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USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mike Golic shares his favorite memory of Eagles legend and Hall of Fame CB Eric Allen
Mike Golic recalls an unforgettable moment with Eagles great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Allen Mike Golic and Eric Allen spent five seasons together as Philadelphia Eagles when the latter joined the organization as a rookie. Once that period ended, they eventually teamed up at ESPN. Fast forward to the present, and one of the greatest defensive backs in franchise history will enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Who better to share memories of him than his good friend and former teammate? NFL Network's highly popular Good Morning Football brand recently welcomed Golic to its breakfast table. He was a guest for just under ten minutes. The first question was about an Eric Allen memory. "(A cherished memory comes from) on the field, especially with that defense. Obviously, one of the big games, the 'House of Pain Game', when we played the Oilers in Houston. He had some pretty big hits in that game. E.A.'s known, obviously, for his interceptions, his returns, but he would stick you as well. I think that's the one thing about E.A. that people hadn't associated with him, as far as the finesse of interceptions, as far as touchdowns. But, he would stick you, and that was a Buddy Ryan defense. Everybody had to be a hitter on that defense." It's hard to think of Allen without reminiscing about his interception off the arm of Boomer Esiason and his fantastic return for six vs. the NY Jets. Too many, that moment serves as a microcosm of his brilliance. His coverage skills... The pick itself and, of course, his nose for the end zone... One could understand why moments as heart-stopping as that one would make it easy to forget he was also a big-hitter. Finally, his time has come. He gets his gold jacket. He'll see his bust for the first time. He'll make his speech at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. How can we say this politely? It's about doggone time! Congratulations to an Eagles icon and thank one of our favs, Mike Golic, for his story.
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
One last look at the greatest Eagles defensive series in franchise history
The Eagles have enjoyed some great defensive moments over the years, but nothing tops what we witnessed in Super Bowl 59. Take this from someone who has watched several decades of Philadelphia Eagles football. These are the thoughts of someone who watched Buddy Ryan's teams and saw so many great defensive performances. These are the thoughts of someone who watched Reggie White, Bud Carson, Jimmy Johnson, and this past football season. Based on the opponent, stage, and situation, the following statement can be made with confidence. There has never been a more impressive defensive series in this great franchise's history than the one we witnessed during the Kansas City Chiefs' fourth offensive drive in Super Bowl 59. Nothing compares. Several decades of history were relived before saying that. Yes, the Body Bag Game was considered. So was that 11-sack game vs. Troy Aikman and the Dallas Cowboys in 1991. An honorable mention is for the House of Pain Game vs. the Houston Oilers (also in 1991). It's also necessary to mention that time Philadelphia stopped Emmett Smith on fourth down not once, but twice. There was the 'The Greatest Goal-Line Stand Ever'. Philadelphia stopped the Arizona Cardinals seven times inside the one-yard line or closer, but that wasn't a game played in the Super Bowl. None of those aforementioned moments came vs. a favored two-time defending champion in search of an unprecedented 'three-peat'. It's for that reason that one defensive series on football's biggest stage stands alone and is head and shoulders above all others. With 8:38 remaining in the second quarter of SB LIX, Patrick Mahomes and his offensive teammates took the field hoping to chip away at a 10-0 Eagles lead. What came next was two sacks and a Cooper DeJean interception returned for six points by the then-rookie on his birthday. That expanded the lead to 16 points. Jake Elliott's extra point would put Philadelphia up on the scoreboard by a 17-0 margin. A.J. Brown hauled one in on a crossing route before halftime. 'The dagger', Jalen Hurts' bomb to DeVonta Smith, would rain down in the third quarter, but K.C.'s fourth offensive drive sealed this game. That drive is where the Birds imposed their will and broke that of the Chiefs. There was still much of the second quarter remaining and an entire half to play, but the game was over. The Eagles won their second Super Bowl in the same manner they won their first, by vanquishing a dynasty. It begged a question. If this defense can be this good against this team on this stage, what might the future look like? The answer is simple. The future is blinding for Vic Fangio and company moving forward. His core is young. Much of Philadelphia's defensive talent is still playing under their rookie contract. That means these guys will be around for a while. Can you imagine? Our jobs are easy. We need only watch them all grow up together. Much of the cast from the 2024-25 team is gone, but there's a solid foundation moving forward. Sure, we've seen great defenses in the past and so many great games and moments, but here's a statement that can be made with confidence. The best Eagles football may be yet to come.
