Final Look Back – Great LBs

Posted: July 27th, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 151 Comments »

Training Camp will be starting soon so we’ll have some actual fresh story lines to discuss. That means this is probably the last summer time piece. For PE.com, I wrote about the great Eagles LB corps of Seth Joyner, Byron Evans and William Thomas. For my money, they are one of the best LB units of all time.

I was thinking about LB interceptions the other day (because that’s the kind of stuff that floats through my brain, besides me and Megan Fox attending a Level 42 concert together of course). William Thomas is 9th in NFL history in INTs by a LB.  Seth Joyner is 19th. Willie T. had 27 picks, Seth had 24.

Go look at that list and you see tons of players from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Seth is the only player on the list whose career began in the 1980’s. Ray Lewis, Derrick Brooks, Donnie Edwards and Willie T. are the guys who began their careers in the 1990’s. That should give you an idea how special they were.

And Byron Evans had 13 career picks (in 113 career games). That’s a good total for a MLB. Jeremiah Trotter and DeMeco Ryans have combined for 15 picks in 273 career games.

INTs don’t define how good a LB is, but it struck me how unique the Eagles were to have a pair of great cover LBs in Joyner and Thomas. Not good, but great. Thomas began his college career as a DB. Joyner played SS for a few games due to injury while with the Cardinals. These guys were athletic, instinctive and skilled.

Would you believe that Willie T. had more career pass breakups than Lito Sheppard?

And it wasn’t all about coverage. The trio combined for 92.5 sacks. Think about that total for a second. These are 4-3 LBs that weren’t going after the QB on every play. But they still produced big numbers.

The trio combined for 50 forced fumbles. They could knock the crap out of you.

Run defense is a team stat, but these guys were part of one of the greatest run defenses of all time. In their first 1.5 years of playing together, they allowed one 100-yard rusher.

Why is this group so overlooked?

They never won a Super Bowl (as a trio), or even came close to playing in one. And they only played together for 2.5 years. They gave us 35 glorious games and the Eagles went 25-10 in them. Joyner left in free agency following the 1993 season and Evans tore up his knee in mid-1994. One funny note…the Eagles replaced Joyner with Bill Romanowski for 1994. That’s funny because Romo might be the only player I can think of who was more intense and angrier on the field than Joyner was.

Seth Joyner should be in the Hall of Fame, or at least in the mix for a spot. His numbers make him one of the most unique LBs in NFL history. William Thomas and Byron Evans are a notch below. They were outstanding players, but not at Joyner’s level.

I love writing about these players and doing research for pieces like this. It reminds me how lucky Eagles fans were to watch the Gang Green defense from 1989-1992. What a special group.

* * * * *

This is simply fantastic. Go check out the BGN story.

_

151 Comments on “Final Look Back – Great LBs”

  1. 1 P_P_K said at 8:44 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Chip is going to seem like a genius when Shady has a down year because he’s distracted by so many things other than football.

  2. 2 Kelce's Beard said at 8:54 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    that’s not as important to me, personally. We all saw Jaccpot collect his stats, but my satisfaction was from knowing he won’t sniff a super bowl on that team.
    oh, and this –

    http://gamedayrcom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/emmanuel-acho-desean-jackson-twitter-meme.jpeg

  3. 3 wee2424 said at 8:55 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Lmfao, I forgot about that. It was Acho that posted that right? I sent that to neighbor who is a skin’s fan the second I it.

  4. 4 Kelce's Beard said at 9:20 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    correct; I’ll always have a soft spot for Acho due to his twitter skills http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2014/9/21/6808903/desean-jackson-sits-out-eagles-redskins-fight
    I guess he wins our social media award now that Mathis is gone?.

  5. 5 wee2424 said at 9:36 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Definitely takes that award home.

  6. 6 GEAGLE said at 1:23 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Acho is good people…. He is like Dahani Jones without being a Dork like Dahani…Acho does a lot of,good off the field.. He was in Rome a few,weeks ago

  7. 7 P_P_K said at 9:00 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Yea, nothing personal for me, either. If I’m right and Shady does have a down year, it’s just indicative of how important it is for these immature young athletes to have a coach that holds them to a high standard. Otherwise, they have trouble keeping their careers in the forefront.

  8. 8 GEAGLE said at 9:23 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Bills defense is no joke..,
    …
    The problem with the Bills is shadys a home run hitter, where as if you want to win off defense and run game you have to play smart positional football… Can shady be disciplined to take what’s available and punt, being patient, playing the field position game til he breaks one, or will he try to do too much and hurt the Bills? Shady is going from a home run hitter on a high fire offense to now having to play the slow, field position patient game to win with the bills

  9. 9 wee2424 said at 9:50 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    I’ve been saying that since the Bills got him. While he is talented enough to have success anywhere, I do think he will be limited with the Bills. He is best when the O makes the D spread out. Kelly does that, Rex doesn’t. Expect Shady to be very frustrated at some point this upcoming year.

  10. 10 laeagle said at 12:19 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I wouldn’t be as negative about the Bills’ O as most are. Cassel, with enough talent, can be occasionally good. And he has a lot of guys to throw the ball to. Plus Shady. But more importantly, they’ve got the coordinator from SF’s good years there. That’s going to be a different offense than your typical Rex Ryan team. Some of those guys are going to be fantasy sleepers.

