RIP - Tuufuli Uperesa

Tuufuli Uperesa, who played briefly for the Eagles in 1971, passed away on June 21, 2021 at age 73. He was born in American Samoa in 1948, and died there as well. 

 

Uperesa, an offensive lineman, was the Eagles' 16th-round pick in 1970. After a season on the taxi squad, he played 2 games as a backup tackle in 1971.  He also played for 4 teams in the CFL from 1973-77. 

 

 

I remember seeing Uperesa listed in the Eagles' 1971 yearbook. It was a small, TV Guide-sized booklet that I bought (or got for free) at the Merit gas station on City Line Avenue in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia just before the 1971 season.

 

Unfortunately, I can't find it now. I last saw it in November 2011 when I scanned a few pages for this Eagles' blog post, but I've moved a few times since then and I don't know where it is. I have the 1972 and 1973 yearbooks, full-sized magazines titled "Eagle One" and "Eagle Two", but the 1971 yearbook is not with them. 

 

University of Montana obituary

 

Harold Carmichael - WR

As we leave the 1960s-era Eagles behind, let's take a look at the key Eagles from the 1970s, starting with Harold Carmichael.

Harold was the Eagles' 7th-round pick in 1971. Yes, SEVENTH! The Birds wasted their first 6 picks on DE Richard Harris, G Henry Allison, K Happy Feller (who drafts a kicker that high?) and 3 other guys who didn't even play, before selecting Carmichael. It's no wonder the team sucked so bad in the early-1970s. 

 

Carmichael played for the Eagles for 13 years, and was a starting wide receiver in all but his first 2 seasons. He started 6 games as a rookie, but it was as a tight end, filling in for the injured Gary Ballman. He also started 2 games in 1972. 

 

Why all the time on the bench? The Birds already had Harold Jackson and Ben Hawkins as wideouts. Jackson led the NFL in receiving yards in his first (1969) and last (1972) seasons with the Eagles. He also led in receptions in '72. 

 

After the 1972 season, Jackson was traded to the Rams for quarterback Roman Gabriel. Did they miss the league's top WR? No! Carmichael took Jackson's place, not only in the Eagles' lineup, but as the NFL's leader in catches and receiving yards! 

 

Carmichael made the Pro Bowl 4 times (1973, 1978-80), and started all but one game from 1973 to 1981. He missed 7 games 1982, but returned for 15 games in '83, his final season in Philly. 

 

He finished his career with 2 games for the Cowboys in 1984. 

 

RIP - Leroy Keyes

Leroy Keyes, the Eagles' 1st-round pick in 1969, passed away on April 15, 2021 at age 74.

Keyes finished 3rd and 2nd in the Heisman voting in his final 2 seasons at Purdue, then for the Eagles he played halfback for 2 seasons, and strong safety for 2 more before being dealt to the Chiefs.  

 

Philadelphia Eagles obituary  

 

ESPN obituary 

 

RIP - Irv Cross

Irv Cross, a cornerback for the Eagles and Rams in the 1960s, passed away on February 28, 2021 at age 81.

Cross was drafted by the Eagles in 1961, and became the starting right cornerback midway through his rookie year after Tom Brookshier suffered a career-ending broken leg. 

 

Irv was a starting corner through the 1965 season, then was traded to the Rams. He played 3 seasons with the Rams, then returned to the Eagles for his final NFL season (1969) in the deal that sent Bob Brown to LA. 

 

After coaching for the Eagles in 1970, Cross became a broadcaster, first locally in Philadelphia, then joining the CBS team in 1971 where he remained for 21 years. 

  

ESPN obituary

 

RIP - Cyril Pinder

We just discussed Cyril Pinder on this blog 4 posts ago, but now I learned he passed away on January 23, 2021 at age 74.

The Eagles may not have been a very good team from 1966-75, but they had no shortage of colorful player names on the roster: King Hill, Izzy Lang, Floyd Peters, Joe Lavender, and Cyril Pinder, among others. 

 

Pinder was drafted by the Eagles in 1968, to replace the departed Timmy Brown. After sharing the load with Lang and Leroy Keyes for 2 seasons, Cyril was the team's leading rusher in 1970. He brought that tidbit to the bargaining table before the following season, and was promptly given a ticket to Chicago. 

 

He played for the Bears and Cowboys from 1971-73, as well as Chicago's WFL team in 1974-75 before retiring.  

 

Chicago Bears obituary

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.

RIP - Don Zimmerman

Don Zimmerman, an Eagles' wide receiver from 1973-76, passed away on May 11, 2020 at age 70.

Zimmerman was drafted by the Eagles in 1972, and after a year on the taxi squad he was a starting wide receiver in '73 and '74, playing opposite Harold Carmichael.

In 1975, 2nd-year man Charlie Smith replaced him, limiting Don to just 3 starts. He began the 1976 season as an Eagle, and finished it as a Packer.

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?

RIP - Pete Retzlaff

Former Eagles' receiver and General Manager Pete Retzlaff passed away on April 10, 2020 at age 88.

Retzlaff played for the Eagles from 1956 to 1966, initially as a running back before switching to split end and eventually to tight end. He made the Pro Bowl 5 times and was 1st-team All-Pro in 1965.

He retired after the 1966 season, and was a local sports broadcaster for 2 years before filling the GM role from 1969-72. Among the players drafted under his watch were Bill Bradley ('69), Mark Moseley ('70), Harold Carmichael ('71), and John Bunting ('72).

Philadelphia Eagles obituary
 
USA Today obituary
 
ESPN obituary
 

RIP - Timmy Brown

Timmy Brown, the Eagles' starting halfback for the first half of the 1960s, passed away on April 4, 2020 at age 82.

After 1 game with the Packers in 1959, Brown joined the Eagles in 1960 and returned kicks until cracking the starting lineup in 1962. He was their featured back from 1962-66, and made the Pro Bowl in '62, '63, and '66.

After the 1967 season he was traded to the Colts, and primarily returned kicks. His final game was Super Bowl III against the Jets.

1963 Eagles: Sonny Jurgensen, Pete Retzlaff, Timmy Brown, Tommy McDonald ("We don't need no stinking facemasks!")

Brown became an actor after retiring from football, appearing in both the M*A*S*H movie and TV show, as well as other movies.

Philadelphia Eagles website obituary

Philadelphia Inquirer obituary

ESPN obituary

UPI obituary
. 

RIP - Tom Dempsey

Tom Dempsey, the Eagles kicker from midway through 1971 to 1974, passed away on April 4, 2020 at age 73. Dempsey was living in New Orleans, and had contracted COVID-19.

In 1970 he kicked a then-record 63-yard field goal, surpassing the previous 56-yard record.

WBRZ-TV (Baton Rouge) obituary

NFL.com obituary
.

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.