Brian Mitchell played for the Eagles for three years, 2000-2002. If I’m picking my all-time favorite Eagles, Mitch is the returner. I loved that guy.

If you’re an older fan, watch this video for a great trip down memory lane. If you’re younger, educate yourself on the greatness of Brian Mitchell.

I thought this was a great sign, but alas it was one of the few bright spots in a bad, bad day.

Joe Buck is awfulll. '02 NFCCG, opening kickoff. Brian Mitchell returns it for 70-yards and he can barely muster any enthusiasm: pic.twitter.com/vCAuVmOMsM — KSkyhook33 (@KSkyhook33) December 16, 2016

And I agree about Joe Buck.

Mitchell is proof that the best free agent signings aren’t always the biggest names or the biggest contracts. Find the right guys for your team. I don’t think the Andy Reid era is the same without Mitch. He brought leadership and toughness to the STs units. John Harbaugh made that group a key in the team’s success.

*****

MY 5 FAVORITE EAGLES WHO PLAYED MOSTLY ELSEWHERE

RB/RS Brian Mitchell

DE William Fuller

WR Irving Fryar

RB Herschel Walker

QB Jeff Garcia

Mitchell is covered above.

Fuller is a player I’ve always loved. He was tough and physical, but also a productive pass rusher. Terrific LDE from 1994-1996.

Fryar was the first true West Coast Offense WR for the Eagles and boy was he exactly what Jon Gruden wanted. Fryar was willing to work the middle and take big hits. He would also give out some of his own and was a very good blocker. Great player in 1996 and 1997.

Walker was supposed to put the Eagles into the Super Bowl in 1992, but Jerome Brown died and that team had some issues, on and off the field. Still, Walker ran for more than 1,000 yards that year and delivered some big plays over the next couple of seasons.

Garcia was so much fun to watch when he took over for Donovan McNabb in 2006. He brought intensity and emotion to the huddle. That wasn’t always a good thing, but he led the team to the postseason and a win over the Giants. Garcia did his part in the loss to the Saints, but the defense stunk that day and the Eagles fell 27-24.

I could have listed some all-time great players like Norm Van Brocklin or Claude Humphrey, but wasn’t able to watch them enough for them to become favorites. I wasn’t old enough to see Van Brocklin at all, but even through highlights and stories…he’s just not a player that I loved. He will be that guy for some older fans who remember him as the last QB to bring a title to Philly.

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