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Tag: Chuck Bednarik

  • A Nail-Biter In the Frozen Tundra. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Almost sixty-five years after Jim Taylor was tackled by Chuck Bednarik at the eight-yard line to give the Eagles their third World Championship 17–13 at Franklin Field — the Eagles squeaked out a 10–7 win in Green Bay on Monday night.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    For the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers — the contest was as close as it could be on Monday night. Miscues by both team led to the game only being separated by a 3–0 advantage. The Packers drove into Eagles territory on the first drive of the third quarter but a long pass play — Love to Cameron Wicks — was nullified by a penalty. On the insuing drive — Hurts found Saquon Barkley for a 41-yard screen pass. On the next play — Hurts found DeVonta Smith for a 36-yard score to take a 10–0 lead.

    The Eagles then followed by holding off the Packers in the last eight minutes of the game. Josh Jacobs scored for Green Bay with only 5:49 left in the fourth quarter. At times — it appeared that Philadelphia had won the game. With 4:52 left in the game — Hurts found Devonta Smith on a 3rd and 12 to move the chains. But the two could not connect on a 3rd down and eight in the same drive. The Eagles stopped the Packers on 4th down with only 1:26 left on the clock and Jaelan Phillips recovered a Josh Jacobs fumble. With less than a minute left in the game — the Eagles went for it on fourth and eight with an incomplete pass down the sideline to AJ Brown.

    Brandon McManus’ game-tying field goal floated wide as time expired to give the Eagles the win.

    The post A Nail-Biter In the Frozen Tundra. appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • A Second Consecutive Crown — One Won in the Mud. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    It took the Philadelphia Eagles three days to reach Los Angeles just over seventy-five years ago in the winter of 1949 by train. But Head Coach Greasy Neale didn’t want to fly. The train ride to the Los Angeles and then to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum allowed the Eagles to even stop and practice at Spratt Field at the University of Chicago.

    What the 1948 World Champion Eagles found when they arrived in Los Angeles was the prospect of another Championship Game in inclement weather. A year earlier — they prevailed in blizzard conditions to defeat the Chicago Cardinals. Now — to win back-to-back championships — they would need to contend with both driving rain and ankle-deep mud. 

    The 8–2–2 Rams were dawning red jerseys and helmets at home games (the only time that they did this in their history.) During the last week of the 1949 regular season — the Rams had demolished Washington 53–27. Now they were looking to dethrone the Eagles and Coach Neale.

    The 11–1 Eagles were on the top of their game. Philadelphia was undefeated at home — and in addition to their existing roster — would draft University of Penn star Chick Bednarik. Ironically in the same year — the Rams would draft Norm Van Brocklin — who would eventually lead the Eagles to the 1960 NFL Championship.

    In front of just over 22,000 fans — the Eagles would strike first in the second quarter with a 31-yard connection from Tommy Thompson to Pete Pihos. For the next three quarters — Steve Van Buren scampered for 196 yards on 31 carries — while the Eagles defense held the Los Angeles ground game to just 21 yards. A blocked punt in the third quarter then was scooped up for another score by the Eagles Leo Skladany for a 14–0 advantage and the last score of the game.

    The outcome of the game wasn’t just the only back-to-back championship for the Eagles. It marked the first ever NFL Championship won on the West Coast. It would also net players of both teams only a third of what was expected to be payed out for Player’s Shares — as owner Bert Bell would not allow the delay of the game. It would also be the first NFL game ever broadcast on TV (West Coast only.)

    A win over the Rams today could be another stop along the path to the franchise’s second back-to-back championships — seventy-five years later.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Nick Sirianni’s Fiery Disposition – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Nick Sirianni’s Fiery Disposition – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    PHOTO: Eric Hartline/Imagn Images

    Do Nick Sirianni’s Fiery Antics Alone Disqualify Him From Success With the Eagles?

    Sixty years ago, in 1964— a plane flew over Franklin Field during an Eagles Game with a banner fluttering behind it. This wasn’t some random Philadelphia advertising campaign or a flag flopping a positive message for the Philly team in the daytime breeze. This was the clear-cut message funded by the fans that read, “Joe Must Go.”

    The Eagles were far removed from the team that won an NFL Championship on the same Franklin Field six years earlier — and spirited Head Coach Joe Kuharich was on the hot seat. Pacing up and down the sideline with his blue suit, tie, and hat, flailing his arms, and looking for the water cooler for the occasional swig — Kuharich became famous for his animated sideline antics before finally marching in the other direction.

    When your team is undefeated in Philly, you get a little slack. When your team ekes out a win against one of the worst AFC teams to move to one game above .500 after looking anemic over the last ten months with one of the most talented offenses in the NFL — you don’t. Last week, Nick Sirianni walked behind the Eagles sideline and once again began screaming at fans as the seconds ticked away in a 20–16 win over the Cleveland Browns.

    In Nick Sirianni’s fourth season as Head Coach — we’ve seen the passion and fire he brings to the Eagles sideline.

    Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
    Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images PHOTO: Eric Hartline/Imagn Images

    In his second year, Sirianni’s 9–1 Eagles pulled off a comeback win against the Indianapolis Colts on the way to Super Bowl LVII. With seconds left in the game — Sirianni walked behind the sideline and started screaming at some fans behind the bench area. He evidentially didn’t get the message that this wasn’t how to handle yourself.

    In 1976 — an unruly fan at Veterans Stadium screamed at Eagles Head Coach Dick Vermeil as he was running out of the tunnel. Attempting to get into the stands after the fan — Vermeil was ironically restrained by former Eagles great Chuck Bednarik. After four seasons as Eagles Head Coach — Joe Kuharich was finally fired in 1968. His most significant fault — winning just enough to keep the Eagles out of the running for the top draft pick that year. He was a running back from USC named O.J. Simpson.

    Nick Sirianni better put the headset back on, stay on the sideline, and keep winning.
    A lot of winning.

    PHOTO: Eric Hartline/Imagn Images

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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