    That division will be tougher than years past, though. Miami is improving, the Jets’ D is legit, and while the Pats may take a step back, they’re still a tough division rival.

  11. 11 wee2424 said at 8:27 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I’m not really down on the Bills O. I think they have alot of good peices, I just think Shady is going to be more limited with them then the Birds. Even with the new coordinator they are not going to spread as much as the Birds do and the Bills OL is not the most athletic.

  12. 12 wee2424 said at 9:35 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    I don’t think that is why he will have a down year. He has always been doing things such as this (party bus), it’s just that it seems like Kelly and the FO helped keep it under wrap.

    He will have a down year simply because there is no QB that opposing defenses will have to worry about, and the play calling will not be as good as Kelly’s, and it won’t fit his needs as much. Shady was best when the O had defenses spread out, that is not what Rex does.

    Having two seasons in which he touched the rock so much has to be wearing him down. Many may disagree, but he just didn’t look the same last year. Yes the OL didn’t help, but watching him play he seemed to be missing a little something from the year prior.

  13. 13 Avery Greene said at 9:38 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Considering the Seattle defensive players called him out after the game saying he was “scared to get hit” should be tell-tale sign that he wasn’t the same from the previous year.

    I personally blame the helmet hit in the Redskins game.

  14. 14 wee2424 said at 9:58 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Did they? I don’t remember that, but yeah that hit with the Skins was bad. I was shocked he came back in.

  15. 15 P_P_K said at 9:57 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Yea, you might be right, I could be drawing too simple of a cause-effect relationship. Also, I’d bet just about any rb would perform better under Chip than Rex. It’s just that the caliber of competition is so tight in the NFL that even the smallest edge can take a player from mediocrity to success. If Shady is losing even a fraction of his game as he gets older, even more of a reason for him to do everything he can to keep his head in the game.

  16. 16 MattE said at 1:55 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    ….also Bryce Brown is lurking on the bench just waiting to snatch up that starting gig…..again.

  17. 17 wee2424 said at 8:21 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I thought Brown was close to the chopping block.

  18. 18 RobNE said at 8:49 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    good article but reading things like this make me happy and sad. Sad because how did we not have more playoff success with those defenses. It’s such a shame.

  19. 19 wee2424 said at 8:52 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    I guess we didn’t know that he was such an idiot because Kelly and the FO were able to keep it under wraps.

  20. 20 A_T_G said at 9:05 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Wow, Shady invited Obama and Trump to his party. So I guess there will be fireworks.

  21. 21 MattE said at 1:53 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    So Chip Kelly, Donald Trump and Obama walk into a bar….

  22. 22 P_P_K said at 4:39 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Kelly orders a smoothie, Trump and Obama say…

  23. 23 wee2424 said at 9:23 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Just realised how many resources are invested in our LB. BG, Smith and Ryan’s first round picks. Kendricks and Barwin second round picks. I forget if Alonso was second or first, but Hicks is a 3rd which is still a reasonably high pick. There are other players such as Jones or Braman that have been signed to help with depth and ST. Alot of these players came from the Reid era or initially drafted by another team, but every single one was either also drafted, signed or extended under Kelly. Such a 180 from the Reid time.

  24. 24 Avery Greene said at 9:36 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Seth Joyner absolutely should be in the HOF. It’s sad that IMO the greatest defense to take the field couldn’t get a superbowl because the offense was an afterthought.

  25. 25 SteveH said at 10:32 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Joyner has to be one of the most underrated players in history. Amazing that he isn’t in the hall. Maybe they’re too afraid of him to vote for him.

  26. 26 Media Mike said at 10:33 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    I’d Seth was a cut below what you’d need for HOF entry in my manner of voting for guys, but when the HOF lets in massively overrated turds like Bettis based on nicknames and the propensity to over-glorify players from certain teams; I’m not as sure guys like Seth don’t deserve it.

  27. 27 Avery Greene said at 11:08 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    If you look at his numbers compared to Derrick Brooks – he should be in the HOF.

  28. 28 EagleNebula said at 10:02 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    To add to the shady mess: http://www.phillyvoice.com/lesean-mccoy-changes-his-party-plans/

    Now all fraternities will start requiring NDAs before parties…

  29. 29 Media Mike said at 10:26 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    The 91 Eagles were flat out the best D in the history of the concept of defending.

    http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2014/historical-dvoa-estimates

    It isn’t even close how much better that 91 until, featuring Seth, Bryon Evan, and Willie T, than any other D to ever take the field.

  30. 30 Alex Karklins said at 10:33 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Since you fired up the way-back machine, I might as well share this completely crazy Eagles vs. Washington game from 1989 I found a few weeks back: https://youtu.be/77PqGFtDI68. I remember watching it when it happened. Probably one of the most entertaining regular season Eagles games of all time.

  31. 31 Media Mike said at 10:34 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Was this the body bag game?

  32. 32 Alex Karklins said at 10:35 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Nope. That one was also awesome, but in a different way.

  33. 33 Media Mike said at 10:38 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    I just looked at the box score for the game. Keith Jackson was 12-126-3………………..tell me again why that cheap fuck Norman Braman didn’t want to keep Jackson here?

