I'd hate to be the guy to break this news to you, but I have a friend who has a friend who has a friend who knows a gal. She works for David Stern.
She was giving him his weekly high colonic when she noticed a document next to him. After Stern fell asleep, she made a quick xerox of the documents ingredients.
It says:
After several meetings with Phil Knight, the NBA and Nike have come up with an exciting format and idea that should take the heat off of us. I remind you all not to pull a Donaghy. Your bonuses created by our layoffs should more than buy your silence. Remember to follow your game by game scripts, and to carry the images we are trying to push. Here is the outline of our plans:
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1. Boston Celtics - Protect the "Big 3" at all costs!
2. Philadelphia 76ers - Let the kids have fun...to a certain point.
3. Toronto Raptors - Keep them in limbo.
4. New Jersey Nets - Let them think there is hope.
5. New York Knicks - Just ignore them unless they somehow win a few.
CENTRAL DIVISION
1. Cleveland Cavaliers - MAKE SURE Lebron is happy!
2. Detroit Pistons - Just don't pay the whining any heed.
3. Chicago Bulls - Let Rose win R.O.Y.
4. Milwaukee Bucks - String them along.
5. Indiana Pacers - Ditto.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
1. Orlando Magic - They won the lottery to win this division.
2. Miami Heat - We are pushing the DWade comeback angle.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Play on the kids emotions.
4. Washington Wizards - One and done is played out.
5. Charlotte Bobcats - Let Larry scream.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
1. Utah Jazz - We need Deron for that area.
2. Portland Trailblazers - Let the youngin's ball until the playoffs.
3. Denver Nuggets - Make sure A.I. and 'Melo get their shots..and L's.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - Let them have hope.
5. Okie City Thunder - They must be punished for what they did to Seattle.
PACIFIC DIVISION
1. Los Angeles Lakers - Kobe will lead us to the money.
2. Phoenix Suns - Same formula as last year please.
3. LA Clippers - We will keep them in the middle. Understand?
4. Golden State Warriors - Nellie is OK with this.
5. Sacramento Kings - Keep them here so the Vegas move happens.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
1. New Orleans Hornets - We will keep funding them for the future.
2. San Antonio Spurs - We will try to stop them again.
3. Houston Rockets - Yao will keep our overseas partners interested.
4. Dallas Mavericks - Cuban will pay for making a fool out of me.
5. Memphis Grizzlies - These games are not your days off. I mean it this time!
PLAYOFFS
Celtics over Hawks in 5 for excitements sake. Stretch it out.
Cavaliers over Raptors in 4 to build Lebron's Legacy.
Detroit over Orlando because we flipped a coin.
Miami over 76ers for our DWade angle
Lakers over Trailblazers in 4 to keep Kobe fresh.
Hornets over Suns in 7 for reasons above.
Rockets over Jazz in 6 for reasons above.
Spurs over Mavericks in 7 for Texas cash.
Celtics over Detroit in 7 for our ratings booster.
Cleveland over Miami in 6 for Lebron.
Lakers over Spurs in 6 to keep Kobe happy.
Rockets over Hornets in 7 for our overseas partners.
Cleveland over Boston in 7 at the Garden for "lore".
Lakers over Rockets in 6 and you better protect Kobe's health!
CHAMPIONSHIP
Lakers over Cavaliers in 7 for our "epic battle".
What do you think? Well, you know I don't care what you think. Phil and I are creative. I think we will vacuum many bills from the saps pockets. Hahahahahahaaaaa!
Again, sorry to break this news to you all. Just thought you'd like to know ahead of time.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Why Tim Duncan IS The Best Player In The NBA Today
I want to say right off that there is no doubt there are several excellent players in today's NBA. Many people have their favorites and Duncan is not mine. That being said, not only do I respect each players on an NBA's rosters ability, but I have watched it quite intently. I also have had the privilege of watching Duncan in many ACC games, being in ACC country.
It would be easy to point out my admiration in his securing an education before an NBA dollar. Especially if you notice that virtually every kid in most mocks for the 2008-09 NBA Draft are freshman. Duncan had offers yearly since his freshman year, and wasn't on a top ACC team every year either. It is clear winning is important to him, but it seems quite evident his mind comes first. He had made a promise to his dying mother just before his 14th birthday that he would get a college education. After I saw Duncan for four years, I thought he could be an All Star, but he hadn't really yet shown us what he could really do yet. I saw the leadership, toughness, unselfishness (a rare commodity in today's NBA), and ability to play D. But, since he was stuck in the zone schemes, he hadn't yet showed his consistent and impressive range. Even after winning college Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and the John Wooden Award in his senior year.
When the Spurs lucked into Duncan in 1997, I knew he would be the center they needed. David Robinson was a small forward stuck in a 7 footers body and wasn't exactly fond of doing the dirty work needed to win. Duncan immediately picked up the slack and continues today to do the little things that are left off stat sheets to win. Duncans drive is unquestioned, even if it may seem he is almost morose by his facial expression. This expression is actually psychology used on opponents. Much like how Jim Brown got up very slowly after each rushing attempt, this psychology major never lets an opponent rattle him while waiting for a moment for which the guy guarding him relaxes, so that he can score.
When Tim Duncan steps onto the NBA hardwood, you can practically put down 20 points and 10 rebounds in the stat sheet before tip off. In fact, Duncan has averaged over 20 PPG and over 11 RPG in almost each of his 11 NBA seasons. He scored 18.6 in 2005-06, and 19.3 PPG this year and 10 RPG in 2006-07. That is what one would call a consistent career. He also has averaged over 2 BPG every season. He has shot 50% on the floor for his career and his lowest was .484%. Not bad for a kid who didn't start playing basketball until his 9th grade year.
Duncan led the Spurs to their first ever NBA Championship in his second season. He has led them to 4 NBA Championship wins in his 11 years so far, while winning the NBA Championship MVP 3 times ( one of only 4 players to have done so). Duncan has also won the NBA MVP twice, as well as Rookie of the Year. He has been voted onto 10 All Star teams, while winning the All Star game MVP in 2000. He has been named to All NBA team and All NBA Defensive team in every season of his career.
Duncan has had one constant in his career. Head coach Greg Popovich. In Duncans era, the Spurs have won about 70% of their regular season games, the highest winning percentage of any team in all sports. Popovich has smartly placed good complimentary players around Duncan throughout his career. First there was David Robinson, then Rasho Nesterovic, and now Fabricio Oberto to play next to him. He has had solid guard play with Avery Johnson, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker to feed him the ball. Other important complimentary players have also been vital to the teams successes. Duncan, however, is the constant in their success and game plan.
Duncan is 6'11", and certainly does not play as flashy a game as others. Other smaller guys may seem more spectacular with their dunks, or moves to the basket. Duncan needs no flash. He is all grit. Constant grit. Reliable. Dependable. His charity work off the court is even more impressive than his feats in the NBA.
Tim Duncan is the last guy one would expect to be accused of rape or make outrageous statements. You won't hear him complain about his team, nor organization either. I am not a Spurs fan, I'm a Wizards fan. But I am certainly a fan of Tim Duncan. The man, as well as the basketball player. He should be the face of the NBA, but he has no ego to flaunt himself, nor shill products by questionable corporations as so many other NBA players do.
When you talk about the greatest power forwards to have ever played in the NBA, you can mention Elvin "The Big E" Hayes, Karl Malone, or Kevin McHale. Maybe even a few others? But Tim Duncan's name should always be one of the first names brought into the discussion.
Imagine if more kids stayed in school and educated their minds? Perhaps the NBA wouldn't be suffering an image problem as it is today? This was not an issue for the NBA until David Stern was named commissioner. Maybe if the kids got an education first, they would be more like Tim Duncan : a winner in life and sports.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
NEVER FORGET! Part 2
WES CHANDLER
Wes was the 3rd pick overall in the 1978 draft by the New Orleans Saints. He was used primarily as a return specialist his rookie year, duties he would rarely be asked to do for the rest of his career. He still managed 35 receptions in limited duty. Wes broke out in his second year, when he had 65 receptions for 1,069 yards and 6 touchdowns. He led the NFL with a career long 85 yard reception. Chandler also made his first All Pro team. He caught 65 balls the following year as well. In 1981, Wes was traded after the 4th game of the season to the San Diego Chargers. He ended up with a career high 69 catches, gaining 1,142 yards and 6 touchdowns. The strike shortened 1982 season was maybe Chandlers best. He snared 49 balls for 1, 032 yards in eight games. He led the NFL with 9 touchdown catches, and 129 receiving yards per game. His 21.1 yards per catch average was the best of his career, and he also made his second All Pro team. Wes caught 58 balls the following year, and was again an All Pro. He followed that up with 52 receptions the next season. 1985 would be Chandler's last as an All Pro, when he caught 67 passes. He set career bests with 1,199 yards and 10 touchdowns as well. Wes caught 56 passes the next year. He was injured in 1987, yet managed to play 12 games and catch 39 passes. Wes then went to the San Francisco 49ers in 1988. He played 4 games for the eventual Super Bowl Champions before retiring. Wes Chandler is know to some as the guy who replaced John Jefferson in Air Coryell during its heights. One of the most famous playoff game in NFL history, The Epic In Miami, saw Chandler catch 6 balls for 106 yards, and score his only punt return touchdown of his career from 56 yards out in the Chargers win. He is a member of the Chargers Hall Of Fame, and was ranked 12th in NFL history in receiving yards and 13th in total receptions in NFL history when he retired. He finished with 559 receptions, 56 touchdowns, and 10,526 all-purpose yards.
MONTE COLEMAN
Monte was drafted in the 11th round of the 1979 draft by the Washington Redskins. He established himself quickly as a special teams star in his rookie year. He also showed great prowess in pass defense, and soon was part of the dime package, and picked off a pass that year. Monte got to start 10 games the next year and swiped 3 passes for 92 yards. He also had a career high 118 tackles. In 1981, Coleman started in 11 of the 12 games he played. He picked off 3 more balls, and returned one 52 yards for the first touchdown of his career. Monte then went back to being spotted on passing downs mostly. In 1984, he had a career high 10.5 quarterback sacks, and returned 1 interception 49 yards for a score. In 1989, he scored a touchdown on a 24 yard interception. Monte scored the last touchdown of his career in 1993, when he scooped up a fumble and returned it 24 yards. Coleman retired after the 1994 season, his 16th. Of the 215 games he played, he started just 62 of them. His impact was made whenever he took the field, and he was a long time special teams star for the Redskins. He ended up with 999 tackles, 43.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, 4 touchdowns, and 3 Super Bowl rings in 4 Super Bowl appearances. When he retired, his 215 games as a Redskin were the most ever until Darrell Green passed him. Monte's stats are very impressive, especially if you consider he never played football until college. What separated him from most, and had him a beloved member of the team, was his leadership both on and off the field. Monte Coleman is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, and deservedly so.
ROY GREEN
Roy is one of the greatest Cardinals of All Time. He was drafted by the Saint Louis Cardinals in the 4th round of the 1979 draft. He was used on both sides of the ball early in his career as a Wide Receiver and Free Safety. He was used as a return specialist his first two seasons as well. He returned 41 kickoffs for an NFL leading 1,005 yards in his rookie year. He took 1 back for Cardinals record 106 yards. He also caught a 15 yard pass. The next year, he returned punts as well, and had a career best 16 returns for 168 yards. He also scored on a 57 yard return. Playing exclusively as a Free Safety, he intercepted his first pass. In 1981, he had a career high 3 interceptions for 44 yards, the last interceptions of his career. Green also caught 33 passes for 708 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 21.5 yards per catch average were a career high. Roy also had 3 rushing attempts for 60 yards, while scoring on a 44 yard jaunt. In the strike shortened 1982 season, Roy had 32 catches. Playing now just at Wide Receiver, Roy broke out in 1983. He had a career best 78 receptions for 1,227 yards. He led the NFL with a career best 14 touchdown receptions, while making his first All Pro team. He matched his reception total the following year, while leading the NFL with career bests of 1,555 yards and 97.2 yards per game. He also had 12 touchdowns, while making his last All Pro team. Roy battled injuries over the next 3 years, missing 12 games total. He had 135 receptions and 15 touchdowns over that span. In 1988, the Cardinals moved to Phoenix and Green had 68 receptions for 1,097 yards and 7 touchdowns. He matched that touchdown total on 44 receptions, despite missing 4 games because of injuries. 1990 was Roy's last healthy season in the NFL. He snagged 53 balls and scored the last 4 touchdowns of his career. Roy was then traded to the Cleveland Browns after the 1990 season, but was released. He was then picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles. He caught 37 balls in 22 games the next 2 years, before retiring after the 1992 season. Roy was a special player. He had 559 career receptions, 69 touchdowns, a 16 yard per catch average, 4 interceptions, 20 fumble recoveries, and 11,391 totals yards. I am surprised the Cardinals have allowed Anquan Boldin, or any Cardinal, to wear his number. It should have been retired. His 522 receptions with the Cardinals ranks second in franchise history, and his 8,497 receiving yards and 66 receiving touchdowns rank first in Cardinals history.
WALLY HILGENBERG
Wally was a 4th round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in the 1964 draft. Playing mostly special teams, Wally started in 9 of the 41 games he suited up for Detroit in his first 3 NFL seasons. He was then traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 1968 season. The Steelers cut him in training camp, and the Minnesota Vikings claimed him off waivers. Hilgenberg ended up starting 7 of 14 games that year for the Vikings, and would remain a starter at Right Outside Linebacker until 1976. He picked off the first two passes of his career in 1970, and scored a touchdown off an interception in 1972. In 1973, Wally scored a touchdown off of a fumble recovery, the last touchdown of his career. By 1977, he was a reserve, and started just one game until he retired after the 1979 season at 37 years old. Wally was an integral member of all four on the Vikings Super Bowl teams, and was considered on of the meanest players in the league on the field. His daughter would be named Miss Minnesota Teen USA in 1998. Wally then became ill with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and passed away on 9/ 23/ 08. Hilgenberg may not have gotten the headlines that the Purple People Eaters front fours did, but his impact from the strong side OLB slot was vital to the teams extraordinary success. Wally was also known as a practical joker off of the field. Before the Vikings played the Steelers in Super Bowl IX, Howard Cosell was interviewing Hall Of Fame Quarterback Fran Tarkenton at the teams hotel. Wally was on a balcony with teammates a few floors above them, and dumped a bucket of water on Cosell. His passing away has saddened many, but the memories he made will live on.
CHARLIE CONERLY
Charlie was a 13th round draft pick of the Washington Redskins in the 1945 draft. but decided to attend the University of Mississippi. He ended up being the Player of the Year and Back of the Year of the SEC in 1947, when he led Ole Miss to their first SEC title. He was also an All American and the 1947 Player of the Year by the Helms Athletic Foundation. Charlie Conerly is a member of the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, the Ole Miss Team of the Century, and the College Football Hall of Fame. The Conerly Trophy is given annually to the top college player in the State of Mississippi. Charlie, now 27 years old, then joined the New York Giants in 1948, and started immediately. He was the 1948 NFL Rookie of the Year, when he tossed 22 touchdown passes and ran for 5 more. He was named to his first All Pro team in 1950, despite starting in just 8 of the 11 games he played. Conerly led the Giants to 3 NFL Championship games between 1956 to 1959. The Giants won the 1956 NFL Championship by blowing out the Chicago Bears 47-7, as Charlie tossed 2 TD's. He would be named to his last All Pro team that year. Charlie was the NFL MVP in the 1959 season. He led the Giants to the Championship against Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts, in what some termed the "Greatest Game Ever". It was the game that put the NFL on the map, and into the homes of most of America. Charlie led the NFL in passer rating, yards gained per pass attempt, yards gained per pass completion, and the lowest interception rate. Charlie continued to start for the Giants until 1960. That year, he started 8 of 12 games. In 1961, the Giants acquired the services of Hall of Fame Quarterback Y.A. Tittle. Charlie, now 40, ended up starting 4 games, as the Giants would go on to lose to the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship game. Conerly retired after that. He retired with 1,418 completions on 2,833 attempts for 19,488 yards. He tossed 173 touchdowns, and had 167 interceptions, and rushed for 10 TD's. Charlie punted the ball 130 times for 5,062 yards, a 38.9 yards per punt average, and even kicked 4 extra points. The Giants have had several Hall of Fame Quarterbacks in their organization. Tarkenton, Tittle, Arnie Herber, and Benny Friedman. Charlie Conerly led the Giants to their last Championship win, until they won Super Bowl XXI in 1986. His place as one of the best in franchise history is secure, and his #42 has been retired by the Giants.
Wes was the 3rd pick overall in the 1978 draft by the New Orleans Saints. He was used primarily as a return specialist his rookie year, duties he would rarely be asked to do for the rest of his career. He still managed 35 receptions in limited duty. Wes broke out in his second year, when he had 65 receptions for 1,069 yards and 6 touchdowns. He led the NFL with a career long 85 yard reception. Chandler also made his first All Pro team. He caught 65 balls the following year as well. In 1981, Wes was traded after the 4th game of the season to the San Diego Chargers. He ended up with a career high 69 catches, gaining 1,142 yards and 6 touchdowns. The strike shortened 1982 season was maybe Chandlers best. He snared 49 balls for 1, 032 yards in eight games. He led the NFL with 9 touchdown catches, and 129 receiving yards per game. His 21.1 yards per catch average was the best of his career, and he also made his second All Pro team. Wes caught 58 balls the following year, and was again an All Pro. He followed that up with 52 receptions the next season. 1985 would be Chandler's last as an All Pro, when he caught 67 passes. He set career bests with 1,199 yards and 10 touchdowns as well. Wes caught 56 passes the next year. He was injured in 1987, yet managed to play 12 games and catch 39 passes. Wes then went to the San Francisco 49ers in 1988. He played 4 games for the eventual Super Bowl Champions before retiring. Wes Chandler is know to some as the guy who replaced John Jefferson in Air Coryell during its heights. One of the most famous playoff game in NFL history, The Epic In Miami, saw Chandler catch 6 balls for 106 yards, and score his only punt return touchdown of his career from 56 yards out in the Chargers win. He is a member of the Chargers Hall Of Fame, and was ranked 12th in NFL history in receiving yards and 13th in total receptions in NFL history when he retired. He finished with 559 receptions, 56 touchdowns, and 10,526 all-purpose yards.
