Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles' All-Time Starting Offense

The Eagles have had some pretty amazing players wearing that midnight green since they originated in 1943. 

With a ton of talent year after year, it is time to go back and recognize the best of the best who have played for the Philadelphia Eagles. They have seen all different levels of talent on offense, which is a large reason why the Eagles have been such an offensively-minded team for quite some time now.

This list will be the best offensive starters the Eagles have ever seen play for them as the projected offensive starting lineup for the Philadelphia Eagles' all-time roster. 

O-Line

C: Jamaal Jackson

As an undrafted free agent back in 2003, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Jamaal Jackson with hopes he could be a good practice-squad guy. It wasn't until 2005 that Jackson emerged as a started, and the Eagles saw what he was capable of.

Jackson played every game for Philly from 2006 until 2009 when he suffered an injury the last game of the season. He has played 72 games overall as an Eagle and is considered one of the best centers to play for the Eagles. 

RT: Jon Runyan 

Jon Runyan had a huge career with the Eagles and was a favorite by many despite his position; it's not often your team's OT is selling as many jerseys as anyone on the team.

Runyan was an Eagle from 2000-2008 where he started all 192 games without missing any time. 

The 6'7'', 330-pound monster was voted one of the scariest players in the NFL when he played. Runyan helped McNabb and the Eagles come out on top of many games, and McNabb surely loves him for all his help. 

Runyan carved the way for running backs Duce Staley and the beloved Brian Westbrook. 

LT: Tra Thomas

Now, one can say Bob Brown or Al Wisert deserves this spot on the team, but both of them played RT, and I feel Runyan deserves that spot without question.

With that being said, I give Tra Thomas the starting spot at LT.

Thomas started opposite of teammate Jon Runyan. The two made for one of the largest duos at the tackle position in the league with each being 6'7''.

Thomas started 165 games as an Eagle from 1998 to 2008. He also protected McNabb's blindside for an entire decade and was a large reason the Eagles had such a strong offense during those years. 

LG: Wade Key

Taken in the 13th round of the 1969 NFL Draft, Wade Key was selected by the Eagles and played with them for 10 seasons. In those 10 seasons, Wade played in 121 games and was switched to the guard position under Dick Vermeil. 

Key retired as an Eagle and was also selected to be apart of the 75th Eagles Anniversary team. 

RG: Bucko Kilroy

Kilroy was the first RG to ever play for the Philadelphia Eagles when the team originally formed in 1943. 

Kilroy played until 1955 and played in 134 games. Although switching to the "middle guard" position throughout his career, Kilroy is still notably the best right guard the Eagles have had on the roster literally since forever. Kilroy was even born in Philadelphia, proving he is an all-time bird at heart. 

TE: Pete Pihos

Taken in the fifth round of the 1945 NFL Draft, Pete Pihos proved that gems are everywhere in the draft. 

Pihos was the best gem and tight end in the Eagles' franchise.

He gave it his all from 1947-1955 and was also an All-American defensive end in college. 

After nine seasons in the NFL, Pihos retired with 373 receptions, 5,619 yards and 61 touchdowns. He was also elected to six straight Pro Bowls from 1950-1955 and was elected  first-team All-Pro five times.

A cool little fact about Pihos is he is the only tight end in NFL history to return a punt for a touchdown. 

He has certainly done the most for the Eagles at the tight end position and has his spot comfortably. 

FB: Keith Byars

The fullback position on many teams often goes unused, and playing time has gone down significantly the past 50 years. Although the Eagles aren't known for having the star fullback in the league, they did have one who deserves the starting spot. 

Keith Byars played for the Eagles from 1986-1992 where he not only played fullback, but also played running back and tight end.

Guess what? He also threw four touchdown passes in 1990. 

Byars was voted to the Eagles' 75th Anniversary Team and was a great player wherever he played. As an Eagle, Byars ran in 17 touchdowns on the ground. 

RB: Steve Van Buren

Steve Van Buren dominated the league from 1944-1951. There isn't much to debate here because he is a Hall of Famer. 

Van Buren played as an Eagle for eight seasons, and they were nothing short of miraculous. Rushing for 5,860 yards in his career while taking 69 carries to the end zone proves he was unstoppable. Van Buren also led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in four different years, and was the first running back ever to win three straight rushing titles. 

Not only was he a force on the offense, but Van Buren also managed to play on both sides of the ball, and ended his career with nine interceptions and three kick return touchdowns. 

Steve Van Buren is arguably the best running back the Eagles and the league has ever seen.

WR: Harold Carmichael

While I was quick to throw DeSean Jackson on this list, I had to stop and think. Jackson is my favorite receiver in the league, but his numbers really aren't all that impressive, yet.

Harold Carmichael, however, is hands down the appropriate starter at wide receiver. In 13 seasons as an Eagle, Carmichael caught 79 touchdown passes for 8,978 yards. He played from 1971 until 1983 before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys where he only caught one reception. Ha. 

The reason Carmichael was so good was because at 6'8", he stands as the tallest wide receiver in NFL history. 

Harold still holds the Eagles' all-time records for receiving yards, catches and touchdowns.

WR: Tommy McDonald

As a complete opposite from Harold Carmichael, Tommy McDonald stood at just 5'9'' and was 178 pounds. 

Even though he was one of the tiniest wide receivers, he still dominated and was small enough to be the best wide receiver in Philadelphia Eagles history. 

McDonald played from 1957 to 1963 as an Eagle, only seven years. However, in those seven years, he caught 287 receptions and 66 of them where touchdowns. 

Tommy retired with the second-most receiving touchdowns in Eagles history and has proven his toughness for such a small man. 

QB: Donovan McNabb

Now I know I'm going to get a lot of hate for this, but it's proven people.

Donovan McNabb was selected with the second pick in the 1999 NFL Draft and has arguably gotten more criticism than any quarterback in the league. Along with the endless bashing of what he didn't and couldn't do as an Eagle, McNabb also brought the most wins to the Eagles in their existence with 97. 

He has accumulated 216 passing touchdowns, 41 touchdowns better than Ron Jaworski, who only played one less season. Most people think Jaws was the best quarterback in an Eagles jersey, but he only won 69 games in 10 seasons compared to McNabb's 97 in 11 seasons. 

I loved McNabb since the day he was drafted, and he deserves recognition of the starting QB position.