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1952 Philadelphia Eagles season

NFL team season


NFL team season

FieldValue
logo521009-Eagles-Browns-program.jpg
teamPhiladelphia Eagles
year1952
record7–5
division_place2nd (tied) NFL American
coachJim Trimble
ownerHappy Hundred
stadiumShibe Park
playoffs*Did not qualify*
shortnavlinkEagles seasons

The 1952 Philadelphia Eagles season marked their 20th year in the National Football League (NFL). The team improved on their previous output of 4–8, winning seven games. The team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Off season

Head coach Wayne Millner took over, for ailing head coach Bo McMillin in 1951, would resign on September 8, 3 weeks before the 1952 season started, citing health as the reason for stepping down.

NFL draft

The 1952 NFL draft was held on January 17, 1952. Picks made by New York Yanks were assigned to the new Dallas Texans franchise. There were 12 teams picking for 32 rounds.

The Eagles made the 4th pick in each round and made 31 picks in the 32 rounds they had picks in. The New York Yanks had the Eagles pick in the 5th round.

The Los Angeles Rams received this year's lottery bonus pick. The Rams used it to pick Bill Wade a quarterback out of Vanderbilt University. The Eagles used their number-4 pick in the 1st round to take Johnny Bright a back of Drake University. Johnny Bright, was chosen before fellow backs and future NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame members Frank Gifford from University of Southern California and Hugh McElhenny out of University of Washington, passed up playing for the Eagles. Bright later commented:

Player selections

The table shows the Eagles selections and what picks they had that were traded away and the team that ended up with that pick. It is possible the Eagles' pick ended up with this team via another team that the Eagles made a trade with. Not shown are acquired picks that the Eagles traded away.

= Pro BowlerHall of Fame]]r=Canadian Football Hall of Famer
**Rd****Pick****Player****Position****School****Rd****Pick****Player****Position****School**
15Johnny BrightBackDrake217Jim WeatherallTackle
329Lum SnyderTackleGeorgia Tech441Chuck UlrichTackle
553**Pick Taken By****New York****Yanks**665Dick LemmonBack
777John ThomasEndOregon State889Wayne RobinsonCenter
9101Maury NippGuardLoyola (CA)10113Gerry McGinleyGuard
11125Ralph GoldstonBackYoungstown State12137Jack BlountTackle
13149Ed HamiltonBackKentucky14161Bob StringerBack
15173Malcolm SchmidtEndIowa State16185Jim BrewerGuard
17197John WeigleEndOklahoma State18209Ed RomanowskiBack
19221Talbott TrammellEndWashington & Lee20233Bobby BlaikBack
21245Les WheelerGuardAbilene Christian22257Johnny TurcoBack
23269Maury SchnellBackIowa State24281Joe TyrrellGuard
25293Bob KelleyCenterWest Texas State26305Bob AlbertBack
27317Chuck HillBackNew Mexico28329Johnny BrewerBack
29341Tony "Zippy" MoroccoBackGeorgia30353Don StevensBack

Regular season

Schedule

Philadelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"GamePhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"DatePhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"OpponentPhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"ResultPhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"RecordPhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"VenuePhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"AttendancePhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"RecapPhiladelphia Eaglesyear=1952border=2}}"Sources123456789101112
September 28at **[Pittsburgh Steelers](1952-pittsburgh-steelers-season)****W** 31–251–0Forbes Field22,501[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195209280pit.htm)
October 4**[New York Giants](1952-new-york-giants-season)****L** 7–311–1Shibe Park22,112[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195210040phi.htm)
October 12**[Pittsburgh Steelers](1952-pittsburgh-steelers-season)****W** 26–212–1Shibe Park18,648[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195210120phi.htm)
October 19**[Cleveland Browns](1952-cleveland-browns-season)****L** 7–492–2Shibe Park27,874[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195210190phi.htm)
October 26at **[New York Giants](1952-new-york-giants-season)****W** 14–103–2Polo Grounds21,458[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195210260nyg.htm)
November 2at [Green Bay Packers](1952-green-bay-packers-season)**L** 10–123–3Marquette Stadium10,149[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195211020gnb.htm)
November 9**[Washington Redskins](1952-washington-redskins-season)****W** 38–204–3Shibe Park16,932[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195211090phi.htm)
November 16**[Chicago Cardinals](1952-chicago-cardinals-season)****W** 10–75–3Shibe Park18,908[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195211160phi.htm)
November 23at **[Cleveland Browns](1952-cleveland-browns-season)****W** 28–206–3Cleveland Municipal Stadium34,973[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195211160cle.htm)
November 30at **[Chicago Cardinals](1952-chicago-cardinals-season)****L** 22–286–4Comiskey Park13,577[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195211300crd.htm)
December 7[Dallas Texans](1952-dallas-texans-season)**W** 38–217–4Shibe Park18,376[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195212070phi.htm)
December 14at **[Washington Redskins](1952-washington-redskins-season)****L** 21–277–5Griffith Stadium22,468[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/195212140was.htm)
**Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text.

