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Tag: Randall Cunningham

  • A 1990 Acrobatic Air Show – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Eagles•More PHL•News•Unique Columns

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    If I told you that one of the longest and most dynamic and longest pass plays in Eagles history happened during a December visit to Buffalo twenty-five years ago in 1990 — and that that play was proceeded by yet another score by Philly — you’d probably assume that I was suffering from some type of temporary amnesia.

    But the only problem with the longest pass play in Eagles history resulting in a touchdown was simple — it didn’t happen at the end of the game.

    On a frigid, winter December afternoon at Rich Stadium — it was the AFC Champions who jumped out to a 24–0 lead on the Eagles. But with Randall at the helm and a devastating Gang Green Defense — the Eagles were never out of a game.

    After an eighteen-yard strike from Cunningham to Keith Jackson — Randall dropped back in his own end zone, moved to the left and ducked under Bruce Smith. He then heaved the ball to Fred Barnett who out-jumped the Bills J.D. Williams to secure the ball. From there it was off to the races for ninety-five yards with just over a minute left until halftime. After the break — Randall connected with Keith Byars for a one-yard scoring pass. It was the closest that the Eagle would come in the eventual 30–23 loss.

    The 1990 NFL season would turn out to be a lost opportunity for both the Bills and the Eagles. Buffalo would advance out of the AFC and made the playoffs for the second straight year — only to lose the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. Philadelphia would also make the playoffs — only to lose in the NFC Wildcard Round to a Washington Team that they had beaten at the Vet earlier in the year during what would become another famous game.

    But we’ll alway have Cunningham to Barnett.

    Tags: Barnett Bills Buffalo Bills Keith Byars Randall Cunningham

    Categorized: Eagles More PHL News Unique Columns

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Second Chances After Leaving the Nest – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Eagles•More PHL•News•Unique Columns

    Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) walks off the field after win against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesDec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (7) walks off the field after win against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

    When Kenny Pickett arrived in Philadelphia in the summer of 2024 looking for a fresh start — he got the opportunity to backup Jalen Hurts. The Eagles had acquired him through a trade with the Steelers. His place as Pittsburgh’s Franchise Quarterback had become fluid with the arrival of veteran Russell Wilson — and so he requested the opportunity to play elsewhere.

    Last season — Pickett played in five games for the World Championship Eagles and even started in a win against Dallas. 

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    When it comes to allowing quarterbacks to thrive elsewhere — the Eagles have a history with that. Randall Cunningham’s last game in Philadelphia was in relief of an injured Rodney Peete in the 1996 Divisional Playoffs against the Cowboys. In the week leading up to the game — Cunningham missed time with the team due to the birth of his son. Cunningham would retire after the season but returned to football in 1997 and with the Minnesota Vikings in 1998 came one field goal away from the Super Bowl.

    Sonny Jurgenson was drafted by the Eagles in 1957. When Norm Van Brocklin retired after winning the Championship in 1960, Jurgensen became the starter. After a season as an NFL passing leader and record setter with 3,723 yards in 1961 — on April 1st, 1964 — the Eagles traded him to the Washington Redskins in return for Norm Snead and defensive back Claude Crabb.

    No team knows the value of a great backup quarterback better than the Eagles (just ask Nick Foles.) But since the Eagles have McKee — they looked to trade Kenny Pickett. Novacare is really high on Tanner McKee, and the Eagles leveraged Pickett for capital in return last summer. 

    Now Pickett returns to Philadelphia after being traded from Cleveland to Las Vegas in August. He’ll start against Philadelphia for the Raiders after an injury to Geno Smith. He’ll always be a champion in Philadelphia. But for one day — until 4:00 P.M. — we’ll have to root against him.

    Just for one day.

    Tags: Kenny Pickett Las Vegas Raiders Randall Cunningham Sonny Jurgensen

    Categorized: Eagles More PHL News Unique Columns

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • The Comeback in Cleveland – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    The Comeback in Cleveland – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    By Mid-Afternoon — the Eagles Were Down 23–0 in Cleveland.
    By the Second Quarter — the Comeback Was In Full Effect.
    PHOTO: Philadelphia Eagles

    For a team that was predicted to be a Super Bowl contender in 1991- the season wasn’t going well for Philly by early November. The Eagles were 4–5 and had lost All-Pro Quarterback Randall Cunningham to a season-ending knee injury in the first game of the season. But Super Bowl Champion Jim McMahon was back, and the Eagles were in Cleveland on November 10th fighting for their playoff lives.

    For nearly two quarters, the league’s best defense was exploited by a 42-yard interception return by Eric Turner and Bernie Kosar’s two touchdown passes to put the Browns up 23–0. The Eagles began a furious comeback sparked by an eighteen-yard touchdown pass from McMahon to Keith Jackson. McMahon then connected with Fred Barnett on a seventy-yard touchdown pass. Eagles kicker Roger Ruzek made four field goals to pull the Eagles within 30–26.

