|
|---|
Monday, May 23, 2011
Philly is known for its great cheesteack, the Liberty Bell, and a key site for the American Revolution. Of course, you can't pass through Philly without an Eagles fan screaming, "we're #1! Giants suck!" The Eagles are both one of the most historic and successful franchises in NFL history. Lets take a look.
Despite being both successful and historic, the Eagles have always had trouble winning the big game. Andy Reid comes from the Mike Holmgren coaching tree and has been a very successful coach through the years. The Eagles hired Reid in 1999 after his success as assitant head coach with the Packers. Philly, being Philly, many in the city of brotherly love criticized the hiring. I think so far it has turned out wouldn't you say so Eagles? In his first draft as coach, Reid selected Donovan McNabb and chose him to be the face of the franchise. Reid was able to lift the Eagles from years of poverty and took them to the playoffs in 2000. The 2001 season started a mark of four straight NFC East titles and NFC Championship Game apperances. After three straight losses in the conference title game, Reid finally led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl in 23 years. Again, the Eagles lost to the Patriots 24-21. Ever since that Super Bowl defeat the Eagles have been up and down. The team traded away the flamboyant Terrell Owens and also eventually got rid of McNabb before the 2010 season ended. After Titans coach Jeff Fisher was fired, Reid became the longest tenured head coach in football. In his career, Reid has 107 wins, a .618 winning percentage, and a playoff total ten wins. All our the most in Eagles history. So while this guy could probably scarf down a few philly cheesesteacks, he has also been a great coach. The best one in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Considering this guy is on here despite getting booed at the draft by Eagles fans is amazing. How did that Ricky Williams pick turn out for the Saints? Ok just checking. Seriously though Donovan McNabb is a phenomenal athlete and a class act. McNabb was picked second overall in 1999 out of Syracuse. The 1999 QB Draft Class was supposed to challenge the famed 1983 QB Draft Class. In reality, only McNabb and Daunte Culpepper were the only consitently good QBs taken in 1999. McNabb only say some playing time in his rookie season, but would eventually become one of the greatest QBs of all time. In the 2000 season, McNabb finished second in the MVP voting while also guiding the Eagles to their first playoff apperance since 1996. Philly would beat Tampa Bay in the wild card round, but eventually lose to the Giants in the divisional round. One of the most memorable seasons of McNabb's early career was 2001 when he led two furious comeback against the hated Giants. McNabb also became only the fourth Eagles QB to pass for 3,000 yards in consecutive seaons. McNabb's greatest achievement, however, is leading the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX after three straigh NFC Championship losses. In the 2004 season, McNabb threw 31 touchdowns and only eight interceptions which added up to a 104.7 passer rating. With those numbers, McNabb became the first QB in NFL history to throw for 30+ touchdowns and less then ten interceptions. These numbers were do in large part to the arrival of WR Terrell Owens. The Eagles finished the season with a 13-3 record, the best in franchise history. The Eagles were able to cruise past the Vikings and Falcons in the playoff on their way to a Super Bowl when McNabb set another accomplishment. He became only the third African American QB to start in a Super Bowl (Doug Williams, Steve McNair). The Eagles lost 24-21 and McNabb never seemed to be the same QB. In the 2005 season, enwrapped in a argument saga with Owens, McNabb was injured. After years of injury plagued season, McNabb became the Eagles all time passing touchdown leader with 176 in 2008. McNabb eventually wore out his welcome in Philly and was traded to the Redskins after the 2009 season had ended. Despite not always being consistent, McNabb is hands down the best Eagles player of all time. Click here to look at McNabb's stats.
This 6'8 WR was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 1971 round draft out of Southern University. Seeing Harold Carmichael getting picked this low just reminds me of how stupid scouts really are. In his 12 years with the Eagles, Carmichael made it to four Pro Bowls and and led the league in receiving yards during the 1973 season. Carmichael's greatest accomplishment was probably helping the Eagles to Super Bowl XV, Philly's first in franchise history, and having six catches for 91 yards. After one year with the Cowboys, Carmichael ended his career with 590 receptions, 8,985 yards, and 79 career touchdowns. He still ranks 18th all time in career touchdown receptions. Another great year for Carmichael was 1978 when he had 1,072 yards (third best in the league) and 11 touchdowns (second best in the league). Carmichael was a beast and is now the Director of Player Development for the Eagles. One other thing, he is the best draft gem in Philly history. Click here to look at Carmichael's stats.
Biggest draft bust: Michael Haddix (1983-1988)
With the eight overall selelction in the 1983 Draft, the Eagles chose RB Michael Haddix out of Mississippi State. Yes, the same 1983 draft that had Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jim Kelly in it. In six years years with the Eagles, Haddix had only 1,189 yards and three touchdowns, averaging three yards per carry. If the Eagles wanted to go in another directon at RB, they could of chosen Jim Kelly or Dan Marino. Unfortanetly for Philly, there was not that much depth at the running back position. Guys like Darrell Green and Bruce Matthews, who were taken after Maddix, could of been a better upgrade from the all-pro bust RB. Unfortanetly there is not enough information on the web about Maddix, most likely because of his bust status. Plus I wasn't around when he played so this is the best I got. If you want to look at his stats click here.
This offseason brought in two of the most respected Eagles of all time; Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb. After a nice career in Green Bay as an assitant coach, the Eagles hired Reid as their coach. In his first draft he brought in Donovan McNabb of Syracuse. The duo led the Eagles to four straight NFC Championship Appearances (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) and only their second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Both have done so much for sports in Philadelphia and the 1999 offseason is no doubt their defining moment. Despite this duo getting split up last season, I think McNabb made Reid a better coach and Reid made McNabb a better player. Enough said.
0 Comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
