In LeMaster's first four seasons, the Eagles won only 20 out of 56 games. The team hired coach Dick Vermeil, and they went from 4–10 in 1976, to 5–9 in 1977, before reaching the playoffs as a wildcard in 1978 and making the playoffs again in 1979; LeMaster was a vital figure in helping the team turn around. Vermeil described him as "an outstandingly conditioned player.
During LeMaster's first four years with the Eagles, they achieved only 20 wins out of 56 games. The team hired coach Dick Vermeil and experienced significant improvement, moving from a 4–10 record in 1976 to a 5–9 mark in 1977 before making the playoffs as a wild card in both 1978 and 1979; LeMaster was instrumental in the team's turnaround. Vermeil described him as "an exceptionally conditioned player."