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About that Eagles draft coin flip

We'll know at some point in the next week or so whether the Eagles will pick 14th or 15th in the first round of April's draft. The NFL needs a coin toss to break the tie for the pick between the Colts and the Vikings; the Eagles acquired the Vikings' pick in the Sam Bradford deal.

The flip will happen sometime during the scouting combine, Feb. 28-March 6; an official at the NFL could not offer a more specific timeframe.

Historically, there's a moderate difference between pick Nos. 14 and 15. There have been more All-Pros drafted at No. 14. More Hall of Famers, too. But this year is the 50th anniversary of the drafting of one of the great Americans ever, the 15th pick in 1967.

The Eagles have need at cornerback and wide receiver, so it's entirely possible they trade up to get someone like Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams or down to get a corner since there is presumptive depth at that position in this year's crop. The free-wheeling Birds have traded their first round pick – to move up, down or out of the first round -- seven times in the last 10 years.

But for a moment let's look at the Nos. 14 and 15 picks.

The 14th pick

All-Pros: A total of 19 players have been first-team All-Pro, including three in the last 10 years. The thorniest of those three is Seattle safety Earl Thomas, the 2010 pick. The Eagles traded up from 24th to 13th that year and took Brandon Graham instead of Thomas. Graham, who has emerged as a solid player after a lackluster start, is fully aware that Eagles fans wanted Thomas instead of him.

Hall of Famers: Four players picked at 14 are enshrined in Canton – Jim Kelly (drafted in 1983), LB Dave Robinson (1963), DT Bob Lilly (AFL draft, 1961) and DE Gino Marchetti (1952). Bud Grant was the 14th pick in 1950 and became a Hall of Fame coach. Darrelle Revis (2007) is a likely Hall of Famer, his current legal problems notwithstanding.

Best since 2000: Revis, Thomas, LB Thomas Davis (2005), DT Star Lotulelei (2013), S Malcolm Jenkins (2009).

Other notables: DT Brodrick Bunkley (2006), TE Jeremy Shockey (2002), RB Eddie George (1996), T Bernard Williams (1994), LB Randy Gradishar (1974), LB Lee Roy Jordan (AFL, 1963).

Most fun: Has to be Tim Rossovich, who was picked 14th by the Eagles out of USC in 1968. Rossovich played four seasons for the Birds, but is probably better known for occasionally setting himself on fire, covering himself in shaving cream or jumping naked into birthday cakes. Roger Goodell would have a heart attack with this guy.

The 15th pick

All-Pros: Thirteen players selected 15th had first-team All-Pro seasons, including most recently DE Jason Pierre-Paul (drafted 2010), LB Derrick Johnson (2005), DT Albert Haynesworth (2002) and CB Deltha O'Neal (2000). Haynesworth is most notorious for intentionally stepping on the unhelmeted head of Cowboys center Andre Gurode in 2006, opening a wound that required 30 stitches.

Hall of Famers: Alan Page (1967) and RB Jim Taylor (1958) are the two HOFs selected 15th.

Best since 2000: In addition to the recent All-Pros, LB Ryan Shazier (2014), DE Bruce Irvin (2012), C Mike Pouncey (2011) and LB Brian Cushing (2009) were selected 15th. Irvin is the only guy ever ejected from a Super Bowl.

Other notables:  DE Jerome McDougle (2003), LB John Mobley (1996), QB Tony Eason (1983).

Pretty neat: It's been 50 years since the Vikings selected Alan Page out of Notre Dame. Page is much more than one of the great defensive linemen in NFL history (he played in four Super Bowls with Minnesota, all losses.) He went on to become the first African-American member of Minnesota's state Supreme Court and he and his wife started the Page Education Foundation, which helps kids get into college.  When Page, a Canton native, was a youngster he worked as a laborer on the construction of the Hall of Fame building. The Eagles surely need a host of players, and the world certainly needs more Alan Pages.