MONTE COLEMAN
Monte was drafted in the 11th round of the 1979 draft by the Washington Redskins. He established himself quickly as a special teams star in his rookie year. He also showed great prowess in pass defense, and soon was part of the dime package, and picked off a pass that year. Monte got to start 10 games the next year and swiped 3 passes for 92 yards. He also had a career high 118 tackles. In 1981, Coleman started in 11 of the 12 games he played. He picked off 3 more balls, and returned one 52 yards for the first touchdown of his career. Monte then went back to being spotted on passing downs mostly. In 1984, he had a career high 10.5 quarterback sacks, and returned 1 interception 49 yards for a score. In 1989, he scored a touchdown on a 24 yard interception. Monte scored the last touchdown of his career in 1993, when he scooped up a fumble and returned it 24 yards. Coleman retired after the 1994 season, his 16th. Of the 215 games he played, he started just 62 of them. His impact was made whenever he took the field, and he was a long time special teams star for the Redskins. He ended up with 999 tackles, 43.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, 4 touchdowns, and 3 Super Bowl rings in 4 Super Bowl appearances. When he retired, his 215 games as a Redskin were the most ever until Darrell Green passed him. Monte's stats are very impressive, especially if you consider he never played football until college. What separated him from most, and had him a beloved member of the team, was his leadership both on and off the field. Monte Coleman is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, and deservedly so.
ROY GREEN
Roy is one of the greatest Cardinals of All Time. He was drafted by the Saint Louis Cardinals in the 4th round of the 1979 draft. He was used on both sides of the ball early in his career as a Wide Receiver and Free Safety. He was used as a return specialist his first two seasons as well. He returned 41 kickoffs for an NFL leading 1,005 yards in his rookie year. He took 1 back for Cardinals record 106 yards. He also caught a 15 yard pass. The next year, he returned punts as well, and had a career best 16 returns for 168 yards. He also scored on a 57 yard return. Playing exclusively as a Free Safety, he intercepted his first pass. In 1981, he had a career high 3 interceptions for 44 yards, the last interceptions of his career. Green also caught 33 passes for 708 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 21.5 yards per catch average were a career high. Roy also had 3 rushing attempts for 60 yards, while scoring on a 44 yard jaunt. In the strike shortened 1982 season, Roy had 32 catches. Playing now just at Wide Receiver, Roy broke out in 1983. He had a career best 78 receptions for 1,227 yards. He led the NFL with a career best 14 touchdown receptions, while making his first All Pro team. He matched his reception total the following year, while leading the NFL with career bests of 1,555 yards and 97.2 yards per game. He also had 12 touchdowns, while making his last All Pro team. Roy battled injuries over the next 3 years, missing 12 games total. He had 135 receptions and 15 touchdowns over that span. In 1988, the Cardinals moved to Phoenix and Green had 68 receptions for 1,097 yards and 7 touchdowns. He matched that touchdown total on 44 receptions, despite missing 4 games because of injuries. 1990 was Roy's last healthy season in the NFL. He snagged 53 balls and scored the last 4 touchdowns of his career. Roy was then traded to the Cleveland Browns after the 1990 season, but was released. He was then picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles. He caught 37 balls in 22 games the next 2 years, before retiring after the 1992 season. Roy was a special player. He had 559 career receptions, 69 touchdowns, a 16 yard per catch average, 4 interceptions, 20 fumble recoveries, and 11,391 totals yards. I am surprised the Cardinals have allowed Anquan Boldin, or any Cardinal, to wear his number. It should have been retired. His 522 receptions with the Cardinals ranks second in franchise history, and his 8,497 receiving yards and 66 receiving touchdowns rank first in Cardinals history.
WALLY HILGENBERG
Wally was a 4th round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in the 1964 draft. Playing mostly special teams, Wally started in 9 of the 41 games he suited up for Detroit in his first 3 NFL seasons. He was then traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers before the 1968 season. The Steelers cut him in training camp, and the Minnesota Vikings claimed him off waivers. Hilgenberg ended up starting 7 of 14 games that year for the Vikings, and would remain a starter at Right Outside Linebacker until 1976. He picked off the first two passes of his career in 1970, and scored a touchdown off an interception in 1972. In 1973, Wally scored a touchdown off of a fumble recovery, the last touchdown of his career. By 1977, he was a reserve, and started just one game until he retired after the 1979 season at 37 years old. Wally was an integral member of all four on the Vikings Super Bowl teams, and was considered on of the meanest players in the league on the field. His daughter would be named Miss Minnesota Teen USA in 1998. Wally then became ill with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and passed away on 9/ 23/ 08. Hilgenberg may not have gotten the headlines that the Purple People Eaters front fours did, but his impact from the strong side OLB slot was vital to the teams extraordinary success. Wally was also known as a practical joker off of the field. Before the Vikings played the Steelers in Super Bowl IX, Howard Cosell was interviewing Hall Of Fame Quarterback Fran Tarkenton at the teams hotel. Wally was on a balcony with teammates a few floors above them, and dumped a bucket of water on Cosell. His passing away has saddened many, but the memories he made will live on.
CHARLIE CONERLY
Charlie was a 13th round draft pick of the Washington Redskins in the 1945 draft. but decided to attend the University of Mississippi. He ended up being the Player of the Year and Back of the Year of the SEC in 1947, when he led Ole Miss to their first SEC title. He was also an All American and the 1947 Player of the Year by the Helms Athletic Foundation. Charlie Conerly is a member of the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, the Ole Miss Team of the Century, and the College Football Hall of Fame. The Conerly Trophy is given annually to the top college player in the State of Mississippi. Charlie, now 27 years old, then joined the New York Giants in 1948, and started immediately. He was the 1948 NFL Rookie of the Year, when he tossed 22 touchdown passes and ran for 5 more. He was named to his first All Pro team in 1950, despite starting in just 8 of the 11 games he played. Conerly led the Giants to 3 NFL Championship games between 1956 to 1959. The Giants won the 1956 NFL Championship by blowing out the Chicago Bears 47-7, as Charlie tossed 2 TD's. He would be named to his last All Pro team that year. Charlie was the NFL MVP in the 1959 season. He led the Giants to the Championship against Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts, in what some termed the "Greatest Game Ever". It was the game that put the NFL on the map, and into the homes of most of America. Charlie led the NFL in passer rating, yards gained per pass attempt, yards gained per pass completion, and the lowest interception rate. Charlie continued to start for the Giants until 1960. That year, he started 8 of 12 games. In 1961, the Giants acquired the services of Hall of Fame Quarterback Y.A. Tittle. Charlie, now 40, ended up starting 4 games, as the Giants would go on to lose to the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship game. Conerly retired after that. He retired with 1,418 completions on 2,833 attempts for 19,488 yards. He tossed 173 touchdowns, and had 167 interceptions, and rushed for 10 TD's. Charlie punted the ball 130 times for 5,062 yards, a 38.9 yards per punt average, and even kicked 4 extra points. The Giants have had several Hall of Fame Quarterbacks in their organization. Tarkenton, Tittle, Arnie Herber, and Benny Friedman. Charlie Conerly led the Giants to their last Championship win, until they won Super Bowl XXI in 1986. His place as one of the best in franchise history is secure, and his #42 has been retired by the Giants.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The ALMOST All Time Philadelphia Eagles = Defense
Defensive Tackle : Charlie Johnson
Charlie was drafted by the Eagles in the 7th round of the 1977 draft. He was the 175th player picked overall. Charlie worked his way into the starting lineup fairly quickly in his rookie season, starting nine of the twelve games he played. Charlie would start in every game he played for the Eagles after that. By 1979, Charlie was honored with his first All Pro team. Johnson was a key member of an excellent Eagles defense that helped lead the franchise to Super Bowl XV in 1980. Charlie intercepted 3 passes that season. He was named to the All Pro team once again that season as well. 1981 was Charlie's last season to earn a Pro Bowl nod, and he intercepted another pass. After that season, he ended up with the Minnesota Vikings, where he recorded the last interception of his career during his first season as a Viking. Charlie recorded 4 sacks in 1984, then retired after the season. Sacks were not recorded until 1982, but Johnson was known for being a good pass rusher. Often he and Claude Humphrey would harass the opposing teams QB all game. Charlie was also important to the Eagles run defense as a Nose Tackle. He occupied several blockers, which helped Eagles linebackers like Bergey, LeMaster, Bunting, and Robinson. Charlie Johnson is one of the very best defensive linemen to have ever been an Eagle.
Defensive Tackle : Floyd Peters
Floyd was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 8th round of the 1958 draft. He was the 93rd player chosen overall. Floyd's rookie year took place in 1959 as a member of the Cleveland Browns. He stayed 3 years there, and intercepted a pass. Peters joined the Detroit Lions for one season in 1963, then joined the Eagles the next year. He immediately blossomed into one of the better Defensive Tackles in the NFL with Philadelphia. He earned his first All Pro team nod in that first year with the Eagles in 1964. Floyd missed 5 games because of injury the next season, but rebounded in 1966 with another fine season that saw him earn another Pro Bowl honor. Peter's earned his last Pro Bowl invitation the following year in 1967, and he also intercepted a pass. Floyd picked off the last pass of his career in 1968, then would join the Washington Redskins in 1970. He retired after that season. Floyd would go on to be a noted Defensive Coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1990's. The Eagles have had quite a few excellent Defensive Tackles during their history, and Floyd Peters is one of the very best that they ever had.
Defensive End : Clyde Simmons
Clyde was drafted by the Eagles in the 9th round of the 1986 draft. He was the 233rd player picked overall. Clyde's rookie year saw him slowly work his way into the Eagles rotation on the defensive line, and he accrued 2 sacks. He starter 12 games the next season, and had 6 sacks. Simmons then had 8 more sacks the following year. He also recorded the only safety of his career, and scored a touchdown off of a lateral. Clyde exploded in 1989, when he had 15.5 sacks. He also intercepted a pass and took it 60 yards for a touchdown. Clyde scored another touchdown, via a fumble recovery, in 1990. He also had 7.5 sacks. 1991 saw Simmons earn his first All Pro honors. He had 13 sacks and scored a touchdown off of a fumble recovery. Clyde's best season in the NFL may have taken place in 1992. He led the NFL with 19 sacks, and earned his last All Pro bid. Clyde picked off a pass and had 5 sacks the following season, then joined the Arizona Cardinals in 1994. He had 6 sacks that , year, then 11 the next. He also picked off the last regular season pass of his career, and scored his last touchdown. He also recovered a career high 6 fumbles. Clyde joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996. He had 7.5 sacks that year, and would intercept a pass and score in the playoffs. Simmons then had 8.5 sacks the following year. He joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 1998, and had 5 sacks. He then joined the Chicago Bears. Used primarily as a pass rush specialist, he had 7 sacks in 1999. Clyde only got a half of a sack, a career low, in 2000. He retired after that year with 121.5 career sacks, 25 fumbles recovered, 5 touchdowns, and a safety. 76 of those sacks came in 8 years as an Eagle as an integral member of the famous Gang Green defense. Clyde Simmons is certainly one of the better Defensive Ends to have ever played for Philadelphia.
Defensive End : Norm Willey
Norm was drafted by the Eagles in the 13th round of the 1950 draft. He was the 170th player picked overall. He was nicknamed "Wildman" by his team mates for his reckless abandon on the field. He intercepted a pass, in his rookie year, and took it 41 yards for a touchdown. He also had a career high 4 fumbles recovered that year. Norm picked off the last pass of his career in 1952. In 1954, Norm scored the last touchdown of his career off of a fumble recovery. He also caught 2 passes for 50 yards. He was named to his first All Pro team that year. Willey would then make his final All Pro team in 1955. He returned 2 kickoffs for 32 yards in 1956, then retired after the 1957 season. Willey is one of the best pass rushers in the history of the Eagles. Sacks were not an officially recognized statistic in his era, but he once had 17 sacks in just one game alone. Carl Hairston, Greg Brown, Dennis Harrison, William Fuller and Hugh Douglass deserve mention. Norm "Wildman" Willy should be in the Eagles Ring of Honor.
Linebacker : Bill Bergey
William Earl Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1969 AFL draft out of Arkansas State and was an AFL All-Star in his first year. Bergey started for the Bengals for 5 years. In 1974 Bergey was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two first-round and one second-round draft picks. With the Eagles, Bergey went to four straight Pro Bowls, and became the highest-paid defensive player in the league. He earned Eagles MVP status three times. Bergey recorded 233 tackles in a single season with the Eagles. After the Eagles lost to Oakland in Super Bowl XV, Bergey retired with a then NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker in a career. Bergey is a member of the Bengals 40th Anniversary Roster, the Eagles Honor Roll, and the city of Buffalo's Hall of Fame. Though Bill Bergey was excellent in Cincinnati, it was with Philadelphia he enjoyed his best years in the NFL. In his 5 years with the Bengals, Bergey had 9 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries. He accumulated 18 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries in 7 seasons as an Eagle. He was a tackling machine that allowed fellow Eagle LB'S John Bunting, Frank LeMaster and Jerry Robinson to excel. When you talk of the rich history of the Eagles, names like Van Buren, Bednarik, McDonald, White, Montgomery, Carmichael, and Bill Bergey roll off the tongues of most die hard Philly fans. He may not get into Canton, but he is a Hall of Fame player in my book.
Linebacker : Jeremiah Trotter
Trotter was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1998 draft by the Eagles. He was the 72nd player picked overall. He mostly played special teams in his rookie year, but earned the starting job in 1999. Trotter piled up 91 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and had 2 interceptions. 2000 was his first All Pro season, as he had 100 solo tackles, 3 sacks, and took an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. Jeremiah made the All Pro team the next year, as he scored another touchdown off of an interception. He then joined the Washington Redskins in 2001. In his 2 injury plagued seasons with the Redskins, he had 2 INT's, 150 solo tackles, and 1.5 sacks. He rejoined the Eagles in 2004, and made the Pro Bowl despite only having 59 solo tackles. 2005 was his last All Pro year, as Trotter had a career best 102 solo tackles. He had 88 solo tackles the following season, and had the last interception of his career. Trotter joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007, but only played 3 games. He retired after that year. Trotter was known for his fierce leadership, and his ability to run downhill and explode on opponents. His 5 All Pro bids ranks 4th in Eagles history for a linebacker behind Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, Bill Bergey, and Maxie Baughan. Maxie Baughan is a future CCC profilee, so I still hope he gets his deserved induction.
Linebacker : Seth Joyner
Seth was drafted in the 8th round of the 1986 draft by the Eagles, the 208th player chosen overall. Seth worked his way into the lineup his rookie year, starting 7 of the 14 games he played. He intercepted a pass, and recorded 2 sacks. He started in all of the 12 games he played the following season, intercepting 2 passes and having 4 sacks. He also scored a touchdown off of a fumble recovery. 1988 saw Seth record a career best 136 tackles. He also had 4 interceptions for 96 yards and 3.5 sacks. Seth recorded 12.5 sacks and 2 interceptions over the next two years. 1991 was one of the better years of his career, as he earned his first All Pro birth. He was also named the Sports Illustrated Defensive Player of the Year. He scored 2 touchdowns off of fumble recoveries, had 6.5 sacks and 3 interceptions. He matched that sack total the next year, to go with 4 interceptions for 88 yards and the last 2 touchdowns of his career. Seth made the Pro Bowl team in 1993, then joined the Arizona Cardinals the next year. He made his final All Pro team in 1994, as he had 6 sacks and 3 interceptions. Seth ended up playing OLB and Strong Safety in 1995 because of injuries to the Cardinals secondary. He picked off 3 balls. He had 6 sacks and the last interception of his career the next year. He joined the Green Bay Packers in 1997, and started in 10 of the 11 games he played. The Packers reached Super Bowl XXXII, but lost to the Denver Broncos. Joyner then Joined the Broncos in 1998. He played mostly on pass coverage, as the Broncos repeated as champions by winning Super Bowl XXXIII. He then retired. Seth Joyner is one of only nine members in the 20/20 Club for interceptions and sacks in NFL history, and he is one of the better Outside Linebackers in Eagles history.
Safety : Bill Bradley
Bill was drafted in the 3rd round by the Eagles in 1969, the 69th played picked overall. The Eagles made use of Bill's versatility right away. He intercepted a pass and took it 56 yards for the only touchdown of his career. He also had a career best 74 punts for a 39.8 average. He also had 28 punt returns and 21 kickoff returns for 653 total yards. In 1971, Bradley led the NFL with 11 and 248 interception return yards. He also punted the ball 61 times, and had 18 punt returns. He was named to his first All Pro team. Bradley once again led the NFL with 9 interceptions in 1972, and was named to the All Pro team. He only punted twice that year, and had 2 kickoff returns, as well as 22 punt returns. Bradley made his final All Pro team in 1973, when he had 4 interceptions, 8 punt returns, and 56 punts at a 40.2 average. Bill played just 3 more years with the Eagles. He had 35 punt returns, 20 punts, and 9 interceptions. He joined the Saint Louis Cardinals in 1977, and returned 11 punts, 4 kickoffs in just 4 games. He retired after that year. Bill Bradley is the first player in NFL history to lead the NFL in interceptions in consecutive seasons, a feat that has been matched by only Everson Walls. He had 34 interceptions in his 8 years with the Eagles, to go with 213 punts and 1,384 yards off of 134 punt and kickoff returns. He also ran for 19 yards on 3 attempts. He is a member of the Eagles Ring of Honor. Bill Bradley is one of the best safeties in Eagles history.
