On 5/4/2020 at 7:52 PM, MediterraneanDiet said:

Depends how far you want to go back but I'll offer these 3:

1. Wilbert Montgomery 

2. Carl Hairston

3. William Thomas 

 

It's kind of remarkable the Eagles had their 1978-1981 run of success considering how many high round draft picks they traded away in the mid-1970s.  They did hit on some good players in the later rounds with the picks they did have, including the two guys above.

Also, Andy Harmon (6th round) deserves to be mentioned with Willie T (4th round) among later round draft picks from 1991.  It's unfortunate Harmon had that injury (I think) prior to or early in the 1996 season that essentially derailed his career; he was a very good player for about 4 seasons (1992-1995).

20 hours ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

when I try to explain the ridiculousness of that defense younger generations don’t fully grasp it like we did when we watched It happen in front of our eyes. The closest defense in the last 20 years we’ve had to that was the 2001 team that gave up over 21 points just once in 19 games (and it just happened to be in the nfc title game against the Rams). Even that defense wasn’t close to those ones. younger generations know of the stories Cause we pass it down to them but it was completely different watching it live and in person. 

Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the Eagles defense gave up a 3 yard run, I considered that a loss for the defense.  Only 2 yard or less runs were wins by the defense.  The Gang Green era defense really spoiled me on what a "good" run and pass rushing defense was supposed to look like; my standards are way too high.

21 hours ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

He’s definitely up there. I’d put Clyde Simmons up there as well. He’s third in eagles history in sacks with 76. Im guessing a Lot of eagles fans wouldn’t know that. And he had a 19 sack season in 92

People know about Simmons' 19 sack season in 1992 because he led the NFL in sacks that year.  What people don't know about is his 15 1/2 sack season in 1989 that put him on the map as a very good player (though he had already shown among Eagles fans he was a solid player in 1987 and 1988).  Simmons also had 13 sacks in 1991.

I've said this previously, but Clyde Simmons ranks as my #2 all-time favorite Eagles player behind only his teammate Seth Joyner.  Both are among my all-time favorite players because they were low round draft choices by the Eagles.

1 hour ago, CHIP72 said:

Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the Eagles defense gave up a 3 yard run, I considered that a loss for the defense.  Only 2 yard or less runs were wins by the defense.  The Gang Green era defense really spoiled me on what a "good" run and pass rushing defense was supposed to look like; my standards are way too high.

We were fortunate enough to see the late 80s and early 90s defenses live and in action. The younger generation didn’t and only has to go by highlights and YouTube videos which doesn’t do them enough justice. Nowadays defenses for the most part aren’t nearly the same quality. Occasionally you get that 2000 ravens team but even they while dominant didn’t do some of the things gang green did. 

 

1 hour ago, CHIP72 said:

People know about Simmons' 19 sack season in 1992 because he led the NFL in sacks that year.  What people don't know about is his 15 1/2 sack season in 1989 that put him on the map as a very good player (though he had already shown among Eagles fans he was a solid player in 1987 and 1988).  Simmons also had 13 sacks in 1991.

I've said this previously, but Clyde Simmons ranks as my #2 all-time favorite Eagles player behind only his teammate Seth Joyner.  Both are among my all-time favorite players because they were low round draft choices by the Eagles.

You’d be surprised if you asked younger generations about who Clyde Simmons was the answers you get simply cause Reggie white and Jerome brown are glorified more than Simmons. Not saying that’s wrong but White and Brown are much more heralded in the eyes of most younger eagles fans. You and I And people who lived through that era appreciate Simmons and Joyner. Frankly Seth Joyner should be in pro football hall of fame. It’s pretty criminal that he isn’t. 

My first thought as soon as I saw this thread was Trent Cole. But it depends on what you mean by "struck gold.” We talking about a guy that’s a good solid starter for several years, or a perennial pro bowl/all pro type of player?

1 hour ago, CHIP72 said:

It's kind of remarkable the Eagles had their 1978-1981 run of success considering how many high round draft picks they traded away in the mid-1970s.  They did hit on some good players in the later rounds with the picks they did have, including the two guys above.

Also, Andy Harmon (6th round) deserves to be mentioned with Willie T (4th round) among later round draft picks from 1991.  It's unfortunate Harmon had that injury (I think) prior to or early in the 1996 season that essentially derailed his career; he was a very good player for about 4 seasons (1992-1995).

