I'll shut it down. In order for us to sign some other free agents, we are forced to make some very difficult decisions. Dawson's agent, Ralph Cindrich, said he made three attempts to open talks aimed at restructuring Dawson's contract. He was rebuffed each time, most recently, last week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. Being realistic, the bottom line is it's a business.
Dependability is everything.
The hamstring is unpredictable. He played in only seven games, but returned in 2000 to start the season. Dawson was performing close to his previous level of excellence when he re-injured the hamstring Nov. 5 in Nashville, Tenn., against the Titans and was lost for the rest of the season. Since then, Dawson has had the hamstring re-evaluated in a MRI test that revealed no structural damage, and he has begun working out in his hometown of Lexington, Ky., with every intention of playing a 14th season. I've been working out since a week after the season.