Safety: Tom Brookshier
Tom was drafted by the Eagles in the 10th round of the 1953 draft, the 117th player picked overall. His impact was immediate, as he had a career best 8 interceptions in his rookie season. Due to the Korean War, Tom joined the Air Force after that season, and did not return to the NFL until 1956. He had an interception for 31 yards that year. In 1957, Tom had 4 interceptions for 74 yards. He had another pick the next year. Tom made his first Pro Bowl team in 1959, while having 3 picks. He moved to Cornerback in 1960, and had an interception. He made his last All Pro team, as the Eagles won the NFL Championship. Tom had 2 interceptions going into the 7th game of the 1961. He suffered a compound fracture of his leg in the game, then retired. He is one of just 7 Eagles to have had their number retired, and is a member of the Eagles Ring of Honor. He was known as a ferocious hitter who had a nose for the ball. Tom Brookshier is certainly one of the best defensive backs in Eagles history.
Cornerback : Eric Allen
Eric was the Eagles 2nd round pick in 1988, the 30th overall player chosen overall. The Eagles started him right away, and Allen produced immediately. He had 5 interceptions for 76 yards in his rookie year. He made his first All Pro team the very next year, when he had 8 interceptions. In 1990, he had 3 more picks. He also scored his first touchdown on a 35 yard return. Allen returned to the Pro Bowl the next season, as he had 5 swipes. He had 4 the next season, and was named to the All Pro team again. 1993 was probably his best season. He led the NFL with 4 touchdowns off of interceptions, as well as 201 interception return yards. One touchdown came on a 94 yard interception return. He had 6 total picks, and recorded the first 2 sacks of his career. Allen's last year with the Eagles was 1994. He had 3 interceptions, and made the All Pro team. He joined the New Orleans Saints the next year and made his last All Pro team with 2 interceptions. He snagged 3 more balls over the next two years, then joined the Oakland Raiders in 1998. He had 5 interceptions in 10 games before injuring his knee. He had 3 more interceptions the next year. 000 saw Allen score 3 more touchdowns off of 6 interceptions. He also recorded the last sack of his career. Allen's last year in the NFL was 2001. He had 1 interception, and scored the last touchdown of his career via a fumble recovery. He retired with 54 career interceptions, and had at least 1 in every season he played. He scored 9 total touchdowns, and the only NFL player to run back at least three interceptions for scores in two seasons. 34 interceptions and 5 touchdowns came in his 8 years with the Eagles. Eric Allen may one day get the call into Canton, though there are many, many better defensive backs who still await the call themselves. Still, he is certainly one of the best Cornerbacks in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Cornerback : Troy Vincent
Troy was a first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1992, the seventh player chosen overall. Troy made abit of history before he even donned an NFL jersey. He was the first player in the history of leagues televised draft, of the first round, whose selection was missed. ESPN was still on commercial break when Troy was selected. He picked off 2 passes in each of his first seasons, as he established himself quickly as a lock down defender. Vincent picked off 5 passes in 1994, scoring a touchdown. He had 5 more interceptions the next year, and scored another touchdown. Troy then joined the Eagles in 1996. He had 3 picks that year, and scored on a 90 yard interception return. He then had 5 swipes over the next 2 seasons. In 1999, Trot led the NFL with 7 interceptions. He was named to his first All Pro team that year, and would again garner that award the next season after having 5 interceptions. Vincent made the Pro Bowl team in 2001, and had 3 interceptions. Troy Vincent won the 2002 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and snared 2 balls. He was named to the All Pro team as well. 2003 was Troy's last season to make the All Pro team, as he had 3 picks. Vincent then went to the Buffalo Bills in 2004. He was moved to Free Safety, and had 1 interception in the seven games he played. Troy stayed at FS the next year, and had 3 more picks. After playing one game for Buffalo in 2006, Troy was released. He later signed with the Washington Redskins. Though this was the only season in his 15 NFL seasons that he did not intercept a pass, he still made a big play for the Redskins against Dallas. With the game tied at 19 with the clock at a few seconds remaining, Vincent blocked the Cowboys field goal attempt. The ball was recovered by the late Sean Taylor, who was face masked on his return. That penalty, coupled with the return, put the Redskins in field goal range. The Redskins converted and won 22-19. Troy then retired after that season. In his 8 seasons with the Eagles, Troy made his only 5 All Pro teams. His 5 Pro Bowls are tied with Allen as the most ever by an Eagle. 28 of his 47 career interceptions came as an Eagle. Irv Cross, and Herm Edwards deserves mention, but Troy is one of the best CB's in Eagles history.
Punt Returner: Wally Henry
Brian Mitchell, Boss Pritchard, Timmy Brown, Vai Sikahema, Larry Marshall, Brian Westbrook, and Steve Van Buren all deserve mention. Brian Mitchell's 117 punt returns is tied with John Sciarra as the second most punt returns in Eagles history behind Henry's 148, and his 1,369 punt return yards are the most in Eagles history. Wally's 1,231 are the second most punt return yards in Eagles history. He was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Eagles in 1977. He returned just 2 punts, and caught 2 passes as a rookie. Wally played only 3 games in 1978, but did score on a 57 yard punt return in 11 attempts. He also returned 3 kickoffs. 1979 was Henry's only All Pro season. He returned 28 kickoffs at a 23.9 average, and returned 35 punts at a 9.1 average. In the Eagles Super Bowl year of 1980, Henry had 26 punt returns, and 7 kickoff returns. He also caught 4 passes for 68 yards. In 1981, Henry led the NFL with 54 punt returns. He also returned 25 kickoffs, and caught 9 balls for 145 and the last 2 touchdowns of his career. 1982 was Wally's last year in the NFL. He returned 20 punts and 24 kickoffs. In his 6 seasons in Philadelphia, Henry had 3,406 return yards on 225 returns via punts and kickoffs. Though the Eagles may have had better punt returners in the history of their franchise, Wally Henry is all over the top of the teams record books.
Charlie was drafted by the Eagles in the 7th round of the 1977 draft. He was the 175th player picked overall. Charlie worked his way into the starting lineup fairly quickly in his rookie season, starting nine of the twelve games he played. Charlie would start in every game he played for the Eagles after that. By 1979, Charlie was honored with his first All Pro team. Johnson was a key member of an excellent Eagles defense that helped lead the franchise to Super Bowl XV in 1980. Charlie intercepted 3 passes that season. He was named to the All Pro team once again that season as well. 1981 was Charlie's last season to earn a Pro Bowl nod, and he intercepted another pass. After that season, he ended up with the Minnesota Vikings, where he recorded the last interception of his career during his first season as a Viking. Charlie recorded 4 sacks in 1984, then retired after the season. Sacks were not recorded until 1982, but Johnson was known for being a good pass rusher. Often he and Claude Humphrey would harass the opposing teams QB all game. Charlie was also important to the Eagles run defense as a Nose Tackle. He occupied several blockers, which helped Eagles linebackers like Bergey, LeMaster, Bunting, and Robinson. Charlie Johnson is one of the very best defensive linemen to have ever been an Eagle.
Defensive Tackle : Floyd Peters
Floyd was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 8th round of the 1958 draft. He was the 93rd player chosen overall. Floyd's rookie year took place in 1959 as a member of the Cleveland Browns. He stayed 3 years there, and intercepted a pass. Peters joined the Detroit Lions for one season in 1963, then joined the Eagles the next year. He immediately blossomed into one of the better Defensive Tackles in the NFL with Philadelphia. He earned his first All Pro team nod in that first year with the Eagles in 1964. Floyd missed 5 games because of injury the next season, but rebounded in 1966 with another fine season that saw him earn another Pro Bowl honor. Peter's earned his last Pro Bowl invitation the following year in 1967, and he also intercepted a pass. Floyd picked off the last pass of his career in 1968, then would join the Washington Redskins in 1970. He retired after that season. Floyd would go on to be a noted Defensive Coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1990's. The Eagles have had quite a few excellent Defensive Tackles during their history, and Floyd Peters is one of the very best that they ever had.
Defensive End : Clyde Simmons
Clyde was drafted by the Eagles in the 9th round of the 1986 draft. He was the 233rd player picked overall. Clyde's rookie year saw him slowly work his way into the Eagles rotation on the defensive line, and he accrued 2 sacks. He starter 12 games the next season, and had 6 sacks. Simmons then had 8 more sacks the following year. He also recorded the only safety of his career, and scored a touchdown off of a lateral. Clyde exploded in 1989, when he had 15.5 sacks. He also intercepted a pass and took it 60 yards for a touchdown. Clyde scored another touchdown, via a fumble recovery, in 1990. He also had 7.5 sacks. 1991 saw Simmons earn his first All Pro honors. He had 13 sacks and scored a touchdown off of a fumble recovery. Clyde's best season in the NFL may have taken place in 1992. He led the NFL with 19 sacks, and earned his last All Pro bid. Clyde picked off a pass and had 5 sacks the following season, then joined the Arizona Cardinals in 1994. He had 6 sacks that , year, then 11 the next. He also picked off the last regular season pass of his career, and scored his last touchdown. He also recovered a career high 6 fumbles. Clyde joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996. He had 7.5 sacks that year, and would intercept a pass and score in the playoffs. Simmons then had 8.5 sacks the following year. He joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 1998, and had 5 sacks. He then joined the Chicago Bears. Used primarily as a pass rush specialist, he had 7 sacks in 1999. Clyde only got a half of a sack, a career low, in 2000. He retired after that year with 121.5 career sacks, 25 fumbles recovered, 5 touchdowns, and a safety. 76 of those sacks came in 8 years as an Eagle as an integral member of the famous Gang Green defense. Clyde Simmons is certainly one of the better Defensive Ends to have ever played for Philadelphia.
Defensive End : Norm Willey
Norm was drafted by the Eagles in the 13th round of the 1950 draft. He was the 170th player picked overall. He was nicknamed "Wildman" by his team mates for his reckless abandon on the field. He intercepted a pass, in his rookie year, and took it 41 yards for a touchdown. He also had a career high 4 fumbles recovered that year. Norm picked off the last pass of his career in 1952. In 1954, Norm scored the last touchdown of his career off of a fumble recovery. He also caught 2 passes for 50 yards. He was named to his first All Pro team that year. Willey would then make his final All Pro team in 1955. He returned 2 kickoffs for 32 yards in 1956, then retired after the 1957 season. Willey is one of the best pass rushers in the history of the Eagles. Sacks were not an officially recognized statistic in his era, but he once had 17 sacks in just one game alone. Carl Hairston, Greg Brown, Dennis Harrison, William Fuller and Hugh Douglass deserve mention. Norm "Wildman" Willy should be in the Eagles Ring of Honor.
Linebacker : Bill Bergey
William Earl Bergey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1969 AFL draft out of Arkansas State and was an AFL All-Star in his first year. Bergey started for the Bengals for 5 years. In 1974 Bergey was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for two first-round and one second-round draft picks. With the Eagles, Bergey went to four straight Pro Bowls, and became the highest-paid defensive player in the league. He earned Eagles MVP status three times. Bergey recorded 233 tackles in a single season with the Eagles. After the Eagles lost to Oakland in Super Bowl XV, Bergey retired with a then NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker in a career. Bergey is a member of the Bengals 40th Anniversary Roster, the Eagles Honor Roll, and the city of Buffalo's Hall of Fame. Though Bill Bergey was excellent in Cincinnati, it was with Philadelphia he enjoyed his best years in the NFL. In his 5 years with the Bengals, Bergey had 9 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries. He accumulated 18 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries in 7 seasons as an Eagle. He was a tackling machine that allowed fellow Eagle LB'S John Bunting, Frank LeMaster and Jerry Robinson to excel. When you talk of the rich history of the Eagles, names like Van Buren, Bednarik, McDonald, White, Montgomery, Carmichael, and Bill Bergey roll off the tongues of most die hard Philly fans. He may not get into Canton, but he is a Hall of Fame player in my book.
Linebacker : Jeremiah Trotter
Trotter was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1998 draft by the Eagles. He was the 72nd player picked overall. He mostly played special teams in his rookie year, but earned the starting job in 1999. Trotter piled up 91 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, and had 2 interceptions. 2000 was his first All Pro season, as he had 100 solo tackles, 3 sacks, and took an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. Jeremiah made the All Pro team the next year, as he scored another touchdown off of an interception. He then joined the Washington Redskins in 2001. In his 2 injury plagued seasons with the Redskins, he had 2 INT's, 150 solo tackles, and 1.5 sacks. He rejoined the Eagles in 2004, and made the Pro Bowl despite only having 59 solo tackles. 2005 was his last All Pro year, as Trotter had a career best 102 solo tackles. He had 88 solo tackles the following season, and had the last interception of his career. Trotter joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007, but only played 3 games. He retired after that year. Trotter was known for his fierce leadership, and his ability to run downhill and explode on opponents. His 5 All Pro bids ranks 4th in Eagles history for a linebacker behind Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, Bill Bergey, and Maxie Baughan. Maxie Baughan is a future CCC profilee, so I still hope he gets his deserved induction.
Linebacker : Seth Joyner
Seth was drafted in the 8th round of the 1986 draft by the Eagles, the 208th player chosen overall. Seth worked his way into the lineup his rookie year, starting 7 of the 14 games he played. He intercepted a pass, and recorded 2 sacks. He started in all of the 12 games he played the following season, intercepting 2 passes and having 4 sacks. He also scored a touchdown off of a fumble recovery. 1988 saw Seth record a career best 136 tackles. He also had 4 interceptions for 96 yards and 3.5 sacks. Seth recorded 12.5 sacks and 2 interceptions over the next two years. 1991 was one of the better years of his career, as he earned his first All Pro birth. He was also named the Sports Illustrated Defensive Player of the Year. He scored 2 touchdowns off of fumble recoveries, had 6.5 sacks and 3 interceptions. He matched that sack total the next year, to go with 4 interceptions for 88 yards and the last 2 touchdowns of his career. Seth made the Pro Bowl team in 1993, then joined the Arizona Cardinals the next year. He made his final All Pro team in 1994, as he had 6 sacks and 3 interceptions. Seth ended up playing OLB and Strong Safety in 1995 because of injuries to the Cardinals secondary. He picked off 3 balls. He had 6 sacks and the last interception of his career the next year. He joined the Green Bay Packers in 1997, and started in 10 of the 11 games he played. The Packers reached Super Bowl XXXII, but lost to the Denver Broncos. Joyner then Joined the Broncos in 1998. He played mostly on pass coverage, as the Broncos repeated as champions by winning Super Bowl XXXIII. He then retired. Seth Joyner is one of only nine members in the 20/20 Club for interceptions and sacks in NFL history, and he is one of the better Outside Linebackers in Eagles history.
Safety : Bill Bradley
Bill was drafted in the 3rd round by the Eagles in 1969, the 69th played picked overall. The Eagles made use of Bill's versatility right away. He intercepted a pass and took it 56 yards for the only touchdown of his career. He also had a career best 74 punts for a 39.8 average. He also had 28 punt returns and 21 kickoff returns for 653 total yards. In 1971, Bradley led the NFL with 11 and 248 interception return yards. He also punted the ball 61 times, and had 18 punt returns. He was named to his first All Pro team. Bradley once again led the NFL with 9 interceptions in 1972, and was named to the All Pro team. He only punted twice that year, and had 2 kickoff returns, as well as 22 punt returns. Bradley made his final All Pro team in 1973, when he had 4 interceptions, 8 punt returns, and 56 punts at a 40.2 average. Bill played just 3 more years with the Eagles. He had 35 punt returns, 20 punts, and 9 interceptions. He joined the Saint Louis Cardinals in 1977, and returned 11 punts, 4 kickoffs in just 4 games. He retired after that year. Bill Bradley is the first player in NFL history to lead the NFL in interceptions in consecutive seasons, a feat that has been matched by only Everson Walls. He had 34 interceptions in his 8 years with the Eagles, to go with 213 punts and 1,384 yards off of 134 punt and kickoff returns. He also ran for 19 yards on 3 attempts. He is a member of the Eagles Ring of Honor. Bill Bradley is one of the best safeties in Eagles history.
Safety: Tom Brookshier
Tom was drafted by the Eagles in the 10th round of the 1953 draft, the 117th player picked overall. His impact was immediate, as he had a career best 8 interceptions in his rookie season. Due to the Korean War, Tom joined the Air Force after that season, and did not return to the NFL until 1956. He had an interception for 31 yards that year. In 1957, Tom had 4 interceptions for 74 yards. He had another pick the next year. Tom made his first Pro Bowl team in 1959, while having 3 picks. He moved to Cornerback in 1960, and had an interception. He made his last All Pro team, as the Eagles won the NFL Championship. Tom had 2 interceptions going into the 7th game of the 1961. He suffered a compound fracture of his leg in the game, then retired. He is one of just 7 Eagles to have had their number retired, and is a member of the Eagles Ring of Honor. He was known as a ferocious hitter who had a nose for the ball. Tom Brookshier is certainly one of the best defensive backs in Eagles history.
