Eagles all-time team led by “Minister of Defense,” “Concrete Charlie” and “Wolverine”
Eagles all-time team led by “Minister of Defense,” “Concrete Charlie” and “Wolverine”
The Philadelphia Eagles had an inauspicious start. They did not win more than five games in a season for their first decade of existence and did not play in the postseason until their 15th year.
The period from World War II through the early 1960s was prosperous, with the Eagles reaching the NFL Championship Game four times and winning three of those contests. However, the team went on a long title drought afterward. The Eagles played in Super Bowl XV, but fans did not have title hopes again for another 20 years.
Philadelphia reached five NFC Championship Games in eight seasons, including four in a row from 2001-04. However, the Eagles only had one victory, but they lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. The Philly faithful had to wait 13 seasons for a chance at revenge, but their team defeated New England in Super Bowl LII, giving the city its first football title in 57 years.
Head Coach: Andy Reid had a 130-93-1 record in 14 seasons at the helm. He led the Eagles to the playoffs nine times, including five trips to the NFC Championship Game as well as Super Bowl XXXIX. Alfred “Greasy” Neale (63-43-5) was the coach during the team’s first success. He took Philadelphia from a laughingstock in its early years to a combined “Steagles” team in 1943 to three championship games and two titles in his ten seasons as coach. Dick Vermeil left UCLA to come to the Eagles, and he led the team to a 54-47 record and four playoff appearances in seven years, including a loss to the Raiders in Super Bowl XV. James “Buddy” Ryan led Philadelphia to a 43-35-1 record in five seasons, but his teams went 0-3 in the playoffs. Doug Pederson (29-19) is entering his fourth season as Eagles coach. He has led the team to the playoffs twice, including a Super Bowl LII victory over the Patriots for the team’s first title since 1960. Coaching that team was Lawrence “Buck” Shaw, who was the original coach of the 49ers. He led the Eagles at the end of his career and retired after that championship.
Quarterback: Donovan McNabb led the team to five NFC title games and a spot in Super Bowl XXXIX. He is the franchise’s all-time leader with 32,873 yards and 216 touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,000 or more yards six times and also ran for 3,249 yards and 28 rushing scores. Ron Jaworski is second in team history with 26,963 yards and 175 touchdowns. He threw for 3,000 or more yards four times, and he went to the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XV after the 1980 season. Randall Cunningham was even better on the ground than McNabb. He ran for 4.482 yards and 32 scores to go along with 22,877 passing yards and 150 touchdowns. Cunningham was a three-time Pro Bowler and a three-time winner of the Bert Bell Player of the Year Award, which was named after the team’s original owner. Tommy Thompson was one of the team’s earliest starts. He led the team to three NFL Championship Game appearances and two titles, and threw for a league-leading 25 touchdowns in 1948.
Running Back: Thompson’s main weapon on those title teams was Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren, who is the team’s all-time leader with 69 touchdowns and is fourth with 5,860 yards. The five-time All-Pro led the NFL in years and touchdowns four times each during his eight seasons in Philadelphia. LeSean McCoy tops the franchise list with 6,792 yards and is third with 44 scores. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro before Chip Kelly traded him away after the 2014 season. “Shady” led the league with 17 touchdowns in 2011 and 1,607 yards two years later. Wilbert Montgomery is second in both yards (6,538) and touchdowns (45). He ran for 1,000 or more yards three times, was a two-time Pro Bowler and played in Super Bowl XV. Brian Westbrook made it to five NFC Championship Games. He is third with 5,995 yards and fourth with 37 scores. The 2007 All-Pro also played in Super Bowl XXXIX. Ricky Watters ran for 3,794 yards and was a two-time Pro Bowler in three seasons with the Eagles. Duce Staley is fifth with 4,807 yards, including three seasons with 1,000 or more.
Fullback: Tom Woodeshick ran for 3,563 yards and 21 touchdowns. He led the team in rushing three times, including his 1968 Pro Bowl season. Clarence Peaks had 2,927 yards in seven years, and he led the team with 465 in the 1960 Championship season.
