Days until kickoff 38. Cecil Martin (FB, 1999-2002) Potent blocker cleared gaping running lanes in Andy Reid’s offense. Caught 81 passes in four seasons, before embarking on career in media and youth mentorship.

Heavenly 86th birthday Roman Gabriel Once a league MVP with the Rams, Gabriel spent his last five seasons in Philly, where he earned Comeback Player of the Year honors in 1973, and made the Pro Bowl that same year.

Days until kickoff 39. Quintin Demps (S, 2008-09) Lack of sturdy 39s thrusts this late-Reid Era pick into the countdown. Recorded 17 INTs after leaving town, but his lone Eagles pick was off Eli Manning in 2009.

From 1995 to 2000, the Eagles trotted out six different Week 1 starting QBs: 1995: Randall Cunningham (starter every year dating back to 1987) 1996: Rodney Pete 1997: Ty Detmer 1998: Bobby Hoying 1999: Doug Pederson 2000: Donovan McNabb (starter every year through 2009)

Heavenly 86th birthday Roman Gabriel Once a league MVP with the Rams, Gabriel spent his last five seasons in Philly, where he earned Comeback Player of the Year honors in 1973, and made the Pro Bowl that same year.

Days until kickoff 39. Quintin Demps (S, 2008-09) Lack of sturdy 39s thrusts this late-Reid Era pick into the countdown. Recorded 17 INTs after leaving town, but his lone Eagles pick was off Eli Manning in 2009.

Eagles last 10 season openers: 2025: vs DAL (Kickoff) (W 24-20) 2024: vs GB (Brazil) (W 34-29) 2023: at NE (W 25-20) 2022: at DET (W 38-35) 2021: at ATL (W 32-6) 2020: at WAS (L 27-17) 2019: vs WAS (W 32-27) 2018: vs ATL (Kickoff) (W 18-12) 2017: at WAS (W 30-17) 2016: vs CLE (W 29-10)

Happy 62nd birthday Clyde Simmons Sits fourth all time in sacks (76.0) in Birds history, and scored a touchdown off a blocked field goal at Giants Stadium (a sometimes overlooked “Miracle”). Clyde was more than “the other edge” when Reggie was in town - he was a force of nature unto himself.

Days until kickoff 40. Tom Brookshier (DB, 1953-61) Two-time Pro Bowler earned AP1 honors in 1960, and later had No. 40 retired. Eventual CBS broadcaster also had stint on WIP co-hosting with Angelo Cataldi.

Eagles last 10 season openers: 2025: vs DAL (Kickoff) (W 24-20) 2024: vs GB (Brazil) (W 34-29) 2023: at NE (W 25-20) 2022: at DET (W 38-35) 2021: at ATL (W 32-6) 2020: at WAS (L 27-17) 2019: vs WAS (W 32-27) 2018: vs ATL (Kickoff) (W 18-12) 2017: at WAS (W 30-17) 2016: vs CLE (W 29-10)

Happy 62nd birthday Clyde Simmons Sits fourth all time in sacks (76.0) in Birds history, and scored a touchdown off a blocked field goal at Giants Stadium (a sometimes overlooked “Miracle”). Clyde was more than “the other edge” when Reggie was in town - he was a force of nature unto himself.

Days until kickoff 40. Tom Brookshier (DB, 1953-61) Two-time Pro Bowler earned AP1 honors in 1960, and later had No. 40 retired. Eventual CBS broadcaster also had stint on WIP co-hosting with Angelo Cataldi.

A 2001 Eagles preseason game was canceled ... because the field was unsafe. An Eagles/Ravens exhibition at the Vet was scrapped due to a shoddy playing surface. The game was initially delayed, then outright canceled. Several outraged fans smashed the will-call windows, resulting in six arrests.

Rookie seasons, last five Eagles first-round WRs -DeVonta Smith (2021): 64 rec, 916 yds, 5 TD -Jalen Reagor (2020): 31 rec, 396 yds, 1 TD -Nelson Agholor (2015): 23 rec, 283 yds, 1 TD -Jeremy Maclin (2009): 56 rec, 773 yds, 4 TD -Freddie Mitchell (2001): 21 rec, 283 yds, 1 TD

A 2001 Eagles preseason game was canceled ... because the field was unsafe. An Eagles/Ravens exhibition at the Vet was scrapped due to a shoddy playing surface. The game was initially delayed, then outright canceled. Several outraged fans smashed the will-call windows, resulting in six arrests.

