Two games, two interceptions. Not a bad way to start a career as a safety in the NFL for a team that let one of the best in franchise history leave town a year ago.

Nate Allen will not be a Brian Dawkins. There’s only one Dawk. Having said that, the rookie has a chance to secure his own legacy if he keeps flying to the ball and making plays.

Nate Allen is making a name for himself in the early going of his rookie campaign.

What impressed us more than his interception skills was a play late in Sunday’s 35-32 win over the Lions. With Detroit driving down the field, Allen broke up a sure-fire first down pass by draping himself over the receiver, knocking the ball away, and not drawing a penalty.

It was a veteran play by a guy still feeling his way through the early part of his rookie season.

Allen has a long way to go, but he’s already given the Eagles more than they got from the safety position all of last year. For a team that struggled on defense in 2009, that’s a good sign.

Brian Dawkins flew the Eagles nest for the Mile High City of Denver more than a year ago. Yet, the Eagles still have not filled his spot with more than silly putty and knees made of Slinkies.

Quintin Demps was handed the starting job a year ago, but he, ummm, sucked to put it mildly. Sean Jones was signed as a free agent in case Demps needed help. Yet, neither of them could beat out rookie cornerback-converted-safety Macho Harris. The result was a carousel befitting a circus than an NFL franchise.

A year later, Jones is gone and Harris is a cornerback. Enter Marlin Jackson and rookie Nate Allen.

Allen, the rookie taken from South Florida with the McNabb pick, was supposed to have time to adapt to the league and learn behind Jackson. Plus, the Eagles didn’t know they’d get him when they started overhauling their defensive unit before the draft. To say he wasn’t part of the plan is an understatement.

Jackson, signed as a free agent from Indianapolis, was the guy. The problem wasn’t Jackson’s style of play. In fact, he likely was the type of hitter and cover guy the Birds needed out there next to Quintin Mikell.

The issue was the fact that Jackson was coming back from two ACL tears in as many years. To put the hopes of restoring pride to the part of the field that BDawk effortlessly defended for more than a decade on the shoulders of a guy coming back from that type of injury is insulting and inexcusable.

Did the Eagles braintrust learn nothing from the Stacey Andrews debacle?

Of course, they couldn’t bring in a competent veteran such as Darren Sharper. To spend money on someone like thyat would be to admit a mistake in not giving $7.2 million to BDawk for two years. The Eagles don’t admit mistakes, especially one that big.

Now, Jackson is lost for the year with a ruptured Achille’s heel on the first day of non-contact OTAs. The injury could very well be the result of trying to come back too quickly from his most recent ACL injury. It brings to mind the years of Correll Buckhalter going to the ground without any contact. This case is potentially more devsastating as their is no Brian Westbrook in the eagles free safety picture.

Harris, Demps and Allen are now in the spotlight. Harris likely can’t be moved back from corner since he didn’t exactly light the world on fire last year, and the Eagles are thin at a position they deem important. With Ellis Hobbs the starter opposite Asante Samuel right now, Harris has a chance to start there this year.

Demps couldn’t seize the opportunity handed to him a year ago. That leaves Allen, a guy the Eagles weren’t banking on to step up and play like a veteran right off the bat.

When is the last time a rookie made a big impact on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles? When? Now, Allen is thrust into that very spot thanks to the tape-job the Eagles did on the free safety position once again.

For years, we’ve been hearing about how the Eagles window of opportunity was getting smaller. It goes back to when Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor were sent packing to make room for unproven corners Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.

With Dawkins and McNabb in other cities, the best decade in Eagles football is over.

After years of retooling, the window is shut on the best era in Eagles football. No decade has produced as many wins, Pro Bowls, NFC Championship games and other accolades as this team under Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb.

Sure, Reid is still here, but the players aren’t.

Brian Dawkins. Sheldon Brown. Brian Westbrook. Donovan McNabb.

In the last year, the Eagles have committed to one thing — putting the final nails in the coffin of the last decade.

Sure, Kevin Kolb may end up being Steve Young and he may hoist the Lombardi Trophy. However, many of us remember Eagles football before McNabb. Before Westbrook. Before Dawkins.

Ready or not, thanks to Joe Banner, Howie Roseman and Andy Reid, we’re about to go back to those days.

We may win a Super Bowl, but we’ll never again see another decade like the one that just passed. And, sadly, the only one still remaining is Andy Reid. At least we’ll get to see Kolb throw the ball 57 times each week.

Brian Dawkins and David Akers will formally be announced as members of the team during a special telecast before the Pro Bowl on ESPN at 5:30 Sunday night.

Dawkins spent every year in Eagle green before being jettisoned as a free agent last year. All he did was respond with yet another Pro Bowl season– this time in orange and blue. No player hit harder or played with more emotion than Dawk. On a team that was one of the most successful of the decade, Dawk deserved this honor more than anyone else who donned an Eagles jersey the last ten years.

