CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Eagles safety Brian Dawkins practiced with the Pro Bowl's NFC squad yesterday, just two days after his team's Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots.

Vinatieri, Dawkins
arrive super fast

Their wives got the Super Bowl
participants to Hawaii in time
for their squads' first practices

Super Bowl players rarely make it to their first scheduled Pro Bowl practice, just two days after the big game. There are parades to attend for the winners and travel revisions to make for the losers, who had anticipated a parade.

But New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri and Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins were at the AFC and NFC practices yesterday, ready to roll.

They had their wives to thank for that.

Vinatieri's teammates were being feted in a parade in Boston yesterday after the Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years. Meanwhile, the second-time Pro Bowler was in uniform at one of the Ihilani Resort practice fields.

After a 45-minute session of standing around chatting with punter Shane Lechler of the Raiders and long snapper Kendall Gammon of the Chiefs, Vinatieri did the same with reporters.

He talked about choosing paradise over the parade.

"My wife (Valerie) is pregnant, and we have an 18-month-old son (A.J.)," Vinatieri said. "So I wanted to save them a day of extra travel. I didn't want them to have to be on too many planes."

Vinatieri, an unrestricted free agent, cheerfully dismissed the notion that he might have gotten to Hawaii ahead of his teammates in order to be courted by other teams.

"Nah, if I could be in two places at one time, I would," Vinatieri said. "I'm definitely optimistic about (staying with the Patriots). It's been a great nine years and I can't say enough about the good things, the great group of guys on the team and ownership and management. Hopefully we'll get something done soon. I've left it up to my agent and haven't really thought much about it."

Vinatieri kicked a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that gave the Patriots a 24-14 lead against the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. It turned out to be the difference, as New England won 24-21.

Vinatieri kicked game-winning field goals in the Patriots' previous two Super Bowl wins -- over the St. Louis Rams in 2002 and the Carolina Panthers in 2004.

"This one wasn't in the last couple of seconds, but any time you can contribute to a win it's a joy," Vinatieri said.

His teammates were scheduled to join him at practice today. Quarterback Tom Brady, special teams player Larry Izzo, linebacker Tedy Bruschi and defensive end Richard Seymour were expected to arrive in Hawaii last night. Running back Corey Dillon failed his year-end physical for an undisclosed reason and was replaced by Steelers running back Jerome Bettis yesterday.

Dawkins also owed his early arrival to his wife.

Connie Dawkins prepared an itinerary to get to Hawaii quickly after the Super Bowl if the Eagles lost and did not have to go to Philadelphia for a parade. It's an eventuality Brian Dawkins could not acknowledge before the game.

"We got the packet (with travel information) a long time ago, so she set it up for either a win or a loss," he said. "I did not plan on making that flight (through Salt Lake City)."

Less than 48 hours after losing the biggest game of his nine-year NFL career -- which was played in his hometown -- Dawkins was cordial, but still dealing with the defeat. The fourth-time Pro Bowler said a sunny morning in Hawaii among other elite NFC players took away some of the pain.

"It's helping. It's going to sting regardless," said Dawkins, who was in on five tackles Sunday. "But it does help to come over here, to see the expressions on my kids' faces (Brian Jr. and Brionni), knowing they're going to have a good time."

Eagles kicker David Akers, safety Michael Lewis, quarterback Donovan McNabb, wide receiver Terrell Owens, linebacker Ike Reese, cornerback Lito Sheppard, tackle Tra Thomas, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and running back Brian Westbrook were to join Dawkins today. (Owens will not play due to injury; he was replaced by Rams receiver Torry Holt.)