Brian Dawkins Not On Eagles' Roster

For the first time in his career, Brian Dawkins is not on the Philadelphia Eagles off-season roster, after the Eagles didn't sign Dawkins before the Friday free agent deadline.

Link: Eagles Roster (as of Friday morning)

There was no statement about Dawkins on the team's official Web site.

Dawkins, Tra Thomas and four other veteran Eagles are now unrestricted free agents.

Dawkins, the heart and soul of the Eagles defense for a decade, has played in Philadelphia for 13 years. But the Eagles will let him test the free agent market.

Thomas and his agent are still negotiating with the Eagles.

Given the Eagles' history with their own free agents, it would be very unusual for the team to re-sign a player who hits the open market.

However, the Eagles did sign Jon Runyan after he became a free agent.

The Eagles have signed Joselio Hanson, Hank Baskett and Trent Cole to deals, but Dawkins, Thomas and injured tackle Jon Runyan can sign with any team starting Friday.

Dawkins has reportedly received a contract offer from the Eagles, who are at least $40 million under the salary cap.

Where would Dawkins land if the Eagles can't sign him?

He is from Jacksonville and Tampa would be a possibility.

But former Eagles defensive coach Steve Spagnuolo is now the Rams head coach, while Brad Childress is in Minnesota.

The nightmare scenario for Eagles fans: Dallas is reportedly set to release safety Roy Williams.

On "Good Day Philadelphia" Friday, 610-WIP's Anthony Gargano reported the Eagles would like to re-up with Dawkins for another year and let him finish his career in Philadelphia.

Unless the safety gets a multi-year offer from someplace else, Gargano doesn't expect him to leave.

"The Eagles value what he means to this team, that he's the soul of this team," Gargano said.

Gargano also said don't look for the Eagles to do a lot in free agency like last year -- when they signed cornerback Asante Samuel -- especially in the first 48 hours.

Instead, look for them to tweak the offensive line.

A name to keep an eye on is Stacy Andrews, who is the brother of Shawn Andrews is a Cincinnati guard who played all different offensive line positions.

Gargano added that the seven-year, $100 million contract the Redskins gave defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is too steep, even for Daniel Snyder's franchise.