Eagles Stun Jaworski by Announcing Cunningham Will Start Against Rams
PHILADELPHIA — On Sunday, quarterback Ron Jaworski of the Philadelphia Eagles was sacked eight times in a 21-0 loss to the New York Giants in the New Jersey Meadowlands.
So it seemed to be an act of mercy when Eagle Coach Marion Campbell pulled Jaworski with 8 minutes and 12 seconds remaining.
But apparently it wasn’t. On Monday, Campbell told Jaworski he wasn’t going back in.
Campbell announced that Randall Cunningham, the rookie from Nevada Las Vegas, would start this Sunday’s game against the Rams.
That’s big news in Philadelphia, where Jaworski, 34, has been the Eagles’ starting quarterback since 1977. He started 116 consecutive games until he broke his ankle against St. Louis last Nov. 25.
Jaworski’s ankle is fine now, but the Eagles’ offense isn’t. That’s why Campbell is making the move. He apparently believes that Cunningham, a running quarterback, can help take the heat off the Eagles’ offensive line, which didn’t exactly conduct a clinic on pass blocking against the Giants.
“This is strictly a move based on Cunningham being able to move the club when he’s had the chance to play,” Campbell said. “Randall’s time has come quicker than we anticipated.”
Jaworski, of course, was shocked.
He was called into Campbell’s office Monday afternoon at Veterans Stadium after practice. When Jaworski emerged 10 minutes later, he walked out of the office in a huff and had no comment for a reporter who was waiting for a scheduled interview.
Two hours later, the Eagles held a press conference to announce the move.