    After a fourth-quarter Webster Slaughter fumble on a punt return while trying to come out of his end zone and Eagles recovery at the three-yard line — McMahon found Calvin Williams for a five-yard score to put the Eagle up 32–30 permanently.

    The win pulled the Eagles to a .500 record at 5–5. Despite finishing the 1991 season with a 5–1 record down the stretch and the #1 defense against the pass, the run, and yards allowed, the team would finish without making the playoffs. The comeback in Cleveland, however, orchestrated thanks in part to Jim McMahon’s 341 passing yards, wouldn’t just be a season highlight.

    It would be the second-largest comeback in franchise history to that point.

    PHOTO: Philadelphia Eagles

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Showdown At the Superdome: A History of the Eagles and Saints – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Showdown At the Superdome: A History of the Eagles and Saints – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    The Eagles of the Late 80s and Early 90s Had Done Amazing Things On the Field.
    Winning a Playoff Game Hadn’t Been One of Them.

    For today’s Eagles faithful, it’s hard to envision a time when the Birds couldn’t maintain a top-10 NFL offense and hadn’t won a playoff game in over a decade. But that will be the long-standing legacy of Buddy Ryan and Rich Kotite in Philadelphia.

    Unfortunately, a record-setting defense and quarterback complete with acrobatic excellence does nothing if you don’t win. And if you call your boss “the guy in France,” you’d better win.

    Nearly 30 years ago, in Rich Kotite’s second season as Head Coach, the Eagles were in a wildcard game in New Orleans down on the Bayou. In 1988, the Eagles lost the Fog Bowl at Soldier Field in Chicago — a place that an NFL team from Philly hadn’t won since the Frankford Yellow Jackets beat the Bears in the final game of 1931. In 1989, the Eagles lost to Steve Everett and the LA Rams at home, and 1990 Body Bag Game #2 went to Washington.

     PHOTO: WikiCommons

    With an 11–5 record, the Eagles were in the playoffs once again. The beginning of this one seemed to unfold just as in previous contests. Down 20–7 in the third quarter, Randall Cunningham connected with Fred Barnett on a 35-yard touchdown pass. A six-yard Heath Sherman rushing touchdown gave the Eagles the lead. That proceeded a Reggie White safety in the end zone on Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert.

    Finally, an Eric Allen 18-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the deal.

    The win would prove to be Kotite’s only one as Eagles Head Coach. The 1992 team would be Reggie White’s last as Eagles.
    The following week, the Eagles would be throttled by the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys, 34–10.  But even that couldn’t diminish the comeback at the Superdome.

    PHOTO: ClutchPoints

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • An ACL and An MCL? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    An ACL and An MCL? – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Physical Matchups Are Like Second Nature When the Eagles Meet the Packers.
    PHOTO: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images

    In the waning moments of the Eagles and Packers Game on Friday night, with Green Bay’s offense down 34–29 and needing a touchdown late in the fourth quarter and desperately trying to get into range for one last-gasp hail mary — Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love was sacked by Jalen Carter.

    Writhing in pain on the night Brazilian Turf—Love was taken off of the field and replaced by Malik Willis — who was also then sacked to secure the first Philadelphia win in a season where the Eagles are considered a top contender in the NFC for the Super Bowl.

    The Eagles and Packers have both seen this before.

    In another season when the Eagles were a Super Bowl contender, the 1991 season they opened with Philadelphia playing at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles began the season with perhaps the franchise’s best defense in team history, coupled with one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks in Randall Cunningham. In the second quarter, Packers linebacker Bryce Paup landed on Randall Cunningham’s knee — tearing his ACL — an injury that would sideline him for the rest of the 1991 season.

    That 1991 team did give us some amazing moments. The defense was number 1 against the pass, the run, and total yards. During an away game at Houston in a stadium designated as the House of Pain — the Eagles obliterated Warren Moon and the Houston Oilers’ Shoot Offense. In week 3, the Eagles sacked Dallas Quarterback Troy Aikman eleven times in a 24–3 romp at Texas Stadium. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10, the Eagles would return from a 24–0 deficit to win 32–30.

    Unfortunately, without Cunningham and an injured two-time Super Bowl Champion in Jim McMahon — the Eagles had to rely on a carousel of signal callers like veteran Jeff Kemp — and would miss the playoffs with a 10–6 record.

    Some will blame the turf at Corinthians Stadium or the Eagles defense for Love’s injury in Brazil. Everyone must expect a physical matchup for two of the oldest franchises in NFL history. In Brazil, that’s exactly what we have.

    After the 1991 win in Houston against the Oilers, Eagles Defensive Tackle Jerome Brown said, “They brought the house. WE brought the pain.”

