More on the OL

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Let's look at the starters as of now.


LT Jason Peters
LG Todd Herremans
OC Nick Cole
RG Stacy Andrews
RT Winston Justice

This appears to be a solid group.  Cole would be somewhat of a question mark at Center because he hasn't played much there in the last 2 years.  He has played well as the starting RG.  I think with a full offseason to get back into the habit of snapping and making line calls Cole can do at least an adequate job.  Maybe better.

Stacy Andrews is someone we've talked about.  He and the Eagles have to work on a restructured deal, but it sounds like that will happen.  Stacy isn't going to get a better deal anywhere else.  On the field I think he can be a good player for us.  The coaches are still excited about what he can bring to the offense.  He showed excellent potential as a run blocker last year.  Pass protection was the area where he really struggled.  Jay Ratliff gave him fits and ate up Donovan McNabb. 

Stacy has the athletic ability to be effective in pass pro.  He'll have the whole offseason to get comfortable with his knee.  That's his biggest challenge.  He also now knows our offense and style of blocking.  I fully expect the guy we see this spring and summer to be light years better than last year. 

The other starters I think we're all pretty happy with.  Backups are a whole different story. 

King Dunlap
Mike McGlynn
Fenuki Tupo
Dallas Reynolds

Dunlap struggled in the Oakland game.  He was overpowered by Richard Seymour.  Before we completely dismiss Dunlap because of that game we need to remember a couple of things.  That was Dunlap's first real NFL action.  Also, he faced one of the few 4-3 DEs that goes in the 300-pound range.  We don't know how Dunlap would have fared against a 260-pound guy, a much more common matchup.  I am not ready to give up on Dunlap, but I do think the Eagles need to bring in a player to compete with him.  We need a good backup at LT, whether Dunlap or someone else.  One problem with King is that he doesn't have the body to play G or RT.  He needs to excel at LT. 

McGlynn is a major mystery.  He's impressed me in the last 2 preseasons, but hasn't been able to get on the field at G or C.  I don't know if that is an indictment of him or simply the fact that Mike has been stuck behind a slew of veterans.  I still have high hopes for Mike and would like to see him get a shot at C. 

Tupou is another mystery.  He played LT at Oregon.  In the NFL he projects to RT or G.  He was put on IR prior to the season so all we can go on is last summer.  Tupou spent most of his time at LG.  He started slow, but got better as he got more accustomed to playing on the inside. 

Reynolds stood out to me when watching some mini-camp and Training Camp highlights last year.  He wasn't great or anything, but he didn't look as lost as many rookies do.  Reynolds was a 4-year starter at BYU so experience isn't an issue with him.  Dallas isn't physically gifted, but he's smart, mature, and tough.  Those are pretty good qualities for a backup Center. 

There are a couple of guys I didn't mention. 

Max Jean-Gilles
AQ Shipley
Shawn Andrews

Max is a RFA.  The Eagles will probably tender him, but I do wonder if he's a player they really want back.  He hasn't gotten better with experience.  He's flat-lined.  Maybe you keep him around in case of injury, but I'd almost rather see someone completely new get the chance to play.  Max just isn't a player I believe in. 

Shipley is interesting.  He spent all of 2009 on the Steelers Practice Squad.  Do you sign him because you want maximum depth in case Jamaal can't come back?  Do you sign him because you are disappointed with Cole or McGlynn?  Do you sign him to simply take Reynolds spot away? 

There isn't much to say about Shawn.  The first test for him will be showing up to the post-draft mini-camp.  If he does that and plays we'll start to talk about how he might have a chance on this team. 

Here are a few possible depth charts:

LT  Peters .......... Dunlap
LG  Herremans ... Tupou
OC  Cole ............ Reynolds/Shipley
RG  St Andrews .. McGlynn
RT  Justice

LT  Peters .......... Dunlap
LG  Herremans ... McGlynn
OC  Cole ............ Reynolds/Shipley
RG  St Andrews .. Jean-Gilles
RT  Justice ......... Tupou

LT  Peters .......... Dunlap
LG  Herremans ... Tupou
OC  Cole ............ McGlynn ..... Reynolds/Shipley
RG  St Andrews .. Jean-Gilles
RT  Justice


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