Game recaps

Week 1: at the Pittsburgh Steelers

;1st

  • Eagles Bud Grant 84-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – Pitt 0
  • Eagles Frank Ziegler 4-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – Pitt 0 ;2nd
  • Steelers Jim Finks 20-yard rush (kick failed) Phila 14 – Pitt 6
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 32-yard field goal Phila 17 – Pitt 6
  • Steelers Ed Modzelewski 1-yard rush (kick failed) Phila 17 – Pitt 12 ;3rd
  • Eagles Frank Ziegler 3-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 24 – Pitt 12 ;4th
  • Steelers Jim Finks 1-yard rush (Gary Kerkorian kick) Phila 24 – Pitt 19
  • Eagles Pete Pihos 25-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 31 – Pitt 19
  • Steelers Ray Mathews 27-yard pass from Jim Finks (kick failed) Phila 31 – Pitt 25

Week 2: vs New York Giants

;1st

  • Giants Bob McChesney 18-yard pass from Frank Gifford (Ray Poole kick) Phila 7 – NY 0
  • Eagles John Brewer 71-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – NY 7 ;2nd
  • Giants Joe Scott 30-yard rush (Ray Poole kick) Phila 14 – NY 7
  • Giants Bill Stribling 20-yard pass from Charlie Conerly (Ray Poole kick) Phila 21 – NY 7 ;3rd
  • Giants Joe Scott 10-yard rush (Ray Poole kick) Phila 28 – NY 7 ;4th
  • Giants Ray Poole 16-yard field goal Phila 31 – NY 7

Week 3: vs Pittsburgh Steelers

;1st

  • Eagles Bobby Walston 25-yard field goal Pitt 0 – Phila 3 ;2nd
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 20-yard field goal Pitt 0 – Phila 6
  • Steelers Lynn Chandnois 93-yard kickoff return (Gary Kerkorian kick) Pitt 7 – Phila 6
  • Eagles John Brewer 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Pitt 7 – Phila 13 ;3rd
  • Steelers Ray Mathews 25-yard pass from Jim Finks (Gary Kerkorian kick) Pitt 14 – Phila 13 ;4th
  • Steelers Elbie Nickel 54-yard pass from Jim Finks (Gary Kerkorian kick) Pitt 21 – Phila 13
  • Eagles Bud Grant 17-yard pass from Fred Enke (Bobby Walston kick) Pitt 21 Phila 20
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 24-yard field goal Pitt 21 – Phila 23
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 19-yard field goal Pitt 21 – Phila 26

Week 4 vs Cleveland Browns

;1st

  • Browns Len Ford unknown-yard fumble return (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 7 – Phila 0
  • Browns Pete Brewster 47-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 14 – Phila 0 ;2nd
  • Browns Sherman Howard 35-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 21 – Phila 0 ;3rd
  • Browns Dub Jones 63-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 28 – Phila 0
  • Browns Mac Speedie 8-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 35 – Phila 0
  • Browns Dub Jones 16-yard rush (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 42 – Phila 0 ;4th
  • Browns Horace Gillom 11-yard pass from George Ratterman (Lou Groza kick) Cleve 49 – Phila 0
  • Eagles Ralph Goldston 4-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Cleve 49 – Phila 7

Week 5 at New York Giants

;1st

  • Giants Ray Poole 30-yard field goal Phila 0 – NY 3 ;2nd
  • Eagles Bibbles Bawel 52-yard punt return (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – NY 3
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 19-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 14 – NY 3 ;3rd
  • Giants Bud Sherrod unknown-yard fumble return (Ray Poole kick) Phila 14 – NY 10

Week 6 at Green Bay Packers

;1st

  • Eagles Bobby Walston 23-yard field goal Phila 3 – Green Bay 0
  • Packers Breezy Reid 21-yard pass from Babe Parilli (kick failed) Phila 3 – Green Bay 6 ;4th
  • Eagles Russ Craft 32-yard interception return (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 10 – Green Bay 6
  • Packers John Martinkovic 5-yard blocked punt return (kick failed) Phila 10 – Green Bay 12