    PHOTO: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images

    The post An ACL and An MCL? appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Crushing the Champs at Candlestick – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Crushing the Champs at Candlestick – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    It’s Been 30 Years Since the Eagles Dominated the World Champions at Candlestick Park.

    Thirty years ago — in an early October meeting in 1994— two of the NFC’s most formidable teams faced off at Candlestick Park. Since the 1980s, Buddy Ryan’s Eagles and Bill Walsh’s 49ers had some truly memorable games.

    Now, two disciples—Rich Kotite for the Eagles and George Seifert for the 49ers—lead both clubs.

    Much like in 2024, the Eagles and 49ers were two of the most formidable teams in the NFC.

    From the opening kickoff, the 2–2 49ers were out-hustled and outplayed by the 2–1 Eagles in almost all phases. With Randall Cunningham directing the opening drive, Charlie Garner sprinted for a one-yard touchdown run. After Eric Allen then intercepted Steve Young, Garner scampered 24 yards for the second score — a play that included a great block by Fred Barnett on Deion Sanders at the goal line.

    By the time Randall Cunningham found Victor Bailey for a 32-yard score — the Eagles were up 23–8, and the rout was on. One highlight for Eagles fans came in the third quarter, with the Eagles up 33–8. In the middle of a Steve Young play call, backup quarterback Elvis Grbac raced onto the field and replaced Young — leading to a sideline tirade by Young with Coach Gary Kubiak.

    Garner would end up with 111 yards on 16 carries and another 28 yards receiving.

    As with most great Eagles moments in the 1990s, the victory was short-lived. George Seifert’s 49ers would go on to beat Stan Humphries and the San Diego Chargers in the Super Bowl that year, 49–26. The Eagles would squander at a 3–1 start and finish 7–9. New Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie would fire Rich Kotite at the end of the season and hired Ray Rhodes. One year later — in a bitter quarterback controversy with Rodney Peete- Randall Cunningham would play his last game as an Eagle in Dallas in 1995.

    We’ll always have Candlestick Park — October of 1994.

    PHOTO: WikiCommons

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • A Fourth Year Frenzy – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    A Fourth Year Frenzy – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    For the Eagles Quarterbacks and For Philly, It’s A Fourth Year Fenzy.

    During the 2020 season — in a frigid December game in Green Bay — the Eagles brought the Carson Wentz Era came to an end when he was sent to the bench in favor of rookie Jalen Hurts. The move wasn’t just because Wentz had become increasing resistant to coaching, molding, and mentorship, or that he had shown selfishness instead of selflessness as documented in a video postgame showing a jubilant Eagles locker room after winning Super Bowl LII while Wentz put his head in his hands. It wasn’t even because he had seethed at the selection of Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft just four years after the Eagles traded up to the first pick to select the North Dakota State product in the 2016 NFL Draft.

    It was all of the above.

    By the start of Training Camp in 2021 both Wentz and Doug Pederson were gone, and Jalen Hurts was the Eagles anointed starter. The Eagles were now his team. Over the next three seasons, Hurts guided the Eagles to three playoff appearances, one NFC Championship, and one Super Bowl.

    History shows us that for franchise Eagles quarterbacks — year four is a tremendous ride.

    Tommy Thompson — In a league where running, not passing was the road to a championship, the vision-impaired Thompson returned to the Eagles in 1945 and became the starter in 1946 to lead the Eagles offense through the air. By 1949, the Eagles were at the top of the NFL and Thompson was a two-time NFL passing leader.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Ron Jaworski — When Jaworski was traded to the Eagles in 1977, he would join Dick Vermeil’s improving Eagles and lead them the playoffs in four straight seasons. In 1980, the Eagles would make it to the Super Bowl with Jaworski at the helm of an offense including Wilbert Montgomery and Harold CarMichael. The Eagles would not challenge for a championship again for nearly 25 years.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Randall Cunningham — Perhaps the most athletic quarterback of any ever in Philadelphia, Randall was never surrounded by offensive talent. In 1989 he rushed for 621 yards, threw for 3,400, and accounted for 25 touchdowns while leading the Eagles to the playoffs.

    Donovan McNabb — Although Donovan McNabb became the Eagles franchise quarterback in 1999, his first full season wasn’t until 2000 as a starting quarterback. In 2004, with the addition of Terrell Owens along with Javon Kearse, McNabb and the Eagles defeated the Patriots to advance to Super Bowl XXXIX. That season, McNabb threw 31 touchdown passes for 3,874 yards and had a passer rating of 104.7.

    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    In 2017, a former Andy Reid draft pick arrived back in Philadelphia after contemplating retirement. The 2017 season would be his fourth as an Eagle, two with Chip Kelly and one under Andy Reid. By the end of the 2018 Super Bowl, he’d be a World Champion.

    His name is Nick Foles.

    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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