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Tag: Dick Vermeil

  • 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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  • PREVIEW – Week 2: Classic Matchups for These Rare Birds – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    PREVIEW – Week 2: Classic Matchups for These Rare Birds – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    For the Eagles and the Falcons — It’s Nothing Short of Amazing Matchups.

    In the wild, deep, and largely untouched expanse of America’s wildness — Falcons and Eagles sometimes entangle. For the Eagles and Falcons in two different NFC Divisions, playing against each other hasn’t been an annual tradition. It has, however, brought us some of the best moments for both franchises. On Monday night, as the Eagles look to continue a path to the Super Bowl — Lincoln Financial Field will once again be electric for another chapter in a history that already runs deep between these two franchises.

    Sep 12, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles up the field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
    Sep 12, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scrambles up the field against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
     PHOTO: John David Mercer/Imagn Images

    Since Atlanta entered the NFL in 1966 — the teams have played 37 times, including four postseason matchups. The Eagles lead the series 21–15–1 going into Monday night — another opportunity for another great chapter to be told.

    In the 1978 NFC Wildcard Round, an up-and-coming Eagles playoff team under Coach Dick Vermeil traveled to Atlanta. After a 13–0 Eagles lead, Atlanta would come back to win the game 14–13 thanks in part to a controversial call where Falcons wide receiver Wallace Francis and Eagles Safety Herm Edwards both went caught the ball at the same time. The ruling went in the Falcons’ favor.

    When Andy Reid’s Eagles were fast becoming contenders in the early 2000s, the Eagles would again meet the Falcons in the post-season. The much-billed matchup between Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick featured McNabb’s first game back from a broken ankle in the 2003 NFC Divisional Playoffs at the Linc. The Eagles would win that game 20–6.

    Two years later — Vick and the Falcons would return to Lincoln Financial Field for the 2005 NFC Championship Game. In a game when the Eagles offense wouldn’t be denied and a genius scheme from Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson — flipping defensive ends Javon Kearse and Derrick Burgess and not letting the elusive Michael Vick escape to his left in the 27–10 victory.

    Then, in January of 2018 — in one of the most memorable games in Eagles history — Nick Foles and the Eagles would beat the Falcons 15–10. It was a game that featured an Eagles goal line stand against Julio Jones and Matt Ryan with only seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. It was the first post-season victory in the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning, magical season of 2017-2018.

    In the wild — bald Eagles of the Accipitridae family dominate the skies against any other flying mammal in the region.
    On Monday night, the Eagles will undoubtedly dominate the South Philly skies once again, with the Falcons in their territory.

    PHOTO: John David Mercer/Imagn Images

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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