By the Numbers: Eagles

#11 – The winner here is Norm Van Brocklin. The Hall of Famer led the Eagles to the NFL title in 1960 to cap off his career. He was also a Pro Bowler in all three seasons that he spent with the Eagles. And not only did he play every game at QB during his time with the team, he was the Eagles’ punter as well! Can you imagine that happening nowadays? A.J. Brown is gaining, though, so the Dutchman may not be long for this spot. As far as I can tell, they’re the only two good players to ever wear #11 for the Eagles.

#12 – Speaking of quarterbacks who punted, #12 will always be synonymous with the electrifying Randall Cunningham. A tremendous all-around athlete, he passed for over 22,000 yards with the Birds and ran for another 4,500. And he had that 91-yard punt that we all remember, plus an 80-yarder the following season. Randall never could get over the hump in the playoffs, but he is still fondly remembered by Eagles fans for carrying the offense for large chunks of his 11 years on the team. 

#13 – I didn’t even remember that he wore #17 for the first two years of his career, but I guess it’s a good thing that Nelson Agholor switched to #13 before the Super 2017 season. The numbers he put up in the aftermath of SB52 were just good enough to put him ahead of the competition here. Travis Fulgham, we hardly knew ye.

#14 – Ty Detmer is tempting, but on sheer volume alone, this number unfortunately belongs to Riley Cooper. Yes, yes, he said something really stupid, but his 8 TD, 835 yard campaign in 2013 was too good to dismiss entirely. He never hit those numbers before or after, but the guy was productive enough to stick around on an NFL roster for six years. And that says something. I guess. Kenny Gainwell could stay in town long enough to make a push.

#15 – Retired with good reason for Steve Van Buren, who was tremendous. A 2-time NFL champion and 5-time All-Pro in eight seasons with the Eagles, he was arguably the greatest player in NFL history at the time of his retirement. The decades since may have dimmed his star, but Eagles fans will always know about him.

#16 – Maybe you don’t remember Norm Snead, but I sure do. Actually, I don’t. He was QB from 1964-70 and wasn’t all that great, but he still wins easily here because of lack of competition.

#17 – Hall of Fame wide receiver Harold Carmichael had a fantastic career with the Eagles, and he’s still the franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdown catches. His only blemish was the 2-game stint he had with the Cowboys in his final season, but nobody’s perfect.

#18 – Honorable mention to Jeremy Maclin, who would have won this “competition” if he had spent another couple years in town. But “The Hawk” Ben Hawkins played eight solid years with the Eagles, recording an amazing 18.3 yards per reception over that time. He hit the endzone 32 times for the Birds, amassing nearly 5,000 yards in the air.

#19 – Literally nothing to pick from here, so we’ll give it to Tom Dempsey. Yes, the guy who had the field goal record for all those years. After booting that 63-yarder for the Saints in 1970, he spent the next four years with the Eagles. And he was fine. That’s about all. You expected JJ Arcega-Whiteside?

#20 – Andre Waters was a fearsome defender for a decade for the Birds, but then came a guy who made this number his forever. Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins went all-out on every play for the Eagles over thirteen seasons. Is he on the proverbial “Mount Rushmore” of Philadelphia sports? Maybe call 97.5 and argue over that one. All I know is, he was the best Eagle I ever saw. 

#31 – Al “Pass Interference” Harris (aka “The Dreadator”) wore this number while enraging us from 1998 through 2002. But it was best worn previously by Wilbert Montgomery. The talented back held the Eagles’ all-time rushing record for a few decades before being passed by LeSean McCoy. He also ranks second in rushing touchdowns in franchise history. Montgomery was a threat through the air as well, typically putting up 50 or so catches and 500 yards per year in that department.

#32 – He made my list of the 50 Most Disliked Philadelphia Athletes for reasons other than his actual play on the field, but you can’t deny that Ricky Watters had three great seasons for the Eagles from 1995-97. Averaging over 20 carries per game, he posted 3,794 yards and 31 rushing TDs over those three years, and he also caught 161 passes for 1318 yards during that time. Dude was pretty good, and it’s a shame he left for Seattle after the 1997 season. But he got his money. And “money” is precisely the answer to his most famous query: For who? For what?

