Here come the experts
A panel set to work on picking the Eagles' best players ever. Some of the best were actually on the panel.
Gov. Rendell:
As the governor walked through the doors of the NovaCare Complex in June, he quipped, "It's about time I set foot in this building. I paid for it." The former mayor of Philadelphia will again serve this season as an Eagles analyst on Comcast SportsNet's game-day coverage. Rendell is serving his second term as Pennsylvania's governor.
Ron Jaworski: The 56-year-old native of Lackawanna, N.Y., spent 10 seasons with the Eagles, setting seven franchise passing records, including career marks for completions, touchdowns and yards. Since retiring from the Eagles in 1986, "Jaws" has become a respected pro football analyst, and this season he will replace Joe Theismann as an analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football telecasts.
Mike Quick: No. 17 on our list
of all-time Eagles, the 48-year-old Quick was a graceful receiver
for the Eagles from 1982 to 1990 who went to five consecutive
Pro Bowls. A native of Hamlet, N.C., and former first-round pick out of North Carolina State, Quick ranks among the Eagles' all-time leaders in career yards, touchdowns and receptions. Quick teams with Merrill Reese on the radio broadcasts of
Eagles games.
Troy Vincent: Asked where he fit in on the list of 75 greatest Eagles of all time, Vincent said this:
"No. 2." He was only partially kidding. While Vincent ended up 28th on our list, he had a huge impact on the Eagles from 1996
to 2003. The cornerback finished with 28 interceptions (sixth most in team history) and set the standard for professionalism inside the locker room and out. Now 36, Vincent serves as president of
the NFL Players Association.
He participated on our panel
in absentia.
Bill Bergey: The outspoken Bergey came to the Eagles via Cincinnati in 1974 for two first-round picks and a second-rounder. In seven seasons as an Eagle, Bergey made nearly 1,200 tackles, was the team MVP three times, and went to four Pro Bowls. He was tough, opinionated and accessible.
Bill Mackrides: Mackrides was the Eagles' backup quarterback from 1947 to 1951, playing on two world championship teams and getting an up-close view of our No. 1 Eagle of all time, Steve Van Buren. "Unquestionably, Steve would stay with any of the running backs of today," he said. "When it came to catching the ball, that's another story. But he absolutely was a great runner."
Jim Gallagher: "Jimmy Gal," as those around the NovaCare Complex call the encyclopedic Gallagher, spent nearly five decades as an Eagles executive, working with 17 head coaches. He began his Eagles career in 1949, was named personnel director in 1957, and went on to serve as director of public relations and director of sales and marketing before serving as the club's director of alumni relations and traveling secretary. He retired Aug. 1, 1995.
Phil Sheridan: A Philadelphia native who went to Temple, the 44-year-old Sheridan grew up watching the Eagles. His father was a season-ticket holder in the 1960s, and Sheridan started covering the team in 1985. "I heard about the old players, and I've seen most of the new ones," said Sheridan, an Inquirer columnist since 2003.
Ashley Fox: A writer at The Inquirer since 2000, Fox has covered the 76ers, the Eagles and the NFL. Her unique style and perspective bring the fans closer to the players and the sport. She has interviewed Jevon Kearse on his boat in South Florida, and Marvin Harrison on his home turf in North Philly.