John Meyers - DT

John Meyers was the Eagles' starting right defensive tackle from 1964-67. He played in all 56 games during that time, starting all but three. 

 

He was the Rams' 3rd-round pick in 1962, but played the '62 and '63 seasons for the Cowboys, playing every game those 2 seasons at right D tackle. He started every game as a rookie, and 7 in 1963. 

 

After the 1963 season, he was traded to the Eagles along with kicker Sam Baker and guard Lynn Hoyem for flanker Tommy McDonald. 

 

Meyers was released during training camp in 1968, and replaced in the lineup by 2nd-year man Gary Pettigrew, who had been the starting right end as a rookie. Still, it seems odd that he was released outright, given that he was a 4-year starter, and only age 28. The team chose to go with rookie Mike Dirks and the unproven Frank Molden (who had missed the previous 2 seasons, and started no games as a rookie in 1965) as the backups at defensive tackle.

There were no cards issued by Topps or Philly Gum for John Meyers. This is a custom card created by RetroCards, in the 1962 Fleer style. (It's out of focus because I enlarged a thumbnail.)

 

 

Where's Waldo John?

That wraps up the player reviews for those whose Eagles' career started in the 1960s (or 1950s, for Pete Retzlaff). Next we will look at the players who began their Eagles' career in the 1970s, in order of most games as an Eagle. (Harold Carmichael will lead off the list.) 

 

But first, a re-cap of the players reviewed so far:

There are 52 players here. If I was going to have an Eagles' fantasy team for the 1966-69 period, this one is fairly solid. There are a few stars here and there, and most positions have above-average players. The middle linebacking looks a little thin, but Rossovich could also play there. Honestly, the quarterback, outside linebacker, and guard positions could use an upgrade, but these are the Eagles we have to work with for that time period.

Alvin Haymond - CB

Alvin Haymond played for the Eagles just for one season (1968), as their starting right cornerback. 

 

Haymond was drafted by the Colts in 1964, and was their top kickoff and punt returner for his 4 seasons in Baltimore. In '65 and '66 he led the NFL in punt returns and return yardage. He was only a regular starter for one season (free safety in 1966). 

 

Before the 1968 season he was traded to the Eagles for halfback Timmy Brown. He played 11 of 14 games for the Birds (starting 9 games), and was also their primary return man. 

 

After one season he moved on to the Rams (in one of 4 Eagles/Rams trades that off-season). 

 

He played 3 seasons for the Rams and one each for the Redskins and Oilers, but only started 1 game in those 5 seasons. However, he continued to be a top-notch return artist, leading the NFL in punt return yardage in 1969 and kick return yardage in 1970.

Haymond was already a Los Angeles Ram when this 1969 card was issued.

Jack Concannon - QB

Jack Concannon played for Boston College, and was the #1 overall pick in the 1964 AFL draft by the Boston Patriots. He was also the Eagles' #2 draft pick in the 1964 NFL draft. He chose to sign with the Eagles. 

Jack played sparingly in his 3 seasons with Philadelphia. He only played in 7 games (1 start) in his first 2 seasons. In 1966 he played in 11 games, but only had 2 starts. Not a very good showing for such a high draft pick, when your only competition is the under-achieving Norm Snead and journeyman backup King Hill. (Although Hill was also a first-overall draft pick - for the Cardinals in 1958.) 

Just before the 1967 season, the Bears' owner/head coach George Halas was looking to unload tight end Mike Ditka, who had become a thorn in his side.  Ditka was dealt to the Eagles, who offered the Bears their pick of any of their 3 quarterbacks. The Bears chose third-stringer Concannon over the other two n'er-do-wells. 

Concannon played for the Bears for 5 seasons, starting most of the games in '67 and '70, and a handful in '68 and '69. A broken collarbone curtailed his 1968 season, and he lost the starting job to Bobby Douglass in 1969. 

He started the first 3 games in 1971 then suffered a knee injury, which ended his stint as the Bears' starting QB. 

Jack spent the 1972 and 1973 seasons on the Cowboys' taxi squad, then made 2 starts for the Packers in 1974 as their 3rd-string QB behind John Hadl and Jerry Tagge. 

In late-October 1975, the Lions lost both Greg Landry and Bill Munson in the same game. The Lions signed Concannon to back up 3rd-string QB Joe Reed for the remainder of the season. He played in 7 games (no starts). 

Concannon passed away in 2005 at age 62. 

 Concannon only had one card as an Eagle (1965), but his 1968 card shows him in an Eagles' jersey.

 

Where's Waldo Jack?