#33 – Smoldering pile of garbage at this number, so let’s just say William Frizzell and call it a day. Yeah, I don’t know who he is either.

#34 – Even though he was already in steep decline when he came to town, Herschel Walker is the only guy who fits the bill here. One of the best athletes to ever play the game, he was the team’s leading rusher for three straight years at the head of a backfield committee while also racking up some impressive receiving numbers for a running back. 

#35 – The Eagles have never had a real difference-maker at this number. I’m feeling kind of generous, so I’ll hand over the honors here to Boston Scott.

#36 – Could it be anyone besides B-West? Brian Westbrook truly did it all over eight seasons as a Bird, and he now sits in fourth spot in franchise history in receptions and third in rushing yards. One of the more popular Eagles in recent years, Westbrook was a model citizen and athlete, a true gamer who extracted every bit of ability from his small frame. You still see a lot of #36 Eagles jerseys around, and you will for a long time.

#37 – Another number that has seen next to no impact for over a generation. We’ll go with Tom Woodeshick, who played in town from 1963-71 and is sneakily in the franchise’s top ten in rushing yards.

#38 – Sorry, Kenjon Barner and Thomas Tapeh fans, Sam Baker is the pick. He concluded his long football career with a 6-year stint as an Eagle, acting as the team’s kicker during that time. His numbers aren’t pretty now, but I guess they were fine back then. He also threw one pass as an Eagle, which was good for a 58-yard touchdown. So he’s got that going for him.

#39 – This is really bad. And I was almost going to give it to Sheldon Brown, who wore it during his rookie year, just so he could claim two different numbers on this list. But let’s play nice and give it to Quintin Demps, who had an ok first two years of his career back in 2008-09. He also feels like one of those guys who you’re not entirely sure isn’t on the team anymore. Like, he’s just been hiding on the depth chart for a decade for all you know.

#40 – No Eagle has ever worn #40 in your lifetime, and that’s because it’s retired in honor of Tom Brookshier. Starting at defensive back for the better part of a decade, Brookie made two Pro Bowls and was part of the 1960 championship team. He also missed two years in the prime of his career to serve in the U.S. Air Force. Going on to a distinguished broadcasting career after his playing days, he had the misfortune of working with Angelo Cataldi.  

#41 – No doubt that Keith Byars was a solid player, but in a close call, this top spot goes to Randy Logan. He was a fixture of the Eagles’ secondary for a decade and ranks tenth in interceptions in team history. Logan didn’t miss a game in the first nine seasons of his career.

#42 – There’s a couple things I can’t believe here. First, that Kurt Coleman is the best #42 the Eagles have had. Secondly, that he’s already been off the team for nine years. I could have sworn he was just here like last week. Finally, why do I even bother continuing this list when this is what I have to deal with? Still, let’s keep going.

#43 – I will plead ignorance on knowing anything about Roynell Young, but apparently he was pretty good, and so he’s the winner at this number. Playing his entire nine-year NFL career in Kelly Green, the former first round pick from 1980 made one Pro Bowl and actually tied the aforementioned Randy Logan in career interceptions with the team. Mighty mouse Darren Sproles makes this a pretty close race, but I can’t justify putting him at the top.

#44 – This one has been retired in honor of Pete Retzlaff, who played (mostly) tight end for 11 seasons with the Eagles, making the Pro Bowl five times and once leading the NFL in receptions (56 catches in 12 games, things were way different back then). He ranks third in franchise history in catches and second in receiving yards.

#45 – Defensive back Don Burroughs won the championship in 1960, his first year with the Eagles after coming over from the Rams. In five years with the team, he intercepted 29 passes, which puts him sixth on the franchise list. And his nickname was “Blade”. Pretty awesome.

#56 – It’s a two-horse race here between a couple of linebackers, and it’s pretty tight. First, Jerry Robinson wore the number for the Eagles for six years, making the Pro Bowl one time before going on to a solid second half of his career with the Raiders. But I’m going to give it to Byron Evans. The career Eagle (all eight of his NFL seasons) led the league in tackles in 1989, his first full year as a starter. His peak was not as good as Robinson’s, so you can call me a homer for giving him the edge, but I stick by it.

