Believe it or not, the beginning of the 2014 season is rapidly approaching. Players will report back to the NovaCare Complex on April 21 for the start of the Eagles offseason program. Join us as we count down until the Eagles are back in town ...
No. 22 Brandon Boykin was one of the most prolific interception artists in the NFL in 2013. The second-year cornerback finished tied for second in the league with six interceptions. He took one back for a touchdown as he averaged 22.7 yards per interception return.
Boykin's biggest interception of the season came at the end of the NFC East championship game against the Dallas Cowboys. Boykin's final-minute interception of Kyle Orton sealed the Eagles' first trip to the postseason since 2010. With that pick, the Eagles won the game 24-22.
Quarterback Nick Foles came off the bench in the Week 5 win over the New York Giants following Michael Vick's hamstring injury. That game started an odd streak of three-straight games where the Eagles had 22 pass completions on offense. The Eagles won two of those three games - the aforementioned Giants game and the following week's game in Tampa Bay where Foles earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The No. 22 is also synonymous with a franchise record held by a current player. Kicker Alex Henery connected on 22 straight field goals during the 2012 season.
First Eagle To Wear No. 22: G Henry Obst (1933)
Current Eagle To Wear No. 22: CB Brandon Boykin (2012-Present)
DUCE STALEY
"DUUUUUCE!"
That chant was echoed by Eagles fans hundreds of times from 1997-2003 when running back Duce Staley won over the fan base with his tough-nosed, no-nonsense running style. A third-round pick out of South Carolina, Staley gained 4,807 yards as an Eagle which ranks fourth in franchise history. He also ranks fifth in team annals with 7,305 yards from scrimmage.
A three-time team offensive MVP, Staley cracked the 1,000-yard rushing mark three times including a career-high 1,273 yards in 1999. Staley's signature moment came in the 2000 season opener at Dallas when he rushed for a career-high 201 yards against the Cowboys. The "Pickle Juice" game sparked the beginning of Andy Reid's successful tenure as the Eagles would make the playoffs in five consecutive seasons. It was only the second time that an Eagles running back toppled the 200-yard mark in a single game and now ranks as the third-highest single-game total in team history.
Now, Staley continues to help the Eagles as the team's running backs coach. After two years as the Eagles' special teams quality control coach, Staley was named to his current post last offseason. In his first year, LeSean McCoy became the first Eagles running back to lead the league in rushing since Steve Van Buren in 1949. McCoy set the new team record with 1,607 rushing yards. The Eagles, as a team, led the NFL in rushing yards as well with 2,566.
Staley's work has earned recognition from around the league. Former Eagles director of pro personnel and current ESPN analyst Lou Riddick called Staley one of the up-and-coming assistant coaches in the NFL.
Speaking of young position coaches who should be hot commodities VERY soon if quality coaching is what is wanted... — Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 1, 2014
Offense: #Eagles RB Coach Duce Staley Defense: #Seahawks DB Coach Kris Richard. — Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 1, 2014
@MCarrollPhilly I know exactly how much Duce is responsible for. He is on his way to being exceptional. — Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) March 1, 2014
