Top 5 Guards

Here is the 8th installment of Ray Didinger's Top 5's. Click here for the first 7.

1. Frank (Bucko) Kilroy (1943-55)- He was voted onto various All-Pro teams every season from 1948 through 1954. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 40's.

2. Ed Blaine (1963-66)- He was a second-round draft pick by Green Bay in 1962, but he was stuck behind two All-Pro guards in Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston. The Eagles traded for him the next year and he stepped immediately into the starting lineup. He quickly established himself as one of the better offensive linemen in the league.

3. Shawn Andrews (2004-current)- In just three full seasons at guard, Andrews established himself as one of the top players at that position. He was named to the Pro Bowl squad in 2006 and ’07 and he was an alternate in 2005. When he is healthy, the 6-foot-4 and 335-pound Andrews is a physically dominant player who can stop a pass rusher in his tracks by simply extending his arms. Andrews combines that power with surprising speed and agility.

4. Jermane Mayberry (1996-2005) - When Mayberry was voted into the Pro Bowl for the 2002 season he was the first Eagles guard to earn that honor since Walter Barnes in 1951. Hard to believe that half a century could pass without a franchise producing at least one Pro Bowler at that position, but that’s how poorly the Eagles offensive line performed for generations.

5. Walter Barnes (1948-51) – His full name was Walter Lee Barnes, but he was better known as “Piggy.” He had a round face, a stubby 6-foot, 245-pound body and usually the dirtiest uniform on the field. He signed with the Eagles and was a starting guard on the championship teams of 1948 and ’49.

DW doesn't like ranking the offensive lineman as much as other positions. Growing up, the Eagles always had a good/great defense and a bad/pathetic O-line. Oh well, here is DW's List:
1. Andrews - was damn good when healthy.
2. Mayberry
3. Welbourne
4. Herremans
5. Lester Holmes

Lester Holmes can send us a thank you card. How about George Hegamin? Remember him pushing the sled? Bum. Could Artis Hicks be on this list? Ian Beckles..How about Joe Panos..wow

dw