After their offense found the end zone only a measly 12 times in 1972, an average of less than once per game, the Eagles did the football equivalent of calling in the calvary in 1973. Among those coming to the rescue were head coach Mike McCormack, veteran quarterback Roman Gabriel, first-round draft choice Charle Young, a tight end from USC; and fourth-year veteran fullback Norm Bulaich.

Acquired from the Colts for two draft picks on the recommendations of new assistant coaches John Sandusky and John Idzik, who had been coaching in Baltimore, Bulaich was the Colts' top draft choice in 1970. He rushed for 426 yards as a rookie in helping them win Super Bowl V. He added 741 yards and eight touchdowns in the following season. However, an injury eventually moved him from the offensive backfield to the trading block.

"I had a pretty severe tear in my hamstring in my second year right before the playoffs," Bulaich said. "My muscles just didn't come back the third year and that's why they decided to trade me out of Baltimore. I guess (the reason why the Eagles made the trade) was because I was somewhat of a decent football player and they were trying to change and get some new players in there. I was fortunate. If I was going to be traded somewhere, Philadelphia was a great spot. I was glad to be wanted at the time."

In addition to looking offensively with the first three draft choices -- tackle Jerry Sisemore, center Guy Morriss and Young -- and bringing in veterans like Bulaich, McCormack made in-house moves, as well. He inserted Tom Sullivan in as the starting halfback and shifted Harold Carmichael from tight end to wide receiver.

FB Norm Bulaich

"And then (Ron) 'Po' James was another running back. But I guess the best back in those years was 'Silky' Sullivan," Bulaich said. "You talk about a smooth runner and a great runner. He was just great for our offense. And I guess I could receive the ball a lot coming out of the backfield. As a fullback, I caught 42 passes that year. And the (offensive) line was a good line, so we had just a great offense.

"But at that time, pre- (trading for linebacker Bill) Bergey, we couldn't stop anybody. We scored points, but defensively, we weren't at the top of the league. We went 7-7 (in 1974) and the people in Philadelphia were pleased with that. They were very receptive to us and I loved the Philadelphia fans. They booed me and my nickname was 'Boo,' so I had good boos and bad boos, when I fumbled and when I did good. People always say they're horrible fans and I say, 'No, they're great fans. They're loyal to their team.'"

While Bulaich was not unfamiliar with playing before devoted and passionate fans, there was something else that he experienced as a Colt that he wanted to bring along to Philadelphia – a strong sense of team camaraderie.

"Baltimore was different in that they were a family," Bulaich said. "I came there as a 22-year-old rookie and lined up in the huddle with legends. Whether it was (Johnny) Unitas or (Tom) Matte, I'm in awe of that. And I was able to start my rookie year, so it was an extra bonus just to be in that arena with them and go to the Super Bowl and win it.

"The Eagles got to be a better close-knit team. McCormack sort of preached that you've got to be a family. Live together. Play together. It was a good two years that I spent there. It was just a treat for me to play in the NFL, period. I was very fortunate. It was a privilege for me to play in that industry."

During his first of two seasons with the Eagles, the fullback not only had a career-high 42 receptions for three touchdowns, but he rushed for 436 yards, an average of four yards per carry. However, it was not barreling over a defender or hauling in a Gabriel pass that stands out in his mind; it was when he found himself, well, airborne.

"I was riding in (team owner) Leonard Tose's green and white helicopter to a McDonald's after a game with my uniform on to sign autographs," laughed Bulaich. "Two players would go after every game. My wife wondered where I went. Everybody else was coming out showered and I was off flying in a helicopter and going under the Walt Whitman Bridge. It scared the hell out of me."

After finishing five of his 10-year NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, Bulaich made his home in suburban Ft. Worth, Texas, and is working for IESI Corp., one of the largest solid waste management companies in North America.

"We didn't play in the '80s, '90s or 2000s, so we have to work for the rest of our lives," Bulaich said. "I'm a municipal marketing manager and have been with them 10, 11 years. But I've been in the industry for 20-something years. I enjoy working and dealing with people. I enjoy the people I work with and the company I work for. They're just down-to-earth people."

Bulaich and his wife, Susie, have two children -- a daughter, Kimberly; and a son, Nicholas. And they have three grandchildren: Connor, Riley and Charles Norman.

"They're going to call him Charlie and grandpa's going to call him Norman."