Backdraft: Philadelphia Eagles

BACKDRAFT SERIES: For 16 days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, we're rolling out capsule draft histories of each of the 32 NFL Teams.

 

 

Backdraft Series

Apr. 12 - Packers | Steelers

Apr. 13 - Bears | Jets

Apr. 14- Patriots | Falcons

Apr. 15- Ravens | Seahawks

Apr. 16- Saints | Eagles

Apr. 17- Colts | Chiefs

Apr. 18- Buccaneers | Giants

Apr. 19- Chargers | Raiders

Apr. 20- Jaguars | Dolphins

Apr. 21- Rams | Lions

Apr. 22- Vikings | Texans

Apr. 23- Redskins | Cowboys

Apr. 24- Titans | 49ers

Apr. 25- Browns | Cardinals

Apr. 26- Bengals | Bills

Apr. 27- Broncos | Panthers

2011 Draft Position:

• 23

 

First-Ever Draft Pick:

• Jay Berwanger, B, Chicago (1st Round, 1st overall, in 1936)

 

Most Recent Draft Pick:

• Jurt Coleman, DB, Ohio State (7th round, 244th overall, in 2010)

 

Hall of Famers Drafted:

• George McAfee - 1st Round (2nd overall), 1940
• Steve Van Buren - 1st Round (5th overall), 1944
• Pete Pihos - 5th Round (41st overall), 1945
• Chuck Bednarik - 1st Round (1st overall), 1949 (Also drafted in 1st round of 1949 AAFC secret draft by the Brooklyn Dodgers.)
• Lou Creekmur – 26th Round (243rd overall), 1948. (Also drafted in 1948 by the AAFC's Los Angeles Dons in 28th round - 197th overall. He opted to complete his college eligibility. He was then drafted in 1950 by the Detroit Lions as part of a special draft that year.)
• Tommy McDonald - 3rd Round (31st overall), 1957
• Sonny Jurgensen - 4th Round (43rd overall), 1957
• Bob Brown - 1st Round (2nd overall), 1964 (Also drafted in 1st round – 1st overall – of the 1964 AFL Draft by Denver Broncos.)
• Reggie White - 1st Round (4th overall) in 1984 supplemental draft

 

First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

• 1949 – Chuck Bednarik, C, Pennsylvania
• 1937 – Sam Francis, FB, Nebraska
• 1936 – Jay Berwanger, HB, Chicago
 

Jay Berwanger	Sonny Jurgensen	Keith Jackson

Did you know?

Philadelphia selected Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger out of the University of Chicago in the NFL's first-ever draft and then promptly dealt him to the Chicago Bears.

The Eagles feared that they would not be able to sign Berwanger and traded his rights to the Bears just three days after making him the first pick of the NFL's inaugural draft. Despite denials by the collegiate star, newspapers reported that he demanded $1,000 per game to play in the NFL. True or not, the Bears were unable to meet his demands and never came to an agreement. Berwanger opted not to pursue a career in professional football.

Quotable:

"We (Chicago) passed up Kellen Winslow one time and I couldn't understand that. Ol' Buddy Ryan wasn't going to make that mistake.

The Eagles' coach Buddy Ryan explained why the team selected tight end Keith Jackson with the 13th overall pick of the 1988 NFL Draft. Despite waiting nine minutes of the allotted 15 minutes given to teams to make their selection, Jackson was their pick all along.

"We were just practicing keeping our cool." Ryan deadpanned.

"This kid's an immediate starter. Everybody's an immediate starter when they come into the 13th pick. The only way for him to lose that job is to lose it. It's his job right now. If he can't handle it, then somebody else will. But I believe he'll handle it, otherwise I wouldn't have picked him."

Jackson proved his coach right as he became one of the finest tight ends of his era.

 

Shop:

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Who in '11?

Post your comment with who you think the Eagles should select in the first round on April 28. Why?