Cyril Pinder - RB

Cyril Pinder was the Eagles' 2nd-round pick in the 1968 draft. He played in every game in his 3 seasons with the Birds (1968-70), starting 5, 4, and 8 games as he alternated with halfbacks Izzy Lang ('68) and Leroy Keyes ('69), and fullback Tom Woodeshick ('70). 

In 1970 he led the Eagles in rushing with 657 yards, but was traded to the Bears for 2 draft picks during training camp in 1971 because of contract squabbles. The Bears needed some insurance against Gale Sayers' ailing knees. (Ironically, the Eagles replaced him with Ronnie Bull, acquired from the Bears in the same off-season.) 

Pinder played for the Bears for 2 seasons (starting 10 games), then was released in mid-September 1973. Weeks later the Cowboys picked him up and he provided backfield depth through the end of the season. 

Cyril joined the WFL's Chicago team in 1974 and rushed for 925 yards. He was on the team in 1975, until it folded after 5 games.

This 1971 card in Pinder's only Topps card. By this time he was already with the Bears. 

 

Where's Waldo Cyril?

"Di'ka!"

Mike Ditka played tight end for 12 seasons (1961-72) in the NFL. Iron Mike revolutionized the position.

He was the Bears' #1 pick in the 1961 draft, and played his first 6 seasons with Chicago, starting every game. He made the Pro Bowl in his first 5 seasons, and was Rookie of the Year in 1961. Frequent clashes with owner/head coach George Halas got him traded to the Eagles before the 1967 season for quarterback Jack Concannon.

In 1967 Ditka played 9 games (starting 6), but missed the last 5 weeks of the season while injured. In 1968 he played in 11 games, but only started 6. He was injured for a time, but was also suspended in November for criticizing his coach.

After the 1968 season he was traded to the Cowboys for a bag of beans. For 2 seasons, he played behind 6-year starter Pettis Norman, then behind Billy Truax in 1971.

Ditka started every game during the 1972 season, his last before retiring. He played in 9 post-season games with the Cowboys, including 2 Super Bowls.

Mike was an assistant coach for the Cowboys from 1973-81, the Bears' head coach from 1982-92, and the Saints' head coach from 1997-99.

Ditka was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988, the first tight end to be so honored.

With #89 already taken in Philadelphia, Ditka chose to flip the digits.

Here are his 2 cards while a member of the Eagles.

Joe Carollo - T

Joe Carollo played for the Eagles in 1969 and 1970 starting every game at right tackle for those years.

Joe was the Rams' #2 pick in the 1962 draft, and started at left tackle every season from 1962-68. He played in all but one game in those 7 seasons, and since 1963 started all but one game. Carollo also made the Pro Bowl in 1968.

After the 1968 season, he was included in the trade that sent the disgruntled Bob Brown out of Philadelphia. The Eagles also received CB Irv Cross and guard Don Chuy, in exchange for Brown and CB Jim Nettles. It wasn't fair value for Brown, but he announced he wouldn't play for the Eagles (with Pete Retzlaff as the GM) so they had little leverage.

The Eagles traded him back to the Rams just before the 1971 season, replacing him with Steve Smith (who was acquired from the Vikings for Norm Snead).

Joe played one more season with the Rams, then finished up with the Browns from 1972-73. He started no games after leaving the Eagles.

There were no football cards made for Joe Carollo, but he did appear on this 1969 Topps stamp:

Where's Waldo Joe?

Randy Beisler - G/DT

Randy Beisler was the Eagles' 1st-round pick (4th overall) in 1966. He played every game in his first 2 seasons, but only started half the games.

I'm not sure what position he played in 1966 because regular guards Ed Blaine and Jim Skaggs started 13 and 14 games respectively. Maybe one of those 3 played left tackle for 4 games, since regular tackle Lane Howell only played (and started) 10 games that season. Beisler may have also been used at defensive end, as D-ends Don Hultz and Gary Pettigrew also missed a few starts, and Pro-Football-reference.com doesn't indicate any backup defensive end making some starts.

In 1967 Randy started 8 games, and it may again have been at left OT and defensive end, because Howell, Hultz, and Pettigrew missed a combined 8 starts.

Beisler only played 8 games in 1968, and started them all. He played at left DT, due to the regular (Floyd Peters) missing all but 5 games due to injury. That's a bit surprising, because DE Don Hultz had been replaced by rookie Tim Rossovich, and rode the bench for 9 games.


