Reuben Frank addresses a pet peeve of mine regarding the Eagles and former Nittany Lions.

[19333lion]

This has always bugged me, although I love the fact that Saquon and Jahan will be front and center this year, they are the exception to the rule this Eagles writer describes:

"Considering Penn State is only 3 ½ hours west of Philly, it’s surprising how few Penn State players the Eagles have had over the years. The Eagles have drafted only four PSU players since 1985 – four in 40 years. And only one of them – Miles Sanders – played in more than 14 games in an Eagles uniform. Tony Stewart, a 5th-round tight end in 2001, played in three; Tony Hunt, a 3rd-round running back in 2007, played in 14; and Shareef Miller, a 4th-round edge in 2019, played in just one. Miller is the only defensive player the Eagles have ever drafted out of Penn State, and he played two total snaps in an Eagles uniform (both on special teams). Assuming Saquon Barkley and Jahan Dotson both start games this year, they’ll be only the second and third Penn State 1st-rounders to start a game in an Eagles uniform. The only previous one was Kenny Jackson. Zordich, who was here from 1994 through 1998, is the only Penn State player to start a game on defense for the Eagles, and that was 26 years ago. Only seven PSU players have started more than 10 games for the Eagles: Zordich (79 starts), offensive tackle Ron Heller from 1988 through 1992 (71), Jackson from 1984 through 1991 (53), Sanders from 2019 through 2022 (49), guard Stefen Wisniewski from 2016 through 2018 (24), tight end Vyto Kab from 1982 through 1985 (20) and quarterback Pete Liske in 1971 and 1972 (17). Last time two PSU players started a game for the Eagles in the same season was 1997, with Zordich and Michael Timpson. In addition to Barkley and Dotson, the Eagles also have PSU products Brandon Smith and P.J. Mustipher on the current roster."

 

[voltz99]

It is a non issue. Ruben frank is running out of boring things to say. There is a slight anomaly. Each team should have drafted about 6 players from PSU.


PS. The Eagles should draft more players from Alabama or Georgia.

 

[ryoder1]

This has always bugged me, although I love the fact that Saquon and Jahan will be front and center this year, they are the exception to the rule this Eagles writer describes:

"Considering Penn State is only 3 ½ hours west of Philly, it’s surprising how few Penn State players the Eagles have had over the years. The Eagles have drafted only four PSU players since 1985 – four in 40 years. And only one of them – Miles Sanders – played in more than 14 games in an Eagles uniform. Tony Stewart, a 5th-round tight end in 2001, played in three; Tony Hunt, a 3rd-round running back in 2007, played in 14; and Shareef Miller, a 4th-round edge in 2019, played in just one. Miller is the only defensive player the Eagles have ever drafted out of Penn State, and he played two total snaps in an Eagles uniform (both on special teams). Assuming Saquon Barkley and Jahan Dotson both start games this year, they’ll be only the second and third Penn State 1st-rounders to start a game in an Eagles uniform. The only previous one was Kenny Jackson. Zordich, who was here from 1994 through 1998, is the only Penn State player to start a game on defense for the Eagles, and that was 26 years ago. Only seven PSU players have started more than 10 games for the Eagles: Zordich (79 starts), offensive tackle Ron Heller from 1988 through 1992 (71), Jackson from 1984 through 1991 (53), Sanders from 2019 through 2022 (49), guard Stefen Wisniewski from 2016 through 2018 (24), tight end Vyto Kab from 1982 through 1985 (20) and quarterback Pete Liske in 1971 and 1972 (17). Last time two PSU players started a game for the Eagles in the same season was 1997, with Zordich and Michael Timpson. In addition to Barkley and Dotson, the Eagles also have PSU products Brandon Smith and P.J. Mustipher on the current roster."

Wow a lot of past PSU names brings back memories. Oh where have you gone Vyto Kab!

 

[Lion_Backer]

This has always bugged me, although I love the fact that Saquon and Jahan will be front and center this year, they are the exception to the rule this Eagles writer describes:

"Considering Penn State is only 3 ½ hours west of Philly, it’s surprising how few Penn State players the Eagles have had over the years. The Eagles have drafted only four PSU players since 1985 – four in 40 years. And only one of them – Miles Sanders – played in more than 14 games in an Eagles uniform. Tony Stewart, a 5th-round tight end in 2001, played in three; Tony Hunt, a 3rd-round running back in 2007, played in 14; and Shareef Miller, a 4th-round edge in 2019, played in just one. Miller is the only defensive player the Eagles have ever drafted out of Penn State, and he played two total snaps in an Eagles uniform (both on special teams). Assuming Saquon Barkley and Jahan Dotson both start games this year, they’ll be only the second and third Penn State 1st-rounders to start a game in an Eagles uniform. The only previous one was Kenny Jackson. Zordich, who was here from 1994 through 1998, is the only Penn State player to start a game on defense for the Eagles, and that was 26 years ago. Only seven PSU players have started more than 10 games for the Eagles: Zordich (79 starts), offensive tackle Ron Heller from 1988 through 1992 (71), Jackson from 1984 through 1991 (53), Sanders from 2019 through 2022 (49), guard Stefen Wisniewski from 2016 through 2018 (24), tight end Vyto Kab from 1982 through 1985 (20) and quarterback Pete Liske in 1971 and 1972 (17). Last time two PSU players started a game for the Eagles in the same season was 1997, with Zordich and Michael Timpson. In addition to Barkley and Dotson, the Eagles also have PSU products Brandon Smith and P.J. Mustipher on the current roster."

Cool Ron Heller story re: his trade to the Eagles in 1988.

".... Ron Heller was traded to the Eagles in 1988 from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Prior to that year's NFL Draft, the Buccaneers traded the fifth-year veteran offensive tackle to Philadelphia. But, Heller, who was without a contract, was unable to come to terms with the Eagles and was traded back to Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers then traded him again. This time to Seattle, where the Seahawks were considering having Heller replace veteran Mike Wilson, who was coming off of a less than stellar 1987 season. That seemed to light a fire under Wilson and led head coach Chuck Knox to trade Heller once again to the Eagles.

"Quite honestly, that kind of excited me because I really wanted to play on the East Coast somewhere," Heller says. "And the opportunity to play for (Eagles head coach) Buddy Ryan was exciting."

Trading for him twice, Ryan clearly must have thought Heller could fit into his program. Heller was not as sure. At least not right away. He still had to prove himself, and apparently the sooner the better.

"I'm adjusting my chinstrap and Buddy stopped practice and said, 'Well, let's see if this guy is worth a damn.' He made all the defensive linemen line up in single file and says, 'You're going to do one-on-one pass (protection drills) against all of them,'" Heller says. "And all I remember thinking is which one is Reggie White? Because I didn't know anybody.

"So I got down in the stance and I had to pass block the first guy, then the second guy, the third guy, the fourth ... I just went through it. There were about 10 of them. And when I was done with that, Buddy Ryan said, 'Alright. He'll do.' And then we lined up for team period and I went to the back to watch and he came over and said, 'Hey! We didn't trade for you to sit here and watch. Get in there with the first offense!'"

He remained with the starters the following season and was voted as the Offensive MVP by his teammates. "That was the single greatest award I've ever received as far as sports," says Heller, who was also one of the team's captains and the only player on offense who didn't miss a single snap. "To receive that was overwhelming, but knowing that the team voted on it. ... To this day it's one of the only trophies I display in my home." ....

Ron Heller Link

 

[The Spin Meister]

This has always bugged me, although I love the fact that Saquon and Jahan will be front and center this year, they are the exception to the rule this Eagles writer describes:

"Considering Penn State is only 3 ½ hours west of Philly, it’s surprising how few Penn State players the Eagles have had over the years. The Eagles have drafted only four PSU players since 1985 – four in 40 years. And only one of them – Miles Sanders – played in more than 14 games in an Eagles uniform. Tony Stewart, a 5th-round tight end in 2001, played in three; Tony Hunt, a 3rd-round running back in 2007, played in 14; and Shareef Miller, a 4th-round edge in 2019, played in just one. Miller is the only defensive player the Eagles have ever drafted out of Penn State, and he played two total snaps in an Eagles uniform (both on special teams). Assuming Saquon Barkley and Jahan Dotson both start games this year, they’ll be only the second and third Penn State 1st-rounders to start a game in an Eagles uniform. The only previous one was Kenny Jackson. Zordich, who was here from 1994 through 1998, is the only Penn State player to start a game on defense for the Eagles, and that was 26 years ago. Only seven PSU players have started more than 10 games for the Eagles: Zordich (79 starts), offensive tackle Ron Heller from 1988 through 1992 (71), Jackson from 1984 through 1991 (53), Sanders from 2019 through 2022 (49), guard Stefen Wisniewski from 2016 through 2018 (24), tight end Vyto Kab from 1982 through 1985 (20) and quarterback Pete Liske in 1971 and 1972 (17). Last time two PSU players started a game for the Eagles in the same season was 1997, with Zordich and Michael Timpson. In addition to Barkley and Dotson, the Eagles also have PSU products Brandon Smith and P.J. Mustipher on the current roster."

And it seemed the NY Giants drafted a Lion almost every year. Almost same distance but a different state.

 

[Hugh Laurie]

And it seemed the NY Giants drafted a Lion almost every year. Almost same distance but a different state.