Week 7 vs Washington Redskins

;1st

  • Eagles Don Stevens 56-yard punt return (Bobby Walston kick) 0 7
  • Eagles Bud Grant 7-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) 0 14 ;2nd
  • Redskins Johnny Williams 74-yard punt return (George Buksar kick) 7 14
  • Eagles John Huzvar 1-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) 7 21
  • Eagles Mike Jarmoluk 16-yard fumble return (Bobby Walston kick) 7 28 ;3rd
  • Eagles Bud Grant 4-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) 7 35
  • Redskins Chuck Drazenovich 1-yard rush (kick failed) 13 35 ;4th
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 26-yard field goal 13 38
  • Redskins Hugh Taylor 55-yard pass from Harry Gilmer (George Buksar kick) 20 38

Week 8 vs Chicago Cardinals

;2nd

  • Eagles Pete Pihos 12-yard fumble return (Bobby Walston kick) Chi 0 – Phila 7
  • Cardinals Cliff Anderson 14-yard pass from Charlie Trippi (Joe Geri kick) Chi 7 – Phila 7
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 20-yard field goal Chi 7 – Phila 10

Week 9 at Cleveland Browns

;1st

  • Eagles Frank Ziegler 3-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 7 – Cleve 0
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 3-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick)Phila 14 – Cleve 0
  • Browns Mac Speedie 28-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Phila 14 – Cleve 7 2nd
  • Browns Lou Groza 18-yard field goal Phila 14 – Cleve 10
  • 3rd
  • Browns Mac Speedie 48-yard pass from Otto Graham (Lou Groza kick) Phila 14 – Cleve 17
  • Browns Lou Groza 19-yard field goal Phila 14 – Cleve 20 4th
  • Eagles Ralph Goldston 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 21 – Cleve 20
  • Eagles Ralph Goldston 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Phila 28 – Cleve 20

Week 10 at Chicago Cardinals

;2nd

  • Eagles – Bobby Walston 35-yard field goal PHIL 3 – 0
  • Cardinals – Johnny Karras 4-yard pass from Charlie Trippi (Joe Geri kick) Tied 3 – 7
  • Cardinals -Volney Peters 10-yard fumble return (Joe Geri kick) CHI C 3 – 14 ;3rd
  • Eagles – Safety, Matson tackled in end zone by E. Van Buren CHI C 5 – 14
  • Cardinals – Ollie Matson 13-yard rush (Joe Geri kick) CHI C 5 – 21
  • Eagles – Bobby Walston 19-yard field goal CHI C 8 – 21
  • Cardinals – Ollie Matson 79-yard kickoff return (Joe Geri kick) CHI C 8 – 28
  • Eagles – Bobby Walston 8-yard pass from Adrian Burk (Bobby Walston kick) CHI C 15 – 28 ;4th
  • Eagles – Bud Grant 30-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) CHI C 22 – 28

Week 11 vs Dallas Texans

;1st

  • Eagles John Huzvar 5-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick) Dallas 0 – Phila 7
  • Eagles Bud Grant 41-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Dallas 0 – Phila 14
  • Eagles Bobby Walston 29-yard field goal Dallas 0 – Phila 17 ;2nd
  • Eagles Ebert Van Buren unknown-yard fumble return (Bobby Walston kick) Dallas 0 – Phila 24
  • Texans Buddy Young 1-yard rush (Pat Cannamela kick) Dallas 7 – Phila 24 ;3rd
  • Eagles Bud Grant 23-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick) Dallas 7 – Phila 31
  • Eagles Vic Sears 9-yard interception return (Bobby Walston kick) , Dallas 7 – Phila 38 ;4th
  • Texans Stan Williams 24-yard fumble return (Pat Cannamela kick) , Dallas 14 – Phila 38
  • Texans Dick Wilkins 42-yard pass from Frank Tripucka (Pat Cannamela kick), Dallas 21 – Phila 38

