<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Dawkins won't let contract status affect his playAssociated PressPHILADELPHIA -- No matter his contract situation, Brian Dawkins doesn't plan to play or act any differently.Brian DawkinsSafetyPhiladelphia EaglesProfile2005 SEASON STATISTICSTot Ast Solo FF Sack Int80 69 11 4 4 3The five-time Pro Bowl safety could be entering his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles. But Dawkins isn't going to hold out for a new deal or cause problems."Whether it's a contract year, whether it's the first year after a contract, whether it's the third year on a four-year deal, I'm going to try my best to give everything I have regardless of the situation," Dawkins said Tuesday."You want to get a deal done. That is always going to be in the back of your mind, and to say that a guy doesn't think about that a lot would be dishonest. But when it bothers you, when it prohibits you from doing what you need to do on the field is when it becomes a problem. That is not going to happen with me. I am going to go out and play ball."The Eagles could only wish other star players handled their contract issues the same way. Terrell Owens' problems in Philadelphia started when he demanded a new contract just one season after signing a seven-year, $48.97 million deal. Corey Simon forced his release last year because he refused to sign a franchise offer and wouldn't come to training camp.Dawkins has no intention of missing time. He joined the rest of his teammates for this week's "voluntary" minicamp, giving the Eagles full attendance."Why one guy feels it's in his best interest to hold out, that's the best way they want to handle it," Dawkins said. "I believe things can be handled a certain way when it comes to contracts. I always want to handle it first-class."Dawkins has watched the Eagles allow other veterans to leave after their contracts expired. Cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor weren't re-signed after the 2003 season; defensive end Hugh Douglas left after the 2002 season.Philadelphia is reluctant to give long-term contracts to players in their 30s. Dawkins turns 33 in October and is going into his 11th season."Hopefully the way they handled situations in the past will be thrown out the door when they deal with me," Dawkins said. "Will that be the case? I don't know."A second-round pick from Clemson in 1996, Dawkins quickly moved into the starting lineup as a rookie on a team that went to the playoffs. He made his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 1999 and overcame a serious foot injury that sidelined him for nine games during the 2003 season.Dawkins is the leader of a star-studded defense that played far below expectations last season. He made the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement but wasn't pleased with his performance throughout the year."I made too many mistakes and that's not who I am," Dawkins said. "I personally gave up too many plays, and that's not something I will accept."</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2473266