    I swear I look forward to the day when I can piss on Norman Braman’s grave for what that piece of shit did in raping and pillaging out team for profit while letting the talent bleed out of town at a steady pace.

  34. 34 Alex Karklins said at 10:42 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Remembering the Norman Braman years makes me appreciate Lurie so much. He’s really done all he can (or should) do to bring a championship to Philly.

  35. 35 Media Mike said at 10:44 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Lurie, not even on one single occasion, never pulled a stunt as dastardly as letting the following guys walk for nothing

    Keith Jackson
    Reggie White
    Keith Byars
    William Thomas
    Seth Joyner
    Eric Allen
    Clyde Simmons

  36. 36 Anders said at 2:25 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Lurie or banner did cut Jimmy Smith during the but that was before he was any good

  37. 37 Media Mike said at 5:07 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Yeah, that wasn’t due to $.

  38. 38 Anders said at 1:53 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    Actually it was due to money, the Eagles didnt have the cash to pay so a few veterans had to be cut during TC and Smith was one of them.

    The story was in last years Eagles Almanac and was a great read.

  39. 39 P_P_K said at 4:37 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    That’s a hell of a list.

  40. 40 ChaosOnion said at 11:12 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    > tell me again why that **cheap fuck** Norman Braman didn’t want to keep Jackson here?

    I think you answered your own question.

    I remember watching highlights of KJ’s first game in MIA. I wanted to be happy for him getting a good payday and being successful, but I could not get over him being in that ugly uniforms.

  41. 41 Media Mike said at 11:13 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Jackson had contract demands in excess of bottom dollar, so out he went.

  42. 42 Bert's Bells said at 11:40 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    He’s spending all that money on Marco Rubio now.

  43. 43 Media Mike said at 2:03 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    *our money

  44. 44 Bert's Bells said at 2:16 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Just shows, Braman love to back losers.

  45. 45 botto said at 12:45 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    i remember watching this game too. it was awesome.

  46. 46 GEAGLE said at 1:19 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    FOles performance against the skins last year, when his entire OL got hurt and Jason Peters went after the scumbag on the Skins will probably go down as my favorite Eagle vs. Skins game… What FOles did that day, I will never forget

  47. 47 P_P_K said at 4:37 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I always respected Peters, and he became one of my favorites after he went after Baker.

  48. 48 GEAGLE said at 5:10 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Absolutely… JP was always going down as a highly celebrated Eagle, but that was just the cherry on top of his Philly awesomeness.. I willl never forget big JP, looking like an Angry Wilderbeast, by himself going over to the skins and assualtimg their nose tackle.. I have given anything if playërs had Cameras on their helmet to see a replay from Bakers view point of seeing this Angry Monster come after him looking for blood…that had to be a major “holy crap” moment for Baker..
    ..
    it’s a crime that I don’t have a JP jersey.. I keep meaning to get one and then we add someone like Kiko and JP gets pushed back,.,,have to rock a JP jersey at a game before he retires.. It’s a must

  49. 49 Media Mike said at 10:58 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    In other LB news

    http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2015/7/26/9041829/junior-galette-sounds-off-against-saints-through-rants-on-girlfriends

    This is awesome!

  50. 50 Insomniac said at 11:13 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    The truth hurts some times. The Saints are going to be back in the basement after Brees retires.

  51. 51 Bert's Bells said at 11:38 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Payton’s a very, very good coach and that division rarely produces a consistent powerhouse.

    If he’s still calling the shots in New Orleans, they’ll have a chance even without Brees.

    EDIT: Although by the time Brees retires, Payton-fatigue very well could have set in like we had Andy fatigue in Philly.

  52. 52 Dominik said at 11:41 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    If Payton finds a QB, that is. I’m with you on Payton, one of the finest offensive minds in the league. But they have to draft Brees replacement. If they can’t, Payton will get fired sooner than later.

    First, they have to live through this cap hell they’re in, while also trying to make the most out of the years they have Brees.

    I know one thing: despite having a great QB/HC duo and despite playing in a pretty easy division, I’m glad I’m not a Saints fan at the moment.

  53. 53 Bert's Bells said at 11:58 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    True.

    I think if he were stepping in to the situation in New Orleans he’d have a long leash (like Kelly in Philly), but as a long-tenured coach he’s got to put up results.

    Still, if I’m the owner of the Saints -I’m giving him a chance to rebuild. The odds of landing another coach that good are too slim.

  54. 54 Insomniac said at 11:50 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    They’re going to need all of their developmental players to step up to remain relevant. Their window is pretty much shut now with all of their aging productive players falling off the cliff in terms of production.

  55. 55 Dominik said at 11:28 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    It is right to sometimes point out to the headcases that have panned out in the NFL and be critical of Chip for not wanting them on his team.

    That being said: there is also another side of this story. This would have never happened to Chip.

    http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/07/junior_galette_5.html

    And 17m of dead money over two years for a contract you should have never signed in the first place is A LOT of cap room.

  56. 56 Bert's Bells said at 11:36 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    If they cut Cooper what’s the dead money?

    How many of us AREN’T praying he’s caught on video molesting a sheep or something?