Week 12 at Washington Redskins

;1st

  • Eagles – Frank Ziegler 19-yard pass from Bobby Thomason (Bobby Walston kick)
  • Redskins – Gene Brito 23-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (George Buksar kick) ;2nd
  • Eagles – Al Pollard 2-yard rush (Bobby Walston kick)
  • Redskins – Johnny Williams 38-yard interception return (George Buksar kick) ;4th
  • Eagles – Mike Jarmoluk 45-yard interception return (Bobby Walston kick)
  • Redskins – Hugh Taylor 16-yard pass from Eddie LeBaron (George Buksar kick)
  • Redskins – Eddie LeBaron 1-yard rush (kick failed)

Standings

Playoffs

With a record of 7–5, the Eagles fall one game back of Cleveland and failed to make the playoffs. The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams would tie for the National Division title and had to play a Division Championship game before meeting Cleveland in the 1952 NFL Championship Game

Roster

(All time List of Philadelphia Eagles players in franchise history)

= 1952 Pro BowlHall of Fame]]r
NO.PlayerAGEPOSGPGSWTHTYRSCollege
Jim Trimble35**COACH**1952
record
7–5–0NFL-Eagles
Lifetime
7–5–01stIndiana University
81Bibbles Bawel22DB1201856–1RookieEvansville
60Chuck Bednarik+27LB-C1202336–33Pennsylvania
36John Brewer24FB1202306–4RookieLouisville
10Adrian Burk25QB1231906–22Baylor
33Russ Craft*33DB-HB1201785–96Alabama
17Fred Enke28QB902086–14Arizona
53Ken Farragut24C-LB1202406–41Mississippi
27Neil Ferris25DB-HB801815–111Loyola Marymount
22Ralph Goldston23HB-DB901955–11RookieYoungstown State
86Bud Grant25E-DE1201996–31Minnesota
62Bill Horrell22G402225–11RookieMichigan State
38John Huzvar23FB1202476–4RookieNorth Carolina State, and
Pittsburgh
78Mike Jarmoluk30DT-T-MG1202326–56Temple
76Bucko Kilroy31G-MG-T-DT1202436–29Temple
67John Magee29G1202205–104La-Lafayette, and
Rice
68Maury Nipp22G1002196–0RookieLoyola Marymount
89Bob Oristaglio28DE-E402146–2Pennsylvania
43Jim Parmer26FB-HB601936–04Oklahoma State
35Pete Pihos+29E-DE1202106–15Indiana
21Al Pollard24HB-FB1201966–01Army
62Knox Ramsey26G302166–14William & Mary
82Joe Restic25E301806–2RookieVillavova
52Wayne Robinson22LB-C1202256–2RookieMinnesota
65Dan Rogas26G-DT-T1002306–11Tulane
27Clyde Scott28HB-DB201746–03Arkansas, *and*
Navy
79Vic Sears34T-DT1202236–311Oregon State
73Lum Snyder22T1102286–5RookieGeorgia Tech
20Don Stevens24HB1101765–9RookieIllinois
44Bob Stringer23LB-FB1201976–1RookieTulsa
45Joe Sutton28DB-HB1001805–113Temple
11Bobby Thomason24QB1291966–13VMI
69Joe Tyrrell23G202155–11RookieTemple
31Ebert Van Buren28DB-LB-FB-HB1202106–21LSU
83Bobby Walston24E-HB-K1201906–01Georgia
63Norm Willey25DE-G-E1202246–22Marshall
75Frank Wydo28T-DT12122256–45Cornell
41Frank Ziegler29HB-DB1101755–113Georgia Tech
88Jack Zilly31DE-E1202126–25Notre Dame
38 Players
Team Average26.112208.26–1.22.4

Postseason

At the end of the season, Bud Grant was offered a pay raise in his contract. He chose to play football in the CFL(Canadian Football League) instead. He had a career worthy of being named to the CFL's Hall of Fame as a player. Later on he made the Pro Football Hall of Fame as coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

Awards and honors

Pro Bowl Players

  • Chuck Bednarik and Pete Pihos both make the Pro Bowl 1st team.
  • Russ Craft and Bucko Kilroy selected to the Pro-Bowl team as back-ups.

League leaders

  • Bud Grant finishes 2nd in receptions with 56.
  • Bud Grant finishes 2nd in receiving yards with 997 yds.
  • Adrian Burk leads league in number of punts with 83 and 40.2 yds avg
  • Bobby Walston finishes 2nd with 11 field goals made.

References

References

  1. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/1952.htm 1952 Philadelphia Eagles]
  2. Soutar, Ted. "CFL Legend: Johnny Bright". CFL.ca.
  3. Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro-Bowl at any time in their career.
  4. Players are identified as a 1952 All-Star.
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