Cornerback : Eric Allen
Eric was the Eagles 2nd round pick in 1988, the 30th overall player chosen overall. The Eagles started him right away, and Allen produced immediately. He had 5 interceptions for 76 yards in his rookie year. He made his first All Pro team the very next year, when he had 8 interceptions. In 1990, he had 3 more picks. He also scored his first touchdown on a 35 yard return. Allen returned to the Pro Bowl the next season, as he had 5 swipes. He had 4 the next season, and was named to the All Pro team again. 1993 was probably his best season. He led the NFL with 4 touchdowns off of interceptions, as well as 201 interception return yards. One touchdown came on a 94 yard interception return. He had 6 total picks, and recorded the first 2 sacks of his career. Allen's last year with the Eagles was 1994. He had 3 interceptions, and made the All Pro team. He joined the New Orleans Saints the next year and made his last All Pro team with 2 interceptions. He snagged 3 more balls over the next two years, then joined the Oakland Raiders in 1998. He had 5 interceptions in 10 games before injuring his knee. He had 3 more interceptions the next year. 000 saw Allen score 3 more touchdowns off of 6 interceptions. He also recorded the last sack of his career. Allen's last year in the NFL was 2001. He had 1 interception, and scored the last touchdown of his career via a fumble recovery. He retired with 54 career interceptions, and had at least 1 in every season he played. He scored 9 total touchdowns, and the only NFL player to run back at least three interceptions for scores in two seasons. 34 interceptions and 5 touchdowns came in his 8 years with the Eagles. Eric Allen may one day get the call into Canton, though there are many, many better defensive backs who still await the call themselves. Still, he is certainly one of the best Cornerbacks in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Cornerback : Troy Vincent
Troy was a first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1992, the seventh player chosen overall. Troy made abit of history before he even donned an NFL jersey. He was the first player in the history of leagues televised draft, of the first round, whose selection was missed. ESPN was still on commercial break when Troy was selected. He picked off 2 passes in each of his first seasons, as he established himself quickly as a lock down defender. Vincent picked off 5 passes in 1994, scoring a touchdown. He had 5 more interceptions the next year, and scored another touchdown. Troy then joined the Eagles in 1996. He had 3 picks that year, and scored on a 90 yard interception return. He then had 5 swipes over the next 2 seasons. In 1999, Trot led the NFL with 7 interceptions. He was named to his first All Pro team that year, and would again garner that award the next season after having 5 interceptions. Vincent made the Pro Bowl team in 2001, and had 3 interceptions. Troy Vincent won the 2002 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and snared 2 balls. He was named to the All Pro team as well. 2003 was Troy's last season to make the All Pro team, as he had 3 picks. Vincent then went to the Buffalo Bills in 2004. He was moved to Free Safety, and had 1 interception in the seven games he played. Troy stayed at FS the next year, and had 3 more picks. After playing one game for Buffalo in 2006, Troy was released. He later signed with the Washington Redskins. Though this was the only season in his 15 NFL seasons that he did not intercept a pass, he still made a big play for the Redskins against Dallas. With the game tied at 19 with the clock at a few seconds remaining, Vincent blocked the Cowboys field goal attempt. The ball was recovered by the late Sean Taylor, who was face masked on his return. That penalty, coupled with the return, put the Redskins in field goal range. The Redskins converted and won 22-19. Troy then retired after that season. In his 8 seasons with the Eagles, Troy made his only 5 All Pro teams. His 5 Pro Bowls are tied with Allen as the most ever by an Eagle. 28 of his 47 career interceptions came as an Eagle. Irv Cross, and Herm Edwards deserves mention, but Troy is one of the best CB's in Eagles history.
Punt Returner: Wally Henry
Brian Mitchell, Boss Pritchard, Timmy Brown, Vai Sikahema, Larry Marshall, Brian Westbrook, and Steve Van Buren all deserve mention. Brian Mitchell's 117 punt returns is tied with John Sciarra as the second most punt returns in Eagles history behind Henry's 148, and his 1,369 punt return yards are the most in Eagles history. Wally's 1,231 are the second most punt return yards in Eagles history. He was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Eagles in 1977. He returned just 2 punts, and caught 2 passes as a rookie. Wally played only 3 games in 1978, but did score on a 57 yard punt return in 11 attempts. He also returned 3 kickoffs. 1979 was Henry's only All Pro season. He returned 28 kickoffs at a 23.9 average, and returned 35 punts at a 9.1 average. In the Eagles Super Bowl year of 1980, Henry had 26 punt returns, and 7 kickoff returns. He also caught 4 passes for 68 yards. In 1981, Henry led the NFL with 54 punt returns. He also returned 25 kickoffs, and caught 9 balls for 145 and the last 2 touchdowns of his career. 1982 was Wally's last year in the NFL. He returned 20 punts and 24 kickoffs. In his 6 seasons in Philadelphia, Henry had 3,406 return yards on 225 returns via punts and kickoffs. Though the Eagles may have had better punt returners in the history of their franchise, Wally Henry is all over the top of the teams record books.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The ALMOST All Time Philadelphia Eagles = Offense
Remember : This series lauds players who aren't, or maybe never will be, inducted into Canton.
QUARTERBACK : Randall Cunningham
Randall was drafted in the second round of the 1985 draft. He was the 37th player picked overall. Randall came onto an Eagles team that had an aging starter, Ron Jaworski, who had taken the Eagles to a Super Bowl just 5 years earlier. Cunningham's first 2 NFL seasons saw him start in 9 of the 21 games he played. He tossed 9 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over that time. He also was sacked a league high 72 times in 1986. That year, he also ran for 540 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Randall started 12 games the next year, and was sacked a league high 54 times. He also managed to throw for 23 touchdowns, while having just 12 interceptions. Randall also ran for 505 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cunningham was sacked a league high 57 times in 1988. He was able to complete 24 touchdown passes versus 16 interceptions, while running for 624 yards and 6 touchdowns. Cunningham made his first Pro Bowl team that year, and would receive this honor again the following season. That year saw him lead the NFL with 6 yards per rushing attempt, when he ran for 621 yards and 4 touchdowns. Cunningham also threw 21 touchdown passes and had 15 interceptions. 1990 would be Randall's last Pro Bowl year as an Eagle. He gunned 30 touchdown passes, while having only 13 interceptions. One touchdown pass went 95 yards, which led the NFL that year. He also led the NFL with an average of 8 yards a carry, when he ran for a career high 921 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Randall was also sacked an NFL leading 49 times. The Eagles porous offensive line caught up to Randall in 1991, when he was injured in the first game of the year. He missed the rest of the season. In 1992, Cunningham returned and was sacked an NFL leading 60 times. He was injured in the 4th game the following year, knocking him out the rest of the season. Randall started 18 games over the next 2 years before heading to the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed a career rebirth in 1998, when he had a career best 34 touchdown passes and had only 10 interceptions. He would be named to his final Pro Bowl team that year. He then spent the 2000 season with Dallas, then the 2001 season with the Baltimore Ravens. He retired after that year. In 11 years as an Eagle, Randall Cunningham threw for 22,877 yards, 150 touchdown passes, and 105 interceptions. He ran for 4,482 yards on 677 attempts, while scoring 32 times. He also was sacked an amazing 422 times, and fumbled 32 times. In fact, he led the NFL in fumbles 3 times during his tenure in Philly. Randall was a very exciting quarterback who led the Eagles to the brink of the Super Bowl a few times. He was a talented player who could run or pass for a score. He may not be the best Eagle QB of all time, but he is one of the very best to have ever worn the Kelly green jersey.
FULLBACK : Tom Woodeshick
Tom was an 8th round draft pick in the 1963 draft by the Eagles. He was the 102nd player chosen overall. Tom didn't get the ball a lot his first four years in the league, carrying the ball 155 times for 673 yards and 6 touchdowns. He started to get the ball more in 1967, when he had 155 carries for 670 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also caught 34 balls for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns. 1968 was Woodeshick's best season in the NFL. He ran for a career high 947 yards on a career best 217 carries. He also caught a career high 36 passes for 328 yards. He was named to his only Pro Bowl team that year. Tom also had a strong 1970 season, when he ran for 831 yards on 186 carries. He also caught 22 passes. Tom was only able to play 21 games over the next three seasons due to injuries. He joined the Saint Louis Cardinals for the 1972 season He retired after that year. Woodeshick retired with 4,752 total yards and 27 touchdowns. He may be the greatest fullback in the history of the Eagles franchise.
HALFBACK : Wilbert Montgomery
Billy Ray Barnes deserves an honorable mention, but I'm going with Wilbert here. He was a sixth round draft pick in the 1977 draft, the 154th player picked overall. Montgomery was primarily used as a kick returner in his rookie year. He averaged 26.9 yards per return on 23 attempts, and took one for a 99 yard touchdown. Wilbert would only return 9 more kickoffs in his career because he earned the starting Halfback job in his second season. He responded with 1,220 yards rushing on 259 carries, while running in 9 touchdowns. He also snagged 34 passes and scored once. Wilbert was named to his first Pro Bowl team that year. 1979 was Wilbert's finest season of his career. He ran for a career high 1,512 yards on a career high 338 attempts. He matched his career best of 9 rushing touchdowns, while catching 41 passes for 491 yards and 5 more scores. He led the NFL with 2,006 yards from scrimmage that year, and was named to his final Pro Bowl team. Wilbert had a nice 1980 season, despite missing 4 games. He ran for 778 yards and 8 touchdowns, while snaring a career best 50 balls for 2 more scores. He would explode for 194 yards rushing in the NFC Championship game, as the Eagles would go on to reach Super Bowl XV. Philadelphia lost 27 - 10, as the Oakland Raiders stifled Wilbert, limiting him to 44 yards on 16 attempts. Wilbert did match Harold Carmichael for a team high 6 catches and 91 yards receiving in the loss. 1981 saw Wilbert average a career best 4.9 yards per carry on 286 attempts. He ran for 1,402 yards and 8 touchdowns despite missing one game. He also had 49 catches for a career high 521 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 1982 season is known for being shortened due to a players strike, so Wilbert gained 515 yards and 7 touchdowns in 8 games. Wilbert spent much of 1983 injured, but did come back to rush for 789 yards in 1984. He also caught a career high 60 passes for 501 yards. Wilbert then joined the Detroit Lions as a backup for the 1985 season, and retired at the end of the year. In his 8 seasons as an Eagle, Wilbert gained 10,105 total yards. He holds seven Philadelphia rushing records : career attempts (1,465), rushing yards (6,538), attempts in a season, rushing yards in a season, career 100-yard rushing games (26), 100-yard rushing games in a season (8 in 1981), and touchdowns in a game (4). He also caught 266 passes and scored 58 touchdowns. Steve Van Buren may be the only Eagle who could hold claim as the best Running Back ever in the franchises history, but Wilbert Montgomery can also hold that claim as well.
WIDE RECEIVER: Mike Quick
Mike was the Eagles first round choice in the 1982 draft. He was the 20th player chosen overall. Mike spent his rookie year learning, scoring once on 10 catches. He exploded the next season, when he led the NFL with a career high 1,609 yards on 69 receptions. He scored 13 times, had a excellent average of 20.4 yards per catch, and led the NFL with 88.1 receiving yards per game. He would earn the first of his 5 consecutive All Pro team nods. 1984 saw Quick catch 61 balls for 1,052 yards and 9 touchdowns. He followed that up the next year with a career best 73 receptions for 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also matched an NFL record when he took one pass 99 yards for a score. In 1986, Quick had 60 catches for 939 yards and 9 scores. 1987 was Quick's last Pro Bowl year. He missed 4 games, but managed to snare 46 balls for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mike averaged a career best 23.1 yards per catch in 1988, when he caught 22 balls for 508 yards and 4 touchdowns in 8 games. He was injured, and was never quite the same again. Quick played just 10 games over the next 2 years, catching only 22 balls for 3 touchdowns. He retired after the 1990 season. Mike Quick played 9 years for the Eagles, but was spectacular in 5 1/2 of those years. He ended up with 363 receptions for 6,464 yards and 61 touchdowns. His 17.8 yards per catch average is a spectacular average for a career of his length.
WIDE RECEIVER : Fred Barnett
Fred was a second round draft pick of the Eagles of the 1990 draft. He was the 77th player picked overall. Fred soon earned a starting job in his rookie year. He caught 36 passes for 721 yards, a 20 yards per catch average, and 8 touchdowns. His highlight that year was a career best 95 yard touchdown reception. Barnett followed that up with 62 receptions for 948 yards and 4 touchdowns the following year. In 1992, Barnett was named to his only Pro Bowl team when he had 67 receptions for 1,083 yards and 6 touchdowns. Fred was injured in the 4th game of the 1993 season, and missed the rest of the year. He returned the following year to set career highs with 78 catches for 1,127 yards. He also scored 5 times. Fred followed that up with 48 receptions and 5 touchdowns the next year. Barnett joined the Miami Dolphins in 1996. He played 2 years for Miami and played 15 games, catching 53 passes for 4 scores. He retired following the 1997 season. In his 6 years as an Eagle, Fred Barnett caught 361 balls for 5,362 yards and 32 touchdowns. He is certainly one of the better receivers in Eagles franchise history. Harold Carmichael and Harold Jackson will be featured in my Crazy Canton Cuts series soon, so they aren't on this list. I still hope for their deserved inductions.
TIGHT END : Charle Young
Charle was the Eagles 1st round draft pick in 1973, and was the 6th overall selection. He made an immediate impact in the NFL. He caught 55 passes for a career best 854 yards and a career high 6 touchdowns. His 15.4 yards per catch average was also a career best. He took one pass for a career long 80 yard score. Charle also carried the ball 4 times for 24 yards, and scored once. He was named to the Pro Bowl team. Young followed that up the next year by catching a career high 63 passes for 696 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl again. 1975 was Charles last year as a Pro Bowler. He had 49 receptions for 659 yards and 3 scores. Charle did catch 30 balls the next year, but was traded to the Los Angeles Rams before the start of the 1977 season. He was used primarily as a blocker by the Rams in his 3 years. He caught 36 passes for 3 scores over that time. The Rams would go to Super Bowl XIV, but lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 - 19. Young then joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1980. The 49ers used Young as a receiver more, and he caught 29 balls for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns that year. Young caught 37 passes for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns in 1981, as the 49ers would go on to Super Bowl XVI. Charle helped get things started for San Francisco in the playoffs by catching Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Montana's first post season touchdown pass in the 1st quarter, and San Francisco's first playoff touchdown since 1972. The 49ers would end up beating the Cincinnati Bengals for their first NFL title in the franchises history. Charle then joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1983. He played with them until 1985, catching 97 passes for 1,217 yards and 5 touchdowns. He retired after that year. Charle is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and is considered the greatest Tight End in USA history. He only played 4 years with Philadelphia, but his impact places him amongst the best ever in Eagles history with his 197 receptions for 2,583 yards and 28 touchdowns. Pete Retzlaff is a future CCC profilee.
TACKLE : Al Wistert
Al is a true legend at the University of Michigan and the Eagles. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, as are two of his brothers who also played at Michigan. The three Wisert's are amongst only seven players to ever have their numbers retired by Michigan University. In 1943, Al was drafted in the 5th round by the Steagles, a team that combined the rosters of the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers because of WW2. He was a starter by his second season at Right Tackle. He was named to his first All Pro team in 1944, and would garner this honor until 1947. He played defense too, and intercepted his only pass in 1946. Al was a key member of an excellent Eagles offensive line that opened up holes for Hall of Fame Running Back Steve Van Buren. The Eagles rode this vaunted rushing attack to back to back NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949. Al then would be named to his last All Pro team in 1951. After the 1952 season, he retired. Al is a member of the NFL 1940'a All Decade Team. The Philadelphia Eagles retired his # 70 jersey, one of only 7 Eagles to have attained this honor. VERY curiously, Al has not yet been inducted into the Eagles Ring of Honor yet. Al is 87, and has stated he would like to be inducted into the Eagles Ring of Honor before he dies. So, I am CALLING ALL OF YOU TRUE Eagles fans! Blow up the Eagles offices number! Ask for Jeffrey Lurie or leave a message for him or anyone that will listen to you. LET US GET Al the honor he deserves. How can a team retire a jersey, yet not put him in the Ring of Honor? This is a HUGE oversight. Eagles fans are amongst the most passionate in sports, so I'm hoping you get behind this man. You can call 215-463-2500 and ask for Football Media Relations too.
TACKLE : Lum Snyder
Lum was the Eagles 3rd round draft pick in the 1951 draft. He was the 29th player picked overall. Lum ended up starting at Right Tackle throughout his entire 6 year career with the Eagles. After missing one game in his rookie season, he played every other game. Lum was named an All Pro in both his second and third years in the league. Though the Eagles were mediocre during Lum's tenure, he opened up holes for Pro Bowl Running Back Billy Ray Barnes, while protecting 2 Hall of Fame QB's in Norm Van Brocklin and Sonny Jurgensen. Snyder retired after the 1958 season, and is amongst the finest offensive linemen to have ever player for the Eagles.
GUARD : Bucko Kilroy
Bucko is a local legend from Philadelphia. He went to high school in the Port Richmond section of the city, attended Temple University, then signed a free agent contract with the Eagles in 1942. Bucko spent his first 4 years in the NFL mainly as a reserve. Kilroy started 9 of 12 games at Right Guard in 1947. By 1948, Bucko was a full time starter. The Eagles would win back to back NFL Championships the next 2 seasons. Bucko also excelled as a Middle Guard on defense and was named an All Pro 3 straight seasons from 1952 to 1954. He intercepted 4 passes in 1954, and recovered 4 fumbles. Bucko played 1 game in 1955, then retired at the end of the season. Bucko Kilroy is a member of the NFL 1940'a All Decade Team. He resurfaced in the NFL in 1962 as an assistant coach for the Washington Redskins. He then joined the Dallas Cowboys organization in 1965. In 1971, Kilroy joined the New England Patriots, an ascended to General Manager in the 1980's. He stayed on with the Patriots until his death in 2007. A self made man, a local legend, and a true tough guy opponents feared, Bucko Kilroy is truly an Eagles Great.
