Gunnels was drafted by the Steelers in 1959, but did not make the team. He played for the Eagles from 1960-64, with 13 of his 24 starts coming in 1962.
Gunnels returned to the Steelers for 1965 and 1966.
EAGLES' FOOTBALL (1966-75)
A look back at the decade of Eagles' history just prior to the arrival of Dick Vermeil.
These were the Eagles' teams of my youth - where the only constant was futility.
Showing posts with label ...defensive tackles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ...defensive tackles. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
RIP - Riley Gunnels
Riley Gunnels, a defensive tackle for the Eagles from 1960-64, passed away on December 9, 2024 at age 87, in Somers Point, NJ.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
RIP - Gary Pettigrew
Gary Pettigrew, a defensive lineman for the Eagles from 1966-74, passed away on January 21, 2023 at age 78.
Pettigrew was a 2nd-round pick in 1966, and started 10 games at right defensive end in each of his first 2 seasons.
In 1968 the Birds revamped their defensive line, putting 1968 #1 pick Tim Rossovich at LE and 2nd-year man Mel Tom at RE. Pettigrew moved to right DT, where he stayed for the next few years.
Starting all 14 games in 1968, he was limited to 6 starts in 1969, missing 7 games due to injury.
In 1970 he again started every game at RDT, but the next 2 seasons found him mostly riding the bench, behind regulars Don Hultz, Ernie Calloway (in '71), and Houston Antwine ('72), only starting 6 of his 13 games in '71 and 2 of his 13 games in '72.
Gary was back in the lineup in 1973, starting 12 of his 14 games, but this time at left tackle.
After 4 games (no starts) in 1974, he was traded to the Giants, and retired after the season.
Monday, January 18, 2021
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.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
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'sWaldo Randy?
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.
Where's
Monday, September 30, 2019
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'sWaldo Ernie?
Notice he wore #57 as a rookie, before switching to #77.
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.
Where's
Notice he wore #57 as a rookie, before switching to #77.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Floyd Peters - DT
Floyd Peters played 6 seasons for the Eagles (1964-69), and was their starting left defensive tackle for 5 1/2 seasons (missing much of 1968 due to injury).
Peters was drafted by the Colts in 1958, but spent that season on their taxi squad. He began his career with the Browns, playing in Cleveland from 1959-62 and starting at right defensive tackle for the last 3 seasons.
He then played 1 year as the Lions' left DT, before coming to the Eagles in April 1964 (with running back Ollie Matson) for tackle J.D. Smith.
Floyd started 14, 9, 14, and 12 games over the next 4 seasons before missing all but 5 games in 1968. He returned to start all 14 games in 1969, his last as an Eagle. He made 3 Pro Bowls while with the Eagles ('64, '66, '67).
Peters was waived in the Spring of 1970, but hooked on with the Redskins as a player/coach for 1970. He played in 10 games (9 starts) in his final season.
Peters was a defensive coordinator for 6 teams from 1974-1994.
He passed away in 2008 at age 82.
Here are Peters' 1967 and 1968 cards. He also had a card in the 1965 set.
Where'sWaldo Floyd?
Peters looks older than the head coach sitting next to him!
Peters was drafted by the Colts in 1958, but spent that season on their taxi squad. He began his career with the Browns, playing in Cleveland from 1959-62 and starting at right defensive tackle for the last 3 seasons.
He then played 1 year as the Lions' left DT, before coming to the Eagles in April 1964 (with running back Ollie Matson) for tackle J.D. Smith.
Floyd started 14, 9, 14, and 12 games over the next 4 seasons before missing all but 5 games in 1968. He returned to start all 14 games in 1969, his last as an Eagle. He made 3 Pro Bowls while with the Eagles ('64, '66, '67).
Peters was waived in the Spring of 1970, but hooked on with the Redskins as a player/coach for 1970. He played in 10 games (9 starts) in his final season.
Peters was a defensive coordinator for 6 teams from 1974-1994.
He passed away in 2008 at age 82.
Where's
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Gary Pettigrew - DE/DT
Gary Pettigrew played for the Eagles for 9 seasons. He was a starter for 5 seasons and for half of 2 other seasons.
Pettigrew was the Eagles' 2nd-round pick in the 1966 draft, and joined the starting lineup immediately as the right defensive end, replacing Bob Richards, who was lost to the Falcons in the expansion draft.
