When the Philadelphia Eagles decided to move on from the era of Brian Dawkins, I was one of a small percentage of fans who embraced it. Not for any ill-will towards the former leader of the Eagles defense.
Who could resent having Brian Dawkins on their team? Rather… I embraced letting Dawkins go for one simple reason in due time: Mikell/Jones in 2009 will be far better.
An incredible 2008 season for Dawkins aside, the stats don't lie. Despite playing for an abysmal Cleveland Browns team, Sean Jones has registered superior stats over his past three seasons of play (his only three starting seasons).
Since 2006, Sean Jones registered 263 total tackles, 186 solo tackles, 77 assists, and 14 ints (ranked 3rd in the NFL).
Brian Dawkins by comparison featured lower stats in every category with 205 tackles, 163 solo tackles, 42 assists (nearly half as many as Jones in a position known for assisted tackles), and 6 ints.
In assists and interceptions alone, this shows that Sean Jones may be the faster, more aggressive ball hawk of the two.
Of course, nothing can discount the leadership qualities and community presence of Brian Dawkins. This will be what's missed the most from not seeing #20 on the field this year.
But if we're to recognize these players as consummate professionals of the NFL, then we're sure to hope for emerging leadership from others such as Stewart Bradley, Trent Cole, Broderick Bunkley, Sheldon Brown, and Quintin Mikell.
Statistics are facts, and when combined with the other major fact that Sean Jones will start this season 8 years younger than Brian Dawkins, Eagles fans should put to ease any mistrust in a Mikell/Jones combination at Safety this year.
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