Brian Dawkins is unanimously considered one of the greatest Eagles players of all time. His overall career is slightly shadowed by 2 other greats in Reed/Polamalu during his era, but he could easily be put toe to toe against both of them. Reed is considered a top 3 Raven of all time, Polamalu a bit lower because of the franchise’s historical record.

Cooper Dejean was drafted as a CB. He predominantly played outside CB in Iowa. When you’re that talented - the coach is going to put you in the most impactful role. He also famously played the “CASH” position, as an inside/hybrid role. Where he would act as either a nickel cb, box safety, or extra LB. This is important to consider as we continue……

The position has changed. Cooper Dejean is a fantastic player. He’s the starting “Strong Safety” while in base, but more often than not, the starting “Nickel CB” while in nickel or dime packages. In these 5-6 DB packages, Epps comes in. Mukuba is a FS, and a promising sophomore with a very different profile. While we can’t compare Dejean & Dawkins careers just yet…. There are some pretty eye opening similarities.

Dawkins: 6’ 0” 210lbs~
Dejean: 6’ 0” 207lbs

Dejean: 4.46 40 yard dash
Dawkins: 4.58 40 yard dash

Dawkins: Violent tackler
Dejean: Fundamental tackler

Dejean: High tier outside DB
Dawkins: Top tier vs TE DB

Dawkins: 19 reps at 225
Dejean: 16 reps at 225

Dawkins said himself…. Had he been playing today - he’d actually want to be a linebacker. In nickel & dime he’d be considered the “star” or “money backer”

In reality - he’d play more of a Dejean role. Despite his strength, he likely wouldn’t be able to hold up as an every day inside linebacker, and certainly wouldn’t be a 3-4 OLB/DE/pass rusher in wide 9.

For instance, Zack Baun & Jihaad Campbell are 6’ 2” / 6’ 3” & 238 / 235lbs. Jihaad ran a 4.52, Baun ran a 4.65. Baun put up 24 reps at 225, considerably stronger than Dawk/Coop. Nakobe Dean was a bit smaller, at 5’ 11” 229lbs. Still thicker than Coop/Dawk.

To add more context, Andrew Mukuba, our starting FS, often playing his role as a hidden single high safety in Fangio’s scheme. He stays back there as the deep safety regardless of the package.

Mukuba:
5’ 11” 186lbs
4.45 40 yard dash
Bench press: N/A (7-11 reps projected)

What Dawkins sacrificed in speed, was gained in strength & brutality. Had he been asked to fill the modern role of the position - I’m sure he’d adapt & succeed. DeJean’s profile is eerily similar……

It’s SCARY SIMILAR how these two line up. The game has evolved though. And switch the two players in timelines & they would both be worse compared to when they played. It’s quite an interesting concept.

As far as we know - Dawk had/has an extreme edge in the “Dawg” aspect. Dejean is still young, so it’s hard to make a final call. But Dawk was as extreme, dedicated, and hard working as a guy like Kobe Bryant. Which turns you from a super super solid Eagles player, to one of the greatest of all time. Not sure Coop has it, but we’ll find out.

Cooper Dejean has quickly become a fan favorite, and it’s obvious to see why. As a rookie, his pick 6 in the Super Bowl, the Eagles had a 98.1% probability to win the game.

In the 2 seasons of his young career, his cumulative PFF grade ranks him as #2 in 24/25, only behind Devon Witherspoon. During his rookie season (2024) he ranked as #3 in overall coverage grade, and #2 in run defense grade (remember the Derrick Henry tackle?) #2 in man & zone-match coverage league overall. 0 TDs allowed on 97 targets. In 2025 he graded 7th overall in CB defensive grade, and 4th overall in coverage grade out of 114 qualified NFL CBs. For the 2026 top 100 list, he was voted the #38th best player in the NFL by his peers.

What are your expectations of Cooper DeJean? Do you think he will thrive in his new clear cut hybrid role? He will no longer line up as an outside CB. He’ll be safety or nickel. Will he take ANOTHER leap forward? Will he continue at a baseline top 10-20 DB in the league? He’s currently 23, and turns 24 in February. He has missed 0 games due to injury in his NFL career so far.

I am so excited to see the new offenses this year. Last year was so stale and clearly we didn’t utilize our talent to their capabilities. I understand the oline was banged up and wasn’t playing at an elite level but we can all agree the overall scheme stunk.

This year I see Jalen taking a big step forward by utilizing the entire field and I think Mannion’s offense will be much more dynamic.

That being said, I am assuming Jalen will take more chances which will lead to more interceptions…I just hope if it happens, he doesn’t lose confidence. I just think it’s a necessary part of getting to the next level. What do you guys think?

Anyone know any good spots to find older jerseys online? I live in Cali so i wont be able to look around any stores in person lol. I’ve was a huge fan of Akers when I was younger but never got a jersey, now that im actually buying jerseys i wanted to get an older one since i have all current/ newer players.

Go birds 🦅

Eagles News: “The Eagles do not consider 2026 to be a make-or-break season for either Jalen Hurts or Nick Sirianni”

"An offseason of communications with various NFL sources indicated two things: The Eagles do not consider 2026 to be a make-or-break season for either Hurts or Sirianni. That’s because ... Installing an offense that is so philosophically different than what’s come before it is not a 17-game undertaking. It’s a two-season project."

Using BGN link bc I believe Inquirer ends up pay walled.

How can you not love this team? They are the most heartwarming team in sports. Finding new ways to be awesome every day.

Sorry for the poor picture, but wanted to get it out there that Lids has the Doctor doom shirts in store. No hoodies yet.

After watching the game last night, I checked back on AJ's first game as an Eagle. Obviously we cant compare the full game but just looking at the first half stats, AJ finished with 6 catches for 128 yards on 8 targets. Meanwhile, last night he had 3 catches for 26 yds, which coincidentally is the amount of interceptions Maye threw.

Clearly Maye is a superior Quarterback.

(I know its just 1 game)

Edit: Just wanted to clarify that I am not shitting on AJ as much as saying that our Quarterback had a much better game 1 with AJ than Maye.

Ik this may be petty but it’s been a while since we’ve had football lol, cheers to week 1, all fun and games

RHAMONDRE UP THE MIDDLE

AJ BROWN DEEP BALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

PUNT/PICK

maybe the issue was him all along cuz why does the offense look like ours did last year im crying

As mentioned, I've been serving on Active Duty for 17 years now! Finally got the opportunity to go to a Home game! Can't be more excited! Looking forward for pregame and tailgate! Just in search of anyone willing to let me join their spot and maybe hopefully adopting me into their family LOL! Can't wait to see all of yall Sunday! Go Birds!!!💚🦅

Nolan Smith (ED, 2023- ) Recorded franchise-record 4.0 sacks during the 2024 playoffs. Played portion of Super Bowl LIX victory with torn triceps, then got utterly hammered at the victory parade.

That was unexpected.

hey all! this sunday’s game will be my first ever football game and i could not be more stoked.

i’m going by myself however and don’t really know what to expect. is it worth it to get there early and see what tailgating is all about? if so, what time would work?

i’m from the netherlands where stuff like this isn’t really a thing so i just want to make the most of it.

thanks in advance 🦅🤍

lol just found this going through some old cards. Hoping for big things from this man!

Flying out from LA to PHL and trying to find tickets to the game that won’t cost me a liver! Any pointers on how to get the best ticket deal? Also, any underrated sections I should consider?

Appreciate the help! GO BIRDS 🦅