Michael Thomas Leibrandt (above left), an Abington resident and author of Glenside Local’s “History with Mike” series, was featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer’s “only in Philly” story today about the Eagles’ AJ Brown.
Leibrandt wrote:
An unfortunate early exit for the Eagles this season means that our fandom will sit waiting in the wings until the excitement of training camp at the Novacare Complex next summer. And as the season closed with all measure of analysis over recent weeks, perhaps no story has been front and center like whether or not AJ Brown will be an Eagle next season.
Whether number 11 takes the field next September in midnight green or eventually visits Lincoln Financial Field on an opposing roster, I’ll always remember seeing his talent on one of the best teams ever to play football in Philadelphia. At times, it seemed like there was nothing that he couldn’t catch, combined with that 6-foot-1, 226-pound frame that set the edge with thunderous blocks springing Saquon Barkley, DeAndre Swift, and Miles Sanders to daylight. Play him in single coverage — good luck. Bring help on him with a safety over-the-top, then risk allowing a big play from another of the Eagles offensive weapons.
For one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, AJ Brown is the best ever. He has more receptions than Terrell Owens in a single season. He has more yards in a single season than Tommy McDonald. And he has played in more Super Bowls for the Eagles than Harold Carmichael, DeSean Jackson, or Alshon Jeffery.
Like most around our region, the Eagles are a generational obsession in my family. My great-grandfather saw another NFL franchise — the Frankford Yellow Jackets — run to a championship in 1926. My grandfather saw the Eagles go to three championship games between 1947 and 1949; they won two. As far back as my young mind can recall, he told me about an Eagles unstoppable running back named Steve Van Buren. My father saw the Eagles win the title in 1960.
I’ve seen something better than all that: a period of Eagles on-field excellence spanning half a decade. I’m not sure that it would have been possible without AJ Brown.
You can also read Leibrandt’s previous coverage of the Eagles on phlsportsnation.com.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photo: ebay.com