Philadelphia Eagles head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale poses for a photo in Philadelphia, Penn., 1940s. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale and quarterback Tommy Thompson (11) watch from the sidelines during an NFL game in Philadelphia, 1940s. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Coach Earl "Greasy" Neale, third from left, discusses a play, December 25, 1947 with three of his players in preparation for Sunday's National Football League Championship game with the Chicago Cardinals at Chicago. Listening while Neale explains the play's workings are, left to right, halfback Steve Van Buren, tackle Al Wistert and quarterback Tommy Thompson. (Associated Press)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale poses for a photo in Philadelphia, 1940s. Neale developed the Eagle Defense, which was a mainstay around the league for years. The defensive set eventually spawned another NFL favorite, the 4-3 defense. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Coach Earle "Greasy" Neale, right, signs new contract with the Eagles for three years, February 2, 1949. With him is president of the Eagles Jim Clarke. (Associated Press)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale poses for a photo in Philadelphia, 1940s. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale poses for a photo with halfback Jack Hinkle (43) in Philadelphia, 1946. Neale once said of Hinkle, "When he gets in a game, he's a slam-bang player." (Pro Football Hall of Fame)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale poses for a photo in Philadelphia in 1949. (Pro Football Hall of Fame)