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The Eagles' 1991 'D': Who they were

The Regulars *  Reggie White, defensive end. If White is not the greatest defensive lineman of all time, he's among the top 5.

The Regulars

*  Reggie White, defensive end. If White

is not the greatest defensive lineman of all time, he's among the top 5.

*  Mike Pitts, defensive tackle. Rotated

regularly with Mike Golic, so neither made the Pro Bowl that season. But the three other Eagles regular linemen did - and paid for Pitts and Golic to join them in Hawaii.

*  Jerome Brown, defensive tackle. Had

nine sacks to make his second consecutive Pro Bowl team that season. Died in a car accident in June '92.

*  Clyde Simmons, defensive end. The

"other" defensive end of the unit, Simmons had 13 sacks in 1991 and 19 the following season.

*  Seth Joyner, linebacker. Named the

team's defensive MVP by his fellow players.

*  Byron Evans, linebacker. Was the

on-field brains of the defense as the player responsible for calling the signals.

*  William Thomas, linebacker. Took

over as a rookie in the ninth game and stayed in the Birds defense for a decade.

* Ben Smith, cornerback. Was having a

solid season until he injured his knee in Week 11. Replaced by Izel Jenkins, with Otis Smith also seeing extensive time.

*  Eric Allen, cornerback. Led the team

with five interceptions and, in 1991, started a string of five consecutive Pro Bowl appointments.

*  Andre Waters, strong safety.

Nicknamed "Dirty" Waters because he often straddled the line of clean play.

*  Wes Hopkins, free safety.Opposing

receivers crossed the middle at their own peril with Hopkins and Waters patrolling the safety positions.

The Reserves

John Booty, CB/S;

Britt Hager, LB;

Andy Harmon, DE;

Scott Kowalkowski, LB Rich Miano, FS