It didn't take long for the top of Philadelphia's 1973 draft list to make its presence known on the field. First-round pick Jerry Sisemore was immediately inserted into the right offensive tackle spot. The Eagles' other opening-round selection, Charle Young, became the starting tight end.

And after a handful of games at his new position, Guy Morriss became a first-string fixture at center for the Eagles. Morriss, a second-round pick, was an All-Southwest Conference guard from TCU.

"To be honest with you, I had just come out of a 'wishbone' program and I wasn't really worth crap," laughed Morriss. "I really wasn't very good. I didn't know how to pass protect, for one. I had a lot of work to do.

"(Veteran guard) Wade Key took me under his wing, so to speak. He just kind of showed me the ropes and gave me some tips on technique."

C Guy Morriss

After three solid seasons, Morriss remained the team's starting center when Dick Vermeil replaced Mike McCormack as head coach in '76.

"It was kind of a shock. Things began to change and became a lot more intense," Morriss recalled. "Up to that point, it seemed like you could come to camp and you had time to almost play yourself into shape with six preseason games.

"Dick wanted you to be in shape when you got to camp. It was a little different. I think that first camp or two, boy, we were all just trying to survive. It was more of a college-type atmosphere than a professional atmosphere like with the previous staff."

Philadelphia enjoyed a winning atmosphere, as well. After back-to-back playoff appearances in '78 and '79, the team earned the NFC championship title and participated in its first Super Bowl in 1980.

The key?

"I think to some degree, it was that mental toughness that Dick brought. We played together as a team. We were a real close-knit football team," Morriss said. "We had some good players, but we didn't have just the real superstar. Well, I guess, maybe Wilbert (Montgomery)? He was a pretty good back. And (receiver Harold) Carmichael. But I don't know that you would classify them as superstars.

"I think we just were a good team. We had a good, solid, sound defense."

However, on Super Bowl XV Sunday, the Raiders were more solid and sound and they subsequently took the Lombardi Trophy back to California, after beating the Eagles, 27-10.

"It was disappointing that we didn't play better than we did, but I didn't know what to expect," said Morriss. "I wish we would have had a little more free time when we got to New Orleans and been able to kind of relax a little bit more, but that was Dick's style.

"I know the Raiders got to town and they didn't even practice for the first three days. They were out having a good time on Bourbon Street. We went right to work and didn't have a lot of free time. I think to some degree, we were kind of a worn-out football team. We could have played better, I know that."

One thing that the Eagles' coaches, teammates and fans knew was that when there was a game, Morriss would be front and center at work. His work ethic and dependability in the middle were Iron Horse-like. During his 11 seasons with Philadelphia, he only missed one game.

"If you spent a lot of time in the training room, the coaches were looking at somebody else in your spot," Morriss said. "I was the kind of guy that enjoyed practicing and I loved to play the games. I didn't want to give somebody else the opportunity to take my job just because I was laying on a training table in the trainer's room.

"I had the knee strains and sprains and stretched ligaments and partially torn ligaments and all that kind of stuff, just like everybody does. I played one year where my shoulders were just tore up. At the end of the year, I had surgeries on both shoulders at the same time.

"But it's just like I said, if I wasn't on the field, somebody else was in my spot and the coaches may decide they like him a little bit better than they did ol' Guy Morriss. I just wasn't going to let that happen."

Guy Morriss

Following his playing days with the Eagles, Morriss concluded his NFL career with the Patriots from 1984-87. The following year, he became a member of New England's coaching staff as an offensive line assistant.

And he's been on the sideline ever since.

Coaching at practically every level -- high school, collegiate and professional -- Morriss is now in his third season as the head coach at Baylor University.

"At the college level, you can still influence a young man's life. They still listen. There's no money involved," Morriss said. "I just like the relationship that we try to form here with our players. It's a faster-paced game and I enjoy that."

Morriss, who makes his home in McGregor, Texas with his wife, Jackie. He said he enjoys coaching in his home state of Texas, where for generations, the game of football has been atop of the sports' throne.

"It's pretty big still, but not like when I was a kid growing up," said Morriss, the father of five daughters and grandfather of three boys. "Back when I played, there was fall football, spring football, and that was it. Now there are a lot of other sports that are becoming pretty big.

"There's just so many other options for kids nowadays, but not to the point like football is. It's still the king."