#57 – Previously belonging to Chris Gocong, I am going to pass this number to T.J. Edwards thanks to the fine work he did with the Birds during the first four seasons of his career. It’s just a shame that he left for Chicago.

#58 – Maybe the best draft pick the Eagles have had this century (5th round, 146th overall in 2005), Trent Cole terrorized opposing quarterbacks during his decade as an Eagle. He reached double digit sacks four times, finishing with 85.5 to land him in second place on the franchise’s all-time leaderboard. Cole made a pair of Pro Bowls during his stellar Eagles career.

#59 – Mike Mamula…just kidding. There’s no way that bust of a dud of a bum is making it on here. Seth Joyner, the happiest man in football, made two Pro Bowls in eight seasons as an Eagle, and he struck fear into the hearts of opponents with his vicious play on the gridiron. He’s one of just two Eagles to have multiple interception return TDs and fumble recovery TDs, with Sheldon Brown being the other.

#60 – What hasn’t already been said about “Concrete Charlie” Chuck Bednarik? Playing both sides of the ball. Murdering Frank Gifford. Eight Pro Bowls. Six time All-Pro. Two NFL Championships. Football Hall of Fame. A near perfect personification of this team and this town.

#61 – Now we get into a bunch of offensive lineman, and this could get really tough to quantify. But we’re gonna try! Steve Everitt played center from 1997-99, and he was ok. So let’s go a different route here and say that Bill Dunstan was the top Bird at this number. He played with the team from 1973-76 and looks to have been a decent contributor on defense. There aren’t many numbers available to back it up. Oh well.

#62 – Even before delivering the greatest speech since the Gettysburg Address, Jason Kelce had this number all wrapped up. He is immortal. He may be the most Philly athlete of all-time. Could Canton be in his future?

#63 – Offensive lineman Ron Baker had a longer Eagles career back in the 1980’s, but we’re giving this one to ol’ Honey Buns, Hank Fraley. His high level of play at center over five seasons with the Eagles didn’t result in any Pro Bowls, but he came very close. Plus, he had to deal with McNabb’s puke on his back.

#64 – Very little to choose from here. The best of the bunch appears to be Ed Blaine, a “meh” offensive guard who played for the Eagles from 1963-66. They can’t all be winners. 

#65 – Nose tackle Charlie Johnson is a forgotten player in the history of great Eagles defenders. Playing for the team from 1977-81 before we had all the statistical information we do today, he was a beast. He made three straight Pro Bowls, twice being named an All-Pro. But he will now have to pass the torch at this number to Lane Johnson (no relation). Lane is everything you could ever want in an offensive tackle and is a rare case of the Eagles hitting a home run on a first round pick.

#66 – The last few generations know him from hawking every product, service, restaurant, etc. under the sun, but Bill Bergey actually played football way back when. And he was pretty damn good. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro over seven seasons as an Eagle, you can make a legitimate case for him as a Hall of Famer. Apologies to Jamón Brown.

#67 – The Eagles traded away the aforementioned Hank Fraley because they were comfortable handing over the center job to Jamaal Jackson. The Delaware State product had a solid seven years as an Eagle. Good not great.

#68 – Defensive end Dennis Harrison spent seven years in Philly from the late-70’s into the mid-80’s. He made the Pro Bowl in 1982 when he finished second in the NFL in sacks, the first season that stat was officially kept by the league. But watch out, Jordan Mailata is creeping up.

#69 – A towering presence on the Birds’ offensive line for nearly a decade, Jon Runyan ended up being worth every bit of what the Eagles gave him when they signed him to a big free agent contract in 2000. He never missed a game as an Eagle. Other than being schooled by Michael Strahan from time to time, he was a rock.

#70 – Nicknamed “Big Ox”, Al Wistert was a four-time All-Pro two-way player back in the 1940’s, winning two NFL Championships for the Eagles as well. He became the first player to have his number retired by the team. 

