Safety Brian Dawkins is retiring from the NFL after 16 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos, he announced Monday on Twitter.

“The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years,” Dawkins said. “I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported after Dawkins’ announcement that the Eagles are working to bring the safety back this week so he can retire as an Eagle. The newspaper also reported that Dawkins would be honored during an Eagles game this season.

Dawkins finishes his career with 26 sacks and 37 interceptions. He played in one Super Bowl with the Eagles and made nine Pro Bowls (including this past season, as an alternate). Dawkins also was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection.

“Thank you, @BrianDawkins, for being a GREAT Bronco and showing such an incredible commitment to your team and community,” Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway wrote on Twitter, adding: “Congratulations on a Hall of Fame career, Dawk!!!”

Dawkins battled neck injuries toward the end of the 2012 season and missed two of the Broncos’ final three games of the regular season and the team’s two playoff games.

“Brian Dawkins is one of the best to ever play the game, a future Hall of Famer who changed the way his position is played,” Broncos coach John Fox said in a statement released by the team. “In many ways, he helped my job as a coach with his great leadership and preparation. He brought so much to the table and was such an enormous asset to our football team.

“His contributions go far beyond the wins, interceptions, sacks and Pro Bowls he accumulated during his career. Brian is the definition of class and is what you want in a leader. I know our players, coaches, fans and so many within the National Football League feel the same way.”

Dawkins’ contract with the Broncos expired after the season, and The Denver Post reported he spent close to six weeks mulling over his options.

“I’m a little emotional right now,” Dawkins told The Post shortly after announcing his retirement, adding that he needs some time before he can talk.

Any doubts about Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid’s commitment to the team after reportedly threatening to resign can be put to rest.

Speaking from the NFL Annual Meeting on Wednesday in Palm Beach, Fla., Reid denied he ever was close to walking away because of a power struggle over personnel.

“I’ve got the final say, but I will tell you: We work as a team,” said Reid, the NFL’s longest-tenured coach who will enter his 14th season in Philadelphia. “We’ve always done that. One of our strengths is that we do that. We check our egos at the door, and we work together, and we listen to each other.

“We have great respect for each other. We come out with that final move, and I kind of put the stamp on it. The people I work with are phenomenal. That’s the way it’s been and will continue to be.”

This offseason, the Eagles have re-signed wide receiver DeSean Jackson and defensive end Trent Cole to new deals, in addition to retaining guards Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans. Philadelphia also upgraded at linebacker by trading for linebacker DeMeco Ryans from the Houston Texans.

Reid said the team has no interest in free-agent receiver Plaxico Burress, who has gone public with his desire to play with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

“They’re buddies. They grew up together, and I know they’re friends,” Reid said. “I’ve got a ton of respect for Plax. He’s had a great career. Right now that’s not where we’re at. But that doesn’t take anything away from his game. He can play.”

PHILADELPHIA – March 14, 2012 (WPVI) —
Trent Cole and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed on a four-year contract extension through 2017.

Cole is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who ranks third on the team’s all-time list for sacks with 68. The deal was announced Wednesday.

Cole had 11 sacks in 2011, his fourth season with a double-digit total.

“We are excited to be able to sign Trent to a new contract,” coach Andy Reid said. “Trent plays the game with a level of tenacity that’s hard to replicate. He’s one of the premier defensive ends in the league.”

(Copyright ©2012 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Trent Cole and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed on a four-year contract extension through 2017.

Cole is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who ranks third on the team’s all-time list for sacks with 68. The deal was announced Wednesday.

Cole had 11 sacks in 2011, his fourth season with a double-digit total.

“We are excited to be able to sign Trent to a new contract,” coach Andy Reid said. “Trent plays the game with a level of tenacity that’s hard to replicate. He’s one of the premier defensive ends in the league.”

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms with Trent Cole on a contract extension that will keep the defensive end in Philadelphia through the 2017 season, the team announced Wednesday.

Cole has had at least nine sacks in each of the past five years, and had 11 sacks along with 45 tackles in 14 games this past season. Coles has 68 sacks and has forced 12 fumbles in his seven years with the Eagles.

“Trent plays the game with a level of tenacity that’s hard to replicate,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement released by the team. “He’s one of the premier DEs in the league.”

“We have always said that when you watch the tape, it’s hard to tell the difference between his first play and his last play,” Reid continued. “And as good as he is rushing the passer, he is equally as good against the run. His energy is contagious on the field.”

Cole is set to address the media Wednesday at noon ET.

LAWRENCE — A Rider University student injured by drunken brawling fans at a Philadelphia Eagles game in 2010 has filed a civil suit against the football franchise, the stadium and others.

