Former NFL player Brian Dawkins thinks Eagles head coach Andy Reid should be on the hot seat. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Newly retired NFL star Brian Dawkins has also been known as a hard hitter on the field. If he keeps up the hard-hitting criticism of the Philadelphia Eagles, he may be in an analyst chair pretty soon too.

Dawkins spoke to NFL Network’s Rich Eisen on his podcast and when asked should his former coach Andy Reid be on the hot seat, Dawkins didn’t pull any punches.

“Yes, here’s the thing,” Dawkins said. “When you go out and you get some of the pieces that they got, that’s telling the fan base something. Even coming into this year … some of the things they’re doing this offseason, that’s telling the fan base something.”

“If there was a chance for this team to go far, it should be this year. You should know your team, you should know who can do what,” Dawkins said.

Dawkins played 13 seasons in Philadelphia, was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL 2000′s All-Decade Team before retiring in April.

Professional athletes announce their retirements everyday. It is far less often that the league’s commissioner congratulates that player on their long and successful career. That happened today when Commissioner Roger Goodell tweeted congratulatory words to longtime safety Brian Dawkins.

Congrats @BrianDawkins on a successful 16-year career. Great player, great family. More importantly, great man in community & locker room

— Roger Goodell (@nflcommish) April 23, 2012

Dawkins announced his retirement earlier today on Twitter. The 38-year-old played the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, but played the past three seasons with the Denver Broncos.

Over the course of his career, he totaled 1169 tackles, 26 sacks, and 37 interceptions.

Denver Broncos safety and former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Dawkins has announced his retirement from football via Twitter.

The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 ... tmi.me/oOdDW

—
Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) April 23, 2012

Dawkins played 13 seasons for the Eagles before going to the Broncos for his last three years in the league.

In his career, Dawkins has compiled 1131 tackles, 37 forced fumbles, and 37 interceptions.