Rhodes overhauls Eagles during offseason

With a new look and a new logo, the Birds appear ready to challenge Dallas, Green Bay and San Francisco for a chance to play in the Super Bowl.

by Jim Martin sports editor

After the 1995 season ended in a 30-10 playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Eagles coach Ray Rhodes promised there would be changes made to his team.

Well, Eagles fans, he was not lying. The Philadelphia Eagles will have a totally new look as they head into the 1996 season. Even their uniforms and their logo have changed.

Midnight green has replaced kelly green as the Eagles' official jersey color. Also, a menacing eagle on the attack has replaced the traditional Eagles' silver wings.

When they take the field for their season opener against the Washington Redskins, the Eagles will have at least eight new starters.

Gone are quarterback Randall Cunningham, wide receivers Fred Barnett and Calvin Williams, offense lineman Antone Davis, linebackers Bill Romanowski and Kurt Gouviea, comerback Mark McMillian and safety Greg Jackson.

Each player, with the exception of Cunningham, signed with new teams during the off-season. Cunningham did not attract much attention from any of the other 29 NFL teams and said that he is retiring.

After struggling throughout the 1995 season on offense, the Eagles are hoping the changes they have made will make them a higher scoring team.

Rodney Peete will be returning for his second season with the Eagles as their starting quarterback.

However, the Eagles also signed Ty Detmer, a capable back-up who is familiar with their West Coast offense.

At running back, the duo of Ricky Watters and Charlie Gamer wiU be returning and ready to improve on their excellent 1995 season.

Also, fullback Kevin Turner is coming back from an injury suffered last season and the team is counting on him to provide the blocking and receiving that they desperately need.

The wide receiver and tight end positions will also have a different look. The Eagles signed Irving Fryar, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, to fill one wide receiver spot.

At the other wide receiver spot, the Eagles are hoping that second year player Chris T. Jones can blossom into the tall, physical receiver they need to go over the middle.

The tight end position will be manned by second round draft pick Jason Dunn along with returning players Jimmie Johnson and Ed West.

The offensive line, which was a constant cause of worry last year, once again heads into the season with question marks. At right offensive tackle there will be a new starter as the Eagles signed free agent Richard Cooper, who had been a solid performer while playing for the New Orleans Saints.

The Eagles also went out and signed left offensive tackle Steve Wallace to shore up their line, but then cut him after he had a terrible preseason.

They are now faced with the prospect of using second-year player Barrett Brooks, who gave up 13.5 sacks as a rookie starter, as their starting left tackle.

However, they should be solid at center with Raleigh McKenzie and at guards with Lester Holmes, Joe Panos, Guy McIntyre and first round pick Jermaine Mayberry in the mix.

While the offense struggled in 1995, the defense stepped up and was the main reason they were able to make it into the playoffs.

Once again the Eagles will be strong on the defensive line with ends William Fuller and Mike Mamula and tackles Andy Harmon and Rhett Hall returning.

At linebacker, Pro Bowler William Thomas returns on the right side. With the departure of Gouviea and Romanowski, the

Eagles are faced with the prospect of using two new, young players at linebacker.

James Willis will begin the season at middle linebacker and Marc Woodard will be the left outside linebacker.

The secondary should be one of the strongest points on the team with the acquisition of free agent cornerback Troy Vincent.

Vincent will be teamed up with second year man Bobby Taylor to give the Eagles a tandem which will rival the best in the league.

Safety Michael Zordich returns at safety with Eric Zomalt expected to take over for Jackson at the other spot.

With the success the Eagles enjoyed in their first year under Rhodes, the expectations are now much higher. When Rhodes came to Philadelphia, he said he would not be happy with anything but a Super Bowl victory.

Although the Eagles seem to be improved, they have to play much better than they did last season in order to contend with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. They should once again make the playoffs, but they need a career year from Rodney Peete along with strong performances by the offensive line and the young linebacking corps if they hope to make it past the second round of the playoffs.