GUARD : Jerry Sisemore
Jerry, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, was drafted in the 1st round of the 1973 draft by the Eagles. He was the third pick overall. Jerry was plugged right in at Right Tackle as a rookie, and started 13 games. The one game he missed that year would be the last game he didn't start in until 1982. Jerry manned the RT position until 1975. In 1976, he was moved to Right Guard. He played there for two seasons until being moved back to RT in 1978. Jerry earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 1979. Jerry was a key member of the Eagles run to Super Bowl XV in 1980. He made his last Pro Bowl team in 1981, then missed 1 game in the strike shortened season of 1982. Jerry was able to play 14 games in 1983, and started 13 of them. Sisemore then played 2 games the following season. He retired after that 1984 season. Though Jerry is most noted for his excellence at RT, his versatility and abilities allowed his to succeed at Guard as well. Jerry Sisemore is one of the better linemen in Eagles history.
CENTER : Vic Lindskog
Victor was a 2nd round draft pick of the Eagles in 1942. He was the 13th player picked overall. After serving, because of WW2, he joined the Eagles for the 1944 season. Playing both ways, Lindskog intercepted a pass and rumbled 65 yards for the only touchdown of his career during his rookie season. He picked off a pass in each of his next three years as well. In 1948, Vic was a stalwart in an offensive line that opened holes for Hall of Fame Running Back Steve Van Buren. The Eagles would end up capturing the NFL Championship that season by beating the Chicago Cardinals 7 - 0. That game is most noted because it was played in a blizzard, and the Eagles controlled the clock behind Van Buren's running. The only touchdown was scored by Van Buren going over the goal line opened up by a block from Lindskog. Vic was injured much of the next season, as the Eagles repeated as NFL Champions by beating the Cleveland Rams 14 - 0. Vic was selected to his only Pro Bowl squad after the 1951 season. He then retired. The Eagles have had three Hall of Fame Centers in Chuck Bednarik, Jim Ringo, and Alex Wojciechowicz, but Vic Lindskog was great in his own right.
KICKER : Bobby Walston
Bobby was the Eagles 14th round draft pick in 1951, the 166th player picked overall. Walston played Tight End also, and this is where he made his main mark in his 12 years with Philadelphia. Bobby caught 31 passes for 512 yards and 8 touchdowns in his rookie year. He also kicked 28 extra points and 6 field goals for the Eagles. Walston caught 26 passes for 469 yards and 3 scores the following year, while converting 11 field goals and 31 extra points. Walston made a career high 45 extra points in 1953, and knocked in 4 field goals. He also had a career high 41 receptions for 750 yards, while scoring 5 times. Bobby had 31 catches for 581 yards the next year, with a career best 11 touchdowns. He also had 4 field goals and 36 extra points. Walston's 1955 year involved very little placekicking. He had 6 extra points and 2 field goals, to go with 27 catches and 3 scores. He increased his kicking duties slightly more the following year with 17 extra points and 6 field goals. He also snared 39 balls and had 3 touchdowns. 1957 saw Bobby lead the NFL in field goal percentage, when he made 9 of 12 attempts. He also had 20 extra points and 11 receptions. Bobby averaged a career best 24.2 yards per reception.He rebounded with 21 catches and 31 extra points, to go with 6 field goals, the next season. Bobby attempted 1 field goal and missed in 1959. He was perfect on all of his 31 extra point attempts, however. He also had 16 receptions. 1960 was Walston's first All Pro season. He had 30 receptions for 563 yards and 4 touchdowns, while leading the NFL in field goal percentage. He made 14 of 20 attempts, and had 39 extra points. The Eagles would go on to win the 1960 NFL Championship Game, as Walston had a field goal and 2 extra points in the Eagles 17 - 13 win over the Green Bay Packers. Walston had his last All Pro season the next year, as he led the NFL with 46 extra point attempts and made 43 of them. He also matched his career high of 14 field goals, while catching 34 balls for 569 yards and the last 2 touchdowns of his career. Walston caught a career low 4 passes in 1962, while missing 11 of 15 field goal attempts. He made 36 extra points that year as well. He retired after that season. Bobby Walston died in 1987, and is probably best know for his receiving skills. He is a member of the NFL 1950's All Decade Team as a Wide Receiver. He had 311 receptions for 5,363 yards and 46 touchdowns. He is tops in Eagles history with 384 extra point attempts and 365 conversions. He also kicked 80 field goals in his career. David Akers is going to supplant Walston soon in extra point conversions, and may be the best placekicker the Eagles have ever had. Sam Baker was also exceptional. Still, I wanted Bobby Walston on my team because he truly is one of the greatest Eagles ever.
PUNTER: Adrian Burke
Adrian was the first round draft pick of the Baltimore Colts of the All American Football Conference in 1950. He was the second player chosen overall. Adrian spent his rookie season backing up Hall of Fame Quarterback Y.A. Tittle, and punting. He led the AAFC with 81 punts for 3,243 yards. The AAFC folded after 1950, so Burk joined the Philadelphia Eagles. He was put in as the starting quarterback right away. He led the NFL with 23 interceptions thrown, while having 14 touchdowns. He also was the Eagles punter throughout his career, and averaged 39.5 yards per punt on 67 attempts. Adrian didn't start many games at QB in 1952, but he led in NFL with 83 punts. He was a backup the next year at QB, and punted 41 times. In 1954, Adrian was back starting at QB. He led the NFL with 23 touchdown passes, Touchdown ratio, Quarterback Rating, and had 84 yard TD pass, matching his career best effort. In one game, Burke threw 7 touchdown passes against the Washington Redskins. He also led the NFL with 73 punts, averaging 40 yards per attempt. Adrian was named to his first All Pro team after that season. Burke threw 17 interceptions against 9 touchdowns in 1955. He also had an NFL long punt of 75 yards, and averaged 42.9 yards on 61 attempts. He was named to the Pro Bowl, the first Eagles Punter to ever achieve this feat. 1956 was Burk's final year in the NFL. He led the NFL with 68 punts for 2,843 yards. He retired after that year, but returned to the NFL as a referee. Burk was on the field one game when Joe Kapp, of the Minnesota Vikings, tossed 7 TD's versus the Baltimore Colts. Burke is one of 5 NFL players who have thrown 7 touchdowns in one game. He made his major contribution with the Eagles as a Punter. His 393 punts for 16,122 yards are the most in Philadelphia Eagles history. He averaged 40.9 yards per attempt, and had 4 punts blocked throughout his career. Adrian Burke may best be known for his 7 touchdown passes in one game, but he is probably also the best punter in Eagles history.
KICK RETURNER : Timmy Brown
Timmy was a 27th round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 1959 draft. He only was on the roster for one game in his rookie year, and did not accumulate any stats. He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles the next year. He played very sparingly, but did have a 79 yard kick return on 11 attempts. 1961 would be the year Brown got his chance. He led the NFL with 29 kickoff returns and 811 yards. He scored on a 105 yard return, which still stands as an Eagle franchise record. He also scored the only punt return touchdown of his career on just 8 returns. Brown led the NFL in all purpose yards in 1962 and 1963. In 1962, Brown caught 50 balls and averages an impressive 16.3 yards per catch. He led the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yards in 1963, with 33 attempts for a career high 945 yards. He was also named an All Pro in 1962, '63, and '65. He led the NFL with a yards per rushing average of 5.4 yards per carry, as he ran for a career high 861 yards. Brown scored on 2 kickoff returns in 1966, which is a NFL record he shares with five others. Timmy got injured in the 7th game in 1967, and missed the rest of the year. He joined the Baltimore Colts the next year, and helped the Colts win the NFL Championship before they went on to lose in Super Bowl III. He retied after that season , and has enjoyed a fine acting career. Timmy was in both the movie and TV version of M*A*S*H. Timmy Brown rushed for 3,862 yards and 31 TD's, while catching 235 passes for 3,399 yards and 26 TD's. His 14.5 yards per catch is very impressive for a running back. He also averaged 26 yards on 184 kickoff returns. His 5 kickoff return touchdowns is tied for the second most in NFL history.
QUARTERBACK : Randall Cunningham
Randall was drafted in the second round of the 1985 draft. He was the 37th player picked overall. Randall came onto an Eagles team that had an aging starter, Ron Jaworski, who had taken the Eagles to a Super Bowl just 5 years earlier. Cunningham's first 2 NFL seasons saw him start in 9 of the 21 games he played. He tossed 9 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over that time. He also was sacked a league high 72 times in 1986. That year, he also ran for 540 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Randall started 12 games the next year, and was sacked a league high 54 times. He also managed to throw for 23 touchdowns, while having just 12 interceptions. Randall also ran for 505 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cunningham was sacked a league high 57 times in 1988. He was able to complete 24 touchdown passes versus 16 interceptions, while running for 624 yards and 6 touchdowns. Cunningham made his first Pro Bowl team that year, and would receive this honor again the following season. That year saw him lead the NFL with 6 yards per rushing attempt, when he ran for 621 yards and 4 touchdowns. Cunningham also threw 21 touchdown passes and had 15 interceptions. 1990 would be Randall's last Pro Bowl year as an Eagle. He gunned 30 touchdown passes, while having only 13 interceptions. One touchdown pass went 95 yards, which led the NFL that year. He also led the NFL with an average of 8 yards a carry, when he ran for a career high 921 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. Randall was also sacked an NFL leading 49 times. The Eagles porous offensive line caught up to Randall in 1991, when he was injured in the first game of the year. He missed the rest of the season. In 1992, Cunningham returned and was sacked an NFL leading 60 times. He was injured in the 4th game the following year, knocking him out the rest of the season. Randall started 18 games over the next 2 years before heading to the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed a career rebirth in 1998, when he had a career best 34 touchdown passes and had only 10 interceptions. He would be named to his final Pro Bowl team that year. He then spent the 2000 season with Dallas, then the 2001 season with the Baltimore Ravens. He retired after that year. In 11 years as an Eagle, Randall Cunningham threw for 22,877 yards, 150 touchdown passes, and 105 interceptions. He ran for 4,482 yards on 677 attempts, while scoring 32 times. He also was sacked an amazing 422 times, and fumbled 32 times. In fact, he led the NFL in fumbles 3 times during his tenure in Philly. Randall was a very exciting quarterback who led the Eagles to the brink of the Super Bowl a few times. He was a talented player who could run or pass for a score. He may not be the best Eagle QB of all time, but he is one of the very best to have ever worn the Kelly green jersey.
FULLBACK : Tom Woodeshick
Tom was an 8th round draft pick in the 1963 draft by the Eagles. He was the 102nd player chosen overall. Tom didn't get the ball a lot his first four years in the league, carrying the ball 155 times for 673 yards and 6 touchdowns. He started to get the ball more in 1967, when he had 155 carries for 670 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also caught 34 balls for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns. 1968 was Woodeshick's best season in the NFL. He ran for a career high 947 yards on a career best 217 carries. He also caught a career high 36 passes for 328 yards. He was named to his only Pro Bowl team that year. Tom also had a strong 1970 season, when he ran for 831 yards on 186 carries. He also caught 22 passes. Tom was only able to play 21 games over the next three seasons due to injuries. He joined the Saint Louis Cardinals for the 1972 season He retired after that year. Woodeshick retired with 4,752 total yards and 27 touchdowns. He may be the greatest fullback in the history of the Eagles franchise.
HALFBACK : Wilbert Montgomery
Billy Ray Barnes deserves an honorable mention, but I'm going with Wilbert here. He was a sixth round draft pick in the 1977 draft, the 154th player picked overall. Montgomery was primarily used as a kick returner in his rookie year. He averaged 26.9 yards per return on 23 attempts, and took one for a 99 yard touchdown. Wilbert would only return 9 more kickoffs in his career because he earned the starting Halfback job in his second season. He responded with 1,220 yards rushing on 259 carries, while running in 9 touchdowns. He also snagged 34 passes and scored once. Wilbert was named to his first Pro Bowl team that year. 1979 was Wilbert's finest season of his career. He ran for a career high 1,512 yards on a career high 338 attempts. He matched his career best of 9 rushing touchdowns, while catching 41 passes for 491 yards and 5 more scores. He led the NFL with 2,006 yards from scrimmage that year, and was named to his final Pro Bowl team. Wilbert had a nice 1980 season, despite missing 4 games. He ran for 778 yards and 8 touchdowns, while snaring a career best 50 balls for 2 more scores. He would explode for 194 yards rushing in the NFC Championship game, as the Eagles would go on to reach Super Bowl XV. Philadelphia lost 27 - 10, as the Oakland Raiders stifled Wilbert, limiting him to 44 yards on 16 attempts. Wilbert did match Harold Carmichael for a team high 6 catches and 91 yards receiving in the loss. 1981 saw Wilbert average a career best 4.9 yards per carry on 286 attempts. He ran for 1,402 yards and 8 touchdowns despite missing one game. He also had 49 catches for a career high 521 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 1982 season is known for being shortened due to a players strike, so Wilbert gained 515 yards and 7 touchdowns in 8 games. Wilbert spent much of 1983 injured, but did come back to rush for 789 yards in 1984. He also caught a career high 60 passes for 501 yards. Wilbert then joined the Detroit Lions as a backup for the 1985 season, and retired at the end of the year. In his 8 seasons as an Eagle, Wilbert gained 10,105 total yards. He holds seven Philadelphia rushing records : career attempts (1,465), rushing yards (6,538), attempts in a season, rushing yards in a season, career 100-yard rushing games (26), 100-yard rushing games in a season (8 in 1981), and touchdowns in a game (4). He also caught 266 passes and scored 58 touchdowns. Steve Van Buren may be the only Eagle who could hold claim as the best Running Back ever in the franchises history, but Wilbert Montgomery can also hold that claim as well.
WIDE RECEIVER: Mike Quick
Mike was the Eagles first round choice in the 1982 draft. He was the 20th player chosen overall. Mike spent his rookie year learning, scoring once on 10 catches. He exploded the next season, when he led the NFL with a career high 1,609 yards on 69 receptions. He scored 13 times, had a excellent average of 20.4 yards per catch, and led the NFL with 88.1 receiving yards per game. He would earn the first of his 5 consecutive All Pro team nods. 1984 saw Quick catch 61 balls for 1,052 yards and 9 touchdowns. He followed that up the next year with a career best 73 receptions for 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also matched an NFL record when he took one pass 99 yards for a score. In 1986, Quick had 60 catches for 939 yards and 9 scores. 1987 was Quick's last Pro Bowl year. He missed 4 games, but managed to snare 46 balls for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mike averaged a career best 23.1 yards per catch in 1988, when he caught 22 balls for 508 yards and 4 touchdowns in 8 games. He was injured, and was never quite the same again. Quick played just 10 games over the next 2 years, catching only 22 balls for 3 touchdowns. He retired after the 1990 season. Mike Quick played 9 years for the Eagles, but was spectacular in 5 1/2 of those years. He ended up with 363 receptions for 6,464 yards and 61 touchdowns. His 17.8 yards per catch average is a spectacular average for a career of his length.
WIDE RECEIVER : Fred Barnett
Fred was a second round draft pick of the Eagles of the 1990 draft. He was the 77th player picked overall. Fred soon earned a starting job in his rookie year. He caught 36 passes for 721 yards, a 20 yards per catch average, and 8 touchdowns. His highlight that year was a career best 95 yard touchdown reception. Barnett followed that up with 62 receptions for 948 yards and 4 touchdowns the following year. In 1992, Barnett was named to his only Pro Bowl team when he had 67 receptions for 1,083 yards and 6 touchdowns. Fred was injured in the 4th game of the 1993 season, and missed the rest of the year. He returned the following year to set career highs with 78 catches for 1,127 yards. He also scored 5 times. Fred followed that up with 48 receptions and 5 touchdowns the next year. Barnett joined the Miami Dolphins in 1996. He played 2 years for Miami and played 15 games, catching 53 passes for 4 scores. He retired following the 1997 season. In his 6 years as an Eagle, Fred Barnett caught 361 balls for 5,362 yards and 32 touchdowns. He is certainly one of the better receivers in Eagles franchise history. Harold Carmichael and Harold Jackson will be featured in my Crazy Canton Cuts series soon, so they aren't on this list. I still hope for their deserved inductions.
TIGHT END : Charle Young
Charle was the Eagles 1st round draft pick in 1973, and was the 6th overall selection. He made an immediate impact in the NFL. He caught 55 passes for a career best 854 yards and a career high 6 touchdowns. His 15.4 yards per catch average was also a career best. He took one pass for a career long 80 yard score. Charle also carried the ball 4 times for 24 yards, and scored once. He was named to the Pro Bowl team. Young followed that up the next year by catching a career high 63 passes for 696 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl again. 1975 was Charles last year as a Pro Bowler. He had 49 receptions for 659 yards and 3 scores. Charle did catch 30 balls the next year, but was traded to the Los Angeles Rams before the start of the 1977 season. He was used primarily as a blocker by the Rams in his 3 years. He caught 36 passes for 3 scores over that time. The Rams would go to Super Bowl XIV, but lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 - 19. Young then joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1980. The 49ers used Young as a receiver more, and he caught 29 balls for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns that year. Young caught 37 passes for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns in 1981, as the 49ers would go on to Super Bowl XVI. Charle helped get things started for San Francisco in the playoffs by catching Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Montana's first post season touchdown pass in the 1st quarter, and San Francisco's first playoff touchdown since 1972. The 49ers would end up beating the Cincinnati Bengals for their first NFL title in the franchises history. Charle then joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1983. He played with them until 1985, catching 97 passes for 1,217 yards and 5 touchdowns. He retired after that year. Charle is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and is considered the greatest Tight End in USA history. He only played 4 years with Philadelphia, but his impact places him amongst the best ever in Eagles history with his 197 receptions for 2,583 yards and 28 touchdowns. Pete Retzlaff is a future CCC profilee.
