RIP - John Niland

John Niland, the Eagles' starting left guard in 1975, passed away on August 15, 2026 at age 82.

Niland was the Cowboys' 1st-round pick (5th overall) in 1966. He was the Cowboys' starting left guard for part of his rookie season, and for all of the following 8 seasons. He also played in Super Bowls V and VI. 

 

During that time, he was named to 6 Pro Bowls and was First-Team All-Pro 3 times. Niland credited his having to practice against Bob Lilly every day as contributing to his accomplishments. 

 

Niland spent his last season (1975) as the Eagles' starting left guard, filling in for Wade Key, who missed all but 2 games with injuries. 

   

RIP - Steve Zabel

Steve Zabel, a linebacker for the Eagles and Patriots from 1970-79, passed away on June 23, 2026 at age 78.

Zabel was the Eagles' 1st-round pick in 1970, and played tight end in his rookie season, starting 7 of his 14 games. 

The next year he moved to linebacker, and was a starter there for the next 4 seasons. He played on the left side in '71, '73, and '74, starting 11 or more games each year. In 1972, he was the starting middle linebacker (upon the abrupt pre-season trade of incumbent MLB Tim Rossovich), but missed half the games due to injury. 

In 1975 Zabel moved on to the Patriots, and was a starting outside linebacker for 4 seasons. He finished his career in 1979, as a backup for the Colts.

RIP - Charle Young

Charle Young, the Eagles' tight end from 1973 to 1976, passed away on May 12, 2026 at age 75.

Young was the Birds' #1 pick in 1973, and started every game in his 4 seasons with Philadelphia.

 

He was also named 1st-team All-Pro as a rookie, and made 3 Pro Bowls in his first 4 seasons.

 

Young also played for the Rams (1977-79), 49ers (1980-82), and Seahawks (1863-85).

    

1975 Eagles

After finishing at 7-7 in 1974, the 1975 Eagles regressed to 4-10 (including a 5-game mid-season losing streak), costing coach Mike McCormick his job.  

 

TE Charle Young was their only Pro Bowl player. Norm Bulaich and Steve Zabel were not on the team after 1974.

   

 

These two also played for the Eagles in 1975:

 

1974 Eagles

After a never-ending string of obituaries, how about if we look at some football cards? 

 

 

The 1974 Eagles posted a 7-7 record, their only non-losing season between 1967 and 1977. The next 2 seasons, they reverted to 4-10 records. 

 

Back in the day, I collected football cards only from 1967 to 1973. I got most of these cards on eBay a few months ago. 

 

It's odd that Topps chose John Reaves as the quarterback, when in the previous season Roman Gabriel started every game and led the league in attempts, completions, passing yards, touchdowns, and made the Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Reaves was 5 for 19 while playing part of only 1 game.

 

These players were also with the Eagles in 1974:

RIP - Ed Blaine

 Ed Blaine, the Eagles' starting left guard from 1963-66, passed away on March 22, 2026 at age 86. 

 

Blaine was drafted by the Packers in the 2nd round in 1962. After 1 season in Green Bay, he was traded to the Eagles. 

 

Ed played every game during his 4 seasons with the Birds, and started all but one game in '63 and one game in '66. He retired after the 1966 season, at age 26. 

 

He had always intended to only play 5 seasons, then become a doctor. Eventually he became one of the country's leading pharmaceutical researchers.

   

Eagles Cards Update

Today I have updated my "Vintage Eagles Cards Census" chart on this blog's sidebar. In the past few months, I have completed collecting the Eagles cards from '74, '75, and '76, and will be posting those sets on this blog soon. 

I have also added 1977-1980 to the sidebar chart. (I already have most of the 1979 Eagles.) Although not within the time period of this blog, I will be working to complete the Eagles' sets for 1977-1980 and also 1963. 

I also noticed recently that RetroCards.com has added the 49ers to their custom 1967 team sets (to go along with the Cowboys, Packers, Bears, and Saints.) I'm hoping they will eventually get around to the Eagles, not only for '67, but also for the 1969-72 sets.

RIP - Dick Absher

Dick Absher, a middle linebacker who played from 1967 to 1972, passed away on February 25, 2026 at age 81. 

 

Absher was the Eagles’ 5th-round pick in 1967. (Their 1967 draft was a complete washout – more on that below.) 

 

Shortly before his first season he was traded to the Redskins, and played 1 game each for the Redskins and the Falcons. 

Absher played 10 games (no starts) for the Falcons in 1968, then was with the Saints from 1969-71, and was their starting middle linebacker for 21 games from 1969-70. 

 

After spending 1971 on the Saints’ special teams, he wrapped up his career in 1972 in a similar role with the Eagles. 

 

Yahoo Sports obituary

 

The Eagles’ 1967 draft class was a complete bust:

 

The first pick was running back Harry Jones, who played 29 games (5 starts) over parts of 4 seasons with the club. His career rushing total was 85 yards, including zero yards while playing 12 games in 1969. 

 

Their third-round pick was running back Harry Wilson, who played in 6 games (2 starts) over 3 seasons. His career rushing total was 7 yards. 

 

Wide receiver Chuck Hughes was their fourth-round pick. He played 3 seasons with the Eagles on special teams, then spent 1 ¼ seasons with the Lions. In game #3 of his final season, he suffered a heart attack during the game, and is the only player to have died during an NFL game. 

 

Dick Absher was their fifth-round pick, but played for other teams in his first 5 seasons. He returned to the Eagles for his final season, and played in 8 games (no starts). 

 

The Eagles’ picks in round 2 and rounds 6 thru 17 never played in the NFL.