Heavenly 88th birthday Maxie Baughan Lauded and feared as a hard-hitting linebacker, Baughan won the 1960 NFL title as a rookie, was All-Pro in 1964, and made five Pro Bowls with the Eagles. Many analysts believe Baughan has been unduly snubbed from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Days until kickoff 41. Randy Logan (S, 1973-83) 159 games played are second most for any DB in Eagles history. Recorded 23 INTs (five in a season twice), and earned AP2 honors in the 1980 Super Bowl year.

Rookie seasons, last five Eagles first-round WRs -DeVonta Smith (2021): 64 rec, 916 yds, 5 TD -Jalen Reagor (2020): 31 rec, 396 yds, 1 TD -Nelson Agholor (2015): 23 rec, 283 yds, 1 TD -Jeremy Maclin (2009): 56 rec, 773 yds, 4 TD -Freddie Mitchell (2001): 21 rec, 283 yds, 1 TD

Days until kickoff 42. Kurt Coleman (S, 2010-13) Seventh rounder started 29 games in town, once picking off three off Rex Grossman passes in one game. Ferocious hitter infamously KOed receiver Austin Collie in 2010.

Saquon Barkley (8356) is currently 44th all time in rushing yards. He would need to hit the following marks this season to reach: 40th all-time: 775 yards 35th all-time: 1368 yards 30th all-time: 2058 yards

Days until kickoff 43. Darren Sproles (RB/RS, 2014-19) Versatility evident in 21 Philly touchdowns - 12 rushing, five receiving, four on punt returns. Earned Super Bowl LII ring, and made two spots on 2010s All-Decade team (as “flex”, and punt returner).

Saquon Barkley (8356) is currently 44th all time in rushing yards. He would need to hit the following marks this season to reach: 40th all-time: 775 yards 35th all-time: 1368 yards 30th all-time: 2058 yards

Days until kickoff 43. Darren Sproles (RB/RS, 2014-19) Versatility evident in 21 Philly touchdowns - 12 rushing, five receiving, four on punt returns. Earned Super Bowl LII ring, and made two spots on 2010s All-Decade team (as “flex”, and punt returner).

Legendary coach/broadcaster John Madden was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. An OT at Cal Poly, Madden was selected 244th overall by the Birds in the 1958 NFL Draft. A torn knee ligament cut his playing days short, and he never officially suited up. Seems like he did okay for himself, though.

Heavenly 87th birthday Norm Snead Two of Snead's four Pro Bowl bids came during his seven year run with the Eagles (1964-70). They weren't the Birds' best years, but Snead provided stability at the QB position during a franchise cold spell.

Days until kickoff 44. Pete Retzlaff (TE, 1956-66) Made five Pro Bowls, earned two AP1s, won 1960 NFL title, and had No. 44 retired. 7412 receiving yards are second-most in team history, with a staggering 1190 in 1965 (age 34).

Legendary coach/broadcaster John Madden was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. An OT at Cal Poly, Madden was selected 244th overall by the Birds in the 1958 NFL Draft. A torn knee ligament cut his playing days short, and he never officially suited up. Seems like he did okay for himself, though.

Heavenly 87th birthday Norm Snead Two of Snead's four Pro Bowl bids came during his seven year run with the Eagles (1964-70). They weren't the Birds' best years, but Snead provided stability at the QB position during a franchise cold spell.

Days until kickoff 44. Pete Retzlaff (TE, 1956-66) Made five Pro Bowls, earned two AP1s, won 1960 NFL title, and had No. 44 retired. 7412 receiving yards are second-most in team history, with a staggering 1190 in 1965 (age 34).

Eagles veterans signed through at least 2028: 2028 - Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Quinyon Mitchell, Andrew Mukuba, Jake Elliott 2029 - Cam Jurgens, Jonathan Greenard, Jordan Davis, Jihaad Campbell, Braden Mann 2031 - Jalen Carter