Giants GM Ernie Accorsi and Joe became close friends dating back to Accorsi's brief stint as an assistant sports information director at PSU in the late '60s. Ernie was a Pennsylvania guy who grew up in Hershey and during his 12 year stint as Giants GM he would always look to Joe for talent. He thought highly of his players, thought they were well coached, and accordingly liked drafting them.

 

[Cowbell Man]

Cool Ron Heller story re: his trade to the Eagles in 1988.

".... Ron Heller was traded to the Eagles in 1988 from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks.

Prior to that year's NFL Draft, the Buccaneers traded the fifth-year veteran offensive tackle to Philadelphia. But, Heller, who was without a contract, was unable to come to terms with the Eagles and was traded back to Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers then traded him again. This time to Seattle, where the Seahawks were considering having Heller replace veteran Mike Wilson, who was coming off of a less than stellar 1987 season. That seemed to light a fire under Wilson and led head coach Chuck Knox to trade Heller once again to the Eagles.

"Quite honestly, that kind of excited me because I really wanted to play on the East Coast somewhere," Heller says. "And the opportunity to play for (Eagles head coach) Buddy Ryan was exciting."

Trading for him twice, Ryan clearly must have thought Heller could fit into his program. Heller was not as sure. At least not right away. He still had to prove himself, and apparently the sooner the better.

"I'm adjusting my chinstrap and Buddy stopped practice and said, 'Well, let's see if this guy is worth a damn.' He made all the defensive linemen line up in single file and says, 'You're going to do one-on-one pass (protection drills) against all of them,'" Heller says. "And all I remember thinking is which one is Reggie White? Because I didn't know anybody.

"So I got down in the stance and I had to pass block the first guy, then the second guy, the third guy, the fourth ... I just went through it. There were about 10 of them. And when I was done with that, Buddy Ryan said, 'Alright. He'll do.' And then we lined up for team period and I went to the back to watch and he came over and said, 'Hey! We didn't trade for you to sit here and watch. Get in there with the first offense!'"

He remained with the starters the following season and was voted as the Offensive MVP by his teammates. "That was the single greatest award I've ever received as far as sports," says Heller, who was also one of the team's captains and the only player on offense who didn't miss a single snap. "To receive that was overwhelming, but knowing that the team voted on it. ... To this day it's one of the only trophies I display in my home." ....

Ron Heller Link

One of the meanest MF’s to ever play in the NFL….

 

[Lion_Backer]

One of the meanest MF’s to ever play in the NFL….

From the mouth of Ronnie:

"I hate to even mention this, but I did have somewhat of a reputation for being a dirty player and that always bothered me. In the 12 years that I was a starter (with Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, and Miami), I never had a personal foul. I got my share of holding calls and such, but I never hit anybody late," Heller says.

"But, yeah, it tended to make guys mad when some linebacker's going to dive on a pile and I would dive and pick him off. They'd get up yelling at me that that's a cheap shot. And I'm like, 'Wait a minute, you're in the air ready to hit my running back and yet I hit you while you're doing that action and you're saying I'm late?' They just weren't used to it."

 

[Kasparaitis]

This has always bugged me, although I love the fact that Saquon and Jahan will be front and center this year, they are the exception to the rule this Eagles writer describes:

"Considering Penn State is only 3 ½ hours west of Philly, it’s surprising how few Penn State players the Eagles have had over the years. The Eagles have drafted only four PSU players since 1985 – four in 40 years. And only one of them – Miles Sanders – played in more than 14 games in an Eagles uniform. Tony Stewart, a 5th-round tight end in 2001, played in three; Tony Hunt, a 3rd-round running back in 2007, played in 14; and Shareef Miller, a 4th-round edge in 2019, played in just one. Miller is the only defensive player the Eagles have ever drafted out of Penn State, and he played two total snaps in an Eagles uniform (both on special teams). Assuming Saquon Barkley and Jahan Dotson both start games this year, they’ll be only the second and third Penn State 1st-rounders to start a game in an Eagles uniform. The only previous one was Kenny Jackson. Zordich, who was here from 1994 through 1998, is the only Penn State player to start a game on defense for the Eagles, and that was 26 years ago. Only seven PSU players have started more than 10 games for the Eagles: Zordich (79 starts), offensive tackle Ron Heller from 1988 through 1992 (71), Jackson from 1984 through 1991 (53), Sanders from 2019 through 2022 (49), guard Stefen Wisniewski from 2016 through 2018 (24), tight end Vyto Kab from 1982 through 1985 (20) and quarterback Pete Liske in 1971 and 1972 (17). Last time two PSU players started a game for the Eagles in the same season was 1997, with Zordich and Michael Timpson. In addition to Barkley and Dotson, the Eagles also have PSU products Brandon Smith and P.J. Mustipher on the current roster."

To be honest, the Eagles have never been known as a top drafting organization.