Tag: Chuck Bednarik

Where did Fletcher Cox land in a ranking of the best defensive players in Eagles history?

Fletcher Cox lands in the top five of an NBC Sports Philadelphia ranking of the best defensive player in Eagles history

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Fletcher Cox, an Eagles legend, will undoubtedly land a spot in Philadelphia’s Ring of Honor, and his numbers warrant a look from the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well.

Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia recently ranked the top ten defenders in franchise history, and the former Mississippi State star landed in the top five.

5. Fletcher Cox: Along with Reggie White, one of only two Eagles defensive players to make six straight Pro Bowls. In his prime, Cox was a ferocious interior lineman, who was just as dangerous rushing the passer as playing the run. His 65 sacks – including 7.0 last year, in his 11th season – are 5th-most in Eagles history by any player and 26 ½ more than any other interior lineman. Cox has never missed a game because of injury in 11 seasons, and those 65 sacks since 2012 are second only to Aaron Donald among defensive tackles. Cox was huge in the 2017 Super Bowl season and a 1st-team all-pro the next year. Along with Donald, he’s one of only two active interior linemen that have started in two Super Bowls. Still a good player. But over the last decade, one of the best.

Jeremiah Trotter (10), Troy Vincent (9), Maxie Baughan (8), Bill Bergey (7), and Seth Joyner (6) made up the back half of the top ten.

Eric Allen (4), Reggie White (3), Brian Dawkins (2), and Chuck Bednarik (1) rounded out the top five.

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3 former Eagles players make list of best nicknames in NFL history

Philadelphia Eagles: What are the best nicknames in franchise history

Pro sports have provided us with some of the top nicknames on the planet and with training camps nearing, Touchdown Wire just named the 101 best nicknames in NFL history.

The Eagles should have had five or six former players make the list, but three former Birds made the cut in the end.

Two Irish Defenders named to Bednarik Watch List

Two breakout performers from Notre Dame’s defense last year are among the 90 players included on the Bednarik Watch List.

In what was viewed as breakout seasons for two Notre Dame defenders last year, safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the hype continues over into the 2020 season as both of them have been named on the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list.

The watch list consists of 90 of the best collegiate defenders in the nation, so there will surely be still competition for both Hamilton and Owusu-Koramoah if they want to bring award back to South Bend. The award began in 1995, with linebacker Manti Te’o as the only Notre Dame defender to win the award in 2012.

As a freshman, Hamilton put up impressive numbers in limited playing time, recording 41 tackles, grabbing 4 interceptions while taking one back for a touchdown with 6 passes defended. The Atlanta native sure showed some impressive ability for such a young player, and the expectations for bigger number this year is valid. Hamilton is expected to start in the defensive backfield.

Owusu-Koramoah was a bit of a different story than Hamilton, as he had to work his way into playing time as a junior. The wait was well worth it as the linebacker exploded on the scene with 80 tackles, 5.5 sacks along with 2 forced fumbles and two recoveries. If the rising senior continues his progression, a huge season is in line for JOK.

Both of them are seen as impact players on Clark Lea’s defense and keys to the upcoming 2020 season. With the offense having to replace all the starters from the skill positions, the defense will need to step up early to give that side of the ball a cushion while they figure things out.