TACKLE : Al Wistert
Al is a true legend at the University of Michigan and the Eagles. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, as are two of his brothers who also played at Michigan. The three Wisert's are amongst only seven players to ever have their numbers retired by Michigan University. In 1943, Al was drafted in the 5th round by the Steagles, a team that combined the rosters of the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers because of WW2. He was a starter by his second season at Right Tackle. He was named to his first All Pro team in 1944, and would garner this honor until 1947. He played defense too, and intercepted his only pass in 1946. Al was a key member of an excellent Eagles offensive line that opened up holes for Hall of Fame Running Back Steve Van Buren. The Eagles rode this vaunted rushing attack to back to back NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949. Al then would be named to his last All Pro team in 1951. After the 1952 season, he retired. Al is a member of the NFL 1940'a All Decade Team. The Philadelphia Eagles retired his # 70 jersey, one of only 7 Eagles to have attained this honor. VERY curiously, Al has not yet been inducted into the Eagles Ring of Honor yet. Al is 87, and has stated he would like to be inducted into the Eagles Ring of Honor before he dies. So, I am CALLING ALL OF YOU TRUE Eagles fans! Blow up the Eagles offices number! Ask for Jeffrey Lurie or leave a message for him or anyone that will listen to you. LET US GET Al the honor he deserves. How can a team retire a jersey, yet not put him in the Ring of Honor? This is a HUGE oversight. Eagles fans are amongst the most passionate in sports, so I'm hoping you get behind this man. You can call 215-463-2500 and ask for Football Media Relations too.
TACKLE : Lum Snyder
Lum was the Eagles 3rd round draft pick in the 1951 draft. He was the 29th player picked overall. Lum ended up starting at Right Tackle throughout his entire 6 year career with the Eagles. After missing one game in his rookie season, he played every other game. Lum was named an All Pro in both his second and third years in the league. Though the Eagles were mediocre during Lum's tenure, he opened up holes for Pro Bowl Running Back Billy Ray Barnes, while protecting 2 Hall of Fame QB's in Norm Van Brocklin and Sonny Jurgensen. Snyder retired after the 1958 season, and is amongst the finest offensive linemen to have ever player for the Eagles.
GUARD : Bucko Kilroy
Bucko is a local legend from Philadelphia. He went to high school in the Port Richmond section of the city, attended Temple University, then signed a free agent contract with the Eagles in 1942. Bucko spent his first 4 years in the NFL mainly as a reserve. Kilroy started 9 of 12 games at Right Guard in 1947. By 1948, Bucko was a full time starter. The Eagles would win back to back NFL Championships the next 2 seasons. Bucko also excelled as a Middle Guard on defense and was named an All Pro 3 straight seasons from 1952 to 1954. He intercepted 4 passes in 1954, and recovered 4 fumbles. Bucko played 1 game in 1955, then retired at the end of the season. Bucko Kilroy is a member of the NFL 1940'a All Decade Team. He resurfaced in the NFL in 1962 as an assistant coach for the Washington Redskins. He then joined the Dallas Cowboys organization in 1965. In 1971, Kilroy joined the New England Patriots, an ascended to General Manager in the 1980's. He stayed on with the Patriots until his death in 2007. A self made man, a local legend, and a true tough guy opponents feared, Bucko Kilroy is truly an Eagles Great.
GUARD : Jerry Sisemore
Jerry, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, was drafted in the 1st round of the 1973 draft by the Eagles. He was the third pick overall. Jerry was plugged right in at Right Tackle as a rookie, and started 13 games. The one game he missed that year would be the last game he didn't start in until 1982. Jerry manned the RT position until 1975. In 1976, he was moved to Right Guard. He played there for two seasons until being moved back to RT in 1978. Jerry earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 1979. Jerry was a key member of the Eagles run to Super Bowl XV in 1980. He made his last Pro Bowl team in 1981, then missed 1 game in the strike shortened season of 1982. Jerry was able to play 14 games in 1983, and started 13 of them. Sisemore then played 2 games the following season. He retired after that 1984 season. Though Jerry is most noted for his excellence at RT, his versatility and abilities allowed his to succeed at Guard as well. Jerry Sisemore is one of the better linemen in Eagles history.
CENTER : Vic Lindskog
Victor was a 2nd round draft pick of the Eagles in 1942. He was the 13th player picked overall. After serving, because of WW2, he joined the Eagles for the 1944 season. Playing both ways, Lindskog intercepted a pass and rumbled 65 yards for the only touchdown of his career during his rookie season. He picked off a pass in each of his next three years as well. In 1948, Vic was a stalwart in an offensive line that opened holes for Hall of Fame Running Back Steve Van Buren. The Eagles would end up capturing the NFL Championship that season by beating the Chicago Cardinals 7 - 0. That game is most noted because it was played in a blizzard, and the Eagles controlled the clock behind Van Buren's running. The only touchdown was scored by Van Buren going over the goal line opened up by a block from Lindskog. Vic was injured much of the next season, as the Eagles repeated as NFL Champions by beating the Cleveland Rams 14 - 0. Vic was selected to his only Pro Bowl squad after the 1951 season. He then retired. The Eagles have had three Hall of Fame Centers in Chuck Bednarik, Jim Ringo, and Alex Wojciechowicz, but Vic Lindskog was great in his own right.
KICKER : Bobby Walston
Bobby was the Eagles 14th round draft pick in 1951, the 166th player picked overall. Walston played Tight End also, and this is where he made his main mark in his 12 years with Philadelphia. Bobby caught 31 passes for 512 yards and 8 touchdowns in his rookie year. He also kicked 28 extra points and 6 field goals for the Eagles. Walston caught 26 passes for 469 yards and 3 scores the following year, while converting 11 field goals and 31 extra points. Walston made a career high 45 extra points in 1953, and knocked in 4 field goals. He also had a career high 41 receptions for 750 yards, while scoring 5 times. Bobby had 31 catches for 581 yards the next year, with a career best 11 touchdowns. He also had 4 field goals and 36 extra points. Walston's 1955 year involved very little placekicking. He had 6 extra points and 2 field goals, to go with 27 catches and 3 scores. He increased his kicking duties slightly more the following year with 17 extra points and 6 field goals. He also snared 39 balls and had 3 touchdowns. 1957 saw Bobby lead the NFL in field goal percentage, when he made 9 of 12 attempts. He also had 20 extra points and 11 receptions. Bobby averaged a career best 24.2 yards per reception.He rebounded with 21 catches and 31 extra points, to go with 6 field goals, the next season. Bobby attempted 1 field goal and missed in 1959. He was perfect on all of his 31 extra point attempts, however. He also had 16 receptions. 1960 was Walston's first All Pro season. He had 30 receptions for 563 yards and 4 touchdowns, while leading the NFL in field goal percentage. He made 14 of 20 attempts, and had 39 extra points. The Eagles would go on to win the 1960 NFL Championship Game, as Walston had a field goal and 2 extra points in the Eagles 17 - 13 win over the Green Bay Packers. Walston had his last All Pro season the next year, as he led the NFL with 46 extra point attempts and made 43 of them. He also matched his career high of 14 field goals, while catching 34 balls for 569 yards and the last 2 touchdowns of his career. Walston caught a career low 4 passes in 1962, while missing 11 of 15 field goal attempts. He made 36 extra points that year as well. He retired after that season. Bobby Walston died in 1987, and is probably best know for his receiving skills. He is a member of the NFL 1950's All Decade Team as a Wide Receiver. He had 311 receptions for 5,363 yards and 46 touchdowns. He is tops in Eagles history with 384 extra point attempts and 365 conversions. He also kicked 80 field goals in his career. David Akers is going to supplant Walston soon in extra point conversions, and may be the best placekicker the Eagles have ever had. Sam Baker was also exceptional. Still, I wanted Bobby Walston on my team because he truly is one of the greatest Eagles ever.
PUNTER: Adrian Burke
Adrian was the first round draft pick of the Baltimore Colts of the All American Football Conference in 1950. He was the second player chosen overall. Adrian spent his rookie season backing up Hall of Fame Quarterback Y.A. Tittle, and punting. He led the AAFC with 81 punts for 3,243 yards. The AAFC folded after 1950, so Burk joined the Philadelphia Eagles. He was put in as the starting quarterback right away. He led the NFL with 23 interceptions thrown, while having 14 touchdowns. He also was the Eagles punter throughout his career, and averaged 39.5 yards per punt on 67 attempts. Adrian didn't start many games at QB in 1952, but he led in NFL with 83 punts. He was a backup the next year at QB, and punted 41 times. In 1954, Adrian was back starting at QB. He led the NFL with 23 touchdown passes, Touchdown ratio, Quarterback Rating, and had 84 yard TD pass, matching his career best effort. In one game, Burke threw 7 touchdown passes against the Washington Redskins. He also led the NFL with 73 punts, averaging 40 yards per attempt. Adrian was named to his first All Pro team after that season. Burke threw 17 interceptions against 9 touchdowns in 1955. He also had an NFL long punt of 75 yards, and averaged 42.9 yards on 61 attempts. He was named to the Pro Bowl, the first Eagles Punter to ever achieve this feat. 1956 was Burk's final year in the NFL. He led the NFL with 68 punts for 2,843 yards. He retired after that year, but returned to the NFL as a referee. Burk was on the field one game when Joe Kapp, of the Minnesota Vikings, tossed 7 TD's versus the Baltimore Colts. Burke is one of 5 NFL players who have thrown 7 touchdowns in one game. He made his major contribution with the Eagles as a Punter. His 393 punts for 16,122 yards are the most in Philadelphia Eagles history. He averaged 40.9 yards per attempt, and had 4 punts blocked throughout his career. Adrian Burke may best be known for his 7 touchdown passes in one game, but he is probably also the best punter in Eagles history.
KICK RETURNER : Timmy Brown
Timmy was a 27th round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 1959 draft. He only was on the roster for one game in his rookie year, and did not accumulate any stats. He then joined the Philadelphia Eagles the next year. He played very sparingly, but did have a 79 yard kick return on 11 attempts. 1961 would be the year Brown got his chance. He led the NFL with 29 kickoff returns and 811 yards. He scored on a 105 yard return, which still stands as an Eagle franchise record. He also scored the only punt return touchdown of his career on just 8 returns. Brown led the NFL in all purpose yards in 1962 and 1963. In 1962, Brown caught 50 balls and averages an impressive 16.3 yards per catch. He led the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yards in 1963, with 33 attempts for a career high 945 yards. He was also named an All Pro in 1962, '63, and '65. He led the NFL with a yards per rushing average of 5.4 yards per carry, as he ran for a career high 861 yards. Brown scored on 2 kickoff returns in 1966, which is a NFL record he shares with five others. Timmy got injured in the 7th game in 1967, and missed the rest of the year. He joined the Baltimore Colts the next year, and helped the Colts win the NFL Championship before they went on to lose in Super Bowl III. He retied after that season , and has enjoyed a fine acting career. Timmy was in both the movie and TV version of M*A*S*H. Timmy Brown rushed for 3,862 yards and 31 TD's, while catching 235 passes for 3,399 yards and 26 TD's. His 14.5 yards per catch is very impressive for a running back. He also averaged 26 yards on 184 kickoff returns. His 5 kickoff return touchdowns is tied for the second most in NFL history.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Phillips Wades Though Jerry's Quagmire
Right now there are a lot of unhappy Cowboys fans. Maybe some can be construed as fickle or spoiled, but the fact remains that the teams recent swoon is something few saw coming. That almost includes me. I really had thought these weaknesses would make it to the spotlight in the playoffs somewhat, while the talking heads would again claim that Tony Romo can't "win the big one".
It really wouldn't have mattered if Romo, Brad Johnson, or Roger Staubach took the snaps during Sundays loss. As proven three of the last four weeks, it is impossible for any Quarterback to succeed when he is throwing virtually every pass while being hit by the other team. The ugliness in Saint Louis was nothing new for those not jaded by slogans or expectations. The fact is that Jerry Jones has built a team to lose the big one.
Most "pundits" look at the head coach or quarterback to lay blame. This is what I call the "TV Syndrome". It's shallow and without substance. This may best describe Jerry Jones as well. He has neglected the most important factors needed in a true formula conducive to winning. He has gotten a boat load of talented ball handlers for both sides of the ball. The Cowboys back seven, on both offense and defense, are amongst the most talented in the game today. Jerry must have forgotten, somewhere along the way, that eleven men take the field. Maybe his own vanity and greed caused this oversight? The Cowboys almost resemble him, much like how a pet sometimes tends to look like its owner. Shallow and without substance.
The Rams recent surge should have caught no one off guard. It was obvious 3 weeks ago that there was a mutiny under former head coach Scott Linehan. The Rams still have many very talented players. Many times in sports history, you will see a team briefly play well after a coaching change, and even some sustain it for longer periods of time. But the Rams are still a team with a mediocre offensive line, and a defensive line mixed with veterans and young guys with promise. Last Sunday, the defensive line played as if the Fearsome Foursome had donned their jerseys. The Cowboys offensive line continued to play like matadors, much like they have all year.
Marion Barber gashed an underwhelming Rams defense for 100 yards on only 18 carries. In fact, the Cowboys got 24 more yards on just three carries from Tashard Choice and Patrick Crayton. Most teams, who run with that type of zest, continue to pound the ball and control the clock. Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett has done a horrible job so far this year, and continues to ignore the run week to week. This decision is even more confusing when you see the woes of the Cowboys pass blocking skills. Flozell Adams is a Right Tackle forced to play Left Tackle. He is much too slow to handle a speed rusher. Even a decent pass rusher with little speed. That was shown in the Arizona loss when the oft-injured Cardinals veteran Defensive End Bertrand Berry spent the game pummeling Tony Romo. The Cowboys Right Tackle, Marc Colombo, has been terrible as well. There is a reason the Bears let this former first round pick walk out of Chicago. The Cowboys offensive line is comprised of big, fat guys who can run block occasionally at best. This unit is the teams Achilles heel.
The defensive line, however, would be the bleeding cut on that Achilles heel. They spent their Sunday in Saint Louis getting run over by one of the lesser offensive lines in the NFL. Steven Jackson averaged 6.4 yards on 25 carries. He had come into the game averaging only 3.6 yards per carry on 96 attempts. Other than five sacks from their linebackers, the Cowboys got no pressure on Rams QB Marc Bulger. This happened against a mediocre Rams offensive line in a game where the Cowboys knew they had to get to Bulger to help their depleted secondary now inhabited by rookies and backups. Now that Strong Safety Roy Williams is out for the season, things can only be expected to get uglier.
Jerry Jones has placed Wade Phillips in an impossible situation. No coach, not even Tom Landry, can win consistently with this current personnel. You can surround the trenches with all the talented and pretty players, but they won't get the ball if no one is giving them the opportunity. Jason Garrett needs to help his team by getting back to the basics of smash mouth football, and pray that Barber will hold up. When Felix Jones returns, Garrett must get this kid the ball more than 2-5 times a game. Garrett's system is squandering the talent. This suppression, factored in by the awful play at the line of scrimmage, could end up costing the Cowboys a playoff slot in the toughest division in football = the NFC East.
It really wouldn't have mattered if Romo, Brad Johnson, or Roger Staubach took the snaps during Sundays loss. As proven three of the last four weeks, it is impossible for any Quarterback to succeed when he is throwing virtually every pass while being hit by the other team. The ugliness in Saint Louis was nothing new for those not jaded by slogans or expectations. The fact is that Jerry Jones has built a team to lose the big one.
Most "pundits" look at the head coach or quarterback to lay blame. This is what I call the "TV Syndrome". It's shallow and without substance. This may best describe Jerry Jones as well. He has neglected the most important factors needed in a true formula conducive to winning. He has gotten a boat load of talented ball handlers for both sides of the ball. The Cowboys back seven, on both offense and defense, are amongst the most talented in the game today. Jerry must have forgotten, somewhere along the way, that eleven men take the field. Maybe his own vanity and greed caused this oversight? The Cowboys almost resemble him, much like how a pet sometimes tends to look like its owner. Shallow and without substance.
The Rams recent surge should have caught no one off guard. It was obvious 3 weeks ago that there was a mutiny under former head coach Scott Linehan. The Rams still have many very talented players. Many times in sports history, you will see a team briefly play well after a coaching change, and even some sustain it for longer periods of time. But the Rams are still a team with a mediocre offensive line, and a defensive line mixed with veterans and young guys with promise. Last Sunday, the defensive line played as if the Fearsome Foursome had donned their jerseys. The Cowboys offensive line continued to play like matadors, much like they have all year.
Marion Barber gashed an underwhelming Rams defense for 100 yards on only 18 carries. In fact, the Cowboys got 24 more yards on just three carries from Tashard Choice and Patrick Crayton. Most teams, who run with that type of zest, continue to pound the ball and control the clock. Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett has done a horrible job so far this year, and continues to ignore the run week to week. This decision is even more confusing when you see the woes of the Cowboys pass blocking skills. Flozell Adams is a Right Tackle forced to play Left Tackle. He is much too slow to handle a speed rusher. Even a decent pass rusher with little speed. That was shown in the Arizona loss when the oft-injured Cardinals veteran Defensive End Bertrand Berry spent the game pummeling Tony Romo. The Cowboys Right Tackle, Marc Colombo, has been terrible as well. There is a reason the Bears let this former first round pick walk out of Chicago. The Cowboys offensive line is comprised of big, fat guys who can run block occasionally at best. This unit is the teams Achilles heel.
The defensive line, however, would be the bleeding cut on that Achilles heel. They spent their Sunday in Saint Louis getting run over by one of the lesser offensive lines in the NFL. Steven Jackson averaged 6.4 yards on 25 carries. He had come into the game averaging only 3.6 yards per carry on 96 attempts. Other than five sacks from their linebackers, the Cowboys got no pressure on Rams QB Marc Bulger. This happened against a mediocre Rams offensive line in a game where the Cowboys knew they had to get to Bulger to help their depleted secondary now inhabited by rookies and backups. Now that Strong Safety Roy Williams is out for the season, things can only be expected to get uglier.