  57. 57 Insomniac said at 11:52 AM on July 27th, 2015:

    Idk..but Cooper seems more of a horse guy.

  58. 58 ACViking said at 2:13 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    a horse’s ass?

  59. 59 Gary Barnes said at 12:56 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Evans is still in my top 5 favorite Eagles of all time…a fantastic MLB

    It is wonderful that we got to see such an incredible defense; the problem I have is the flip side of how we wasted that by not putting together the rest of the team so we could win a SB. The reality we no playoff games during that period still haunts me as a fan.

  60. 60 GEAGLE said at 2:23 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    im too excited about this years ILB’s to stroll down memory lane..
    ..
    I expect to see a pretty even rotation betwen Mykal, Kiko and Mufasa, assuming MUFASA is healthy enough to handle it and the injury not robbing him of any athleticism..
    ..
    Really hoping Kiko and Mykal stay healthy all year. I think Mykal needs to stay healthy to have a chance at being extended because I heard rumblings of eagkes wanting Mykal to comeback sooner from his injury then he did last year (like Wolff)…
    ..
    one of the best aspects of Kiko Alonso is that for a kid who should dominate, we still have him on a cheap rookie deal, for what, 3 more years? .. Kiko and Hicks cheap Rookie contracts are what allows us to have so much ILB depth..Going forward. I don’t think Meco has any bearing on what we do with Mykal… if Kendricks stays healthy and has the year I think he can have, I wouldn’t be so quick to assume he won’t be here next year…. I never bought the Narrative that Mykal woudnt be here this year, and I think this media has seriously mistaken How Chip views Kendricks. And the fact that Kiko and Hicks still have years of cheap service that they owe us, if Mykal elevates his game to a new level Like I expect him to, I can certainly see us not want to lose him after this season… As good as Kids like Cox, Mykal, Curry have been, I expect them to reach a new level this year… And if we haven’t seen the best Kendricks is capable of yet, seems silly to assume he won’t be good enough to be here after the season… I do NOT at all, believe that drafting Hicks has any bearing on what we do with Kendricks after this season because I really believe that chip wants depth at that position..
    ..
    When Chip blew up a 10-6 team, to me that says, this man is NOT fucking around,he is really in it to win it! .. If our defense has the big year I ezpect, and Chip was right about this group of players and at the end of the year we think we are on the right track and can contend with this group, then I think chip will try to keep as many of our good players as possible… Say the Eagles win a playoff game this year, I don’t see why chip would WANT to screw with that and weaken our Defense taking Kemdrcks away…. Especially since they constructed the ILB group with the proper balance of cheap rookie contracts and Veteran contracts,,
    ..
    At the end of this year, it shouldn’t be a problem giving Mykal a 5yr deal. Which is really a 3year deal. After the first 3 years of his deal, we get to the part of the contract where you can cut him easily, so we could cut him, and use his portion of the salary Cap to extend Kiko, or Hicks… I don’t think Kendricks is a lock to be back, but I think we are a very long way from being able to assume that he isn’t in next years plans..
    ..
    if Chip was right, and this group of players can stay healthy, and we can contend with them, then I would assume next pffseason would be quiet focusing on retaining our own Talent… After this season we still get Hicks for 3 more seasns on a cheap 3rd round rookie contract, and you have time before you have to worry about extending Kiko… The way they built this years LB group is PERFECTION!! We should strive to have THIS much talent and Depth at every position. With the Proper balance of Cheap rooki contracts, and pricy veteran contract.,
    .,
    What we have at ILB, in terms of the balance of youth, experiemce, cheap rookie contract, expensive veteran contract is PERFECT! A position group can’t be built better or more balanced then our ILB group… We should strive to find that balance and depth at every position group,,,.. Our ILB group is really built PERFECT, if it provides the elite level of play I expect this year, then I see no reason why we won’t try to keep this group of ILB past this year..
    ..
    Dying to see Kendrick and Kiko Fly around.. Our ILB blitzes should be a FORCE!
    .
    Hopefully The Bucs and Seattle DONT get out of control with how much they give to Wagz and Lavonte

  61. 61 Joe Minx said at 6:02 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_logppcX3Z81qeuh7go2_500.gif

  62. 62 ACViking said at 2:49 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    T-Law:

    Excellent piece over at PE.com.
    _________

    Regarding Seth Joyner . . .

    The OLB whose game most resembled Joyner’s is Steeler HOFer Jack Ham. Rangy. Fast. Explosive. Smart. Great in man coverage. Big-play guy.

    I think those characteristics aptly describe Joyner, too.

    But, to my eye, Joyner was even better in coverage than Ham. And a much better pass-rusher.

    After Lawrence Taylor — who could’ve been the best 4-3 OLB who ever played — if Joyner’s not at the top the class of 4-3 OLBs, it certainly doesn’t take long to call roll.

    No question, a HOFer.

  63. 63 Bert's Bells said at 3:13 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Maybe typo in there about LT and 4-3?

    And I know I’m the only guy here who thinks of this when you say “Jack Ham”

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hamm

  64. 64 ACViking said at 3:58 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    No typo re: LT & 4-3.

    Taylor could run sideline to sideline. (He’s the only player I ever saw rundown Randall Cunningham from behind.)