Amanda Mulheron, 21, wound up on the bottom of a group of fans fighting among themselves in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field during a game between the Eagles and the Houston Texans on Dec. 2, 2010, according to the suit filed last month in Mercer County Superior Court.

“She was an innocent bystander of a fight among spectators in her row,” said attorney Thomas Smith of Pellettieri, Rabstein and Altman of West Windsor. “The fight spilled into her and everyone fell on top of her.”

Mulheron sustained a serious injury to her ankle, Smith said.

The melee broke out in a group of five men who arrived at the stadium drunk, rowdy and shouting obscenities and another group of people sitting near Mulheron and her boyfriend, Smith said.

Tensions between the two groups sparked early in the game when the group sitting closest to Mulheron and her date chided the group of men for failing to tip a beer vendor, Smith said. As the verbal exchanges and obscenities between the two groups escalated, several spectators complained, and security ejected both groups from the stands, Smith said. But they were all back later in the game, he said.

After more drinking and arguing, a fight erupted between the two groups late in the fourth quarter, Smith said. Several people crashed into Mulheron and fell on top of her.

Smith said this was not a random fight that popped up.

“Security was aware of a growing hostile situation and should never have allowed them back into the stands,” he said.

The suit alleges the Eagles and the stadium were negligent in failing to provide adequate security for patrons. It also alleges negligence on the part of Aramark Food Services, which oversees stadium beer vendors, for serving patrons who were visibly intoxicated, and alleges the as-yet-unidentified fans were negligent for fighting in the stands.

Follow the Times of Trenton on Twitter.

Philly.com is reporting that the Philadelphia Eagles have met with the electrifying QB, Robert Griffin III on Thursday night.

The team who just signed Trent Edwards and has Michael Vick as their starter met with the 22-year-old after he met with reporters.

‘Why would the Eagles meet with a quarterback when it’s clear they need a linebacker’ may be the first thing that crosses your mind. Or maybe you’re on board and want them to make a move on RGIII.

Either way, the actual move would be a long shot.

Philly.com says, “It’s a surprise, but I wouldn’t read too much into it for the Eagles. Likely they are doing their due diligence so they can be prepared just in case there is some unlikely turn of events that puts Griffin within reach.”

From my perspective, it’s not going to happen. I know, I’m reaching.

The Birds do have three picks in the first two rounds so it would be possible for them to attempt to move up, but to me the move would be silly. As much as I’d like to see a player like RGIII on Philly, it’s too risky of a move and it wouldn’t solve their defensive problems. Not to mention the various coaching issues at stake here, the coaching staff doesn’t have the time to put stock into developing a new QB. They’ve got Michael Vick locked up for a while, and like Philly.com is saying, it’s probably just them being prepared for whatever.

But it wouldn’t be the only time this organization has thrown us a curveball.

Nonetheless, I think the Eagles priority should be addressing the O-Line and the Linebacker position.

When asked, Eagles GM Howie Roseman said that he wasn’t avoiding the linebacker position, he said he was simply going with the opportunity available at any given time.

Roseman said earlier this week about the Eagles not drafting a linebacker in the first round for over 30 years, “We want our draft picks to be our best players. We want to be a homegrown team, but the name of the game is getting talent on our team and that’s what we’re going to try to do,” Roseman said. “If it doesn’t work out with (2010 third-round pick Daniel Te’o-Nesheim ), but it works out with (former CFL player) Phillip Hunt … we’ve got to make sure that position is filled.”

So while the obvious tells us that the Eagles need an o-lineman and linebacker, and it’s also obvious to assume it might not make sense for them to draft a premier quarterback with a premier quarterback on hand—anything is possible.

Roseman also said, “We’re open to very good players at every position. We’re not averse to taking any position in the first round if that guy is the best player and we think he’s going to come in and make a considerable difference over time,”

Yep. So, there goes that. Make what you want of it.

Vincent Heck is a life-long resident of the Philadelphia area, and a featured ‘Fan View’ blogger on Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @HeckPhilly

You can email Vincent: vheckphilly@yahoo.com

Follow Yahoo! Local’s Yahoo! Philly on Twitter: @YahooPhilly

View Vincent Heck’s article archive.

Source: Philly.com, Eagles.com

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t drafted a linebacker in the first round in over 30 years. That’s when they drafted Jerry Robinson in 1979. It’s definitely something they’re looking into changing in 2012 as it’s a position that some presume stunted the otherwise flawless personnel of the Bird’s defense.

