Veteran Eagle Fryar calls it quits

PHILADELPHIA - Although it's not official, Ray Rhodes, who was God's gift
to Philadelphia football just a few years ago, has made his own
announcement that his minutes as the Eagles' head coach are ticking away.

On the day when 15-year NFL veteran receiver Irving Fryar announced his
retirement, Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was
being touted as Rhodes' successor, with Jacksonville's offensive coordinator
Chris Palmer being given an outside chance.

Fryar, 36, will be given a Philadelphia farewell Sunday when the Eagles
take on the New York Giants, and then slipping off to TV-land where
he's been practicing as a reporter on Channel 6. His affable style has
already endeared him to the TV public.

Of course, Fryar, the Pats' No. 1 pick out of Nebraska in the 1984 draft,
spent nine seasons with New England and three in Miami, before landing as
an Eagle three years ago. His stats of 781 catches, 11,947 receiving yards,
and 77 TDs seem certain to earn him a trip to Canton, Ohio and the Football
Hall of Fame in the near future.

Most considered Fryar a washout in those early days, because of his
rebellious nature that landed him in jail after a bar brawl. As he sat in
the jail cell, badly beaten, Fryar said: "The Lord spoke to me." It was a
message to the effect that he was either to shape up or ship out.

Fryar did the wise thing and shaped up. He has since become an ordained
minister.

With the Eagles floundering this season at 3-12, Fryar's effectiveness has
been lessened, and he's bowing out gracefully.

Tom Modrak, the Eagles' first director of football operations, along with
executive vice-president Joe Banner, and even owner Jeffrey Lurie, will
undoubtedly make the final decision on Rhodes' successor.

Respected Philadelphia Daily News columnist Bill Conlin said Wednesday:
"Football men are notorious for going with what they know...Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett's once proud minions have turned into the Steal Curtain, as in stealing money. So, based on conventional wisdom that the Eagles have an aching need to totally overhaul the offense, it seems manifest destiny that Modrak will hire Haslett."

Go figure.