JACKSONVILLE – If there is a single yard, a tough yard, a decisive yard standing in the way of the Eagles and glory Sunday, it is quite likely that Dorsey Levens will be asked to get it. And the Eagles are supremely confident Levens will deliver.
“It’s no doubt, it’s almost like a guarantee,” right guard Jermane Mayberry said yesterday.
“If I get a full head of steam and I get a crease,” added Levens, “it’s a wrap.”
Imagine that. The same player who was not entrusted to gain that single yard for the Giants last season is now empowered to do just that for the Eagles.
“God has a plan for all of us,” Levens said. “For some reason it wasn’t meant to happen in New York. I can’t complain about my situation right now. Who could?”
What a contrast to a year ago. After eight productive seasons in Green Bay – rising to Pro Bowl status in 1997 – and one in Philadelphia, he signed a three-year deal with the Giants prior to the 2003 season. The role could not have been clearer: Come in when Tiki Barber needed a break and assume the power-running responsibilities that Ron Dayne appeared incapable of embracing.
What looked good on paper was instantly shredded. Levens strained a hamstring and came out of training camp far down on the depth chart, behind diminutive and unproven Delvin Joyce, which irked him. Levens met with Jim Fassel and asked to be traded. Request denied.
“If I’m washed up and I can’t help this team then let me go home,” Levens said. “For some reason or another he wouldn’t release me.”
Levens went public with his frustration, hoping to force his ouster. “That didn’t work,” he said. “I think that just made [Fassel] more [ticked] off, so that put me in the doghouse and the rest is history.”
The season never really got off the ground for Levens, who averaged a career-low 2.9 yards per attempt and contemplated retirement.
“One thing for me was puzzling was they would keep me if they didn’t think I could help the team,” Levens said. “What they did to Ron Dayne last year was flat-out dirty. For a guy to be on the team all year and not be active, why not use that roster spot for somebody else? There were other teams inquiring about Ron, they could have done something else with him.”
Once Tom Coughlin was hired, one of the first moves was to release Levens and Brian Mitchell, a pair of disgruntled veterans.
“After they named Coughlin the head coach I can’t say I honestly wanted to still remain in New York,” Levens said. “His reputation, and as a veteran player that’s not really the situation you want to be in. I talked to some guys this year who said his reputation is not as bad as it seems, he kind of takes care of his veteran players.”
The Eagles came calling again after Correll Buckhalter went down with a season-ending knee injury. Levens made the Giants look silly and proved there’s life in his 34-year old legs with 410 rushing yards and a team-high four rushing touchdowns.
If the Eagles win, Levens admits “It will be a lot easier to walk away.” To do so, he knows he may have to get that single tough yard. He’s confident he can get it while also acknowledging his limitations.
“I always tell those guys, no matter what, I can get you two yards,” he said. “If you need one, I’ll get you two. If you need two, I’ll get you two. If you need three, I’ll get you two.”