    I think LT was an underrated pass-defender, too. He didn’t do it much. But when he did, he showed great coverage instincts and very good hands.

    He had great speed, as well. LT’s 40 time coming out of college is reputed to be 4.53.

    Given his football instincts, speed, natural abilities, and drive to win, I think — if he’d been drafted by a 4-3 team as an OLB — Taylor would have been the best who ever played that position.

  65. 65 Bert's Bells said at 4:12 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Oh, I get you now. I didn’t follow the tone on “could’ve”.

    Yes, I agree 100%

  66. 66 anon said at 2:51 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    “Agent Drew Rosenhaus tells Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole he’s talking with the Colts about a long-term contract for T.Y. Hilton.
    Per Cole, Hilton is seeking Dez Bryant/Demaryius Thomas money, which is $14 million per year. “

  67. 67 anon said at 2:51 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    someone should tell TY to look at evan mathis. Poor mathis, his wife must be PISSED.

  68. 68 OldDocZOMGamazeballs said at 4:04 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I like T.Y., but Dez/Demarius $$$s?

    C’mon son.

  69. 69 GEAGLE said at 4:12 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Ohh so Rosenhause has brainwashed TY into taking the Evan Mathis approach? nice!!! Good luck with that TY..

  70. 70 ACViking said at 4:51 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    TY Hilton’s in the last year of his rookie contract.

    There’s no “Mathis approach” to take here.

    Just posture for best deal after Y-4.

  71. 71 Insomniac said at 4:11 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    TY will get Maclin money

  72. 72 Sean Stott said at 5:06 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    If he’s lucky.

  73. 73 BobSmith77 said at 3:20 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Seahawks vs Dolphins?! in the Super Bowl

    http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/harvard-study-predicts-super-bowl-matchup–seahawks-vs——dolphins-224518932.html

  74. 74 Insomniac said at 4:15 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    They are a talented team but I doubt Tannehill will improve so much that he’ll take them all the way to the Superbowl.

  75. 75 Bert's Bells said at 4:27 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    That’s the wrong bird playing the Dolphins according to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

  76. 76 P_P_K said at 4:33 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I can’t wait until tomorrow for this — “Holy testicle Tuesday.”

  77. 77 A_T_G said at 5:40 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I will take that over Holey Testicle Tuesday.

    Actually, it is probably better than Wholly Testical Tuesday as well.

  78. 78 MagsBirdieBaby said at 12:35 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    The Dolphins?!?

  79. 79 BobSmith77 said at 3:39 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Thomas was always one of those guys who was underrated here. Overshadowed by others on the field because he was only good/very good at several things but not great and was quiet and soft-spoken off the field in a locker room filled with a lot of guys who were quote-generating machines.

  80. 80 GEAGLE said at 4:54 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Take the Eagles out of the equation, and I’m still pretty fired up and ready for the football season, so many interesting storylines around the league to watch.
    ..
    for starters, I want to watch a lot of AP this year. Special Talent who can’t possibly maintain this level much longer, I need to make a poïnt to stop taking his greatness for Granted and make sure I see as much as I can of him this year, even if he is talking crazy with that 2,500 yard season Nonsense.
    ..
    Following the Bills defense has been fun the last few years, defensively they played An exciting Attack brand of ball.. Very interested in seeing if Rex can take that defensive Talent to new heights which is a scary thought… On the other side of the ball of course we want to see shady, but That offense also has a lot of Run after the catch weapons at the WR spot..you throw short to Sammy Watkins, and he is always a,threat to take it to the house… Rex has been playing while trying to hide his QB for years. he has a lot of experience in winning games while minimizing the QB position so it’s interestin to see what he can do when he inherits a top defense, gets an elite RB, and dangerous run after catch WRs..
    ..
    A,team that doesn’t get talked about a lot but who fascinates me is the steelers. it’s an Odd time in Steeler history.. poor defense, but what can be on of the most explosive offenses in the game? Weird… Always been a big fan of Big Ben whos greatness has also been taken for Granted, Laveon Bell is one of the best backs in the game, and ANTONIO is a scary WR weapon, with Martevis BRyant being a young Beast.. I read something that he is up to like 225lbs with 4percent body fat which is crazy.. Pretty solid OL… That Offense can put up points with anyone,..Steelers Have invested a lot of top picks trying to transition to a young defense and for one reason or another it hasn’t clicked for their young defenders..
    ..
    the Jets really interest me, that defense is stacked and Todd Bowles is going to have them playing quality ball,., I don’t think highly of Geno Smith, but he has so many weapons. He can throw it up to B Marshall and let the horses do all the work…
    .
    Heck that entire division is intruiging. What has been a cake walk division for the patriots that division should be tôugh this year.. Tannahill has developed better then most young QBs in the game and he has some nice weapons around him, featuring Jarvis Landry Beasting out of the slot. donkey Kong Suh trying to spike Tom Brady on his head? YES PLEASE,… As for the Patriots I am interested in their front 7, adding a Savage like Jabaal Sheard to Jamie Collins, Chandler Jones…. They have tough front 7, of course their
    ..
    Seattle with Jimmy Graham? Scary thought,,,like AP, I want to see BEASTMODE every chance I get, he can’t run like he does forever
    ..
    How do the Packers bounce back from the collapse? Very curious to watch Jordy Nelson who’s play Drastically fell off at the end of the season, leading questions about whether he can handle when a team tries to rough him up.. I’m kind of Bummed that we won’t get to measure ourselves against the Packers this year during the regular season. I assume our defense would be fired up to redeem themselves from getting steamrolled by that offense to the point They were laughing at us… If this season is going to go our way, we will be in the playoffs, and there is a pretty good chance the Packers will make it… Coming off a SHALACKING to them last year, I would feel better about getting to see them before having to run into them in the playoffs,,, it would suck to make the playoffs, and have to face GB or Seattle right away when we are trying to at least win a playoff game.,.
    ..
    Did the Colts build the defense and fix enough weakness to reach the top level?
    ..
    How bad will the Niners be? They lost a ton of Talent and coaching in a tough division.. Yikes… I wouldn’t be surprised if This is Kapernecks last year in San Fran..
    ..
    The RAINMAKER taking control of the Rams
    ..
    Must see,TV JJ WATT.

