A big part of being a Philadelphia Eagles fan is knowing about more than your fair share of disappointment.  While many of my fellow Eagles’ fans have already tossed this season into the “What Might Have Been” bin with the injury to “soon-to-be-the-biggest-star-in-the-NFL” Carson Wentz, regardless of what happens in the rest of this play-off run, I’d rather think that right now the future of this franchise looks as bright as any other time I can remember.

To come to that optimistic view, I had to take a look back to the last time I felt the future of the Philadelphia Eagles looked as good as it does now.  It’s been nearly 40 years since I’ve had this level of anticipation that my team might finally do something it never has in my lifetime…win a championship. It may not be this year, but there’s little denying this Eagle team is set up to be one of the best in the NFL for the next few years.

But part of taking that look back meant realizing that for a team with a legacy of losing, one could assemble an all-time Eagles squad which frankly is better than what you could assemble from a lot of other franchises. It may not be flush with Hall-of-Famers; it has a fair share…but the one thing this team has is depth. Stack this team up against one you could assemble from a “dynasty” team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, and while the multiple-Super Bowl winner might have more busts in Cantons, the Eagles’ all-time offers a much better “next man up” squad.

Doubt that?  Offer up your own roster from your team and stack it up against this one.

The 53-Man Roster

Offense:

• Quarterbacks (2): Ron Jaworski² (1977-1986), Randall Cunningham² (1985-1995)

• Running Backs (4): Steve Van Buren¹ ² (1944-1951), Wilbert Montgomery² (1977-84), Timmy Brown² (1960-67), LeSean McCoy (2009-2014)

• Wide Receivers (4): Harold Carmichael² (1971-83), Mike Quick² (1982-1990),  Tommy McDonald¹ ² (1957-63), Fred Barnett (1990-1995)

• Tight Ends (4): Pete Pihos¹ ² (1947-1955), Pete Retzlaff² (1956-1966), Keith Jackson (1988-1991), John Spagnola (1979-1987)

• Centers (3): Chuck Bednarik* ¹ ² (1949-1962), Jim Ringo¹ ² (1964-1967), Alex Wojciechowitz (1947 – 1950)¹ ²

• Guards (4): Jermane Mayberry (1996-2004),  Al Wistert² (1943-1951), Todd Herremans  (2005-2014), Shawn Andrews (2004-2010)

• Tackles (4): Jason Peters (2009-Present), Bob Brown¹ ² (1964-1969), Jerry Sisemore² (1973-1984), Stan Walters² (1975-1983)

Defense:

• Defensive Ends (4): Reggie White¹ ² (1985-1992)  Clyde Simmons (1986-1993),  Hugh Douglas (1995 – 2002), Trent Cole (2005 – 2014)

• Defensive Tackles (4): Jerome Brown² (1987-1991), Fletcher Cox (2012-present), Carl Hairston (1976-1983), Andy Harmon (1991-1997)

• Linebackers (6): Seth Joyner (1986-1993), Bill Bergey² (1974-1980), Byron Evans (1987-1994), Frank LeMaster (1974-1982), Jeremiah Trotter² (1998 – 2001, 2004-2006, 2009), Jerry Robinson (1979-1984)

• Cornerbacks (7): Troy Vincent² (1996-2003), Eric Allen² (1988-1994), Herm Edwards (1977-1985), Tom Brookshier² (1954, 1956-1961), Lito Sheppard (2002-2008), Irv Cross (1961-1965,1969), Roynell Young (1980-1988)

• Safeties (4): Brian Dawkins² (1996-2008), Wes Hopkins (1983 -1993), Bill Bradley² (1969-1976), Andre Waters (1984-1994)

Special Teams:

• Placekicker: David Akers (1999-2007)
• Punter: Sean Landeta (1999-2002,2005)
• Kick Returner: Brian Westbrook² (2002-2009)

The Practice Squad

• LB Maxie Baughan² (1960-1965)
• RB Keith Byars (1986-1992)
• DT Charles Johnson (1977-1981)
• TE Keith Krepfle (1975-1981))
• S Randy Logan (1973-1983)
• RB Duce Staley (1997-03)
• OT Tra Thomas (1998 – 2008)
• LB William Thomas (1991-1998)
• DE Norm “Wild Man” Willey (1950-1957)
• WR Calvin Williams (1990-1996)

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Earl “Greasy” Neale¹ ² (1941-1950)
• Offensive Coach: Dick Vermeil² (1976-1982)
• Defensive Coach: Buddy Ryan (1986-1990)
• Assistant Defensive Coach: Jim Johnson² (1999-2008)
• Special Teams Coach: Buck Shaw (1958-1960)

Current Eagles Who Have No Where To Go But Up

• TE Brent Celek (2007-present)
• TE Zach Ertz (2013-present)
• CB Malcolm Jenkins (2014-present)
• DT Tim Jernigan (2014-present)
• OT Lane Johnson (2013-present)
• C Jason Kelce (2011-present)
• RB Darren Sproles (2014-present)
• QB Carson Wentz (2016-present)

Guys Who It Was Fun To Remember, But Didn’t Make The Team

• CB Sheldon Brown (2002-2008)
• TE Mike Ditka¹ (1967-1968)
• K Tom Dempsey (1971–1974)
• S Ray Ellis (1981-1985)
• K Tony Franklin (1979-1983)
• QB Roman Gabriel (1973-1977)
• RB Charlie Garner (1994-1998)
• DT Mike Golic (1997-1992)
• TE Bill Hewitt ¹ ²(1936-1939, 1943)
• WR Harold Jackson (1969-1972)
• QB Sonny Jurgensen¹ ² (1957-1963)
• OL Wade Key (1970-1979)
• RB Ollie Matson ¹ ² (1964-1966)
• S Quentin Mikell (2003-2010)
• OG Petey Perot (1979-1984)
• DT Mike Pitts (1990-1992)
• P Sav Rocca (2007-2010)
• LB Tim Rossovich (1968-1971)
• OT  Jon Runyan (2000-2008)
• LB DeMeco Ryans (2006-2015)
• CB Asante Samuel (2008-2001)
• DT Corey Simon (2000-2004)
• CB Bobby Taylor (1995-2003)
• QB Norm Van Brocklin¹ ² (1958-1960)
• RB Ricky Watters (1995-1997)

Guys We Would Rather Forget

• WR Irving Fryar (1996-1998)
• WR DeSean Jackson (2008-2013)
• QB Donovan McNabb² (1999-2009)
• WR Jeremy Maclin (2009-2014)
• WR Terrell Owens (2004-2005)
• Coach Andy Reid (1993-2012)
• QB Michael Vick (2009-2013)
• RB Herschel Walker (1992-1994)

There it is, Eagles fans.  Agree? Disagree? Got somebody you think I missed? Got some body on the list you think shouldn’t be there? Take time out from pelting Santa Claus with snowballs and hit up the Comments section!

* Lots of players on this list qualify at multiple positions as unlimited substitution allowing for separate offensive and defensive teams didn’t become a pro football reality until the 1960’s.  Chuck Bednarik is the best-known of these “iron men,” therefore he’s the only one denoted.  Having said that, it is a safe assumption that any player on this list who played before 1960 spent time at more than one position.  Such players are only listed at one position, which was arbitrarily decided for purposes of getting the best players on the roster.

¹ Pro Football Hall of Fame

² Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame

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