a trade mark in the games as his pre-game pump up speeches for the team that seems to add some excitement to the squad that they were lacking the last few years, especially on defense.
While Josh McDaniels has also done a great deal of work in instilling a new attitude and excitement to the entire team on and off the field, the impact of Dawkins also has been seen in the locker room. This last week Denver suffered the embarrassing loss to the Chargers to lose hold of first place in the division and some tension could be seen on the sideline; most notably the Knowshon Moreno and Brandon Marshall scuffle. Dawkins displayed his savvy veteran leadership senses and called for the players only meeting to clear the air and try and find a way to right the ship after the four straight losses. The meeting was clearly productive as the team got things turned around for a decisive 26-6 victory over the Giants; a game that was a total team victory.
Dawkins leadership has been invaluable this season and it is another attribute that must be considered for Pro-Bowl voters. Dawkins faces steep competition in Troy Polamalu but this season it is easy to argue that Dawkins is more deserving. Polamalu has been stung by the injury bug and has not been able to be on the field for a decent portion of the season as well while Dawkins continually fights off injuries including a neck stinger that was originally thought to prevent him from playing the Giants game. He is averaging 7.1 tackles per game and now has 2 fumble recoveries along with 7 pass break ups to prove that he can back up everything he speaks.
One thing Dawkins is all about is accountability for every player, and he certainly does not make any exception for himself.
