Great Train Robberies by Eagles...

Just looking for an off-topic to distract us from the current frustration of losing an All-Pro LT (Peters)... plus the fact there are no weekend signings in free agency to report, not to mention the news that Demetrius Bell left Philly without a contract or a callback.

It's okay. This breather gives us a chance to reflect on positive things. Like how about the greatest draft pick bargains the Eagles ever signed?

I know, it's better for ratings to pile onto the "Greatest Draft Pick Flops" in the NFL... but seriously, how many times can you poke your spikes into Ryan Leaf or Mike Mamula before you decide it's already been played and done?...
So for a change of pace, here's a list of the Eagles' Five Greatest Draft Steals of all time...

This list was submitted by a local fan named Wes Trunell. I find it worthy...and inspiring...

Most draft "experts" will talk about and focus on the early rounds but championships are won in the later rounds; just ask Patriot fans what a late round steal can do for a franchise. The Eagles have had their fair share of late round picks that turned out to be great players.

Here are the best "steals" in Eagles history:


Seth Joyner (1986-1993 with Eagles), LB, 6-2, 245, U. of Texas at El Paso...

Seth Joyner

Seth Joyner was selected in the 8th round of the of the 1986 draft out of Texas El-Paso. He was a versatile linebacker that was often overshadowed by the outside sack-masters of his era, such as Lawrence Taylor. Joyner was actually cut by Eagles Head Coach Buddy Ryan in the preseason in 1986 before being brought back later in the season and being tossed into the starting lineup. In his first game he had eight solo tackles and he became entrenched as a full time starter. His most famous game was in 1991 on the big stage of Monday night football against the Houston Oilers. Playing with a fever from being sick the week leading up to the game, he had 13 solo tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries to go along with 2 sacks. Joyner became the vocal leader of one of the best defenses in Eagles history and was an 8th-round steal.


Clyde Simmons (1986-1993 with Eagles), DE/DT, 6-5, 292, Western Carolina....

Clyde Simmons

In the same season the Eagles selected Seth Joyner, they got their bookend for Reggie White with their very next pick. Clyde Simmons was an undersized defensive end at 240 pounds from a small school, Western Carolina, and because of that the Eagles were able to grab him with the 233rd pick in the 9th round of the 1986 draft. (He later bulked up to 292 pounds with the Eagles). Clyde Simmons was always overshadowed by Reggie White, but his stats are nothing to snub your nose at. He finished his career with the Eagles at 76.5 sacks, second to only his counterpart Reggie White in Eagles team history... his total career sacks are 121.5. He also set a single game record of 4.5 sacks against the Dallas Cowboys in 1991. In 1992, Simmons led the NFL with 19 sacks, two short of the Eagles single season record. Clyde Simmons never got the credit he deserved in the national sports media, but ask older Eagles fans and they will tell you how great he was.

Trent Cole

In the 5th round of the 2005 NFL Draft with the 146th pick the Eagles selected defensive end Trent Cole from Cincinnati. After seven years Cole has established himself as a leader of not only the defense but the team itself. With no real bookend opposite Cole until perhaps Babin last season, he has put up impressive numbers. Listed at 6-2 and only 236 pounds, Cole was undersized as a defensive end, maybe even undersized for a linebacker. Due to that size issue he was projected to be a 5th or 6th round pick---and the Eagles found a late-round gem. Cole bulked up with the Eagles and now plays closer to 265 pounds. He has totaled 329 tackles and 68 career sacks so far, 62 sacks have come since becoming a full time starter in 2006, that's an average of 10.5 a season. Cole's career is far from over and if he keeps up at his current pace he could establish himself as one of the best statistical defensive ends in Eagles history.

Tom Brookshier

Tom Brookshier was selected in the 10th round of the 1953 draft. A 6-0, 196-pound defensive back out of Colorado, Brookshier makes the list because of his role in the last championship the Eagles won in 1960. Eagles fans in my family have told stories of Tom Brookshier and how well he played at cornerback and safety. Brookshier turned in an outstanding rookie season in 1953 with eight interceptions. He left the team for two years while serving in the United States Air Force in 1954 and 1955 before returning to the Eagles in 1956. Brookshier was not the fastest of defensive backs for his time, but he fit the Eagles zone defense perfectly. He was also admired by Eagles fans for how hard he played and how hard he hit. Brookshier ended his career in 1961 with a career total of 20 interceptions and a championship. He was a an excellent coverage and tackling corner and will always be remembered as such. Of course, he then went on to broadcasting success with the CBS network...and later, local station WIP.

Harold Carmichael

Little question about it, Harold Carmichael is the "biggest" steal of the Eagles draft history. With the 161st pick in the 7th round of the 1971 NFL draft the Eagles selected perhaps the best wide receiver in their history. At 6-8 and 225 pounds out of Southern University, Carmichael was ahead of his time; he was almost impossible to defend. Carmichael was passed up by NFL franchises because of his size, the very thing that helped make him so great. He played on some pretty bad offenses which hurt his career numbers, as the Eagles didn't have a winning season from 1971 until 1978. Under Coach Dick Vermeil he had his best seasons and the Eagles went to the Super Bowl following the 1980 season. In his career Carmichael went from the basement to the top, and he was a big part of the Eagles success in the late 70's and early 80's. He finished his career with 590 receptions for 8,985 yards, a 15.2 average and 79 touchdowns, not bad for a 7th round draft pick.

Ah, it's nice to dream. But hard to believe guys like Carmichael, Joyner and Simmons (let alone Cole and Brookshier) could slip through today's ultra-scouting web. Spies and flies everywhere.

The draft is a funny thing, there are no sure fire winners. A lot of first round picks will become high priced busts and a number of mid-round picks will become team leaders and contribute to their franchises' future successes. With the 2012 draft approaching there may be a great sleeper pick in the later rounds. My hope is that the Eagles are the ones that get a little lucky once again.

You may have your own particular Eagles favorite "draft steals" of all time...  I would love to hear about them. And besides, it's April...and it won't be long now before we're drafting the future for real...