Akers was among the top scorers in the league the last decade. Always one to share credit, Akers gave players such as Mike Barteum and Kou Detmer props for his awesome run as one of the league’s best kickers. Im fact, we think Detmer should have been named the best holder of the decade.

We’ll have more on the honor for Akers and Dawk this weekend.

DeSean Jackson made the Sporting News All-Pro team as a punt returner.

One current Eagle and the former heart and soul of the team joined David Akers today as Sporting News All-Pros.

DeSean Jackson made the team as a punt returner. Jackson led the league with 29 punt returns for a 15.2 yards-per-return average. He also took two punts to the house. This is his first year being named an All-Pro, although he’d probably rather make it as a wideout. If he continues improving, he will meet that goal in the future.

Along with Jackson, former Eagle Brian Dawkins was named to the team as a safety. Yeah, he’s almost washed up and not worth the money, Mr. Banner. Good call on that one.

Akers was named to the team as a kicker yesterday.

They are two of the most underrated things that lead teams to championships. Andy Reid and the Eagles worked out former MIKE backer Jeremiah Trotter this week. Trot hasn’t chopped wood in the NFL since 2007, and hasn’t played in Eagle green since 2006.

His best days are clearly behind him, but he could still be the leader the Eagles desperately need on defense.

For years, the Eagles had continuity on the defensive side of the ball. Brian Dawkins flew around the field, making plays, drilling opposing running backs and receivers, and just being a ballhawk. Weapon X was the leader of one of the most consistent defenses over the last decade.

Jim Johnson ran his system through Dawk.

Sadly, JJ is gone — a victim to melenoma cancer.

And, Dawk the Ballhawk is now wearing a hideous orange crush jersey. Gone is his playmaking ability. Gone is his leadersip. Gone is the chemistry that led the Eagles to five NFC Championship appearances in eight years.

Sure, the Birds counted on Stewart Bradley to step into the leader role. A devastating knee injury during Flight Night in August stripped him of his season, and the Eagles of their quarterback on defense.

Two games into the season, Sean McDermott and Andy Reid know they need a veteran leader on defense. Asante Samuel doesn’t carry the same weight that Dawk or Trotter did. Sheldon Brown can’t be that guy due to his contract situation.

The Eagles worked out the Axeman on Thursday. Andy Reid has said Trot moved very well, maybe even better than he did when he was released two years ago.

No matter what, his best days are behind him on the field. Off the field, he could be what the Eagles miss.

It may have taken two weeks, but Reid and Co. finally admitted they made a reDawkulous mistake by letting the heart and soul of their defense test the free agent waters, and ultimately leave for Denver.

That has to be the main reason why they inquired about Trotter.

The Axeman may be their only hope to have the defense regain the intensity they displayed for the last decade. The Eagles need Trot and his enthusiasm.

Andy, get the deal done. Make the best of your reDawkulous error. Sign Trot and give the defense a heart. Otherwise, we’ll be stuck with a tinman defense this year.

New York Giants (11-5). She-li Manning will never be confused with Peyton even if he has the same number of Super Bowl rings. The team is still without a true stud receiver now that Plexiglass is headed for prison. Derrick Ward has left for Tampa Bay, leaving Ahmad Bradshaw as the only viable back-up to battering ram Brandon Jacobs. Add to that the fact that former defensive whiz Steve Spagnuolo is now running the sip in St. Louis and you have to winder why they are the division favorites. The prediction is not a vote in favor of the Giants as much as it is an indictment of the rest of the teams and the question marks that surround them.

Will Shawn Andrews and the offensive line gel in time to take the Eagles to the top of the division?

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6). By far, this team is the hardest to get a read on going into the season. The Eagles started out the offseason like wildfire as they traded for Jason Peters, then acquired speedy receiver Jeremy Maclin and tough running back Shady McCoy in the draft. Not much has gone right since then. Shawn Andrews injured his back the first day of training camp and his brother, Stacey, is still recovering from knee surgery a year ago. Peters has also been bitten by the injury bug, and we have yet to see Brian Westbrook play this year following offseason ankle surgery. On defense, Jim Johnson succombed to melanoma cancer (R.I.P., JJ), Brain Dawkins left for Denver, and Stewart Bradley tore his knee to shreds. Then, there is always the issue of how and where some dude named Vick fits into the offense. There are just too many questions to put the Eagles at the top of the division. If the offensive line gels and the defense plays the way it has in the past, this team could compete for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. If everything falls apart, the team could go 6-10. We say the defense plays well, and the offensive line gels in time to get this team to the playoffs, just not to the top of the division.

