Tony Brostek gets contract extension
By "Joey Scarfone"

Pre-Season 2108 (Philadelphia) - Philadelphia Eagles' fans have become used to the fact that their front office is very stingy when it comes to handing out Franchise Player contracts.'You would think it is because they don't like spending money,' says Eagles Fan Club president Charles Dubley, 'but it has more to do with their luck in the College Draft.' But four seasons ago their luck changed.

Entering the 2105 College Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles' hopes for acquiring a stud offensive lineman were slim to none.

'We were sitting at the number 15 spot overall,' recalls veteran OL Sean Raymond, the 5th overall selection of the 2100 College Draft, 'and all the buzz was about OLs Cooper Highsmith, Kimball Tasker, and the fiesty defensive back from the University of Miami, Ron Dave. Our scouts told us that there was a guy out there that the teams at the top of the draft were overlooking.'

The 2105 College Draft was a memorable night as several General Managers were caught in a massive power outage that gripped the northeast of the country. GMs were scrambling to get a decent phone/video connection to the live event.

The Detroit Lions were the proud owners of the #1 overall selection and they quickly took Cooper Highsmith. The Raiders, Dolphins, Vikings, and the Packers all took defensive linemen with the next four selections allowing Dave to be scooped up by his home town USAFL team, the Miami Dolphins.

A couple picks later the Chiefs grabbed Tasker off the boards and a few picks later the Redskins selected OL Duff Johnson.

When the Eagles went on the clock with the 15h overall selection, there were three offensive linemen already gone. The Birds sent their card up to the podium without hesitation.

'With the fifteenth selection of the 2105 USAFL College Draft,' announced the moderator, 'the Philadelphia Eagles select Offensive Lineman, from Michigan, Tony Brostek.'

The selection drew little to no attention ... but the Eagles scouting staff knew what they had on their hands. The cornerstone to their offensive line for the next 15 seasons.

Brostek had an impressive rookie camp and was nearly a starter his first season. He backed up Willie Harris at center and had a number of regular season reps spelling the starters. By his second season, the Eagles made Brostek their starting Right Tackle. He has remained a starter ever since.

Highsmith, Tasker, and Johnson have yet to start for their franchises.

The Eagles rushed for 2,004 yards last season (2nd in the league) and were 10th in sacks allowed.

'This kid still has a lot to learn,' says Harris, 'just imagine what this offensive line will be like in a year or two.'

Brostek joins just a handful of players that have been signed to a Franchise Player contract by the Philadelphia Eagles.

LB Chad Casillas(2103) was the last player the Birds awarded an FP deal. In 2090 they made DL Leon Carrington an FP and in 2071 they awarded DL Theo Grimes.