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Eagles cornerback Eric Allen finished off a 94-yard, game-winning interception return against the New York Giants in October 1993 by giving the ball to quarterback Randall Cunningham, who fractured his left fibula during the second quarter at the Meadowlands.
Mark H. Lennihan / Associated Press
Eagles cornerback Eric Allen finished off a 94-yard, game-winning interception return against the New York Giants in October 1993 by giving the ball to quarterback Randall Cunningham, who fractured his left fibula during the second quarter at the Meadowlands.
READER FEEDBACK
Which was named best Eagles play ever?
Guess what's No. 1 in the new book "Game Changers."
In 2003, running back Brian Westbrook returns a punt 84 yards to score a last-minute TD -- and save the season.
In 1993, cornerback Eric Allen returns an interception 93 yards for a game-winning TD.
In 1990, QB Randall Cunningham eludes sacker Bruce Smith and uncorks a 95-yard TD pass.
In 1988, QB Randall Cunningham gets upended by the Giants' Carl Banks -- and still throws a TD.
In 1960, Chuck Bednarik clobbers the Giants' Frank Gifford and knocks him unconscious.
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Book dares to rank best-ever Eagles plays

The greatest play in Eagles history hasn't happened yet.

That's the one where a field goal, touchdown or safety finally wins a Super Bowl.

Until then, Eagles fans can wax nostalgic - or get apoplectic - over the rankings of clutch performances and eye-popping moves in Game Changers: The 50 Greatest Plays in Philadelphia Eagles Football History.

After some publishing snags, the full-color collection hit stores last month, but authors Reuben Frank and Mark Eckel waited till after the World Series to get serious about signings.

This week, they'll have 7 p.m. sessions at Borders shops today in Springfield, Delaware County and Friday in Warrington.

Even avid Eagles fan might have trouble guessing what finished No. 1.

Nope, not the Miracle in the Meadowlands.

That 1978 TD return of a fumbled snap was more of a New York Giants goof than a great Eagles play, according to these two newspaper sportswriters, who also do occasional hosting gigs on sports-talk WIP (610 AM).

So it's ranked No. 10 - probably the most disputed ranking in the book, Frank said.

Nope, not any of the deciding touchdowns that earned the Eagles their own NFL titles in 1948, '49 and '60, though those plays are all ranked high.

Nope, not Wilbert Montgomery's mad dash to end zone against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1981 as the Eagles advanced to their first Super Bowl.

It's No. 2. "Wilbert's run would have been in the mix for No. 1 if the Cowboys hadn't tied the game at 7-7 soon after his touchdown," Frank said.

The Giants and the Cowboys, by the way, were the foes in 21 of the 50 plays, he said.

No, you say - no, it can't be - not "Fourth and 26"!

Eckel totally agreed. Despite some lobbying by Frank.

"Mark just kept saying, 'We can't put a Freddie Mitchell play No. 1,' " Frank said. "It became comical - we agreed on virtually everything else in the book."

So it wound up No. 4 - even though quarterback Donovan McNabb's do-or-die pass in 2004 led to an overtime playoff win.

"As far as No. 1 goes, that was very tough choice," Eckel said. ". . . I spent an entire day at NFL Films and looked up every play in the book."

One play stood out as spell-bindingly spectacular.

"I must have watched it over and over 10 times and was amazed every time. On my way home, I called Reub and told him that has to be No. 1."

Think you know? Take the quiz at right.

Eagles cornerback Bobby Taylor was just one of many players interviewed for the book.

"Man, Mark, you're bringing back a lot of good memories," he told Eckel.

"I told him that was the point."

For more about the book, including a full list of scheduled signings, go to www.50greatestplays.com.


Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.

Comments   
Posted 11:10 AM, 11/11/2009
Mr Poon
I vote for McNabb puking in the Super Bowl
Posted 11:17 AM, 11/11/2009
Dutch of N
First of all, bring back those unies that Eric Allen is wearing in that picture. Now, to the task at hand. I like Bednarik's hit on Frank Gifford and Keith Byars' hit on Pepper Johnson. But the play that's stuck in my mind right now is Randall rolling right, getting submarined by (Carson?), keeping his balance with his left hand, popping upright, and hitting Byars in the end zone. MNF, I believe. I was there...but in the bathroom.
Posted 11:19 AM, 11/11/2009
Dutch of N
Oops. I didn't see the choices on the right hand side before I wrote that. It was Carl Banks. Good choice.
Posted 12:00 PM, 11/11/2009
HogRider49
Had to be Concrete Charlie knocking the stuffing outta Gifford... Best individual performance in a game, has to be Norman "Wild Man" Willey getting 17 sacks against the Giants..
Posted 12:07 PM, 11/11/2009
cadilacjack
I second the McNabb puking play.
Posted 12:12 PM, 11/11/2009
amann08
4th and 26...
Posted 12:14 PM, 11/11/2009
The Red Robot
I'm thinking of Cunningham ducking under Bruce Smith in the end zone.
Posted 12:19 PM, 11/11/2009
dakotaandotter
WHAT? No miracle of the Meadowlands?? That would be my #1 with all of the ones listed above as close, except for the Eric Allen and Westbrook plays - as great as they were. Randall's play on MNF and the one in Buffalo where he eludes Bruce Smith and throws the bomb to Quick (I think) were incredible. I'm too young for the Bednarik hit, but have seen it on replays - amazing. But I still vote for Herm Edwards and the MOTM.
Posted 12:29 PM, 11/11/2009
freedomrider
The miracle of the (Nov 19, 1978) Meadowlands, Herm Edwards returning a Joe Pisarcik/Larry Csonka fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the final second of the game. This play turned the Eagles season around and led to the first playoff appearance in 18 years and their first winning season in 12 years. How can that play not be considered one of the greatest?
Posted 12:37 PM, 11/11/2009
Mr Poon
or who could forget Byers flipping Pepper?
Posted 12:39 PM, 11/11/2009
Leron
James Willis' interection then lateral to Troy Vincent to seal the W at Dallas. Big time emotional win.
Posted 12:42 PM, 11/11/2009
Mr Poon
Vai's runback? Pat Beech's first catch?
Posted 01:24 PM, 11/11/2009
longshanks
What about great plays against the Eagles? I guess there's too many to count.
Posted 01:26 PM, 11/11/2009
Keyser Soze
What about Gizmo Williams' flip into the endzone to celebrate a preseason touchdown.
Posted 01:41 PM, 11/11/2009
shag773
I don't understand how 2 people who calls themselves "sportwriters" can be so far off in terms of this subject. The greatest play in Eagles history is Wilbert Montgomery scampering 42 yards for a touchdown on our second play of the 1980 NFC Championship game vs the Cowboys. Montgomery was hurt all year, but that run set the tone for us offensively and gave him the momentum he needed to rush for almost 200 yards that day. That play cemented the fact that this team was finally better than Dallas, a team that destroyed us for 15 years prior. The only thing 4th and 26 propelled us to was another disappionting NFC championship loss at home. How is this even an arguement?
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