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Former Eagles Hall of Fame safety Brian Dawkins has been called a legend based on how he played football. It was why he earned one of the most sought-after sportscoats that every player dreams of who enters the league: The gold Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket.

Dawkins left his gold jacket at home Friday. Instead, he chose to wear his red t-shirt with Blessed by the Best across his chest. Dawkins sat down to answer questions at Harrahs in Atlantic City Friday. Dawkins, who was there for the Maxwell Football Club Gala, was also there to accept the organizations Legends Award.

Part of being a legend was his ability to play in various positions on the field, which was not seen a lot during that period in the NFL. Dawkins not only played the traditional roles that safeties had but lined up in the box to stop the run and line up in exotic looks that would force turnovers.

It is common to see safeties used in creative ways like Dawkins was deployed. Dawkins credited the ongoing evolution of the usage of safeties to one of his former coaches.

Former Eagles safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins (left) sits next to University of Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young (right) during Friday's Maxwell Football Club press conference.Chris Franklin | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

Its going where Jim Johnson started it, Dawkins said. He began to do what he did with me. With the way he played me and utilized me, it started way back then, with me being used in so many different ways and varieties on the field. I call them a chess piece. Youre seeing more guys that have to have that versatility to make defenses more successful. Im happy to see that the safety position is finally getting some of the credit for being game-changers and not just deep safeties.

Dawkins also talked about what was going on with his former team, saying last season looked as if the Eagles season was broken up into three acts in a movie, and one of them is the real identity of the team.

Any team that is in their second year together, you are still truly developing who you are, Dawkins said. Do we know who the Eagles are? They started off one way, changed midseason and finished off another way. Which one are you? This coming year, they will figure out who they are during this offseason, watching film, having tough decisions, bringing in the other talent that can fill in some of the gaps they may have had. Then we will see what this team really has.

Another thing to watch as the season and the years progress are who the leaders are on the team and how they develop in their roles, especially with some of the younger corps players such as Jalen Hurts continue to get experience and some of the veterans such as Brandon Graham get older.

Dawkins, who was a captain for the Eagles and widely known for his leadership abilities, said that it does not matter who is wearing the traditional captains C on jerseys that denotes the responsibility. Other players could quietly be contributing to the role.

One of the things about leadership is that there are often times leaders that dont have the platform because you have a leader in place, Dawkins said. Sometimes when some of the other older guys leave, for instance, when Troy (Vincent) left, there was an opportunity for me to step up because Troy had vacated a leadership position.

Those leaders that are already there that just dont have the stage, they can then step up because theyve already learned some say with their teammates already, Dawkins continued. The fans just dont know it, so they can just step into that place and then teach the younger guys what it is to be an Eagle.

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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.

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Eagles great, chess piece Brian Dawkins asks what version of team will show up in 2022 - NJ.com