The Eagles defense has been a contentious topic among supporters over the previous few years, despite the fact that Philadelphia hasn’t finished worse than 15th in the NFL in terms of points allowed per game during that time.
Here is a list of 5 of the Best Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Players Of All-Time.
1. Reggie White
As a defensive player, Reggie White is one of the finest in the Eagles’ history. Only the greatest Eagle of All-Time can compare to him in terms of stature. He’s one of the all-time greats of the National Football League.
It was his first game as an Eagle and he had 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks to show for his time in the league so far. His career in Philadelphia spanned eight years, during which time he won two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, three NFC Defensive Player of the Year awards, was named to seven first-team all-pro teams, and appeared in seven pro-bowl games.
In 1987, he set a franchise record with 21.0 sacks, the most in the NFL at the time.
2. Brian Dawkins
Eagle-like is how I’d describe Brian Dawkins. He was a model of teamwork both on and off the field for the team. Dawkins was selected to seven Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams during his 13 seasons in Philadelphia.
His Eagles career ended in 2008 when he was the team’s all-time leader in games played (183), as well as the team’s all-time leader in interceptions (21). (34). A career with at least 30 interceptions and 20 sacks by Dawkins is one of only six in NFL history. In addition, he caused 37 fumbles.
3. Chuck Bednarik
For decades, Chuck Bednarik was the NFL’s most fearsome player. After serving four years in the Air Force, he became a hard-hitting linebacker for the Eagles, where he also played center for most of the 1950s.
The Philadelphia Eagles were Bednarik’s home for the whole 14 years of his career. He earned a First-Team All-Pro pick six times and a Pro Bowl selection eight times during that period. In 1949 and 1960, Bednarik was an integral part of the team’s two NFL Championship triumphs.
4. Jerome Brown
In his five seasons in the NFL, Brown was one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive tackles. The football community was shocked when Brown died suddenly in a vehicle accident in 1992. It took the Eagles until Brown’s number 99 was retired before the team honored him with induction into the Eagles Hall of Fame.
5. Troy Vincent
It’s easy to overlook Troy Vincent’s impressive career accomplishments. Vincent played for the Eagles for eight seasons, making 28 interceptions in that time (he recorded 47 total in his 15-year career). When it came to covering corners, Vincent was a ballhawk and among the greatest in the NFL.
His induction into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2012 earned him a position with the NFL Player Engagement Organization, where he currently serves as vice president.