Another example of the freak-show that was the Eagles' front office in 1968/69:
After having bungled the 1969 draft (losing out on #1 pick O.J. Simpson by winning 2 of their final 3 games in 1968 after starting out 0-11, then compounding that blunder by picking RB Leroy Keyes one pick ahead of the Steelers taking Joe Greene) the Eagles cut their lone backup QB (John Huarte) on 9/1/69. One week later, realizing they needed a 2nd quarterback, Beisler was traded to the 49ers for backup QB George Mira.  

WHY WOULD THE EAGLES TRADE THEIR #1 PICK FROM 1966, WHO STARTED HALF THE GAMES FOR 3 SEASONS, FOR A BACKUP QB WHO WAS CLEARLY A STIFF? (6 starts in 5 previous years, 1 start in his only season with the Eagles, then waived a year later.) Answer: They're the Eagles... They did dumb stuff! (If you think they learned their lesson, revisit the Greg Barton/Pete Liske saga just 2 years later.)


Randy played guard for the 49ers for the next 6 years (starting almost every game from 1970-72). He would have come in handy for the Eagles, who tried to get by in those years with the likes of Mark Nordquist, Henry Allison, Vern Winfield, Tom Luken, Roy Kirksey, and an aging John Niland at guard.

Beisler finished his career with the Chiefs in 1975.

Beisler had no cards while with the Eagles. This 1968-style card is made by RetroCards.


Where's Waldo Randy?

Earl Gros - FB

Earl Gros played fullback for the Eagles for 3 seasons, and was the starter for 2 1/2 seasons.

He was the Packers' 1st-round pick in 1962. After two seasons as a backup (they had Jim Taylor ahead of him), Gros was included in the May 1964 Jim Ringo trade to the Eagles (for linebacker Lee Roy Caffey and a 1st-round pick, which became Donny Anderson).

Gros immediately took over the starting fullback role in Philly. He played all but 1 game from 1964-66, starting 12, 14, and 6 games in that span.

In March 1967 he was traded to the Steelers (with guard Bruce Van Dyke) for receiver Gary Ballman. He rode the bench for a year, then was their starting fullback in '68 and '69.

Earl finished up in 1970, playing 1 game for the Saints before they waived him in September.

These are Gros' 3 Eagles cards (1965-67). By 1967 he was with the Steelers.


Where's Waldo Earl?

(Sitting next to his former Packers' teammate Jim Ringo - #54).

Jim Nettles - CB

Jim Nettles played for the Eagles from 1965 to 1968, wearing the #9 jersey recently vacated by quarterback Sonny Jurgensen.

Jim was the starting right cornerback during the '66 and '67 seasons, but inexplicably lost that job in 1968 to Alvin Haymond.  (Haymond was acquired from the Colts for running back Timmy Brown, and had mostly been a punt returner during his 4 years in Baltimore.)

After the 1968 season, Nettles and T Bob Brown were traded to the Rams for CB Irv Cross, T Joe Carollo, and G Don Chuy.  Jim played his final 4 seasons with Los Angeles, and was their starting left corner in 1971 and their starting free safety in 1972.

Nettles' only card was in the 1973 set, after his career was over.


Where's Waldo Jim?

Leroy Keyes - HB/S

Leroy Keyes!  Just the mention of his name invokes groans from long-time Eagles fans.

Keyes was the Eagles' #1 draft pick in 1969, and played for them for four seasons.  Although not a complete bust, he was not very good, considering his 1st-round status.

Even more so when you consider the backstory: The Eagles lost their first 11 games in 1968, then foolishly won 2 of their final 3 games, thereby forfeiting the chance to select O.J. Simpson in the 1969 draft. As if that wasn't bad enough, look who was drafted right behind Keyes, in the chart below!

Keyes started 11 games at halfback in 1969, rushing for 361 yards. He was less than impressive, especially in 1970 when he played 3 games (starting none) and rushed for 7 total yards.

He was switched to strong safety in 1971, and started every game there for the next 2 seasons, picking up six interceptions in '71 and two in '72. The Eagles had seen enough, and would draft strong safety Randy Logan in the 3rd round in 1973.

In May 1973 the Birds pawned him off on the Chiefs, receiving aging defensive end Gerry Philbin in exchange for Keyes and DT Ernie Calloway. He played only 3 games for Kansas City in 1973, then was done.

Keyes had cards in the 1972 and 1973 sets.

Where's Waldo Leroy?

Ernie Calloway - DT/DE

Ernie Calloway was a defensive lineman for the Eagles from 1969 to 1972. He was a starter for all of 1970-71, and for parts of '69 and '72.

Calloway was the Eagles' 2nd-round pick in 1969. As a rookie he started 8 games at right defensive tackle, splitting the position with Gary Pettigrew.