Jerry Jones has placed Wade Phillips in an impossible situation. No coach, not even Tom Landry, can win consistently with this current personnel. You can surround the trenches with all the talented and pretty players, but they won't get the ball if no one is giving them the opportunity. Jason Garrett needs to help his team by getting back to the basics of smash mouth football, and pray that Barber will hold up. When Felix Jones returns, Garrett must get this kid the ball more than 2-5 times a game. Garrett's system is squandering the talent. This suppression, factored in by the awful play at the line of scrimmage, could end up costing the Cowboys a playoff slot in the toughest division in football = the NFC East.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
HEY?!!? Can I Just Reminisce?
Just for today, put the "What have you done for me lately" and "It's about now" in your back pocket. After seeing my Redskins stomped a second straight game, my only thoughts are of yesteryear right now.
Not quitting on today, just appreciating the past.
Some of which my dad wasn't even around to see.
Sammy Baugh
Slingin' Sammy is probably to most important figure in NFL history to usher in the forward pass. The team had just moved from Boston in 1937. They were known as the Boston Braves, and had lost to the Packers in the NFL Championship game. They changed their name to the Redskins, and signed Sammy out of TCU. All Sammy did was lead the Redskins to a win in the 1937 NFL Championship over the Bears. The Bears got more than revenge on Sammy and the 'Skins in the 1940 Championship game. They walloped Washington 73-0, the most lopsided score in Championship history. Sammy took the loss with style. When asked if the game would have been different if a Redskins receiver hadn't dropped a certain touchdown early in the game, Sammy said, "It sure would have! It would have made the final score 73-7."
Sammy got another NFL Championship win in 1942, when they spoiled the Bears perfect record. The Bears then evened up the Championship series in 1943. Washington went on to one more Championship game in 1945, but lost that to the Cleveland Rams. Sammy and the 'Skins never got back to the big game, but they are not forgotten for their achievements.
Sammy was the NFL's first big star on and off the field. He set records as a punter which still stand, led the league in interceptions one season, and set virtually every passing record kept when he retired. In fact, from that era, only Sammy and Chicago Bears Sid Luckmans statistics apply to todays quarterback ratings system. Sammy was also a movie star during his playing days, doing a few serial Westerns. When Sammy retired, so did the Redskins winning ways for a few decades.
Then, under the coaching of NFL Hall of Famer Otto Graham, the Redskins somehow got the Eagles to trade them :
SONNY JURGENSEN
Sonny stepped in firing right away. He had a pair of Hall of Fame Wide Receivers in Charley Taylor and Bobby Mitchell. He also had Tight End Jerry Smith to throw to. The Skins put up points, but gave up more. It wasn't until the hiring of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, that things began to change. Vince only lasted one season before dying of cancer, but his impact stayed in Washington for years. He noticed a rookie named Larry Brown was a step slow on each snap. Vince liked Browns style of play, so he investigated. He found that Brown was almost totally deaf in one ear. Brown then got a hearing aid, and inked his name into several places in the Redskins record books. To replace Lombardi, the Redskins hired Hall of Fame coach George Allen. Thus, the "Over The Hill Gang" was born. Allen had a disdain for rookies, so he would trade draft picks for guys nearing the end of their careers. The strategy worked well enough to get the Redskins to Super Bowl VII. The Allen era also brought about the rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys. After catching a few Cowboys scouts spying on Redskins practices, Allen hired a security guard and demanded that his players must beat Dallas. Allen continued to not like rookies. He would have 3rd string QB Joe Theismann return punts and bust wedges on kick coverages.
In 1980, the Redskins hired Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.
Joe Gibbs is the only coach in NFL history to have won 3 Super Bowls with 3 different Quarterbacks.
He won the first one, Super Bowl XVII, with Joe Theismann.
Most remember that win because of the run by Hall of Famer John Riggins
Then Doug Williams took over towards the end of the 1987 season. In Super Bowl XXII, Williams and the Redskins exploded. They set many Super Bowl records that still stand today. Doug Williams was named Super Bowl MVP, and became the first black Quarterback to play in and win a Super Bowl. Williams accomplished this despite not sleeping well for several days, and having root canal surgery the day before the Super Bowl.
In 1992, Mark Rypien led the Redskins into Super Bowl XXVI. This team is considered one of the most complete teams in recent history, finishing with a 17-2 record. Rypien became the first Canadien born NFL player to win a Super Bowl, and was named MVP of the game. Joe Gibbs, and the Redskins franchise, both became the 3rd coach and team to win 3 Super Bowls.
Joe Gibbs retired after that year until 2004. He got the Redskins back into the playoffs again after a long drought. The team had only made the playoffs once, in 1999, since he had retired in 1993. Gibbs then retired after 2006 for personal reasons related to his family.
So, forgive me for looking back today. I don't fear looking forward, but I wanted to remember some pleasant moments in Washington Redskins history.
Not quitting on today, just appreciating the past.
Some of which my dad wasn't even around to see.
Sammy Baugh
Slingin' Sammy is probably to most important figure in NFL history to usher in the forward pass. The team had just moved from Boston in 1937. They were known as the Boston Braves, and had lost to the Packers in the NFL Championship game. They changed their name to the Redskins, and signed Sammy out of TCU. All Sammy did was lead the Redskins to a win in the 1937 NFL Championship over the Bears. The Bears got more than revenge on Sammy and the 'Skins in the 1940 Championship game. They walloped Washington 73-0, the most lopsided score in Championship history. Sammy took the loss with style. When asked if the game would have been different if a Redskins receiver hadn't dropped a certain touchdown early in the game, Sammy said, "It sure would have! It would have made the final score 73-7."
Sammy got another NFL Championship win in 1942, when they spoiled the Bears perfect record. The Bears then evened up the Championship series in 1943. Washington went on to one more Championship game in 1945, but lost that to the Cleveland Rams. Sammy and the 'Skins never got back to the big game, but they are not forgotten for their achievements.
Sammy was the NFL's first big star on and off the field. He set records as a punter which still stand, led the league in interceptions one season, and set virtually every passing record kept when he retired. In fact, from that era, only Sammy and Chicago Bears Sid Luckmans statistics apply to todays quarterback ratings system. Sammy was also a movie star during his playing days, doing a few serial Westerns. When Sammy retired, so did the Redskins winning ways for a few decades.
Then, under the coaching of NFL Hall of Famer Otto Graham, the Redskins somehow got the Eagles to trade them :
SONNY JURGENSEN
Sonny stepped in firing right away. He had a pair of Hall of Fame Wide Receivers in Charley Taylor and Bobby Mitchell. He also had Tight End Jerry Smith to throw to. The Skins put up points, but gave up more. It wasn't until the hiring of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, that things began to change. Vince only lasted one season before dying of cancer, but his impact stayed in Washington for years. He noticed a rookie named Larry Brown was a step slow on each snap. Vince liked Browns style of play, so he investigated. He found that Brown was almost totally deaf in one ear. Brown then got a hearing aid, and inked his name into several places in the Redskins record books. To replace Lombardi, the Redskins hired Hall of Fame coach George Allen. Thus, the "Over The Hill Gang" was born. Allen had a disdain for rookies, so he would trade draft picks for guys nearing the end of their careers. The strategy worked well enough to get the Redskins to Super Bowl VII. The Allen era also brought about the rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys. After catching a few Cowboys scouts spying on Redskins practices, Allen hired a security guard and demanded that his players must beat Dallas. Allen continued to not like rookies. He would have 3rd string QB Joe Theismann return punts and bust wedges on kick coverages.
In 1980, the Redskins hired Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs.
Joe Gibbs is the only coach in NFL history to have won 3 Super Bowls with 3 different Quarterbacks.
He won the first one, Super Bowl XVII, with Joe Theismann.
Most remember that win because of the run by Hall of Famer John Riggins
Then Doug Williams took over towards the end of the 1987 season. In Super Bowl XXII, Williams and the Redskins exploded. They set many Super Bowl records that still stand today. Doug Williams was named Super Bowl MVP, and became the first black Quarterback to play in and win a Super Bowl. Williams accomplished this despite not sleeping well for several days, and having root canal surgery the day before the Super Bowl.
In 1992, Mark Rypien led the Redskins into Super Bowl XXVI. This team is considered one of the most complete teams in recent history, finishing with a 17-2 record. Rypien became the first Canadien born NFL player to win a Super Bowl, and was named MVP of the game. Joe Gibbs, and the Redskins franchise, both became the 3rd coach and team to win 3 Super Bowls.
Joe Gibbs retired after that year until 2004. He got the Redskins back into the playoffs again after a long drought. The team had only made the playoffs once, in 1999, since he had retired in 1993. Gibbs then retired after 2006 for personal reasons related to his family.
So, forgive me for looking back today. I don't fear looking forward, but I wanted to remember some pleasant moments in Washington Redskins history.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Hyckocrite Hickups Hypocracy
Welcome back to another episode of NFL Lucubration's. This time we are going to review things after week 7 of the NFL 2008 season.
Please allow me to spew over a few :
BENEDICT ARNOLD IN PADS
As some of you may know, there is a story circulating that Brett Favre gave the Detroit Lions insights on how the Packers system operates. This is really a non story blown up into more because of it involves Favre. Hopefully no one is naive enough to think Favre is innocent, as he claims he is. The truth is, players have pulled this stunt for decades. Teams have signed guys just for insights into their rivals playbooks. What Favre did was not unusual at all. Then you have a little thing called game film. Teams hire guys to just break down and study film. There are hundreds of stories where legends would tell their opponents what was coming play by play in games. Jim Brown would let people know he was getting the ball. Did they stop him? No! There are few surprises coming at teams. It is the execution of the plays that makes them work. So, IF Favre did this...it didn't help. The Packers won. Let's move onward and forward.
DAMAGED GOODS
I respect Carson Palmer for trying to get it going, but it appears something is more seriously wrong with his right elbow than anybody in the Bengals organization is telling. If there is ligament damage, the Bengals should shut him down instead of risking him to a Tommy John procedure. A "sore elbow" is a vague description. Cincy is 0-7. Shut him down, get some good draft picks and try again next year. Carson, hopefully, will be ready then.
SET HIM FREE
Vern "Duke" Davis is on the wrong team. The 49ers are squandering this mans immense talents. A Tight End as fast as a Wide Receiver , and who can jump through the roof. I thought Mike Martz would follow through on his promise of using Davis much like Shannon Sharpe was used : in the slot. Well, Martz was recently quoted to having admitted he is using Davis like he used Ernie Conwell in Saint Louis. Conwell was a lumbering guy who was used to the best of his abilities, but Martz is screwing up Davis. The Niners Tackles have been so bad, Martz keeps Davis in to help block most of the time. Factor in having a terrible journeyman at Quarterback in J.T. O'Sullivan, and you see a no win situation for Davis. Duke is a quiet and thoughtful man who doesn't put himself first and rarely complains. I think him, or his agent, needs to demand to the 49ers brass that he must be traded. Now that Mike Singletary is the Head Coach, maybe things will change in time. The NFL does not guarantee a long career. By the time San Francisco gets a decent QB, Davis may be out of his prime. Many teams would love to have his services, and would know how to use him correctly.
DON'T BLAME THE HEAD COACH OR QB
It is easy to blame Wade Phillips for the Cowboys swoon. That really is the lazy approach. If you follow this blog, then you know how I've pointed on the real Achilles heel of the Cowboys. They are getting dominated on both sides of the ball in the trenches. Steven Jackson was barely averaging 3.6 yards on 96 attempts behind a mediocre Rams line until they played Dallas. Jackson averaged 6.4 yards on 25 carries in the Rams dominating win. Dallas did sack Marc Bulger 5 times, but all came from their linebackers. Then you had Brad Johnson getting pummeled virtually every time he dropped back to pass. No, it isn't Wade's fault. He is just the figurehead to easily scape goat. Jason Garrett has been horrible calling plays, but he isn't the reason either. Blame the G.M. Jerry Jones. Jerry got lots of talented ball handlers, but you can't handle the ball if your not allotted enough time to succeed. Jerry neglected the trenches, which is confusing considering the division rival Giants, just won the Super Bowl because they won in the trenches.
QUARTERBACKS NEEDED = EXPERIENCE NOT NEEDED
Matt Cassell reminds me of Jay Schroeder, albeit without the arm strength. Schroeder, as some of you may know, spent his college career on the bench just like Cassell did. Schroeder did lead the Redskins to an NFC Championship game once, and earned a Super Bowl ring in another season. Cassell has Super Bowl rings without having to play. Now he is on the field after Tom Brady was lost for the season. It wouldn't be a total shock to see him at the helm as the Patriots reach the playoffs. I have long said the QB position is vastly over rated by todays media, and all you need is a team to work in unison. Joe Gibbs showed this by having 3 QB's pilot the Redskins to Super Bowl wins. Schroeder came close to being the 4th. The Patriots can certainly show my theory to be true, no matter how much of a long shot it may seem to the casual fan.
Please allow me to spew over a few :
BENEDICT ARNOLD IN PADS
As some of you may know, there is a story circulating that Brett Favre gave the Detroit Lions insights on how the Packers system operates. This is really a non story blown up into more because of it involves Favre. Hopefully no one is naive enough to think Favre is innocent, as he claims he is. The truth is, players have pulled this stunt for decades. Teams have signed guys just for insights into their rivals playbooks. What Favre did was not unusual at all. Then you have a little thing called game film. Teams hire guys to just break down and study film. There are hundreds of stories where legends would tell their opponents what was coming play by play in games. Jim Brown would let people know he was getting the ball. Did they stop him? No! There are few surprises coming at teams. It is the execution of the plays that makes them work. So, IF Favre did this...it didn't help. The Packers won. Let's move onward and forward.
DAMAGED GOODS
I respect Carson Palmer for trying to get it going, but it appears something is more seriously wrong with his right elbow than anybody in the Bengals organization is telling. If there is ligament damage, the Bengals should shut him down instead of risking him to a Tommy John procedure. A "sore elbow" is a vague description. Cincy is 0-7. Shut him down, get some good draft picks and try again next year. Carson, hopefully, will be ready then.
SET HIM FREE
Vern "Duke" Davis is on the wrong team. The 49ers are squandering this mans immense talents. A Tight End as fast as a Wide Receiver , and who can jump through the roof. I thought Mike Martz would follow through on his promise of using Davis much like Shannon Sharpe was used : in the slot. Well, Martz was recently quoted to having admitted he is using Davis like he used Ernie Conwell in Saint Louis. Conwell was a lumbering guy who was used to the best of his abilities, but Martz is screwing up Davis. The Niners Tackles have been so bad, Martz keeps Davis in to help block most of the time. Factor in having a terrible journeyman at Quarterback in J.T. O'Sullivan, and you see a no win situation for Davis. Duke is a quiet and thoughtful man who doesn't put himself first and rarely complains. I think him, or his agent, needs to demand to the 49ers brass that he must be traded. Now that Mike Singletary is the Head Coach, maybe things will change in time. The NFL does not guarantee a long career. By the time San Francisco gets a decent QB, Davis may be out of his prime. Many teams would love to have his services, and would know how to use him correctly.
DON'T BLAME THE HEAD COACH OR QB
It is easy to blame Wade Phillips for the Cowboys swoon. That really is the lazy approach. If you follow this blog, then you know how I've pointed on the real Achilles heel of the Cowboys. They are getting dominated on both sides of the ball in the trenches. Steven Jackson was barely averaging 3.6 yards on 96 attempts behind a mediocre Rams line until they played Dallas. Jackson averaged 6.4 yards on 25 carries in the Rams dominating win. Dallas did sack Marc Bulger 5 times, but all came from their linebackers. Then you had Brad Johnson getting pummeled virtually every time he dropped back to pass. No, it isn't Wade's fault. He is just the figurehead to easily scape goat. Jason Garrett has been horrible calling plays, but he isn't the reason either. Blame the G.M. Jerry Jones. Jerry got lots of talented ball handlers, but you can't handle the ball if your not allotted enough time to succeed. Jerry neglected the trenches, which is confusing considering the division rival Giants, just won the Super Bowl because they won in the trenches.
QUARTERBACKS NEEDED = EXPERIENCE NOT NEEDED
Matt Cassell reminds me of Jay Schroeder, albeit without the arm strength. Schroeder, as some of you may know, spent his college career on the bench just like Cassell did. Schroeder did lead the Redskins to an NFC Championship game once, and earned a Super Bowl ring in another season. Cassell has Super Bowl rings without having to play. Now he is on the field after Tom Brady was lost for the season. It wouldn't be a total shock to see him at the helm as the Patriots reach the playoffs. I have long said the QB position is vastly over rated by todays media, and all you need is a team to work in unison. Joe Gibbs showed this by having 3 QB's pilot the Redskins to Super Bowl wins. Schroeder came close to being the 4th. The Patriots can certainly show my theory to be true, no matter how much of a long shot it may seem to the casual fan.
Monday, October 20, 2008
A New Show On ESPN 3
This is another old TSN Post:
It was created out of sheer boredom and is foolish, but that's me in a nut shell. Names have been changed to protect the "innocent" and is copyright protected for some reason.
Welcome kids and adults...but mostly kids...to Pardon My Impotent Show. I'm Phony Kornholee with my long time partner Michelle Wimponandonandon. On today's show we talk about Kobe because we are contractually obligated to promote him per orders of ESPN. We then will interview Manny Ramirez about Manny being Manny.
He's no Fernando Ramsey
Oh great! Another Cubs reference Michelle. It took you 8 seconds this time. Were you distracted?
I was waving at our stat boy Bony Ravioli.
Fine, but you don't see me always talking about flowers and dress sizes. You may love the Cubs, but I was a Style section writer for the Washington Post for years until they asked me to take my sh...umm..wit to sports.
The sports worlds gain is the girdle makers loss Phony.
OK, after Manny, we will answer carefully selected viewer mail. It is carefully selected this time. Right Bony?
Sorry. I'm on the phone with the producers of my show. They keep telling me every day how much they miss Max Kellerman.
Well Bony, there is a reason the Boston Globe doesn't want their masthead appearing on your show anymore.