    ..
    Should be a great season, especially if our division is tougher then recent years,.we have the chance to be a very talented team, in a strong league where there are some teams ahead of us that are going to be hard to catch,,,,,,.. But if our defense and run game is as good as I think they can be, we should be in every game… if the offense can just cut down on last years turnovers we should be a tough team to Beat, especially if our special teams brings it like last year…

  81. 81 A_T_G said at 5:36 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    You lost me at, “take the Eagles out of the equation…”

  82. 82 76mustang said at 1:50 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    Great Post.

  83. 83 BreakinAnklez said at 4:57 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Matthew Tucker just cut

  84. 84 GEAGLE said at 5:01 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Wonder why… Are we going to find out he got in trouble this weekend? Or is there someone else we want to sign? Maybe we like Kejon Barner and want to give Tucker a chance at a spot somewhere else, but that wouldnt really explain the timing of getting cut a week before camp. Don’t see how we could wake up Liking Tucker any less then we did 3 weeks ago… What’s the other shoe that going to drop?

  85. 85 BreakinAnklez said at 5:03 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Didn’t they just sign another RB from Nova? Also what’s Tucker offer that Murray/Mathews can’t do better?

  86. 86 GEAGLE said at 5:04 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    No idea,.im out of the loop… Never been gaga over Tucker, just question the timing..

  87. 87 OldDocZOMGamazeballs said at 5:14 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    About to sign some other RB:

    http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2015/7/23/9027287/philadelphia-eagles-sign-running-back-kevin-monangai-according-to

    With Josey already a lock, should mean Eagles have an RB entering the Pre-Season HOF in back-to-back years soon.

  88. 88 Bert's Bells said at 5:16 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Was NASTEEEE NATEEEEE three years ago or four?

  89. 89 OldDocZOMGamazeballs said at 5:20 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I honestly can’t remember. We’ve been blessed with so many greats they all start to blend, especially when you throw in all the talent at WR. Momah, Salas, Sheppard…..

  90. 90 Joe Minx said at 5:55 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Nasty Nate was 8 years ago. It just feels like less because it keeps coming up every year.

  91. 91 Bert's Bells said at 5:58 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Hahaha. For real?

    What could have been!

  92. 92 GEAGLE said at 5:26 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    If I never saw the name Jose again it would be too soon

  93. 93 OldDocZOMGamazeballs said at 5:30 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    The fact JAX (who would pretty much give you or I snaps at RB if we asked nicely) decided he was surplus to requirements really should have stopped any debate on his merits.

    But no. I think he’s in Toronto now. Presumably the rest of the CFL automatically forfeited the minute he signed.

  94. 94 A_T_G said at 5:47 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I believe that is exactly what Donald Trump said the other day.

  95. 95 botto said at 5:50 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    yeah ship all the jose’s to Canada, no matter how they pronounce it

  96. 96 MagsBirdieBaby said at 12:33 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    Actually some American companies (Hersheys eg) are pretty good at buying out established 100-year-old Canadian companies, shutting them down and shipping hundred of jobs TO Mexico. I don’t know why you folks think that somehow NAFTA only hurts you. Well, I do know why. Pablum and KoolAid.

  97. 97 Bert's Bells said at 5:15 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Non-football injury.

    Do they have some sort of physical this week before camp? Maybe he showed up with a problem.

  98. 98 OldDocZOMGamazeballs said at 5:17 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I always take those as code for “team tried to cut him and player immediately claimed injury, hoping for a settlement”.

    Or “player injured himself doing something unspeakably dumb and team thought, ‘eff that'”.

    I’m possibly being too cynical.

  99. 99 Media Mike said at 5:18 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I hear you, no reason to not be cynical.

  100. 100 Bert's Bells said at 5:19 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Both of those are reasonable assumptions.

  101. 101 OldDocZOMGamazeballs said at 5:23 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Full disclosure: I missed a day of work once because I stood on a ring binder and it closed, putting a hole in my foot.

    I’m probably not in a position to criticise if he injured himself doing something unspeakably dumb….

  102. 102 Media Mike said at 5:17 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    “we” do NOT like Barner.

