(Photo: Bleeding Green Nation)
I love being a student of the game. It’s one thing to know about the players you’ve actually seen play during your time, but how about going back and looking at an era you didn’t get to experience? The names are forever going to standout, but what about how they made their impact and how they played? The Philadelphia Eagles have had their share of legendary names to play on the defensive side of the football such as the late Reggie White, Brian Dawkins and a Cornerback named Eric Allen who was a key name on those gang green defenses in South Philly. This Summer, Eric will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Eric is one of the more underrated Defensive Backs of his time. The Eagles drafted him in 1988 in the second round with the 30th overall pick out of Arizona State. In Philadelphia, he became a very popular player on the infamous “Gang Green” defense which consisted of the late Jerome Brown, the Hall of Famer, Reggie White, Clyde Simmons and Andre Waters to name a few. Eric was a true ball hawk and as shut down of a Cornerback as they came. He had such a strong nose for the ball and knew how to track it once it was thrown and in the air. I enjoy breaking down the corners that just don’t depend on the interception to make an impact. As a corner, you won’t always come down with the ball, but you can deflect it and Eric had the range to position himself to knock or tip the ball away in different situations. Even when someone else would tip the ball, he knew how to be in the right spot at the right time. With the ball in his hands, Eric was a threat in the open field with the ball in his hands as he was thinking six or just help put his offense in prime field position. He always had his eyes on the Quarterback and football which was why he played at such a high level. Eric wasn’t the biggest guy, but he made his presence well known and was a key piece to those Eagles defenses coached by the legendary Buddy Ryan.
Eric played 14 NFL seasons with the first seven of those in Philly, He also played for the New Orleans Saints and the-then Oakland Raiders. In his career, he finished with 787 total tackles and 54 interceptions along with nine touchdowns. I’m glad to see him getting his flowers and the recognition he deserves. Congratulations are in order for one of the best of his time.
