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Original entry- http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/ne...b-b9ba327356d4
SELECTED EXCERPTS--
Related story-http://igglesblitz.com/2015/07/final-back-great/
SELECTED EXCERPTS--
I think the best 4-3 linebacking corps ever would be the heart of the Steel Curtain defense. You had Jack Lambert in the middle running the show. Some people think Jack Ham was even better than Lambert. Ham finished his career with 32 interceptions, an unheard of total for a linebacker. Both Ham and Lambert were first-team All-Pro six times. That's amazing. Andy Russell is the unknown member of the group and he played in seven Pro Bowls, including some before Ham or Lambert were drafted by the Steelers.
You can argue that the Eagles’ trio of Seth Joyner, Byron Evans and William Thomas is one of the best of all time. I think they are criminally underrated. Most people fixate on the great Eagles defensive line of Reggie White, Clyde Simmons and Jerome Brown. The secondary also gets lots of attention because Eric Allen was such a playmaker, with Wes Hopkins and Andre Waters being devastating hitters who struck fear into opposing runners and receivers.
The heart of the Gang Green defense was the linebacker corps. Joyner was the best of the bunch. He should be in serious consideration for the Hall of Fame, but 4-3 linebackers have a hard time getting in. Joyner was a dominant force for the Eagles from 1987 to 1993. He only made the Pro Bowl twice in that span, but that was due to a bias toward 3-4 linebackers more than anything Joyner did. He was so good in 1991 that Sports Illustrated named him NFL Player of the Year. That is amazing for someone who played strong side linebacker in the 4-3.
The trio of Joyner, Evans and Willie T. wasn't just special because of individual stats. They were part of some great defenses. They played together from 1991-93 and did some amazing things. The Eagles finished first in total defense, run defense and pass defense in 1991, something that hadn't been done in more than 15 years. The Eagles didn't allow a 100-yard rusher at all in 1991 and it wasn't until the eighth game of 1992 that the streak was broken. After giving up more than 100 yards to Emmitt Smith at midseason, no other runner broke the century mark the rest of the regular season.
Joyner, Evans and Thomas were also a winning combination. The Eagles went 25-10 with them as the primary linebacker trio. That figure is limited because Thomas was a backup for the first eight games of 1991 and Evans missed 5 games in 1993. In those 13 games, the Eagles went 4 and 9.
You can argue that the Eagles’ trio of Seth Joyner, Byron Evans and William Thomas is one of the best of all time. I think they are criminally underrated. Most people fixate on the great Eagles defensive line of Reggie White, Clyde Simmons and Jerome Brown. The secondary also gets lots of attention because Eric Allen was such a playmaker, with Wes Hopkins and Andre Waters being devastating hitters who struck fear into opposing runners and receivers.
The heart of the Gang Green defense was the linebacker corps. Joyner was the best of the bunch. He should be in serious consideration for the Hall of Fame, but 4-3 linebackers have a hard time getting in. Joyner was a dominant force for the Eagles from 1987 to 1993. He only made the Pro Bowl twice in that span, but that was due to a bias toward 3-4 linebackers more than anything Joyner did. He was so good in 1991 that Sports Illustrated named him NFL Player of the Year. That is amazing for someone who played strong side linebacker in the 4-3.
The trio of Joyner, Evans and Willie T. wasn't just special because of individual stats. They were part of some great defenses. They played together from 1991-93 and did some amazing things. The Eagles finished first in total defense, run defense and pass defense in 1991, something that hadn't been done in more than 15 years. The Eagles didn't allow a 100-yard rusher at all in 1991 and it wasn't until the eighth game of 1992 that the streak was broken. After giving up more than 100 yards to Emmitt Smith at midseason, no other runner broke the century mark the rest of the regular season.
Joyner, Evans and Thomas were also a winning combination. The Eagles went 25-10 with them as the primary linebacker trio. That figure is limited because Thomas was a backup for the first eight games of 1991 and Evans missed 5 games in 1993. In those 13 games, the Eagles went 4 and 9.
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