On the offensive line during a game, the linemen don't have time to talk about the adjustments they've got to make because defensive players move split seconds before the snap.
The linemen have to be on the same page or a defensive player could be turned loose on the quarterback.
They can't come back to help up a battered Donovan McNabb while discussing how one guy thought one thing and another guy thought something else. This is the challenge a team faces when you try to replace two decade-long pillars at the tackle position, Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas.
There's an article by Bob Brookover on Philly.com about the Eagles offensive line and the transition which is taking place.
In the article, center Jamaal Jackson discusses the importance of working together. "The chemistry part of it is going to be a big challenge just because Stacy Andrews wasn't able to compete with us during minicamps. But that's what training camp is for. I felt like Jason picked things up pretty good as far as how we do things on the offensive line. Him and Todd worked pretty well together on the left side, and I think Shawn is doing a good job."
Andy Reid and his offensive line coach Juan Castillo must get this new group of offensive linemen on the same page to the point that they have to be able to make the same adjustments without talking.
Of the five players slated to start on the Eagles offensive line, only two lineman from a year ago will be lining up in the same spot. Jackson will again be the starting center and Todd Herremans will continue as the starting left guard.
Jason Peters was signed in free agency and he will come in to replace Thomas at left tackle.
As you would expect, Eagles GM Tom Heckert feels good about Peters. "He's got a chance to be [the best], he really does. He's super talented. Last year, for most of the time, he played really well. There were a few games he didn't play really well, and whether that was from holding out, who knows?"
"He's just so big and athletic. You don't find a guy that big who can move like he can. Most of the super athletes are just a little over 300 pounds. He's got it all and he can do it all."
Stacy Andrews who was also signed in free agency is expected to start at right guard. Stacy is recovering from a knee surgery and is expected to be ready to go sometime in training camp.
Heckert stresses Stacy's versatility. "We knew if he made it to free agency, we were going to try to sign him. We thought he could play both guard and tackle, and we didn't know for sure what we were going to do with him. We knew he'd start for us somewhere."
At right tackle is a familiar name but it won't be Runyan who manned the position for nearly a decade. Former Pro Bowl right guard Shawn Andrews will be moving out to right tackle to take over there.
Once the camp gets going, you're going to hear a lot about the speedy new weapons but the key to everything will be the new offensive line.
