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 ...
Nick Foles lost out to Michael Vick for the starting quarterback job in Training Camp, but the disappointment did not deter him – it only made him hungrier and more determined. When Vick suffered a hamstring injury against the New York Giants in Week 5, Foles seized the opportunity and ran with it. He led the Eagles to nine wins and a playoff berth while making an emphatic case to be the team's quarterback of the future. Foles was arguably the league's most efficient quarterback, leading the league in quarterback rating (119.2) and yards per attempt (9.12) while throwing just two interceptions. He finished the season with 27 touchdowns passes, including a seven-touchdown effort against the Oakland Raiders that tied the franchise and NFL single-game record.
First Eagle To Wear 27: G Milton Leathers (1933)
Last Eagle To Wear 27: CB Brandon Hughes (2010-13)
QUINTIN MIKELL
Despite a standout career at Boise State, QUintin Mikell was not selected in the 2003 NFL Draft and entered the league as rookie free agent signing of the Eagles. He is a quintessential example of defying the odds and making the most of an opportunity. The 5-foot-10, 206-pound safety first made his mark as an ace special teams player and was voted special teams MVP by his teammates in 2005 and 2006. 2005 is when he had his most famous special teams moment, exploding through the line of scrimmage to block a field goal attempt by San Diego's Nick Kaeding that would have put the Chargers up 20-13 with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Instead, the ball bounced right into the hands of cornerback Matt Ware, who returned it 65 yards for a touchdown to propel the Eagles to a 20-17 win.
Mikell eventually transitioned to starting safety opposite Brian Dawkins in 2007, a position he held through the 2010 season. He shined in that role, proving to be a versatile playmaker and stalwart on the back end of the Eagles defense. Over his four seasons as a starter, Mikell played in 61 of a possible 64 games (starting 58) and recorded 345 total tackles, nine interceptions, 42 passes defended, 4.0 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Mikell, or "Q" as his teammates affectionately nicknamed him, earned second-team All-Pro honors twice (2008, 2010) and Pro Bowl accolades once (2009). He signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent in 2011 and started 12 games for the Carolina Panthers last season.
