While the NFL business is shut down, Brian Dawkins is front and center as the Broncos’ player representative during a four-month labor dispute.
Once the NFL lockout ends and business commences, Dawkins will remain at the forefront, this time as one of the Broncos’ roster priorities. “We need Dawk,” Broncos cornerback Cassius Vaughn said.
“There’s not even a question. The young guys need him. He’s been around it all. He’s been to a Super Bowl. He’s been to (league) championships. We’ve got to have him back.
“And he can still play.”
There’s a decent chance rookie Rahim Moore, a second-round pick, will start at free safety. The Broncos also drafted strong safety Quinton Carter in the fourth round, but there’s almost no way a team would start two rookie safeties. Dawkins, 37, is likely to be back with the Broncos this year, most likely as their starting strong safety.
And yes, he will take less money to do so. An eight-time Pro Bowler, Dawkins is scheduled to make $6 million this year. The team wants to restructure that deal, and Dawkins will take less to play at least one more season.
“When I signed this deal, I knew what it was,” Dawkins said Thursday.”I knew after a couple years, there was a balloon (mechanism) and we most likely would have to restructure. That’s no big deal to me.”
