Time To Worry About the O-Line?

I’ve tried to not worry, and I’ve tried to hold it in, but it is official - I am worried about the Eagles offensive line. With only 1 (Jamaal Jackson) starter on the offensive line healthy enough to make the trip to Indianapolis for the 2nd preseason game this week, I am starting to get more and more concerned as the season gets closer. I understand that teams will hold a player out of a preseason game with a hang nail, but still…. I am worrying.

I hope that my worrying is over nothing, but it seems less likely every day that our revamped offensive line will all be starting the season together. This will be a problem, as the Eagles spend a lot of money and draft picks on their offensive line. Let’s take a look at all the different players on the offensive line, and what they are out injured with.

Starting at left tackle this season, replacing Tra Thomas will be Jason Peters. Peters was paid a lot of money after being acquired in a trade before the draft. He looked horrible in the first preseason game, was having trouble getting the snap count down, and now is out injured with a strained quad. Peters will be replaced by King Dunlap, who is a monster (even by offensive lineman standards).

At left guard this season is Todd Herremans, who has been a starter in the offense for a few years now. It was initially reported that Herremans had a bruised ankle, but now it is listed as a stress condition in his foot. I can’t imagine that is a good thing for a guy that size, especially when offensive lineman tend to take longer to heal when things go wrong with their legs or feet. Herremans will be replaced by Max Jean-Gilles, who has seen playing time with this team before.

At right guard, free agent acquisition Stacy Andrews is slated to be the starter. When the Eagles signed Andrews, he was coming on surgery, and they knew it would take some time to get him on the field. Well, supposedly he is healing just fine, but he has been on and off the field. He doesn’t have any specific injury besides simply healing from knee surgery. Andrews will be replaced by Nick Cole, who started most of last season in place off Shawn Andrews.

Speaking of Shawn Andrews….. the oft injured now starting right tackle is injured with back spasms. Andrews had back surgery during last season, and apparently re-injured the back while running at some point. I have no clue what to make of Andrews, his desire to play, or when he will be back. Andrews will be replaced by Winston Justice. If it turns out Andrews can’t go this season, the Eagles may consider reaching out to Jon Runyan, if it turns out he is able to play this season.

So what does this all mean? Besides Donovan McNabb having to run for his life all night against the Colts Thursday night, hopefully nothing. Hopefully this is all just regular before season injuries and rest, and the starting unit will all be healthy, available, and productive week 1 of the season. There is a big difference between healthy and productive. We need our offensive line to be both this year. If this unit is all together, and productive, it has the ability to be very dangerous, and one of the best units in the game. Let’s hope this is the case, and my worrying is for nothing.

Shawn Andrews to See Back Specialist

Shawn Andrews was not at practice today. He wasn't even in the area to discuss his injury as he did over the weekend... sort of. Andrews spoke to the media yesterday, and said that it is easy to people to criticize him without being in his shoes, and that he is content with where he is at.

Interesting. Well today, we learned that Shawn Andrews flew out to Los Angeles to meet with Dr. Robert Watkins, the doctor who performed back surgery on Andrews last year. What this means remains to be seen, but it is clearly not a good thing.

The banged up offensive line looked poor in the first preseason game. In my opinion, it is officially time to start worrying about the offensive line. The Eagles spent a lot of money to bring in guys to make sure that this unit remained one of the best in the NFL after losing Tra Thomas and John Runyan. Jason Peters can't stay on the field, Todd Herramans in out for the entire preseason, Shawn Andrews hasn't put on pads yet, and Stacy Andrews has a banged up knee, and seems to be in and out of practice each day.

If Shawn Andrews if out for an extended period of time, Stacy could slide back to right tackle, and Nick Cole, or Max Jean-Gilles could play guard. If Stacy remains at guard, Herramans, if he is healthy, could play left tackle, or Winston Justice, who got the start in the first preseason game, could as well. Who knows, maybe we will see John Runyan at some point.

Updating Eagles Free Agency

The story of Brian Dawkins joining the Denver Broncos has been confirmed by some, while others are saying it is not true. With this story still up in the air, we can only hope for the best. There will be a lot of angry Eagles fans if Dawkins does leave the Eagles. Dawkins was not only a pro bowler last season, but is the physical and emotional leader of the Eagles. One of the reasons that Eagles defense is so successful is because the players know if they don't give 110%, Dawkins will be in their face.

So lets update what we do know. Stacy Andrews signed with the Eagles. We like that signing, the Eagles needed to bring in an offensive tackle, and we believe they brought in a good one in Stacy Andrews. Unfortunately, other than that, it doesn't look good for the Eagles.

The Eagles came up short again this season by losing in the NFC Championship game. McNabb has stated on record that he wants more weapons. Only one day into NFL free agency, and we will probably lose both former pro bowler Tra Thomas, and former pro bowler John Runyan on the offensive line. We did lose former pro bowler Lito Sheppard in a trade to the Jets. We lose Correll Buckhalter, who was arguably more consistent than Westbrook last season, and was one of the main playmakers on offense all season. We also lose L.J. Smith, who was a bum but without him the TE position is not as good. We lose Sean Considine, who......... ohhh wait that's a good thing. Actually as much as I hate Considine, he could make plays on special teams, and the Eagles special teams has been horrible since Harbaugh left as special teams coach. And now possibly losing 7 time pro bowler Brian Dawkins? It is still very early, but seems to me like we are losing playmakers quicker than we are gaining them. Looks like we need to address the offensive line, running back, fullback, wide receiver, tight end, defensive end, and safety position before next season. We are not big supporters of the Eagles front office at Kotite's Corner, and they continue to show their arrogant idiocy if they could not overpay Dawkins a little bit to have him back. The trio of Andy Reid, Joe Banner, and Jeffrey Lurie are an absolute joke.