Gary started 10 games in each of his first 2 seasons, then moved to right tackle to start the 1968 season, after the retirement of John Meyers, who had started almost every game there for the previous 4 seasons. (Mel Tom then began his run as the starting right end.)
After starting every game in 1968, Pettigrew missed 7 games in 1969, but returned to start every game in 1970.
This is Pettigrew's only football card. By this time (1971) his best days were behind him.
1971 saw him moved to a backup role. He played in 13 games, but only started 6, as Ernie Calloway took over the position. The following season he also played 13 games, but this time only starting two games.
He made a comeback of sorts in 1973, playing every game (this time starting 12 games), although he was primarily the left tackle that season.
His final season was 1974. After 4 games riding the Eagles' bench he was waived, then picked up by the Giants where he started 4 of his 5 games with them before calling it a career.
Where'sWaldo Gary?
Pettigrew was the Eagles' 2nd-round pick in the 1966 draft, and joined the starting lineup immediately as the right defensive end, replacing Bob Richards, who was lost to the Falcons in the expansion draft.
Gary started 10 games in each of his first 2 seasons, then moved to right tackle to start the 1968 season, after the retirement of John Meyers, who had started almost every game there for the previous 4 seasons. (Mel Tom then began his run as the starting right end.)
After starting every game in 1968, Pettigrew missed 7 games in 1969, but returned to start every game in 1970.
1971 saw him moved to a backup role. He played in 13 games, but only started 6, as Ernie Calloway took over the position. The following season he also played 13 games, but this time only starting two games.
He made a comeback of sorts in 1973, playing every game (this time starting 12 games), although he was primarily the left tackle that season.
His final season was 1974. After 4 games riding the Eagles' bench he was waived, then picked up by the Giants where he started 4 of his 5 games with them before calling it a career.
Where's
Monday, September 3, 2018
Don Hultz - DE/DT
By the way, beginning with Pete Retzlaff, I switched to posting these players in order of tenure with the Eagles (first, all players on board before 1970). Next up is defensive lineman Don Hultz.
Hultz was an Eagle for 10 seasons, 6 as a starter. He was acquired from the Vikings on 5/29/64 along with WR Ray Poage and 2 others for running back Ted Dean and the rights to Oregon QB Bob Berry.
Don was the Eagles' starting left defensive end for 3 games in 1964 and for most of 1965-67. He found a seat on the bench beginning in 1968, replaced by the Birds' #1 pick Tim Rossovich.
After 4 games in 1970, Rossovich moved to middle linebacker and Hultz regained a starting job, this time at left defensive tackle (with Ernie Calloway moving to end). Don continued in the starting lineup through the 1972 season, and played 3 games (1 start) in 1973.
Cut in May 1974, he was picked up by the Bears and finished his career with Chicago that season.
Here are Don's only football cards ('68, '73). Topps had trouble getting current photos of NFL players for their first series in 1968 (having only made AFL cards from 1964-67), so players for NFL teams are shown in 4-year-old photos. I don't know why he is listed as a DE-LB on his 1968 card, since there's no evidence he ever played linebacker.
Where'sWaldo Don?
Hultz was an Eagle for 10 seasons, 6 as a starter. He was acquired from the Vikings on 5/29/64 along with WR Ray Poage and 2 others for running back Ted Dean and the rights to Oregon QB Bob Berry.
Don was the Eagles' starting left defensive end for 3 games in 1964 and for most of 1965-67. He found a seat on the bench beginning in 1968, replaced by the Birds' #1 pick Tim Rossovich.
After 4 games in 1970, Rossovich moved to middle linebacker and Hultz regained a starting job, this time at left defensive tackle (with Ernie Calloway moving to end). Don continued in the starting lineup through the 1972 season, and played 3 games (1 start) in 1973.
Cut in May 1974, he was picked up by the Bears and finished his career with Chicago that season.
Here are Don's only football cards ('68, '73). Topps had trouble getting current photos of NFL players for their first series in 1968 (having only made AFL cards from 1964-67), so players for NFL teams are shown in 4-year-old photos. I don't know why he is listed as a DE-LB on his 1968 card, since there's no evidence he ever played linebacker.
Where's
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