Best of the Nest | McNabb, Westbrook chip away at Concrete Charlie

THE PEOPLE WHO run

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probably don't want to meet Chuck Bednarik any time soon.

Good luck trying to explain to Concrete Charlie how his 1960 Eagles champions could have lost in a big game - to a modern-day team, no less.

But that's what happened last night in the second semifinal of the "Best of the Nest" series on WIP (610-AM) as the 2004 Eagles crushed the 1960 Eagles, 35-12, at Franklin Field.

"Best of the Nest" is a virtual tournament of the six best teams in Eagles history. Every game is played 300 times on an NFL simulation program by www.whatifsports.com. The game that plays closest to the average result is used here.

Donovan McNabb was 17-for-23 for 205 yards with touchdown passes to Terrell Owens, Brian Westbrook and Todd Pinkston, who, believe it or not, was still smaller than the '60 players.

Owens had six receptions for 97 yards and Westbrook, named the game's MVP, carried 14 times for 168 yards and two scores to go along with two catches for 18 yards.

For the 1960 club, Norm Van Brocklin was 17-for-31 for 244 yards and a TD and Hall of Famer Tommy McDonald had four catches for 89 yards.

The 2004 Birds, coached by Andy Reid, advance to the "Best of the Nest" title game tomorrow at noon at Veterans Stadium against the 1980 Eagles, coached by Dick Vermeil.

So, who will it be . . . Big Red or the Little General . . . McNabb or Jaws . . . Montgomery or Westbrook . . . Trotter or Bergey . . . Tose or Lurie?

The title game will be broadcast on WIP during the show hosted by Glen Macnow and Ray Didinger and will be recapped in Monday's Daily News.

Also, in Monday's Daily News, look for a column on the greatest teams in Eagles history by Daily News alum and NFL Hall of Famer Didinger as well as the winners of the WIP-Daily News "Best of the Nest" contest. *