#86 – When this list first appeared, I had Fred Barnett in the top spot. But that was probably a mistake from the outset, as Zach Ertz is clearly the right selection. His 2018 season did the trick. Most catches in a season in Eagles history. Most catches by a tight end in a season in NFL history. Throw in a Super Bowl ring and three Pro Bowl selections. Second in franchise history in receptions (and oh so close to being top dog). There you have it.

#87 – I was really tempted to go with Todd Pinkston. But, you know what, I think I’ll take Brent Celek instead. The career Eagle only missed one game in eleven seasons, and of course he went out on top as a Super Bowl champion, albeit it in a reduced role by that point of his career. Celek probably never put up the raw numbers that we hoped for in his career, but you have to agree that he was a solid player.

#88 – Defensive lineman Gary Pettigrew had a long and productive career in the 60’s and 70’s for the Birds, but Keith Jackson is our current pick at #88. The tight end shot right out of the gate and was an All-Pro in each of his first three NFL seasons. He looked destined for greatness. But, disappointingly, he only played four years in Philadelphia, moving on to the Dolphins following a holdout and then a court decision that granted him free agency. Dallas Goedert is poised to take over at this number imminently, however.

#89 – Honorable mention here to Chad Lewis. But the winner is Calvin Williams, who cracks the top 15 in franchise history in both catches and receiving yards. Solid but unspectacular.

#90 – Mike Golic of “Mike & Mike” fame was the only serious contender here until Corey Simon came along. The large individual played five seasons at D tackle for the team (I really thought it was more than that until I looked this up again) and made one Pro Bowl for the Birds. Woo. Maybe Jordan Davis gets there down the line.

#91 – The final first round pick by Andy Reid during his time with the Eagles back in 2012, Fletcher Cox seemed like a bit of a head-scratcher at the time. But, 11 seasons, six Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl win later, you can’t argue with the results. Thanks, Big Red. The guy could be headed for Canton some day.

#92 – Challenging for the title of greatest defensive player in NFL history, Reggie White spent the first eight seasons of his Hall of Fame career in Kelly Green, never recording any FEWER than 11 sacks in a year as he was a six-time All-Pro for the Birds. He’s tarnished in my mind for going to Green Bay the way he did (I was 8 years old and don’t really remember him as an Eagle), but he was a true legend of the game.

#93 – Unless you want me to give this to the much-maligned Jason Babin, Jevon Kearse wins this by default. “The Freak” was hardly that for the Eagles, but he was passable for two seasons before the wheels fell off.

#94 – In previous updates, we gave the nod here to N.D. Kalu, but Josh Sweat, come on down, it’s yours now. A 4th-rounder in 2018, Sweat has been a great addition to the squad.

#95 – John Bunting spent his entire 11-year career at the outside linebacker position for the Eagles. Good enough for me.

#96 – Another big member of Gang Green, Clyde Simmons recorded a ridiculous 19 sacks during the 1992 season en route to being named an All-Pro. Overall, he currently sits third in franchise history in that category.

#97 – Darwin Walker had a very wrinkly head, but he was also a pretty decent D-lineman from 2001-06 for the Eagles. He put up 27.5 sacks during that time as part of a solid line rotation for some very good Eagles teams.

#98 – Mike Patterson never came close to fulfilling expectations after he was a first round pick in the 2005 draft, but he’s still the best the Eagles have had at #98. For six seasons, he was a valuable part of the Eagles’ defensive unit even though he didn’t put up big numbers. But everything was put into perspective when he collapsed and suffered a seizure at training camp in 2011. Amazingly, he still played all but one game that year, undergoing brain surgery after the season to correct an arterial issue. He played very sparingly in 2012, and that was the end of his Eagles career, though he did spend two seasons with the Giants afterward. Thankfully he is doing well today in his retirement.

#99 – And we conclude our list with a truly special player who was taken from us far too soon. Jerome Brown was a first round pick by the Eagles in 1987. His play improved every year until he became one of the best defensive tackles in football, being named an All-Pro in both 1990 and 1991. Then, that offseason, he was killed in a car accident, never fully realizing the immense potential that he was so clearly building toward. #99 will rightfully never be worn by another Eagle.

Hopefully you enjoyed this list as it took you down memory lane. Maybe you even learned a few things. Had a few laughs. Too much to ask? At any rate, thanks for reading.