Written by Jerald Phalines It seems the national and the local experts have the Eagles trading up or using the 21st pick on the best offensive tackle available. I keep hearing they have to fill the void left with Tra Thomas leaving for Jacksonville.
The Eagles sat idle and watched their starting left tackle walk in free agency without even offering him a contract.
So am I to believe this team has neglected the second most important position on offense side of the ball hoping the draft will produce a left tackle they can simply insert in week #1. Listen, there are numerous positions like fullback, punt returner and linebacker that the Eagles seem to have devalued in the past and felt they could get by with obviously unskilled players that drove all us fans crazy.
Left tackle is the position that Andy Reid had the fortune of inheriting a young all-pro Tra Thomas and fully realized Tra’s true value through his prime.
The Eagles have been stocking up their offensive line for years. Jon Runyan has made the comment they had 4 tackles on the field in Runyan, Andrew, Herrimans and Thomas. I do believe Herrimans can and will probably be this year’s left tackle unless Eugene Monroe falls out of the top 10 in the draft, don't hold your breath.
Andrews will be the man next year. Andy Reid has said Shawn Andrews is the best left tackle in the NFC East. I believe that as much as a Bobby Clarke interview before the hockey trade deadline.
Stacy Andrews should be the left tackle of the future over Shawn. Yes, I did say Stacy, not Shawn. Let me just say Shawn is a beast and I love him at right guard or tackle. The big dancing bears that play left tackle have to be quick, strong and have long to keep premier ends off the QB.
Do you know how quick Shawn's 40 yard dash was? 5.56 at his combine. That is crazy slow and it doesn't mean he isn't a great football player at right tackle, but the foot speed just isn't there to play the left side. Elite left tackles are around 5 seconds even.
His 6'4" height is short as far as left tackles go without especially long arms for his size. He weighs 350+ pounds at 6'4", too heavy at that weight to play the left side. He is a devastating run blocker that should be kept on the right side. I haven't even mentioned his off the field issues.
There is 1 guy on the Eagles roster that fits the proto-typical left tackle package that general managers look for in today's NFL and his name is Stacy Andrews. He is 6'7" with proportionally long arms. He carries 340 pounds very well on his tall frame.
He only started playing football after 2 years at Old Miss while he was setting the schools all time track and field records. He went to the school's pro day just to give the 40 yard dash a try since guys were on him to give football a shot.
He ran a 4.96 40 yard dash without any preparation. That is elite speed for a left tackle, Joe Thomas speed. This years top left tackles are all in the 5.2s and higher. He has been coached up now for 6 years.
The Bengals thought Andrews was a lock to stay in Cinny and made a big stink once he left town. He was the franchise player last year and his December injury caused the Bengals to fall asleep at the wheel and let him get away. That is the argument for Stacy Andrews.
He has not played the left side in games yet, but I am sick of hearing about these great college tackles that have been converted from TE. Stacy grew up plating basketball and competing in the field events.
Think back at the great left tackles over the last 30 years, they look like Stacy Andrews. He still has to do it on the field, but Juan Castillo couldn't ask for a better athlete or person to work with. Imagine the draft possibilities if a left tackle doesn't have to be the main course.