Wide Receiver: Harold Carmichael is the team’s all-time leader with 589 receptions, 8,978 yards, and 79 touchdowns. The four-time Pro Bowler appeared in Super Bowl XV, led the league with 1,116 yards in 1973 and was the 1980 NFL Man of the Year. Mike Quick was five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who led the league with 1,409 yards, to go along with 13 touchdowns, in 1983. He is third with 6,464 yards and tied for third with 61 scores. Hall of Famer Tommy McDonald is second on the team list with 66 touchdowns and also has 5,499 yards. He was a four-time Pro Bowl participant, a member of the 1960 championship team, and he led the NFL with 1,144 yards and 13 scores in 1961. DeSean Jackson is fourth with 6,117 yards, and he had 32 touchdowns. The three-time Pro Bowler was also a member of the 2008 All-Rookie Team. Bobby Walston had 5,363 yards and 46 scores. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and a champion in 1960 while also handling kicking duties. Fred Barnett had 4,634 yards in six seasons and went to the Pro Bowl in 1992. Ben Hawkins totaled 4,764 yards, including an NFL-high 1,265 in 1967. Jeremy Maclin had 4,771 yards and 36 touchdowns in six years.
Tight End: Hall of Famer Pete Pihos went to three straight NFL Championship Games in the late 1940s. He has 5,619 yards and is tied for third in team history with 61 touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro led the NFL in receptions, yards, and scores in 1953. Pete Retzlaff ranks second with 7,412 yards and fifth with 47 touchdowns. The 1960 champion was selected to five Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro in 1965. Zach Ertz is a two-time Pro Bowler who played in Super Bowl LII. Brent Celek had 4,998 yards in 11 seasons and was Ertz’s backup in the championship season.
Tackle: Jason Peters is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who started in Super Bowl LII. Jerry Sisemore went to a pair of Pro Bowls and appeared in Super Bowl XV on the right side. Tra Thomas played in five NFC Championship Games and three Pro Bowls throughout his 12 seasons in Philadelphia. Jon Runyan was unmovable at times. He played in five championship games and was a Pro Bowler in 2002. Al Wistert played in three title games and was a four-time All-Pro in addition to playing in the 1950 Pro Bowl. His teammate, Vic Sears, was a part of two championship teams on the left side. Hall of Famer Bob Brown was a three-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler in five seasons with the Eagles.
Guard: Todd Herremans started 124 games and played in the 2008 NFC Championship Game. Francis “Bucko” Kilroy played in three Pro Bowls and three title contests in 13 seasons. Ron Baker appeared in 123 games in nine years and started in Super Bowl XV. Shawn Andrews was a two-time Pro Bowler, a 2006 All-Pro and a starter in Super Bowl XXXIX. Wade Key split 10 seasons between left guard and left tackle.
Center: Super Bowl LII starter Jason Kelce is also a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. Guy Morriss started 151 games and appeared in Super Bowl XV. David Alexander played in 124 games over seven seasons. Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik played double duty throughout the 1950s, doubling as center and linebacker.
Defensive End: Hall of Famer Reggie White’s 124 sacks leads the team’s all-time list, and he is fifth with 794 solo tackles. “The Minister of Defense” had 18 sacks each in 1986 and ’88, and in between, he set an NFL record with 21. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro and the 1987 Defensive Player of the Year. Trent Cole is second with 85½ sacks, including 12½ each in 2007 and ’09, his only Pro Bowl seasons. Clyde Simmons is third in franchise history with 76 sacks, with a league-leading 19 in 1992. The two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro also registered 720 solo tackles. Fletcher Cox has started at all four defensive line positions and amassed 44½ sacks. The four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl LII champion was also an All-Pro in 2018. Hugh Douglas is fourth with 54½ sacks, including 15 in 2000. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and a 2000 All-Pro. William Fuller was a Pro Bowler in all three seasons with the Eagles and had 35½ sacks. Carl “Big Daddy” Hairston played eight years and appeared in Super Bowl XV. Greg Brown is fifth with 50½ sacks, including 16 in 1984.