  103. 103 GEAGLE said at 5:22 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Wrong… We may not like him as a backup for Murray and Mathews, but he is a very good Special teams player, very versatile special team player and the only player on our roster who can replace Sproles if he goes down. I may not like him, you may not like him. But it’s pretty safe to say our HC and GM likes him…

  104. 104 Media Mike said at 5:23 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    They can be wrong from time to time. Barner over Josey and Tucker is an example.

  105. 105 GEAGLE said at 4:59 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Gotta love how shady times his sleezy orgy party, perfectly with the episode of the Mayors Sex Party in True Detective.. I was dying laughing watching True Detective waiting to find out shady was the bad guy. I wanted to see drunken Collin Farrell give shady a beating,,
    ..
    There has to be an easier way for a star like shady to get some Yams then his creep show… look, if you are going to do it, you do it right, or you don’t do it at all,,, Splurge for the Vikings sex boat and go rock out with your cock out in international waters or don’t do it at all… Shady is petty compared to them Vikings,,

  106. 106 OregonDucker said at 8:44 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Shady be shady. Good riddance, I say now that we have Murray. Otherwise, I’m crying in my beer.

  107. 107 anon said at 9:53 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Yeah putting that on twitter wasn’t smart, but i can’ hate on how he’s doing it, he’s trying to be responsible, checking ID (no underage), confi agreement, that way everyone can party and you don’t have to worry about TMZ. But he should have someone in his crew that can handle those details — should have to have an invite w/ your face on it.

  108. 108 MagsBirdieBaby said at 12:28 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    He’s a sulky little boy craving attention.

  109. 109 Media Mike said at 5:11 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    FUCK

    https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/625770724163223553

    Now we have to be stuck with ass clown Barner for a longer period of time.

  110. 110 GEAGLE said at 5:18 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I’m no Barner fan or Tucker fan but do you really care which is the practice Team RB?
    ..
    it actually makes sense to keep Barner… If demarco gets hurt, he has Mathews as a big Bruiing Backup. Those two are penciled in to handle RB Duties, so it’s almost like Sproles is playing a different position this year.. If we carved out a different Role for Sproles in our offense, then it makes sense that we have a scat back RB type like Barner on our bench in case we lose Sproles for an extended period of time, since he is no spring chicken…
    ..
    I think we invested enough in 3 RB’s to where I can cut them a little slack on their practice squad RB, but to each his own…

  111. 111 Media Mike said at 5:20 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I f-ing hate Barner. He wasn’t worth adding last year and shouldn’t have been on the roster longer than Josey when Barner clearly performed the worst of any of the RBs on the pre-season roster last year.

  112. 112 OregonDucker said at 8:43 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Chip really likes Barner. We will see if he’s right.

  113. 113 A_T_G said at 5:31 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Okay, who has Henry Josey on speed dial? Howie, right? Do international rates apply when calling Canada? Does someone to sign off before the head of janotorial services racks up that kind of expenses?

    Quit sitting around. We need answers here, people!

  114. 114 MagsBirdieBaby said at 12:27 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    I understand that Josey could only catch a backup spot in Toronto. Maybe he’s just not as good as some folks wanted to believe.

  115. 115 Anders said at 2:44 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    My guess is Mostert or the new kid (who isnt official yet) makes the PS.

    I guess we only keep 3 RBs on roster and then call one up if needed.

    Remember that Huff and Burton can also play RB if needed.

  116. 116 botto said at 5:13 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I don’t see out schedule as easy this year.
    Atlanta will be tough.
    all the AFC east teams will be tough.
    then we have the NFC east always tough.
    this will be a dog fight year.
    uh, sorry, not a dog fight, duh, too soon.
    it will be a knock down drag out type of year.

  117. 117 Media Mike said at 5:16 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I see New England and 15 clown squads.

  118. 118 botto said at 5:21 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    nah, there a lot of good defenses on the schedule…

  119. 119 Media Mike said at 5:23 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    That are “quarterbacked” by dopes like Geno Smith and/or EJ Manuel.

  120. 120 botto said at 5:35 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Cassel has beat the eagles before, tannehill…
    McCoy!
    and look at these defenses, the offenses might not have to score much for the team to have a shot.
    Atlanta is no easy game either.
    who is covering Julio?

  121. 121 Media Mike said at 5:36 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Maxwell.

    And who on Atlanta is blocking our pass rush?

  122. 122 botto said at 5:40 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    yeah, exactly, sounds like a good game to me.
    tough battle, no cake walks in the NFL.
    I can’t believe we have to wait the extra day though….

  123. 123 Media Mike said at 5:43 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    That is quite frustrating to be sure. Plus we owe those asshole hoodlum Falcons fans a square kick in their asses for ruining the start to our season 10 years ago on Monday Night Football when that piece of shitty street trash DeAngelo Hall started that huge fight pre-game, but was never thrown out.

    Atlanta is such a cesspool of worthless ass scumbags, so we need to smack them down.

  124. 124 OregonDucker said at 8:42 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Nobody. Enough said.

