It’s not a blockbuster deal. It’s not a the biggest free agent signing of the off season. But, it’s reason for Scranton, a financially strapped city in the North Eastern corner of Pennsylvania, to rejoice. The pride of Scranton (and Penn State), Matt McGloin, has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL.com: “Philadelphia on Monday agreed to terms with free-agent passer Matt McGloin on a one-year deal, per the team’s Twitter account.
McGloin comes to the Eagles after spending the past four seasons as a backup with the Raiders.
The undrafted signal-caller logged seven starts in Oakland, with six of those coming in 2013 and one last season while filling in for injured starter Derek Carr. McGloin then suffered a shoulder injury in the regular-season finale, shoving rookie Connor Cook into the lineup for Oakland’s wild-card loss to the Texans.
In Philadelphia, McGloin will battle for position with Nick Foles behind locked-in starter Carson Wentz. Coach Doug Pederson kept just two quarterbacks on the roster last season, though, meaning that McGloin is no lock to make the team.”
The SCRANTON-area has put the following players into the National Football League: Edgar “Special Delivery” Jones, Lou Palazzi, Jack Koniszewski, Johnny Rogalla, Charley Trippi (in the Hall of Fame), Nick Chickillo, Mike Hudock, Mike Munchak (first round draft pick), Chris Snee, Gerard Boyarsky, Henry Bullough, Carl Butkus, John Dempsey, Fred DeRiggi, Edmund Eiden, Michael Fanucci, William Ferrario, Cosmo Iacavazzi, David Jacobs, Donald Jonas, Edgar Jones, Joseph O’Malley, Henry Reese, Tim Ruddy, Marc Spindler, Edward Stahl, Louis Tomasetti, Michael Hudock, Vincent Sites, James Cefalo, Charles Cherundolo, and Ralph White.
Never forget the pride of Carbondale, PA: Edward Stacco.
The following Wilkes-barre born players have made it to the NFL: Albert Bedner, Mark Duda, Paul Greeley, Quentin Harris, Paul Greeley, Quentin Harris, Joseph Hergert, James Katcavage, Joseph Koons, Rudolph Kraft, William Lopasky, Gregory Manusky, Phillip Ostrowski, Chester Pudloski, Greg Skrepenak, Peter Stevens, Isadore Weinstock, Thomas Woodeshick, Ray Yakavonis, George Young, Albert Bedner, Mark Duda, Paul Greeley, Quentin Harris, Joseph Hergert, and James Katcavage.
Of note are the Ismail brothers, The Rocket and The Missile, who played for Myers in Wilkes-barre, but were born in Elizabeth, NJ.
It seems like, more often times than not, NEPA has a local in the NFL to cheer for.
I’m sure I missed some people. Let us know who we forgot in the comments below.