2008 Philadelphia Eagles

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Arizona Cardinals, 2009 NFC Champions, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Philadelphia Eagles, who placed 2nd in the challenging NFC East, for the great season they had!

As always, the Eagles need Donovan McNabb’s heart, arm, and knees to hold up into the 2008 season. The intense speed of wide receiver Kevin Curtis just might provide the game-changing playmaker the Eagles have needed to complement the Pro Bowl talent of Brian Westbrook. The defense, always a Philly strong suit, remains formidable this season, helped along by the key free agent acquisition of Asante Samuel. Philadelphia shows a lot of grit and consistency each season, and all the key pieces are in place for a run into the NFL playoffs.

Some Philadelphia Eagles history: In 1933 Bert Bell and Lud Wray bought the NFL's Frankford Yellow Jackets and moved the team to Philadelphia. Renamed the Eagles, the club struggled, posting losing records in each of its first ten seasons.

By the mid-1940s, however, the Eagles had improved. From 1947 to 1949, Earle "Greasy" Neale piloted the club to three consecutive Eastern Division crowns and two league titles. Steve Van Buren, a mainstay of these teams, captured three of his four NFL rushing titles from 1947 to 1949.

After posting five losing records in the 1950s, the Eagles won their third NFL crown in 1960. Quarterback Norm Van Brocklin, playing his final season, was named the league's most valuable player (MVP) after passing for nearly 2500 yards.

In 1961 Van Brocklin was replaced as quarterback by another eventual Hall of Fame member, Sonny Jurgensen. In his first full season Jurgensen threw for a league-record 3723 yards, breaking the previous mark by more than 600 yards. (The record was broken by Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins, who threw for 5084 yards in 1984.) Nearly a third of Jurgensen's yards went to McDonald, who led the league in yardage (1144) and touchdowns (13).

From 1962 through 1977 Philadelphia employed six different head coaches, but the team could not remain an NFL force. Although the Eagles boasted individual stars in running back Timmy Brown, wide receiver Harold Jackson, quarterback Roman Gabriel, and linebacker Bill Bergey, the Eagles did not reach the playoffs until 1978, Dick Vermeil's second year as head coach.

From 1978 to 1981 Vermeil guided the Eagles to four consecutive playoff appearances. Led by wide receiver Harold Carmichael and quarterback Ron Jaworski, Philadelphia played in Super Bowl XV in 1981 but lost to the Oakland Raiders 27-10.

After a six-year playoff drought, Philadelphia qualified for the postseason four times from 1988 to 1992. Guided by former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, the Eagles developed a slashing offense centered around Randall Cunningham, who became a skilled passer and also emerged as one of the greatest running quarterbacks in NFL history. Cunningham was the Eagles' top rusher each year from 1987 to 1990; in 1990 he threw for 30 touchdowns and rushed for more than 1000 yards. Under head coach Ray Rhodes, Philadelphia earned Wild Card berths in the playoffs in 1995 and 1996.

The Eagles returned to the Super Bowl in 2005 (Super Bowl XXXIX) but lost to the New England Patriots, 24-21.