  125. 125 GEAGLE said at 5:25 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Shiiiiiit just the other teams in Pats division are tough enough,,
    ..
    Tom Brady better treat his OL real well this offseason, donkey kong Suh will have two chances at murdering Brady, Rex is equipped with animals to get after Brady, Mario Williams, Hughes, Dareus.. And the Jets defense is FREIGHTENing in its own right,… Just playing the defenses in that division scares me. Mess around and get your QB hurt playing against those defensive fronts

  126. 126 botto said at 5:35 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    exactly.
    the schedule sounds easy on paper but will be tough in reality

  127. 127 A_T_G said at 5:27 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    “…knock down drag out…”

    Is that some kind of a sick Ray Rice joke?

    (I’m kidding, by the way. Proofreading my comment, that isn’t entirely clear)

  128. 128 botto said at 6:19 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    ha, damn its hard to avoid references that are violent that don’t invoke a scenario we’ve seen in the nfl.

  129. 129 OregonDucker said at 8:40 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Eagles fly above the fray and then choose their prey. Violence is their creed and death follows them….

    I’ve been watching Eagles prey on rabbits behind my house lately. They are a vicious, merciless predator. Reminds me of the “Bounty Bowl”.

  130. 130 GEAGLE said at 6:03 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    How long until the cowscum announce that they signed “Prince charming” junior Gallett for cheap? What’s one more scumbag to block? Bring them all on..#teamCulture #righteousHammerOfGod #teamGarbagemen here to take out the cowboy trash

  131. 131 Joe Minx said at 6:04 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    He was bragging on Twitter that he signed with an NFC south team. Will be announced tomorrow.

  132. 132 Media Mike said at 6:04 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Maybe he can hang with other classy human beings like Rapist Winston.

  133. 133 GEAGLE said at 6:07 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Smh makes me so mad… I despise how teams have to cut one of their best player just so one of the usual suspect scumbag owners can sigń them for cheaper a week later… Such a joke

  134. 134 OldDocZOMGamazeballs said at 6:38 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    You’re kinda underselling what he said on Twitter. It was fairly epic…..

    http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2015/7/26/9041829/junior-galette-sounds-off-against-saints-through-rants-on-girlfriends

  135. 135 Media Mike said at 6:43 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I’m just glad my low opinion of Kenny Vaccaro was verified and I’m really curious as to how hot a chick has to be in order for a head coach to keep his training camp in West Virginia to placate.

  136. 136 MagsBirdieBaby said at 12:24 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    Here are a couple of really hot chicks.
    http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/roasting-chicken-oven-19598127.jpg

  137. 137 Anders said at 2:41 AM on July 28th, 2015:

    For some reason Im not suprised by the Sean Payton things he said consider what leaked about him a few years ago.

    It also shows how little the NFL really cares. There is nothing in the rules against coaches been drug addicts

  138. 138 daveH said at 7:49 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    dhani jones

  139. 139 Media Mike said at 7:54 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    …….sucks at life worse than he sucked at football!

  140. 140 wee2424 said at 8:06 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    It’s his bow ties that suck. As far as life he seems to be more successful then all of us probably are.

  141. 141 Media Mike said at 8:10 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    If you measure by income, sure. But if one measures by having one’s failure to perform his professional duties cause people massive levels of upset………….. he sucks.

  142. 142 wee2424 said at 11:24 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I highly doubt he measures his life on how people he doesn’t even know view him. I would hope no body does.

    He played a game that he loved, made millions, him and his family are set. Is currently running a business that he loves. Seems like a happy guy. Yeah, I don’t think he failed in life. There have been and will be FAR worse LBs then him.

  143. 143 Bert's Bells said at 8:24 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Could be wrong, but wasn’t he born into money?

  144. 144 wee2424 said at 11:17 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    Possibly, I have no idea regarding that.

  145. 145 daveH said at 8:31 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    but he was a stylish dresser .. cover of GQ!! well coiffed and dapper.
    high motor

  146. 146 daveH said at 9:16 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    SHUT YO MOUTH

  147. 147 daveH said at 9:17 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    but im talkin about Shaft

  148. 148 Weapon Y said at 8:16 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I truly think this year’s linebacker group could match Joyner, Evans, and Thomas. At OLB, I think Graham will emerge as an elite player now that a coach is finally giving him a chance to start. Barwin was a huge beast last year and is awesome at everything. At ILB, Alonso might be the best player on the entire team. He is the definition of playmaker and up there with Kuechly. Kendricks came on strong last season and I love him even though Chip doesn’t. After tearing into Hicks before, I watched the WVU film and saw him cover Kevin White all alone. I still have reservations but do see the kid’s potential. This group will be better than every LB group in the Reid era and I am pumped to see competent LB play.

  149. 149 anon said at 9:51 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    I think all three ILBs have risk of injury especially kendricks, need to have 3 starters in that position. Love Mufasa, hopefully he can stay healthy and mentor these guys.

  150. 150 bsuperfi said at 8:38 PM on July 27th, 2015:

    If this is the last look back, I’d like to go non-Eagles and remember my favorite LB corps of all time: the late 80s/early 90s Saints. Ricky Jackson, Sam Mills, Pat Swilling, and Vaughn Johnson. I just looked them up after not thinking about them for years, and it turns out that NFL Network named them the best LB corps of all time. I also remember Bobby Hebert at QB and Ironhead Heyward at RB. That was a completely cool team.

  151. 151 cshav10 said at 6:04 PM on July 28th, 2015:

    Great memories from that LB corp. Loved Seth Joyner!