Oh my, the terror of all those first roumd picks for Roman Gabriel and others.   Bill Bergey was worth the price but it was steep.  Harmon was a great player.  Double digit sacks, so quick and strong.  For some reason he just gets lost in Eagles history, much like Tim Kerr for the Flyers who had 4 consecutive 50+ goal seasons.  

14 minutes ago, MediterraneanDiet said:

Oh my, the terror of all those first roumd picks for Roman Gabriel and others.   Bill Bergey was worth the price but it was steep.  Harmon was a great player.  Double digit sacks, so quick and strong.  For some reason he just gets lost in Eagles history, much like Tim Kerr for the Flyers who had 4 consecutive 50+ goal seasons.  

It’s a shame with Kerr. From 83-89 he was phenomenal. Besides 87-88 where he only played 8 games, he had 48 goals Or more in 5 of 6 seasons. And 54 or more goals in 4 of the 6. He had a four year stretch during that time where he averaged 93 points per season. That’s more than any stretch Lindros had with the Flyers (Lindros biggest was 89.5). Not only that his 85,87 and 89 playoffs he had more points than the flyers played games. 

On 5/4/2020 at 4:42 PM, FastFreddie said:

Only other ones worth a damn in recent memory:

Nate Gerry (at least he’s still on the team?)

Jalen Mills 

Beau Allen

Dennis Kelly (been starting for the Titans forever)

Dion Lewis (also better for other teams)

Kurt Coleman (somehow still around)

Brent Celek

Todd Herremans

Trent Cole

Raheem Brock (was actually good with the Colts, IIRC)

Correll Buckhalter

AJ Feeley

John Welbourn

Ike Reese

Koy Detmer

Na Brown!

 

I’m done  

 

 

 

Herremans, Cole, and Kelce are really the only guys of note. The rest had maybe a year or two of production, but nothing special. I guess we could include Dion Lewis, but he never played for the team because of his injuries.

8 minutes ago, Devaster said:

Herremans, Cole, and Kelce are really the only guys of note. The rest had maybe a year or two of production, but nothing special. I guess we could include Dion Lewis, but he never played for the team because of his injuries.

Among the guys on the original list, I think that is selling Brent Celek and to a lesser degree John Welbourn short; both were good to very good players for a handful of years.  (Celek's stats are also a little deceptive because he was a good all-around player even when he wasn't catching tons of passes.)  Correll Buckhalter was also a fairly good player for a few years when he wasn't injured, albeit one overshadowed by and not as good as Brian Westbrook.

33 minutes ago, CHIP72 said:

Among the guys on the original list, I think that is selling Brent Celek and to a lesser degree John Welbourn short; both were good to very good players for a handful of years.  (Celek's stats are also a little deceptive because he was a good all-around player even when he wasn't catching tons of passes.)  Correll Buckhalter was also a fairly good player for a few years when he wasn't injured, albeit one overshadowed by and not as good as Brian Westbrook.

I didn't feel I was selling Celek or Buckhalter short. Celek was a decent pro, but never anything special at the TE position. He was a solid #2 his entire career, but never a worthy #1. Buckhalter, like I said only had a couple years of production. I listed the three that were long-term starters and great players at their positions. Herremans never got the accolades, but he was a top G in the NFL for quite a while. Cole and Kelce speak for themselves.

On 5/4/2020 at 6:09 PM, 20dawk4life said:

Beau Allen was good. Jordan Poyer has been real good for the bills not so much for us. Maddox and Sweat could be good player for us but it’s too early to tell. 

Beau

It's incredible that both Kelce brothers were day 3 picks.  

On 5/5/2020 at 9:43 AM, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

I feel like older generations who grew up during that era and got to watch him play do. Feel like fans after that time period really aren’t as in touch with Simmons. They know white and Jerome brown (and even Joyner cause he does broadcasting) but Simmons Is really the forgotten one in the younger generation that started watching around or after lurie took over. 

I don’t think Simmons gets the respect he deserves, because many think his numbers were inflated due to Reggie White, but you have to be one heck of a player to get sacks when Reggie White is on the other side. 

How about Dion Lewis? He was promising for the Eagles..But he really had a good career with Other teams. I am pretty sure he was a 5th rounder.

