The Eagles play Dallas with the chance to be spoiler to their enemies from the south and maybe if the football gods are smiling down on the nation that bleeds green for their own shot at the playoffs. The Birds will play the game with so many questions about the future and the direction of the team.
All the talk going into the Eagles regular season finale seems to be about whether or not it will be the last time Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb rep Eagles green -- but the most important Eagle on the field may be swooping as an Eagle for the final time.
Safety Brian Dawkins -- in his 13th season -- is not only the longest tenured Eagle, but also, longest-tenured athlete or coach in Philly. Sunday he will play in his record 183rd game and possibly his last as an Eagle.
It sounds crazy but if history teaches us anything, then Dawkins -- the heart and soul of the blitzing green -- will be taking the field for the last time as an Eagle.
B-Dawk's value makes his departure seem impossible to fathom especially considering that it looks like he may have gas left in his 35-year-old tank as is evident by his 2008 stats.
- He was just named to his seventh Pro Bowl.
- He is third on the team with 133 tackles.
- His 90 solo tackles are second best on the Eagles defense.
- He leads the team with four forced fumbles (try saying that four times fast).
The Eagles as a team often don't commit money to older players and allow them to leave -- just ask the Axe-Man Jeremiah Trotter and others.
But it's about more than numbers with Dawkins so maybe the Eagles will surprise everyone and bring him back.
The difference with Dawk is that he is the undisputed leader of the Birds rejuvenated defense. His hard hits are legen -- wait for it -- dary, his ability to play nicked-up documented and his kindness and generosity off the field are understated.
He also sports some of the best hats during Eagles press conferences -- just imagine the suit he may wear to Canton.
Can the Eagles allow a future Hall of Famer to walk away?
Any way the situation shakes out when B-Dawk flies onto the field Sunday every Eagles fan -- from sea to shining sea -- should stand up and applaud. It doesn't matter if you are sitting at home, at a sports bar in Chicago, at a children's birthday party in Delaware County or at the Linc -- get off your rear and show some love for the Eagles great.
I know that at 4:05ish I will stand up, cheer and smile because, even though the 2008 Eagles disappointed, B-Dawk was a joy.
And who knows with some help from Oakland, Houston and/or the Giants, Birds fans may get a B-Dawk encore.