If you were to ask Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman, he’d tell you they’re not purposely avoiding the position. “I’ve never been part of a draft where we said this linebacker is great; we’re not going to take him.” Roseman said. “We’re open to very good players at every position. We’re not averse to taking any position in the first round if that guy is the best player and we think he’s going to come in and make a considerable difference over time,”

This season will be Roseman’s third draft. Like his young team, he is learning to get his footing in his position. He has taken note to what his new defensive coordinator’s style is, and has studied other GM’s picks and success rate.

“We want our draft picks to be our best players. We want to be a homegrown team, but the name of the game is getting talent on our team and that’s what we’re going to try to do,” Roseman said. “If it doesn’t work out with (2010 third-round pick Daniel Te’o-Nesheim), but it works out with (former CFL player)

Phillip Hunt… we’ve got to make sure that position is filled.”

Since that time, Eagles.com has released a list of defensive players that they may have their eyes on going into the NFL Combine.

Among prospects like Defensive End, Fletcher Cox and Defensive Tackle, Michael Brockers, Eagles.com writer Fran Duffy mentions a 6-foot-3, 240 pound linebacker by the name of Bruce Irvin.

He quotes National Football Post writer Wes Bunting as saying: “Irvin has an electric first step, can threaten the edge and accelerate around the corner.” Which is good for rushing the QB, (which is what he’s known for) but what about his pass coverage?

Another thing that Duffy questions about Irvin is his part-time role at West Virginia. “Was that because of their scheme or because of his ability?” Duffy asks.

When it comes to Irvin, those are the things Philadelphia will look for in Indianapolis.

The National Football Post says of Irvin, “He’s a ‘plus’ athlete with an explosive element to his game and after showing off his athleticism during workouts in Indianapolis, Irvin is a guy whom I expect to have a lot of buzz going for him post-combine.”

So, with Bruce Irvin, like the others, only time will tell.

Vincent Heck is a life-long resident of the Philadelphia area, and a featured ‘Fan View’ blogger on Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @HeckPhilly

You can email Vincent: vheckphilly@yahoo.com

Follow Yahoo! Local’s Yahoo! Philly on Twitter: @YahooPhilly

View Vincent Heck’s article archive.

Source: National Football Post, Eagles.com

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

By National Football Post

The Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Andy Reid have to find upgrades at the linebacker position as well as along the offensive line to protect QB Michael Vick. With WR DeSean Jackson expected to see the Franchise Tag, let’s take a look at some prospects that match the Eagles top needs heading into the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles

2011 Record: 8-8
First round draft position: No.15

Top Priority: LB

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College: He’s not the biggest, strongest or fastest of athletes. But he’s instinctive, plays faster than he times, finds the football in all areas of the game and can really tackle. He’s going to be a bit limited in coverage, but he’s instinctive enough to play on third down in zone and should end up being one of the NFL’s top tackling linebackers for years to come.

Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama: Looks like a potential impact caliber 34-inside linebacker who has the skill set to win inside vs. the run and create pressure on third down as a savvy rush guy as well.

Secondary Priority: OT

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: He’s got the NFL size, length and overall athletic skill set. However, he’s not a natural anchor player and doesn’t strike me as a guy who is ever going to be real physical at the next level. He can mirror in space, but struggles to stick through contact and isn’t real heavy handed. Looks like a finesse tackle who will get over drafted because of athletic talent, but is going to have a hard time keeping the edge clean at the next level.

Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State: He’s a solid athlete who can bend, re-direct and block in space. However, he’s had some struggles with power when trying to stay engaged and hasn’t been able to stay healthy throughout his career. Nevertheless, in a weak offensive tackle class, he’s one of the few prospects that possess the skill set to start in the NFL.

Mid-Tier Priority: S, QB

Trenton Robinson, FS, Michigan State: Is coordinated and can keep his feet under him, but looks tighter when asked to turn and run. Tackles well and looks like at best a low end starter who needs to play in tighter areas to be effective in coverage.

Brandon Taylor, FS, Louisiana State: He can tackle in the box and in space, despite being a bit inconsistent at times. Displays some natural coverage ability and looks capable of maturing into tweener starter/nickel safety at the next level.

Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin: Wilson is a plus athlete who can spin the football and gives you a nice run/pass threat. However he’s undersized, is going to struggle to consistently make plays from the pocket and is still learning how to work his way through defenses. He is worth a pick late, but I don’t see the guy as a potential starter in the NFL. Reserve only.

Aaron Corp, QB, Richmond: He has a nice sized frame and throws a pretty football. He’s going to need some time, but is worth a draftable grade.

Click here to see the NFP Big Board.

Follow the National Football Post on Twitter.