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They're all a-twitter in Philly about young quarterback Kevin Kolb (good luck matching predecessor Donovan McNabb's five NFC title games and six Pro Bowls in 10 years as the starter, kid) and even-younger receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and running back LeSean McCoy.
That's all well and good, but Eagles coach Andy Reid knows his offense has problems. That's because the former Brigham Young offensive lineman knows how critical the guys up front are. Just look at the 2009 Redskins. Quarterback Jason Campbell had his best numbers. Backs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts both had 100-yard games as did young receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly. Tight ends Chris Cooley and Fred Davis played well as did Washington's defense, but the Redskins finished 4-12, their worst record in 15 years, largely because their offensive line was a bigger mess than Congress.
Now let's look at the Eagles.Jason Peters is fine at left tackle, but Winston Justice has struggled at the other since becoming a starter last year. On Monday, he lost his practice match up with rookie defensive end Brandon Graham. However, Justice is one of the current line's strengths. That's because center Jamaal Jackson (knee) and left guard Todd Herreman (foot) are on the physically unable to perform list. Reid expects Herremans, out since early May, back when the games count, but Jackson's return is less certain. Replacement center Nick Cole has been, shall we say, inconsistent with his snapping during camp.
What's more, right guard Stacy Andrews, who missed all of 2009 following knee surgery, strained a shoulder on Monday. The barely-tested Mike McGlynn is filling in for Andrews while Max Jean-Gilles (shouldn't he be in the NHL?) has taken Herremans' spot. And backups King Dunlap and Fenuki Tupou are about as raw as McGlynn.
But Reid isn't kicking himself for not taking a lineman with any of his 13 draft picks, nor signing one in free agency.
"I'm good with the [backups] we have," he said. "Whoever is there we're good with. We're lucky to have depth there."
Offensive Line a Real Issue for Eagles
Aug 3, 2010 – 3:21 PM
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