Jerry Robinson Stands out in a Crowd at No. 56
Along comes a number rich in history, with more players than can be accommodated with just three ranked players and a runner-up.
For instance, does Chris Long deserve to be in the top three ahead of someone like Caldwell or Akeem Jordan or even Derrick Burgess, whose six sacks as a rookie in 2000 is still the team record for most sacks from a rookie defensive end?
What about Bryan Braman, a special teams star who played on the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII title team and made a key tackle on New England’s attempted double-reverse on the kickoff after the Eagles went ahead 41-33 late in SB LIII?
For the answers, please read on.
Here is a closer look at No. 56:
Current number 56:
Casey Toohill. The seventh-round pick from Stanford this past spring is considered an edge rusher and it is a position that the Eagles could use some help with, so maybe Toohill is able to come in and make enough to noise to earn a roster spot. More likely, he will be a practice squad player with some big-time upside.
Top 3 to wear number 56:
Chris Long. Yes, Long makes it. He spent just two seasons in Philly but developed such a strong bond with fans and the city that he said recently that he would retire as an Eagle if he ever chooses to announce his retirement. He played all 32 games during his two seasons with the Eagles and had 11.5 sacks.
It wasn’t even about the sacks with Long, but the pressure he generated as well as the chemistry he helped provide in the locker room, which was a key ingredient in the Eagles’ Super Bowl season.
Byron Evans. A fourth-round pick in 1988 out of Arizona, the middle linebacker played on some of Philly’s great defenses under Buddy Ryan but may have been overshadowed by teammates like Reggie White, Jerome Brown, Clyde Simmons, and Seth Joyner.
Evans didn’t become a starter until his third season then started the rest of his career. All eight of his NFL seasons were spent with the Eagles, making 91 starts, playing in 113 games and intercepting 13 passes.
Jerry Robinson. The last true linebacker the Eagles drafted in the first round Robinson arrived out of UCLA in 1979 as the 21st player taken overall. He started in Super Bowl XV, was a first-team All-Pro in 1981 and played six years in Philly, making 77 starts and playing in 87 games.
Linebacker Jerry Robinson was one of the best to wear No. 56 for Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles
He finished NFL career with seven years with the Los Angeles Raiders from 1985-1991.
In 13 seasons, he played in 184 games, starting 147 of them, making 12 interceptions and recovering 15 fumbles.
Runner-up:
Mike Caldwell. The Eagles were the fourth of six teams Caldwell would play for, but he spent the more time in Philly than the other cities, with four seasons logged with the Eagles. He played in 62 games as a linebacker with the Eagles from 1998-2001, with 29 starts. Caldwell had five sacks, three interceptions, and 254 combined tackles while in Philadelphia.
Others:
Bill Hewitt, Fred Whittingham, Bill Hobbs, Bill Overmyer, Dean Halverson, David Brown, Joe Kelly, Darrin Smith Shawn Barber, Greg Richmond, and Phillip Hunt.
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