Best of the 90’s

Let’s look back at some Eagles players of the past. I’ve put together my All-Eagles team for the 1990’s. My only requirement is that the player needed to start for at least two years as an Eagle.

OFFENSE

WR Fred Barnett
WR Irving Fryar
QB Randall Cunningham
RB Ricky Watters
FB Kevin Turner
TE Keith Jackson
LT Tra Thomas
LG Joe Panos
C David Alexander
RG Lester Holmes
RT Antone Davis

There shouldn’t be too many questions about WR. You can make an argument for Calvin Williams, but Barnett and Fryar were better players. Barnett was the big play guy. “Arkansas Fred” averaged 15 yards per catch in his Eagles career. Fryar was a workhorse receiver. He caught 174 passes in 1995-96. He also had 17 TDs. The offense fell apart in 1998 and Fryar didn’t exactly help matters. Still, he was great for two years. Beyond being a terrific receiver, Fryar was an outstanding blocker. He was a tough, physical player and was perfect for Jon Gruden’s West Coast Offense.

Cunningham looked like he was headed for Canton in 1990, but his career fell apart after that. Injuries, coaching, off-field distractions and other oddities turned an all-time talent into a maddeningly inconsistent player. He was benched in 1992, 1994 and 1995. And he was still the best QB in the decade. Those were strange days.

“For who? For what?” turned into a stud RB for three years. Watters ran for 3,794 yards and 31 TDs as an Eagle. He was a physical runner who could also deliver big plays. Watters was a gifted receiver as well. He is one of the best free agent signings in Eagles history. Turner paved the way for Watters. Turner was a good blocker, but also a talented runner and receiver. Gruden would call FB screens to make sure he got the ball to Turner.

Jackson left as a free agent prior to 1992, but he was terrific for the previous two seasons. He lacked ideal size at 6-2, 250, but Jackson was a gifted receiver. He was Cunningham’s safety blanket. When in doubt, find 88 and get him the ball.

Thomas was drafted in 1998 and became a franchise LT. He turned a weakness into a strength for a long time. Panos started 40 games for the Eagles. He didn’t have special size or athleticism, but he was physical and would battle all game long. Alexander was the rock for the OL of the early 90’s. He started every game from 1989-1994. That kind of consistency is highly valuable at a position like center. Alexander was only 6-3, 275, but he was a smart technician and got the job done. Holmes was a strong, physical blocker. He relied on strength and natural ability and didn’t really develop the positional skills needed to become a Pro Bowl player. The Eagles paid a steep price to draft Davis. Because of that, many people see him in a negative light. He never became the great OT they hoped for. Davis did start 74 games. When he was good, he could be really good. Davis was just too inconsistent.

DEFENSE

DE Clyde Simmons
DT Jerome Brown
DT Andy Harmon
DE Reggie White
LB William Thomas
MLB Byron Evans
LB Seth Joyner
SS Andre Waters
FS Brian Dawkins
CB Eric Allen
CB Troy Vincent

Simmons and White were a dynamic duo. You had to double Reggie, but that meant Clyde was going to kill you off the right side. He led the NFL with 19 sacks in 1992 and was a force to be reckoned with. Reggie was Reggie.

Reggie White with the sack, FF, FR, +70 FR yards, TD.
Madden also points out how even though Reggie was the front side LDE here, he was the blind side rusher due to the QBs eyes (1987). pic.twitter.com/wAgC2lV29i

— Peirce Conboy (@pgconb) July 7, 2024

Jerome Brown was a special player in his own right. He combined explosive quickness with great strength and agility. At his best, he was overwhelming. Brown’s death in the summer of 1992 was heartbreaking. Harmon was 6-4, 278. He was quick and disruptive. He was a terrific inside rusher, racking up 38.5 sacks over a 4-year span. Harmon wasn’t an ideal run defender due to his lack of bulk. He was able to shoot gaps and make plays. Sadly, a nasty knee injury ruined his career.

I wrote about Joyner recently and talked about what a great player he was. Willie T. was a terrific WLB and made a ton of plays. He finished his career with 37 sacks and 27 INTs. In 1995 Thomas had 7 INTs. Think about that total for a LB. Last year the Eagles had 9 INTs as a team. Insane. Byron Evans is often the overlooked guy. He never made a Pro Bowl despite being one of the best MLBs in the league. Evans was more than just a tackling machine. He could make plays in the passing game. He also was a big time hitter.

I’ve got a ton of Eric Allen games to get through for coverage stats and am TRYING to stay on task. Byron Evans continues to make that difficult. Had to tap out and post this one. Quite the knack for splash plays.
PS – If anyone has his autographed rookie card for sale, LMK pic.twitter.com/D1anFs3hhv

— Peirce Conboy (@pgconb) June 23, 2024

Waters was the leading tackler for the great Gang Green defense of 1991. That should tell you all that you need to know. Waters was a crushing hitter and powerful tackler. Dawk was a special player. He was good from 1996-98, but became a great player when Jim Johnson arrived in 1999. Johnson used Dawk like the weapon he was. Offenses paid the price for that.

Allen should be in the Hall of Fame, but that hasn’t happened yet. He picked off 54 passes in his career and went to 6 Pro Bowls. The Eagles played a ton of man coverage with him and that brought out the best in Allen. Vincent was signed as a free agent and became a great Eagle, going to 5 Pro Bowls. There is one moment you should think of when you hear his name.

These are 2 of my favorite game winning Pick 6s vs Dallas:

In 1996 the Eagles are up 24-21 when Dallas has the ball at the 3 and LB James Willis picks off Troy Aikman in the endzone and then runs it out only to lateral it to Troy Vincent who takes it to the house with an Eagles… pic.twitter.com/lqoJVUDPfT

— Fly Eagles Fly Bets (@Fly_EaglesBets) June 13, 2024

SPECIAL TEAMS

LS John Hudson
P Jeff Feagles
K Roger Ruzek
RS Vai Sikahema

Hudson was the long snapper from 1991-1995. “Philadelphia Feagles” (one of the great nicknames of all time) played in Philly from 1990-93. His overall career lasted for 22 years. That’s amazing. “Who Framed Roger Ruzek” (another great nickname) was a solid kicker for his era. His numbers pale in comparison to what we expect today. He made 75 percent of his kicks, with a long of 53 yards. Sikahema was the RS for 1992 and 1993. He gave us one of the most memorable moments in Eagles history.

87 Days until #Eagles Football!

Goal Post Punch! Vai Sikahema goes 87 yds to the house! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/fvL6UgTcXE

— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) June 11, 2024

JUST MISSED

There are always guys you hate to leave off.

Keith Byars played RB, FB and even TE. He was a unique talent who gave us some amazing moments. I just thought Turner was the better FB.

William Fuller was an Eagle from 1994-96 and made the Pro Bowl each of those seasons. He is one of my all-time favorite players. He just isn’t Reggie or Clyde.

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