Brian Dawkins

My blog this week is on Brian Dawkins. He is one of the most dominating and hardest hitting safeties in the NFL. Dawkins was a three-year starter at free safety for Clemson University, and finished his career with 247 tackles and 11 interceptions. He was also named first-team strong safety on Clemson's all-centennial team in 1995 and was selected to their Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. After dominating in college, Dawkins moved up to the next level, to hopefully continue his hard hitting legacy. Dawkins was drafted in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. As a rookie in 1996, he replaced Eric Zomalt as the starting free safety, remaining in that position throughout his 13 year career in Philadelphia. In 2002, in a game versus the Houston Texans he became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, an interception, forced fumble, and a touchdown in a single game. This performance, as well as his consistent Pro Bowl caliber play, earned him a seven-year contract extension at the conclusion of the 2002 season. After a few more great seasons with the Eagles, Dawkins finished his career with the Eagles, with 898 tackles, 34 interceptions, and 21 sacks. Still looking to make some big hits, Dawkins signed a five-year, $17 million contract with the Denver Broncos on February 28, 2009. Dawkins played in 16 of 16 games for the 2009 Broncos. He totaled 116 tackles and 2 interceptions. In 2010, Dawkins had an injury that shortened his season. While only playing in 11 games, Dawkins racked up 66 tackles and 2 interceptions. Dawkins is currently still on the Broncos, and is ready to make some stunning hits this season. This is why i chose Brian Dawkins as my NFL safety of the week.