In 1970 he took over the left tackle position, replacing long-time veteran Floyd Peters, who was traded to the Redskins. After 5 games, left end Tim Rossovich was moved to middle linebacker, so Ernie slid over to end for the rest of the season, with 1965-67 left end starter Don Hultz regaining a starting role at tackle.

The Birds drafted defensive end Richard Harris with their #1 pick in 1971, and he started 10 games at left end. Calloway made the other 4 starts, and also started 8 games at right tackle, once again in place of Pettigrew.

Ernie only played 5 games in 1972 (all starts), and I recall that he missed most of the season due to injury. In early 1973 he was traded to the Chiefs for defensive end Gerry Philbin, but Pro-Football-Reference.com doesn't have any further NFL time for him after 1972.

He also played for the WFL's Florida Blazers in 1974. He was given a look-see by the Saints in 1976, but did not make the team.

This is his only football card - from the 1973 set.


Where's Waldo Ernie?

Notice he wore #57 as a rookie, before switching to #77.

Mike Morgan - LB

Mike Morgan was the Eagles' 17th-round pick in 1964. He played for the Eagles for 4 seasons, starting at left linebacker each year. From 1966 to 1970, he started just over half of his team's games.

He had no interceptions as a rookie, but did return a fumble for a touchdown. He had one interception in each of his other 3 seasons with the Birds.

Morgan was traded to the Redskins after the 1967 season, and then played for the Saints in 1969 and 1970.

He passed away in 1996 at age 54.

Morgan only had one Topps football card (1971, after his career was over). Retrocards has recently included him in their 1966 "Third Series" set.


Where's Waldo Mike?

Ike Kelley - MLB

Dwight "Ike" Kelley was a middle linebacker by trade, but was used almost exclusively on special teams. (Maybe his 5'11" height had something to do with that?)

He was a 17th-round pick in 1966, and played in 67 games over the next 6 seasons.  He played every game in '66, '67, '69, and '71, and 11 games in 1970. (Ike missed the entire 1968 season, and 3 games in 1970 due to injury.)

He only had 7 career starts - 3 in each of his first two seasons, and 1 in his last season.

Kelley spent the entire 1972 season on injured reserve, and was cut during training camp in 1973.

Being a special teams player, Kelley never had a football card. Apparently Topps changed their thinking in 1971, since that set includes a number of kick returners who rarely started games (including the Eagles' Billy Walik).

Where's Waldo Ike?

Harold Wells - LB

Harold Wells was an undrafted free agent from Purdue when he signed with the Eagles in 1965.

He played in every game for the Eagles for the next 4 seasons, including starting every game at right linebacker from 1966-68.

After 3 seasons as a regular, he was cut during 1969's training camp. That seems a bit odd, given the shortage of linebackers the team had during 1968.

The record shows he was quickly picked up and released by the Giants. The Falcons also took a look at him in 1970, but he never played again after his Eagles' career.

Wells had no football cards made by Philly Gum or Topps. This is a custom card by RetroCards that I just got last month as part of their 1968 Eagles set.


Where's Waldo Harold?

Ron Medved - S

Ron Medved was drafted in the 14th round by the Eagles in 1966, after a 3-year career at the University of Washington as a running back and punter.

With the Eagles, he was a backup safety for 5 seasons (1966-70), playing behind Nate Ramsey and Joe Scarpati (and in 1970, Ramsey and the newly-acquired Steve Preece). He started 3 games in each of his first two seasons.

For part of the 1968 season, he was a starting outside linebacker, as injuries devastated the linebacking corps that year.

Medved started 6 games in 1970, which was a lucky break for him. (Long-time free safety Scarpati was traded to make room for 2nd-year man Bill Bradley, but Bradley missed most of the season with injuries. Safeties Ramsey and Preece each started 10 games, but Ramsey missed the final 3 games after being shot on the streets of Philadelphia.)

Despite his increased playing time in 1970 (and Ramsey moving to cornerback in 1971), Medved was waived during training camp in 1971, ending his career.

After reading recent accounts of Tim Rossovich following his death, it sounds like Medved may have been Tim's wingman for their off-field adventures.

As a career backup, Medved had no football cards.


Where's Waldo Ron?

Ron Goodwin - FL/SE

Ron Goodwin was the Eagles' 16th-round draft pick in 1963. He played 6 seasons for the Eagles, the first 4 as a starter.

Goodwin played 10 games in his rookie season, starting them all. He was the team's split end for that one year, and wore #31.

In 1964 he changed numbers (to #81) and positions (to flanker, but was it really that much different?)

