Brian Dawkins

Fourteen years ago, a rookie free safety broke into the Eagles' starting lineup a week after the season opener in Washington. Brian Dawkins replaced Eric Zomalt and for the next dozen years he was the Eagles' only opening-day starter at the position. Now, shockingly, another rookie has emerged as Dawkins' replacement. When the Eagles returned to practice yesterday to start preparations for Sunday's season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Victor "Macho" Harris lined up with the first-team defense.

The Eagles' bounce-back season has become about a bounce-back game, as safety Brian Dawkins bluntly explained yesterday. "When you have a bad taste in your mouth, then go eat something else," Dawkins said. Somehow, what started as a New York-strip-and-lobster performance against the New York Giants on Sunday left the Eagles with a vinegar-and-meat-loaf case of indigestion. No over-the-counter or prescription drug can cure what ails the Eagles' turned stomachs. Only a victory Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at a place called Monster Park can truly erase the demons of the Eagles' loss to the Giants, and it does not figure to be easy.

Brian Dawkins and Donovan McNabb were among the Eagles who showed up for practice yesterday at the NovaCare Complex without the proper amount of sleep as they prepared for the biggest game of the season, Sunday night's clash with the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Perfectly understandable. History was being made late Tuesday night, and it was intensely personal to both of them. Barack Obama had just become the first African American to be elected president, and there was no time to doze off. "I just thought I'd never be alive to see that," said Dawkins, 35. "I really did not. So it's emotional for me to say that this is the America we live in today.

1. Correll Buckhalter 2. Chris Clemons 3. Brian Dawkins 4. Joselio Hanson 5. Andy Reid

ADDED Stacy Andrews, OL. Signed a 6-year contract as an unrestricted free agent from Cincinnati. LOST Brian Dawkins, FS. Signed a 5-year contract with Denver. Lito Sheppard, CB. Traded to the New York Jets for two draft picks. Correll Buckhalter, RB. Signed a 4-year contract with Denver. Sean Considine, S. Signed a 2-year contract with Jacksonville.  

ANOTHER high-paid athlete complaining about money. Hey, Sheldon, zip it and play. You signed the contract, and get a lot of money to play a sport. In case you didn't notice, people are losing jobs and houses at an alarming rate. Think they want to hear you whining about a couple of million more? Go complain somewhere else. Maybe they can trade you to Denver and get Brian Dawkins back. Frank Harte, Philadelphia

YOUR article applauding big-hearted Joe Banner was a wonderful read. I especially enjoyed hearing about his "addiction to the feeling from helping other people. " I guess he kicked the habit when he fired a disabled employee for criticizing the loss of Brian Dawkins online. The Eagles president should rehire that young man. Perhaps then I'll find his extraordinary empathy more believable. Bryan Flannery, Chalfont

Three Eagles were selected to the Associated Press All-Pro first team, announced yesterday. Wide receiver Terrell Owens represents the Eagles' offense. It is the fifth time Owens has been selected to the All-Pro team, which is selected by a nationwide panel of writers and broadcasters. On defense, safety Brian Dawkins was selected for the third time and third-year cornerback Lito Sheppard for the first time. Placekicker David Akers made the second team.

Tight end Mike Bartrum was named yesterday to the NFC Pro Bowl roster as the long snapper, joining two other Eagles on the squad. "I feel honored to be representing my team at the Pro Bowl," Bartrum said. "It will be a very special experience for me and my family. Honors like this don't come along very often, and I plan to make the most of it. " Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter was the lone Eagle voted to the Pro Bowl, and safety Brian Dawkins was named this week as an injury replacement.

Former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins will have his No. 20 retired by the team at halftime of Sunday night's game against the visiting New York Giants. Dawkins is expected to address the fans from the field. Dawkins, who ended his career with 37 interceptions and eight Pro Bowl selections , is in his first year of retirement after playing for the Eagles from 1996 to 2008 and the last three seasons with the Denver Broncos. "It's going to be electric," Dawkins said of the ceremony.