Dallas Cowboys (7-9). Terrell Owens is in Buffalo, Tony Romo is without Jessica Simpson, Marion Barber is a wuss and Wade Phillips somehow still has a job — for now. The Cowboys have underachieved and not much will change. Sure, the team sent locker room cancer T.O. out of town, but who is going to step up in his place. Roy Williams? Umm, no. He’s a guy who has not and likely never will live up to his potential. Tony Romo won’t look as good without T.O. to throw to. Felix Jones will step up and become a true featured back, but that may be the only positive for Jerry Jone’s Jackasses. The defense has been solid, but won’t be enough to make up for the lack of offensive firepower, or the coaching of Wade Phillips. Much to the delight of many, Jones will finally get to send Wade to the unemployment line at season’s end.

Washington Redskins (5-11). Dan Snyder likes to spend money on crap. This offseason, he spent it on a player with crappy sportsmanship.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwxMRPTsYeo]

Albert Haynesworth can stomp on all the Cowboys he wants now as a member of the Deadskins. Of course, he is also he type of player who will deomonstrate a poor work ethic now that he has his big payday. The defense has some talented players and will keep the team in some games. However, the offense has question marks starting with quarterback Jason Campbell. Outside of Santana Moss, the receivers don’t scare anyone. Clinton Portis has been hit a lot in his career and will slow down this year. In the end, Snyder will look for yet another head coach next offseason and then piss his money away all over again. God, dailyphiladelphian.com loves having him in NFC East as there is always one less team to worry about each year.

Macho Harris has been named the successor to Weapon X as the Eagles starting free safety.

The starting job was Demps to lose as he entered a competition with free agent addition Sean Jones. Demps lost the job, but not to Jones. According to Philly.com, rookie Macho Harris will start.

The pressure of replacing the most loved athlete in Philadelphia sports history is a lot to place on a first year player. Eagles coaches apparently feel the Virgina Tech product is mature enough mentally and prepared enough physically to handle the role.

Macho better be ready because all eyes will be on him; he’s in a no-win situation. One bad play and fans, the media and all NFL analysts will be ready to rip his performance apart to support the notion that the Eagles made a huge error letting the heart and soul of the defense walk away last March.

Macho needs to play well out of the gate to truly win fans support. If he gets lit up like Demps, he could be on the bench next to him. Sean Jones, a ballhawk with 14 interceptions the last three years, is waiting and his mouth is salivating at the opportunity.

For now, Eagles fans will have to give Macho a chance and hope his nickname indicates what kind of player he truly is on the field.

With plays like this, the Chargers will walk to a division title.

San Diego (13-3). The Chargers win 13 games and the AFC West by default. The defense will still be good and will welcome Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman back. Philip Rivers is a good young signal caller who is seeking to join the list of Super Bowl winners. LaDanian Tomlinson is slowing down, but Darren Sproles showed during the playoffs last year that he can effectively carry the load. With the emergence of Sproles, the Chargers will be able to keep LT2 fresh and healthy down the stretch. Look for LT to rebound from a “down” year during which he still amassed more than 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. The window is closing on the Chargers, and they need to take advantage of a weak division this year.

Kansas City (7-9). Todd Haley takes over for Herm Edwards, and Scott Pioli has left Bill Belichik’s shadow to run the Chiefs franchise. Pioli took steps to resurrect the team this offseason when he traded for quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel. While getting Cassel was a step in the right direction, questions remain about whether he was a product of the Patriots system, or if he is indeed a top level NFL signal caller. While the Chiefs have made strides and still have a potentially good running back in Larry Johnson on the roster, the team is still a year or two away from challenging for a playoff spot.

Oakland (5-11). Tom Cable enters his first full season at the helm of NFL coaching hell. The man went 4-8 last year after replacing Lane Kiffin during the season. Cable trained in MMA during the offseason and then had an impromptu UFC tryout during training camp. (Al Davis immediately tried to persuade UFC founder Dana White to book Cable vs. Mike Shanahan for UFC 102.) The Raiders have a decent defense, a deep backfield with Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas, as well as blossoming quarterback JaMarcus Russell. They should have enough to win Al Davis’ Super Bowl by finishing ahead of the Broncos this year.

Since breaking Eagles fans hearts, the offseason has been full of turmoil for Josh McDaniels and the Broncos.

Denver (4-12). Dailyphiladelphian.com feels bad for Weapon X, Brian Dawkins. He left Philly for a team with as much stability as the Ray Rhodes Eagles. Mike Shanahan was canned and 32-year-old Josh McDaniels took his place. The offseason started well with the signing of BDawk and every free agent running back available. Then, they inquired about Cassell, and hurt Jay Cutler’s feelings in the process. Cutler forced a trade to Chicago, leaving the Broncos with Kyle Orton as the starter. Add to that the fact that Brandon Marshall finally started living up to his nickname of Baby T.O., and you have a disaster on your hands. The team will completely unravel by Columbus Day.