The Chicago Sun Times is the best newspaper in the world!
Ummm...Michelle? Don't you work for the Washington Post?
Yes. The CHICAGO Tribune and CHICAGO Sun Times think I'm too much of a homer.
Was it necessary to yell Chicago twice? How's my comb over holding up?
It looks fine. I wish I could grow hair.
Your fine the way you are. Smoother than an infant and less hair than one too.
Speaking of infants, Kobe Bryant is sooooooo great. He doesn't taste as good as MJ, but he has his own flavor. Not quite Ray Blume. More of a Matt Steigenga taste.
I know Michelle. I found out the hard way in a Motel 6 in Suffolk the night before game 1.
Well, Kobe must have his way. ESPN, Nike and David Stern have a court order saying so after that debacle we are not allowed to talk about happened. Still, he's no Ricky Blanton.
Who? Oh, never mind! Wheres that paper handed to me by our stat boy? Oh, here it is. Kobe Bryant is your God. Buy every product he endorses. OK, that's out of the way.
On our screen we are talking to Boston Red Sox legend Manny Ramirez. Hi Manny!
What? What do you want? I'd punch you in the face if you were in my dugout.
Hi Manny. It's me, Phony.
Are you still going to buy my $12 grill for $675,000?
When I come up to butcher a broadcast of a Monday Night Football game, I will.
OK. Is that it?
Manny? Do you love the Cubbies?
No
Why not? What is wrong with you? Or are you just "being Manny" right now?
What in the hell does that mean? Manny being Manny? Who in the hell else am I supposed to be?
Eduardo Zambrano!
Ummm, Michelle? Don't you mean Carlos?
No Phony! You don't know your Cubs like I do. Eduardo was a great outfielder for the legendary 1994 Cubs!
Legendary? Umm, where'd Manny go? Oh, he'll be right back. He's urinating on the cameraman and the gift basket we sent him.
Looks like Manny is being Manny again! He's no Bill McCabe!
Who?
A legendary outfielder on 2 of the greatest teams in Major League history! The 1918 and 1920 Cubbies. He should be in the Hall of Fame! After the voters listen to me and put Leon Durham in, I will champion McCabe next!
Whatever. Now a message from our sponsor, Rum Staphylococcus.
Iree mon. Drink our stuff. Rum Staphylococcus! Havin goats fill bottles with whizzle for over tree monts to the rhythm of bad reggae music mon.
Now to viewer mail.
"Dear Phony? Who did you and Wimponandonandon blow to get this job?"
Trade secret my friend.
"Hey Wimpy? Is there anything about Chicago you don't love?"
What a stupid question! Next!
"Hey Korny? Why do you always talk about your genital warts?"
I'm mad at Michelle for being so promiscuous!
Now our stat boy will tell us about any mistakes.
The only mistake I can think of is that ESPN hired you to replace poker and Australian Rules Football.
That wraps it up. Goodnight Bahrain!
See ya to all knuckleheads who don't reside in the Windy City. Chicago rules!
Michelle? Where did Manny go?
Who cares! Let's interview Sam Fuld next!
It was created out of sheer boredom and is foolish, but that's me in a nut shell. Names have been changed to protect the "innocent" and is copyright protected for some reason.
Welcome kids and adults...but mostly kids...to Pardon My Impotent Show. I'm Phony Kornholee with my long time partner Michelle Wimponandonandon. On today's show we talk about Kobe because we are contractually obligated to promote him per orders of ESPN. We then will interview Manny Ramirez about Manny being Manny.
He's no Fernando Ramsey
Oh great! Another Cubs reference Michelle. It took you 8 seconds this time. Were you distracted?
I was waving at our stat boy Bony Ravioli.
Fine, but you don't see me always talking about flowers and dress sizes. You may love the Cubs, but I was a Style section writer for the Washington Post for years until they asked me to take my sh...umm..wit to sports.
The sports worlds gain is the girdle makers loss Phony.
OK, after Manny, we will answer carefully selected viewer mail. It is carefully selected this time. Right Bony?
Sorry. I'm on the phone with the producers of my show. They keep telling me every day how much they miss Max Kellerman.
Well Bony, there is a reason the Boston Globe doesn't want their masthead appearing on your show anymore.
The Chicago Sun Times is the best newspaper in the world!
Ummm...Michelle? Don't you work for the Washington Post?
Yes. The CHICAGO Tribune and CHICAGO Sun Times think I'm too much of a homer.
Was it necessary to yell Chicago twice? How's my comb over holding up?
It looks fine. I wish I could grow hair.
Your fine the way you are. Smoother than an infant and less hair than one too.
Speaking of infants, Kobe Bryant is sooooooo great. He doesn't taste as good as MJ, but he has his own flavor. Not quite Ray Blume. More of a Matt Steigenga taste.
I know Michelle. I found out the hard way in a Motel 6 in Suffolk the night before game 1.
Well, Kobe must have his way. ESPN, Nike and David Stern have a court order saying so after that debacle we are not allowed to talk about happened. Still, he's no Ricky Blanton.
Who? Oh, never mind! Wheres that paper handed to me by our stat boy? Oh, here it is. Kobe Bryant is your God. Buy every product he endorses. OK, that's out of the way.
On our screen we are talking to Boston Red Sox legend Manny Ramirez. Hi Manny!
What? What do you want? I'd punch you in the face if you were in my dugout.
Hi Manny. It's me, Phony.
Are you still going to buy my $12 grill for $675,000?
When I come up to butcher a broadcast of a Monday Night Football game, I will.
OK. Is that it?
Manny? Do you love the Cubbies?
No
Why not? What is wrong with you? Or are you just "being Manny" right now?
What in the hell does that mean? Manny being Manny? Who in the hell else am I supposed to be?
Eduardo Zambrano!
Ummm, Michelle? Don't you mean Carlos?
No Phony! You don't know your Cubs like I do. Eduardo was a great outfielder for the legendary 1994 Cubs!
Legendary? Umm, where'd Manny go? Oh, he'll be right back. He's urinating on the cameraman and the gift basket we sent him.
Looks like Manny is being Manny again! He's no Bill McCabe!
Who?
A legendary outfielder on 2 of the greatest teams in Major League history! The 1918 and 1920 Cubbies. He should be in the Hall of Fame! After the voters listen to me and put Leon Durham in, I will champion McCabe next!
Whatever. Now a message from our sponsor, Rum Staphylococcus.
Iree mon. Drink our stuff. Rum Staphylococcus! Havin goats fill bottles with whizzle for over tree monts to the rhythm of bad reggae music mon.
Now to viewer mail.
"Dear Phony? Who did you and Wimponandonandon blow to get this job?"
Trade secret my friend.
"Hey Wimpy? Is there anything about Chicago you don't love?"
What a stupid question! Next!
"Hey Korny? Why do you always talk about your genital warts?"
I'm mad at Michelle for being so promiscuous!
Now our stat boy will tell us about any mistakes.
The only mistake I can think of is that ESPN hired you to replace poker and Australian Rules Football.
That wraps it up. Goodnight Bahrain!
See ya to all knuckleheads who don't reside in the Windy City. Chicago rules!
Michelle? Where did Manny go?
Who cares! Let's interview Sam Fuld next!
Friday, October 17, 2008
When The Fat Lady Sang
It was another season full of hope for the Bullets. There had been a few seasons of unfulfilled expectations. Two seasons were most remembered for quick exits after a long journey. Age had crept into its own jersey and was as much a part of the team as any other.
The city had high hopes regardless of the past. There was good reason. The finest player ever to suit up in the hometown uniform was still captain of the roster. His knees were worn, but his shoulders were still wide and strong. He was the epitome of determination. He did have help, thank goodness. One was a guy who is amongst the finest to ever play his position. Both of these players names are written all over the Bullets, and leagues, history books. There were also other local legends participating. One still is part of the organization as a broadcaster. Another is the General Manager of one of the most celebrated franchises in the leagues history. There was a member of that 1972 U.S. Olympic team that won silver after an incorrect call by the officials had cost the U.S.A. gold late in the final game.
It had been a difficult season. They had a new coach. One of their star players had threatened to retire rather than play in his new system. Injuries had plagued the team for most of the season. They rallied midway through the season, getting many career high performances from the roster. One important piece was the acquisition of an All Star player who had helped his team sweep them in the 1971 Finals. They lost an important piece of their puzzle and had to replace him with a guy who had helped embarrass them just 3 years earlier in yet another Finals sweeping. In fact, his signing is viewed as a major catalyst in the teams resurgence. The team had only 1 All Star, who ended up playing the fewest minutes in that years All Star game for his conference. They only averaged .5 points better than their opponents that season, and finished 8 games out of first place. Still, they ended up the 3rd seed in their conferences playoff bracket. After a fairly easy first round, they eked out victories in the next two rounds by defeating the #2 and #1 seeds in 6 games each. During this time, a journalist from the #2 seeds town tried to urge his fellow fans on by saying, " The opera isn't over until the fat lady sings." He had invented this phrase a year earlier in his sports column. The coach had heard this phrase, but changed it to, "It Ain't Over Until The Fat Lady Sings" to encourage his underdog team. It would set the stage for one of the more exciting Finals in recent history.
Their opponents had gotten off to bad start that season as well. They had lost 17 of their first 22 games They then fired their coach and replaced him with a Hall of Fame player who would go on and win the most games via a coaching career in the leagues history. He would be later also inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach. The team was balanced with six players having averaged over double figures per game for the season. They had the best back court trio in the league, which featured a future Hall of Famer, a player whose number was later retired by the franchise, and a multiple All Star. That year, however, the team had no one represent the franchise in the All Star game. The bench was deep, and was led by a great player whose playing career was winding down after many successes in his great career. He would go on to coach several teams. They also had a future Hall of Famer starting in the post. They were deep, young, and talented. They knocked off the leagues defending champion on their way to the finals. They also would go back to the finals in the following season as well.
The Finals got off to a wild start and ended up setting the tone to what would be an unpredictable series. The opponents were down 19 points going into the final period. Led by one of their great guards scoring 16 points in less than nine minutes, they stormed back and pulled out a convincing win on their home court. Due to an eccentric scheduling format by league officials to accomodate the opposing city's construction issues, the next 2 games shifted to the Bullets court. After the series was tied, the opponents took a road win, while led by a great defensive performance by their rookie guard who was beginning to be known nation wide simply as "D.J." D.J. almost got his team another win the next game. He ended up blocking a game winning shot attempt to force the game into overtime. In O.T., the visiting Bullets got off two quick field goals and eventually won in front of a then-record playoff crowd of 39,457 fans, due to the game being moved to the city football stadium after a scheduling gaffe by city officials. The opponents, back on their regular home floor, then scraped out a win thanks to 11 missed free throws in the final period. Things looked bleak. The opponents were up 3 - 2. The Bullets trudged back home. Many thoughts were running through each persons mind with the team, and their city. Ranging from confidence to the inevitably pessimistic question of, "Would they fall short again?". This would be when the head coach would stand up in front of all with a new variance of the now famous and often used phrase.
"Wait For The Fat Lady!"
Back home, they were energized by the fans. Momentum was against them, but determination had not waned. The team got off to a bad start. Then, to make these finals even more memorable, the lights in the arena went out. After a delay, the coach decided to gamble. Tired of seeing his back court dominated by the opponents, he shuffled the line up. Leaving one experienced back court player on the floor with 4 front court players, the Bullets exploded for 70 points in the second half for a then record 35 point victory that was just broken this year. They had to go back to the opponents arena, but the Bullets went in there relaxed and ready to play. That game might be remembered by some as when the opponents back court mostly failed them. Two players combined shot 4 - 26. D.J. missed all 14 of his shots. Down by 11 with 90 seconds left, the opponents then pared the difference down to 2 as the seconds ticked off the clock. The Bullets captain was then fouled. Shooting 55% from the line in the series, and a 63% career average, he calmly sank both shots to seal the victory. They had become only the third team ever to win the title in a seventh game on the road.
Finally! That was all that could be said by the players and fans. The best quote came from their best player. "All my life I had dreamed about all of the things I would do if I ever got to be a champion. After I finally won it, I was so exhausted that all I did was go back to my hotel room and slept."
These teams met again the next year in the championship, but it didn't have the same aura. Both teams precense wasn't nearly as unexpected. The opponents won this time by defeating a tired Bullets that had just gotten to the dance by coming back from a 3-1 deficit in their conference's finals.
Regardless, it was a magical time. The Bullets had won the first professional sports championship for D.C. in 32 years. In fact, it is the only championship in franchise history. You can still see the banner even if you don't share the memories. It simply reads :
WASHINGTON BULLETS 1977 - 78 NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS
The city had high hopes regardless of the past. There was good reason. The finest player ever to suit up in the hometown uniform was still captain of the roster. His knees were worn, but his shoulders were still wide and strong. He was the epitome of determination. He did have help, thank goodness. One was a guy who is amongst the finest to ever play his position. Both of these players names are written all over the Bullets, and leagues, history books. There were also other local legends participating. One still is part of the organization as a broadcaster. Another is the General Manager of one of the most celebrated franchises in the leagues history. There was a member of that 1972 U.S. Olympic team that won silver after an incorrect call by the officials had cost the U.S.A. gold late in the final game.
It had been a difficult season. They had a new coach. One of their star players had threatened to retire rather than play in his new system. Injuries had plagued the team for most of the season. They rallied midway through the season, getting many career high performances from the roster. One important piece was the acquisition of an All Star player who had helped his team sweep them in the 1971 Finals. They lost an important piece of their puzzle and had to replace him with a guy who had helped embarrass them just 3 years earlier in yet another Finals sweeping. In fact, his signing is viewed as a major catalyst in the teams resurgence. The team had only 1 All Star, who ended up playing the fewest minutes in that years All Star game for his conference. They only averaged .5 points better than their opponents that season, and finished 8 games out of first place. Still, they ended up the 3rd seed in their conferences playoff bracket. After a fairly easy first round, they eked out victories in the next two rounds by defeating the #2 and #1 seeds in 6 games each. During this time, a journalist from the #2 seeds town tried to urge his fellow fans on by saying, " The opera isn't over until the fat lady sings." He had invented this phrase a year earlier in his sports column. The coach had heard this phrase, but changed it to, "It Ain't Over Until The Fat Lady Sings" to encourage his underdog team. It would set the stage for one of the more exciting Finals in recent history.
Their opponents had gotten off to bad start that season as well. They had lost 17 of their first 22 games They then fired their coach and replaced him with a Hall of Fame player who would go on and win the most games via a coaching career in the leagues history. He would be later also inducted into the Hall of Fame as a coach. The team was balanced with six players having averaged over double figures per game for the season. They had the best back court trio in the league, which featured a future Hall of Famer, a player whose number was later retired by the franchise, and a multiple All Star. That year, however, the team had no one represent the franchise in the All Star game. The bench was deep, and was led by a great player whose playing career was winding down after many successes in his great career. He would go on to coach several teams. They also had a future Hall of Famer starting in the post. They were deep, young, and talented. They knocked off the leagues defending champion on their way to the finals. They also would go back to the finals in the following season as well.
The Finals got off to a wild start and ended up setting the tone to what would be an unpredictable series. The opponents were down 19 points going into the final period. Led by one of their great guards scoring 16 points in less than nine minutes, they stormed back and pulled out a convincing win on their home court. Due to an eccentric scheduling format by league officials to accomodate the opposing city's construction issues, the next 2 games shifted to the Bullets court. After the series was tied, the opponents took a road win, while led by a great defensive performance by their rookie guard who was beginning to be known nation wide simply as "D.J." D.J. almost got his team another win the next game. He ended up blocking a game winning shot attempt to force the game into overtime. In O.T., the visiting Bullets got off two quick field goals and eventually won in front of a then-record playoff crowd of 39,457 fans, due to the game being moved to the city football stadium after a scheduling gaffe by city officials. The opponents, back on their regular home floor, then scraped out a win thanks to 11 missed free throws in the final period. Things looked bleak. The opponents were up 3 - 2. The Bullets trudged back home. Many thoughts were running through each persons mind with the team, and their city. Ranging from confidence to the inevitably pessimistic question of, "Would they fall short again?". This would be when the head coach would stand up in front of all with a new variance of the now famous and often used phrase.
"Wait For The Fat Lady!"
Back home, they were energized by the fans. Momentum was against them, but determination had not waned. The team got off to a bad start. Then, to make these finals even more memorable, the lights in the arena went out. After a delay, the coach decided to gamble. Tired of seeing his back court dominated by the opponents, he shuffled the line up. Leaving one experienced back court player on the floor with 4 front court players, the Bullets exploded for 70 points in the second half for a then record 35 point victory that was just broken this year. They had to go back to the opponents arena, but the Bullets went in there relaxed and ready to play. That game might be remembered by some as when the opponents back court mostly failed them. Two players combined shot 4 - 26. D.J. missed all 14 of his shots. Down by 11 with 90 seconds left, the opponents then pared the difference down to 2 as the seconds ticked off the clock. The Bullets captain was then fouled. Shooting 55% from the line in the series, and a 63% career average, he calmly sank both shots to seal the victory. They had become only the third team ever to win the title in a seventh game on the road.
Finally! That was all that could be said by the players and fans. The best quote came from their best player. "All my life I had dreamed about all of the things I would do if I ever got to be a champion. After I finally won it, I was so exhausted that all I did was go back to my hotel room and slept."
These teams met again the next year in the championship, but it didn't have the same aura. Both teams precense wasn't nearly as unexpected. The opponents won this time by defeating a tired Bullets that had just gotten to the dance by coming back from a 3-1 deficit in their conference's finals.
Regardless, it was a magical time. The Bullets had won the first professional sports championship for D.C. in 32 years. In fact, it is the only championship in franchise history. You can still see the banner even if you don't share the memories. It simply reads :
WASHINGTON BULLETS 1977 - 78 NBA WORLD CHAMPIONS
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