(I just noticed that in 1966, Goodwin started 9 games at flanker, while Fred Hill started 8 games at split end. Rookie Ben Hawkins started 12 games, presumably at both positions, so it seems Hawk made more starts that season than the "starters", but still was #4 among the four ends, with slightly less receptions and yards than the #3 end Goodwin.)

In 1967 Hawkins took over the flanker spot (with newly-acquired Gary Ballman and Mike Ditka manning SE and TE), so Goodwin spent his final 2 seasons as a bench player.

After retiring from the Eagles, he earned his law degree and began practicing law.

He passed away in 2013 at age 72.

Goodwin's only football card came in the 1964 Philly Gum set.


Where's Waldo Ron?

.

Dave Recher - C

Another backup Eagles' offensive lineman named Dave, without a football card...

Dave Recher was the Eagles' backup center from 1965 to 1968, playing in 46 games but starting none. The first photo is from his rookie season, when he wore #51.

After playing all 14 games, he was selected by the Falcons in the 1966 expansion draft.

Dave never played for the Falcons, and must have been released as there is no record of a trade. He returned to the Eagles in 1966 and played in 10 games, now wearing #50.

Recher also played every game in 1967, and 8 games in 1968. His roster spot was taken by rookie Mike Evans, who played 6 games (4 starts) in 1968.


Where's Waldo Dave?

Dave Graham - T

Dave Graham was an offensive tackle for the Eagles. He was the team's 13th-round pick in the 1960 draft, but did not play until the 1963 season. It seems he was drafted as a future (but 2 years early?), because he was still playing college ball in 1961.

Graham played 6 seasons in the NFL, all with the Eagles (1963-66, 68-69). He missed the '67 and '70 seasons due to injuries.

He played in 83 games, starting 31 of them.  Graham was the starting left tackle during his first 2 seasons, playing in 27 of the 28 games, and starting 22 of them.

Before the 1965 season, the Eagles acquired tackle Lane Howell from the Giants. With Howell taking over the LT job, and All-Pro Bob Brown already on the right side, there was nowhere for Graham to go but to the bench.

Dave played every game in '65, '66, '68, and '69, but only started 9 games after 1964, split between the '65 and '66 seasons.

He hung on as a backup for several more seasons, but was waived injured at the end of training camp in 1970, ending his career. His spot was taken by rookie Dick Stevens, also an Eagles' 13th-round pick (in 1970).

Graham did not appear on any Topps or Philly Gum football cards.


Where's Waldo Dave?

Tim Rossovich - DE/MLB

Tim Rossovich played for the Eagles for 4 seasons, and was a starter the entire time - first at defensive end, then at middle linebacker.

Tim was the Eagles' #1 pick in the 1968 draft, and became the starting left end as a rookie.  He played in all but 1 game during his 4 seasons with the Birds, missing a game in his final season.

Rossovich was a character off the field, known for setting his hair on fire, and other zany stunts like eating glass.

In 1969 he started every game, and was named to the Pro Bowl.

After 5 games in 1970, he was moved to middle linebacker, replacing the veteran Dave Lloyd. He started 13 games that season, and 12 of his 13 games in 1971.

During training camp in 1972, Rossovich and safety Bill Bradley decided to hold out together, thinking they would have more leverage in contract negotiations. The Eagles solved that problem by dealing Tim to the Chargers, then Bradley quickly caved and returned to the team.

After starting at middle linebacker for the Chargers in '72 and '73, he returned to Philadelphia with the WFL's Bell for the '74 and '75 seasons. When that league folded, he moved on to the Houston Oilers for his final season in 1976.

 Rosso "went Hollywood" after his playing career, appearing in various TV shows and movies.

He passed away in 2018 at age 72.

These are his only Eagles' cards - from 1970 and 1971.

Where's Waldo Tim?

Ron Porter - LB

Ron Porter was an outside linebacker who played for the Eagles from 1969-1972. He was a starter for all 4 seasons.

Porter was the Colts' 5th-round pick in 1967. After 2+ seasons in Baltimore he was traded to the Eagles for a 3rd-round pick after playing 2 games in 1969.

Ron was installed as the right-side starter and started 9 of his 10 games for the Eagles in 1969. He started every game the following season, and 11 of his 12 games in 1971.

Porter moved to the left side in 1972, and started all 14 games in his final season with the Birds.

He was traded to the Vikings in September 1973.

Porter also played in the WFL with the Chicago Fire (1974) and Philadelphia Bell (1975).

This is Porter's only football card - in 1973, which he spent with the Vikings.

Where's Waldo Ron?
 (I assumed this was a 1969 pre-season photo, but Porter did not join the team until October.)

Note: I added Ron Goodwin to the Memorial Sidebar today.