Almost forgot Andy Harmon was a beast!

15 hours ago, MediterraneanDiet said:

Oh my, the terror of all those first roumd picks for Roman Gabriel and others.   Bill Bergey was worth the price but it was steep.  Harmon was a great player.  Double digit sacks, so quick and strong.  For some reason he just gets lost in Eagles history, much like Tim Kerr for the Flyers who had 4 consecutive 50+ goal seasons.  

I remember that Gabriel trade.  We gave up all pro WR Harold Jackson I think and two 1s and a 3 maybe.  What I remember most is reading in the Inquirer days later after his first work out.  He had a damaged shoulder and whoever the writer was wrote the braintrust gave out a sigh of relief after he was able to still throw.  Back in that day they didn't do the rigorous examinations they do now.  What a bad trade. He was at the end of the line.  We got fleeced.   Harold was like our Jackson today.  Smaller but very fast pro bowl deep threat.  

And Tim Kerr is a sore point as he missed both of those finals vs the Oilers.  He had something like 58 and 54 goals those years.  We would have won one of those cups.

On 5/4/2020 at 7:52 PM, MediterraneanDiet said:

Depends how far you want to go back but I'll offer these 3:

1. Wilbert Montgomery 

2. Carl Hairston

3. William Thomas 

 

I love this post. Wilbert was probably the best player on the team in the late seventies/early eighties. And Hairston was a standout defensive end on those same teams. It's nice to see that some people remember that era. '78 through '81 was a breath of fresh air after the stink of the late sixties and early seventies. To actually be relevant -- and actual contenders -- for awhile was damn fun.

5 hours ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

I love this post. Wilbert was probably the best player on the team in the late seventies/early eighties. And Hairston was a standout defensive end on those same teams. It's nice to see that some people remember that era. '78 through '81 was a breath of fresh air after the stink of the late sixties and early seventies. To actually be relevant -- and actual contenders -- for awhile was damn fun.

I know you know this, but when they made the playoffs in '78 it broke a playoff drought that began after the 1960 season.  As a kid I grew up thinking the only teams the Eagles could potentially beat were the Giants and if/when we played them teams like the Falcons, Saints, Bills.

7 hours ago, weko said:

I remember that Gabriel trade.  We gave up all pro WR Harold Jackson I think and two 1s and a 3 maybe.  What I remember most is reading in the Inquirer days later after his first work out.  He had a damaged shoulder and whoever the writer was wrote the braintrust gave out a sigh of relief after he was able to still throw.  Back in that day they didn't do the rigorous examinations they do now.  What a bad trade. He was at the end of the line.  We got fleeced.   Harold was like our Jackson today.  Smaller but very fast pro bowl deep threat.  

And Tim Kerr is a sore point as he missed both of those finals vs the Oilers.  He had something like 58 and 54 goals those years.  We would have won one of those cups.

Jackson was a bright light on those early 70s teams.  The Rams had my favorite QB at that time, James Harris.  He didn't get much of a run, two years maybe, but I wished the Eagles had gotten him rather than Gabriel.

2 hours ago, MediterraneanDiet said:

I know you know this, but when they made the playoffs in '78 it broke a playoff drought that began after the 1960 season.  As a kid I grew up thinking the only teams the Eagles could potentially beat were the Giants and if/when we played them teams like the Falcons, Saints, Bills.

Speaking of which, another really good late round pick was nose tackle Charlie Johnson.

And...that loss to the Falcons in the playoffs in '78 was probably the most painful loss of my life. To finally get there, and to proceed to blow a 13-point lead (with the ball in scoring territory with about nine minutes left) was just brutal.

1 hour ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

Speaking of which, another really good late round pick was nose tackle Charlie Johnson.

And...that loss to the Falcons in the playoffs in '78 was probably the most painful loss of my life. To finally get there, and to proceed to blow a 13-point lead (with the ball in scoring territory with about nine minutes left) was just brutal.

Charlie was one of the top NTs when he played.  That was a really good front seven with the Swamp Fox leading the D.  Campbell was also on the Eagles 1960 championship team.  The Atlanta Las was awful but beating Dallas for the NFC title mad up for a lot of pain.  If only Wilbert hadn't gotten injured...