1992 Philadelphia Eagles discussion
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2024 4:28 pm
This current signing of Saquon Barkley is sort-of reminding me of that '92 Birds' campaign! Herschel, of course, was the key acquisition at RB that year. Logic indicated at the time that, despite already having Keith Byars, that a main-purpose marquee RB was needed in Philly to complement Cunningham who'd now return as well as Herschel, at least seemingly, being in a better place considering Minny's, at least apparent, misuse of him; Saquon, at least seemingly, being in a better place considering he being shackled by, simply, a team and OL that wasn't good.
1992, at first, seemed like it was what the doctor ordered! Walker's first two games he rushed for over 100, and in that big MNF win vs Big D in Wk#5 (to make it 4-0 for Philly), he scored two TDs! From there, however, along with the team in-general, it was really as good as it got. He'd finish with his first 1,000 yard season since he was in Dallas, but Y/A-wise he mustered even less (4.0) than either of his two full seasons with the Vikings (4.2 each). He also scored just 8 TDs in '92 as opposed to 10 the previous year. Rushed for less than 750 in '93 (though 4.3 Y/A this time) and from there his RB-use/production dwindled, devolving in a minimally-used all-purpose but mostly ST-player, especially by the time he made his last two stops in NYG and (back to) Dallas.
Perhaps this should have been a thread to wait for Leonard to post, but (again) this Barkley acquisition reminds me of '92 (I attended the opener vs the Saints) so may as well start an all-round convo about them. Not just Herschel to talk of, but this being the year after the loss of Jerome Brown and the final year with Reggie White in the City of Brotherly. Bud Carson was there again at DC, fresh off that Classic '91 defensive output. I believe it was after their Wk#11 loss at his very future-team (dropping Birds to, now, 6-4) that Reggie was quoted complimenting Brett Favre's play which, in turn, rubbed #12 and others the wrong way.
Didn't Byars play TE?
Eagles did falter after that SB-lookin' 4-0 start, but each loss was close. That 20-10 loss in the rematch at Dallas (which had to put to end any possible championship optimism from September) was their most-lopsided defeat. But a loss is still a loss and, a couple contrary examples, they barely beat the Cards at home for their 5th win (big goal-line stand game) and allowed those notorious 2-14 Hawks to bring them into OT in Wk#15!
For what its worth, in addition to having the #7 offense & #6 D, they returned to the playoffs - winning their last four - and did something they couldn't do when Buddy was there and that's win a January game! Of course Buddy a better overall HC than Kotite but post-season-wise, maybe Richie FWIW was just slightly better in that very category. I'm not sure the Eagles win that 1st-Rd game had Buddy still been onboard.
Not just their last playoff year with that basic core, but pretty much the last year before the team's identity really started to move away from Buddy Ball. Another 4-0 start in '93 but, this time, not just another fall-off from there, but no playoffs at all. Randall out again opening week. Enter Bubby Brister. Mark Bavaro was added on that off-season! James Lofton was present as well, again with the change-of-identity that would really change-up some more by the time Ray Rhodes benched #12 for Rodney Peete!
Overall thoughts?
1992, at first, seemed like it was what the doctor ordered! Walker's first two games he rushed for over 100, and in that big MNF win vs Big D in Wk#5 (to make it 4-0 for Philly), he scored two TDs! From there, however, along with the team in-general, it was really as good as it got. He'd finish with his first 1,000 yard season since he was in Dallas, but Y/A-wise he mustered even less (4.0) than either of his two full seasons with the Vikings (4.2 each). He also scored just 8 TDs in '92 as opposed to 10 the previous year. Rushed for less than 750 in '93 (though 4.3 Y/A this time) and from there his RB-use/production dwindled, devolving in a minimally-used all-purpose but mostly ST-player, especially by the time he made his last two stops in NYG and (back to) Dallas.
Perhaps this should have been a thread to wait for Leonard to post, but (again) this Barkley acquisition reminds me of '92 (I attended the opener vs the Saints) so may as well start an all-round convo about them. Not just Herschel to talk of, but this being the year after the loss of Jerome Brown and the final year with Reggie White in the City of Brotherly. Bud Carson was there again at DC, fresh off that Classic '91 defensive output. I believe it was after their Wk#11 loss at his very future-team (dropping Birds to, now, 6-4) that Reggie was quoted complimenting Brett Favre's play which, in turn, rubbed #12 and others the wrong way.
Didn't Byars play TE?
Eagles did falter after that SB-lookin' 4-0 start, but each loss was close. That 20-10 loss in the rematch at Dallas (which had to put to end any possible championship optimism from September) was their most-lopsided defeat. But a loss is still a loss and, a couple contrary examples, they barely beat the Cards at home for their 5th win (big goal-line stand game) and allowed those notorious 2-14 Hawks to bring them into OT in Wk#15!
For what its worth, in addition to having the #7 offense & #6 D, they returned to the playoffs - winning their last four - and did something they couldn't do when Buddy was there and that's win a January game! Of course Buddy a better overall HC than Kotite but post-season-wise, maybe Richie FWIW was just slightly better in that very category. I'm not sure the Eagles win that 1st-Rd game had Buddy still been onboard.
Not just their last playoff year with that basic core, but pretty much the last year before the team's identity really started to move away from Buddy Ball. Another 4-0 start in '93 but, this time, not just another fall-off from there, but no playoffs at all. Randall out again opening week. Enter Bubby Brister. Mark Bavaro was added on that off-season! James Lofton was present as well, again with the change-of-identity that would really change-up some more by the time Ray Rhodes benched #12 for Rodney Peete!
Overall thoughts?