In order to feel a bit better about the current state of the sports teams in our fair city, I thought I'd harken back to brighter days and give you guys my all time favorite Eagles offense. (One disclaimer: remember, I'm only 32, so don't expect to see anyone on this team prior to the mid 80's. I don't have many recollections of the Vermeil era Eagles other than the stars.)
Wide Receiver - Terrell Owens - Yes, he was a complete douchebag last year, but in 2004 he a flat out STUD. He turned in one of the best all time seasons by any Philly athlete. What a shame it all fell apart so fast after his dominant Super Bowl performance.
Left Tackle - Tra Thomas - This is a pretty easy position to pick...wait, the entire offensive line is pretty easy to pick considering the sieves the Eagles have thrown out there between the Stan Walters led crew and the line Big Red put together. Anyhow, Tra was a Pro Bowler at the offensive line's most important position. That's good enough for me. (Honorable Mention: Ron Heller...not gifted physically, but very nasty.)
Left Guard - Jermane Mayberry - Again, this isn't a hard selection. "One Eyed" Mayberry was the first Eagles Pro Bowler since some fellow named Walter "Piggy" Barnes in 1951.
Center - Raleigh McKenzie - I had no idea who to pick at this spot, but Ricky Watters and Charlie Garner ran for a lot of yards when he was starting at center. I suppose that's good enough.
Right Guard - Shawn Andrews - I might be a bit premature in this selection, but he shows all the tools in only in his second year as a starter. It's only a matter of time until he's a perennial Pro Bowler. (Honorable Mention: John Welbourn...great pass blocker at guard and pretty dirty also.)
Right Tackle - Jon Runyan - Again, this is an easy pick. I love his reliability (when he was blocking anyone but Strahan) and his borderline dirty style of play.
Tight End - Keith Jackson - This 3 time Pro Bowler was one of Randall's favorite receivers and totally screwed me when he left via free agency to play with the Dolphins. I had just bought his jersey near the end of his last season with the Birds and it was worthless six months later. As great as he was, I'll always remember that sure touchdown he dropped in the Fog Bowl. No hard feelings though.
Wide Receiver - Mike Quick - The Birds current radio color analyst was a five time Pro Bowler, who teamed up with Jaws for the longest play in Eagles history - a 99 yard touchdown reception to win an overtime game against the Falcons. I'll never forget the ending of that game. I was playing midget football for the Gloucester Township Colts and we got to see the ending in the team club house after a beating up on some clearly inferior squad. Good times. (Honorable Mention: Fred Barnett ... I loved Arkansas Fred)
Quarterback - Donovan McNabb - This appears to be a tough choice, but it really isn't. Donovan got the Birds to a Super Bowl and three other NFC Championship Games. How can argue against that kind of success? Barring injury, he'll be the owner of all the Eagles passing records before long. His throw on 4th and 26th against the Packers will never be forgotten, neither will his 4 touchdown performance on a broken leg against the Cards. (Honorable Mention: Randall Cunningham...the NFL's Human Highlight Film of the late 80's and early 90's)
Full Back - Keith Byars - I offer anyone to argue against this one. We all hated the little baby steps he took when he took a handoff, but when he was finally shifted to his more natural position of full back, his career really took off. He was another of Randall's favorite targets and led the league in receptions by a running back. Plus, can you think of a better block than the decleater he laid on his former Ohio St. room mate Pepper Johnson? Didn't think so.
Running Back - Wilbert Montgomery - This two time pro bowler was the heart and soul of the 1980 Super Bowl Team. His 42 yard touchdown run on the Eagles' first offensive play in the NFC Championship Game against the Cowboys alone gets him on my squad. By the way, he ran for a total of 194 yards that day. I wish more Philly athletes could be so clutch. (Honorable Mention: Ricky Watters...people forget how productive he was when he was here.)
Kicker - David Akers - He clinched this spot on my team when he kicked that field goal last year with a torn hammy. The fight he got in against the entire Giants side line was just icing on the cake. Gotta love tough guy kickers that knows kung fu.
Offensive Coordinator - Jon Gruden - Anyone that could score points with Ty Detmer, Rodney Peete and Bobby Hoying at QB is a friggin' genius. Imagine what he'd do with this lineup?
Ok, so there you have it, Philly Sports Phan's All Time Eagles offense. I welcome all comments and disagreements. Let me have it.
COMING SOON: PSP's All Time Eagles Defense
2 comments:
What midget team are you playing for now? Sorry, I couldn't help myslef. Luva ya, mean it!
The one glaring exemption from your list of All Timers would be Harold Carmichael. Mike Quick was actually a poor man's Harold. We are essentially the same age, but I spent the better part of my youth in Texas and was forced to watch Dallas games. Every time the Cowgirls played the Eagles it seemed like Harold would make huge plays. Not to mention is consecutive catch game streak, the fact he could leap out of the stadium and an excellent possession receiver who went over the middle. Besides that, generally agree with your choices. One thing I would like to point out is the fact that NOT ONE of the players listed that spent any real time with our team has or will likely make the Hall of Fame. How's that for an indictment on how well the "O" has done in Philly over the past umpteen years. While #5 has a shot, unless he gets some hardware, it will be a long shot.
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