Defensive Tackle: Andy Harmon had 39½ sacks in seven seasons, including 11½ in 1993 and 11 in ’95. Ken Clarke appeared in Super Bowl XV and amassed 32½ sacks, with 10½ in 1984. Charlie Johnson was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. Jerome Brown was a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who had 10½ sacks in 1989. Floyd Peters went to three Pro Bowls in the 1960s. Darwin Walker appeared in four straight NFC Championship Games and had 27 ½ sacks in six seasons.
Outside Linebacker: Bednarik was an eight-time Pro Bowler, an eight-time All-Pro and a two-time champion. “Concrete Charlie” appeared in 169 games, recovered 21 fumbles and had 20 interceptions. Seth Joyner is second in team history with 875 solo tackles. The two-time Pro Bowler also has 37 sacks and 17 picks. Maxie Boughen was a five-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro in 1964 and part of the 1960 championship team. William Thomas was a two-time Pro Bowler who had 33 sacks, 18 interceptions, and 595 solo tackles. Connor Barwin had 31½ sacks in four years, including 14 ½ in his 2014 Pro Bowl season. John Bunting played in 132 games, as well as Super Bowl XV.
Middle Linebacker: Bill Bergey made four Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro. He had 18 interceptions, and his last game with the team was Super Bowl XV. Jeremiah Trotter played in four NFC Championship Games and Super Bowl XXXIX. He was a four-time Pro Bowler, an All-Pro in 2000, and he had five seasons with 100 or more tackles. Frank LeMaster started in Super Bowl XV, and he made the Pro Bowl in 1981. Byron Evans is third with 806 tackles, including a league-leading 184 in 1989.
Cornerback: Eric Allen had 34 interceptions, which is tied for the most in team history, and he also returned five for touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1989. Troy Vincent was a five-time Pro Bowler and a 2002 All-Pro. He had 28 interceptions and appeared in three NFC Championship Games. Herman Edwards had 33 picks and appeared in Super Bowl XV, but he is best known for his fumble return touchdown in 1978 that is called the “Miracle at the Meadowlands.” Roynell Young had 23 interceptions in nine seasons. He played in Super Bowl XV and was a Pro Bowler in 1981. Bobby Taylor was a two-time Pro Bowler and a three-time NFC title game participant. Russ Craft played in three championship games and two Pro Bowls.
Safety: Brian Dawkins and Bill Bradley matched Allen with 34 picks. Dawkins is a Hall of Famer who was nicknamed “Wolverine” for his relentless aggression. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time All-Pro and a five-time NFC Championship Game participant. Bradley went to three Pro Bowls, was a two-time All-Pro, and he led the league in interceptions twice. Randy Logan was a Super Bowl XV participant who played in 159 games and had 23 interceptions in 11 seasons. Wes Hopkins had 30 picks and was a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1985. Andre Waters is the team’s all-time leader with 910 solo tackles. Nate Ramsey had 21 interceptions in 10 years.
Kicker: David Akers is the team’s all-time leading scorer with 1,323 points, including 10 seasons with 100 or more. He is a five-time Pro Bowler, a five-time NFC title game participant and a 2001 All-Pro. Walston had 881 points, with a league-high 114 in 1954.
Punter: Adrian Burk was a two-time Pro Bowler who led the league in punts four times and yards twice. Sean Landeta had a 42.8-yard average over five seasons. He appeared in two NFC Championship Games. John Teltschik only played four seasons, but he led the NFL in punts three times and yards with 4,493 in 1986.
Returners: Timmy Brown holds team records with 4,483 kickoff return yards and five touchdowns. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a champion in 1960. Brian Mitchell only played three seasons in Philadelphia, but he amassed 3,311 kickoff and 1,369 punt return yards, and he returned two of each for scores. DeSean Jackson and Darren Sproles both had more than 1,200 punt return yards and four touchdowns.
Special Teams: Chad Lewis made three Pro Bowls at tight end, but he was also a special teams contributor on clubs that reached four straight NFC Championship Games. Jon Dorenbos played in 162 games and made two Pro Bowls in 11 seasons as a long snapper.
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-By: Kevin Rakas