The Eagles offensive line is the strength of the football team. They must play well for this team to have any chance of success this season. That includes opening holes for the running game and providing time for the quarterbacks, when the Birds throw the football. If this unit plays the way they did on Saturday night, Chip Kelly’s team will be fortunate to win as many games as Andy Reid’s Eagles did in 2012.
The offensive line is the most talented area of the football team. They have some very talented players on this unit, but they must function smoothly together, like a well-oiled engine, despite the fact that they haven’t played together as a full unit very long.
The team’s best player is left tackle Jason Peters, an athletic marvel. They need him back playing at full strength with his amazing combination of size, power and athleticism. If Peters returns to his dominant play, it will provide a cutback hole for the running backs, such as LeSean McCoy, when he’s running to the right side. There will likely be a gaping hole for Shady when he’s running behind Peters on the left side. McCoy knew where Peters was at on every carry when he had the best year of his career in 2011, hopefully they’ll get that synergy back this season.
One of their toughest players, center Jason Kelce is the leader of this group. Kelce is smart with good feet and athleticism for the center position. He’s got to get his legs back under him as he recovers from the serious knee injury. I think he’ll fit well into the uptempo zone blocking scheme, which emphasizes movement over brute strength. The Birds offensive line will fire out and trying to get the defensive line moving laterally in order to get position on them and open holes. Kelce is at his best when he’s using his speed and quickness against the defensive line.
Left guard Evan Mathis is considered by many to be a Pro Bowl level player. He had a great year in 2011 with Peters lined up next to him. His performance fell off a bit in 2012, but he needs step his game up again. That left side has got to be dominant, so that they’ll be able to enforce their will on teams by running the ball down their throats.
At the end of the 2011 season, the Eagles were running the ball to their left side whenever they wanted to, regardless of how many people teams brought into the box. They need to get back to that level. It will open up the passing game and take much of the pressure off the quarterbacks and receivers. Peters and Mathis are supposed to be two Pro Bowl level players, so they should own their side of the line.
Veteran right guard Todd Herremans has had good years at the guard and tackle positions for the Birds, but 2012 wasn’t one of them. The Birds need him to have a good year in 2013. He doesn’t need to be a dominant player, but he must be sound. Herremans can’t be getting beaten as a pass blocker or turning guys loose in the running game. Hopefully he’ll get more confident in his legs as the season goes by.
Right tackle Lane Johnson was the fourth pick in the draft and is considered an excellent prospect. He’s an outstanding athlete with a mean streak. The kid believes in finishing his blocks, which I love to see. He should get better with time, but they can’t afford him to struggle too much at the start of the season.
The key will be the running game. If the Birds are able to run the football effectively it will keep them out of second and third and longs, which will keep the defensive ends worried about the run. That will prevent them for teeing off on the rookie. I’ve been impressed with the way he’s been able to adjust to different pass rushes.
Hopefully he’ll be punishing defensive ends once the Birds offensive line gets them moving in their running game. Johnson has the potential to be very good.
The talented offensive line I just talked about didn’t look promising on Saturday night. The Jaguars front seven outplayed the Birds first string offensive line. I’ll cut them some slack because this was their first time at full-strength, but they stunk up the place. They had better set their performance bar much higher than the Jacksonville game, especially when it comes to blocking for the running game. They must get better with their double-team blocks because those are the key blocks in the zone blocking scheme.
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is a master of the running game and it’s very intricate and well thought out. I wouldn’t say the same about his passing game. The passing game is rather simple and easy to defend, if you stop the running game and keep the offense in second and long and third and long. It’s not easy to stop the running game, when he is committed to getting it going. Add to that a talented back like McCoy, along with the threat of Vick keeping the ball, and you can see why stopping the Birds running game will be a serious chore.
Still I must emphasize that the Eagles must be able to run the football this season. If they aren’t able to run the football effectively and consistently, this season will be an unmitigated disaster because Kelly’s running game isn’t sophisticated enough to carry an NFL offense. Therefore the first team offensive line must play much better than they did against the Jags.
It started out on the first play when Johnson wasn’t ready for the intensity of Jason Babin’s bullrush. Babin drove into the backfield and into Vick’s face and forced him to scramble out of the pocket. Vick wound up getting sacked and it helped to stop the Birds first drive.
Mathis committed a costly holding penalty while Vick was connected with Brent Celek for an 18-yard pass and a first down. It negated the gain and put them in third and long. Later, Mathis didn’t adjust on a pass rush game by the Jags defensive line and it left a Jacksonville defensive lineman coming free inside with an open door to sack Vick. He should have been expecting the game and slid off the tackle onto the defensive end.
Kelce made a poor snap in the red zone to cause a fumble and screw up a second down play. It wasted a very good scoring opportunity.
A couple of times Herremans and Mathis or Kelce got mixed up in who they blocking on the inside or outside zone running play and it resulted in a big defensive tackle loose in the offensive backfield.
Peters didn’t have a mishap which stopped a drive, but he wasn’t dominant when they tried to run to that left side.
The offensive line was instrumental in ending five or six drives because of their bad plays. There’s no way the Birds will have any chance of winning if the offensive line plays that poorly in the regular season.
This team will go as far as the offensive line can take them. They’ve got to be dominant for the Eagles to have a decent season.
Yeah but the starters ae not playing. The backups need to perform to earn their place on the roster. The bacup O-linemen did ok against the Jag s . Especially during the last 99 yard drive.
The Back-ups as a Group, played better than the Starter’s in my opinion versus the Jags.. Peters was rusty, and Mathis,Kelce,Herremans & Johnson all go pushed around in that 1st Half.. and it didn’t help that Vick hung onto the ball a little too long on some passes.. A real concern to me is how the Eagles Veteran WR’s (D-Jax/Avant & Cooper) were not able to get open early and often enough against a very, young & inexperienced Jaguar Secondary who were playing 3 Rookies much of that first Half in their Secondary.. Something to keep an Eye on moving forward..
If the veteran WR’s dont get open quickly then Vick will be forced to hold the ball a little while longer. Vick had really one bad play…that lead to an interception…but other than that…he played well…gained positive yards with the O-line breaking down and made some smart plays and excellent throws…the touchdown pass to Cooper was excellent.
Vick needs the same thing that Manning, Brady, and all of the other good QB’s in the league constantly want and cry for when they dont get it…a good running game.It is truly the key to the Eagles success this year
Kelce sucks as a matter a fact it doesnt matter whos the qb he will find a way to F up the snap and cause a fumble he’s done it several times to Foles and Vick. Kelce also is a turn style. Yes every since MUDD drafted him, all mudds guys are bombs so this notion that the Oline was good in 2011 with Vick is complete B.S. Kelce is only good at run blocking .
Evan Mathis is nothing more than a career back up he always gets ran through by defensive lineman. Herremans needs to be put back at LG he is way better than Mathis.
Herremans is at the end of the line..
Took 3 days to get this story big dog, but hey I will take it.
Such a clown
You mentioned the Eagles style of passing in the NFL is average. Simple and easy to defend? So basically if we can’t run the ball like 75% of the time, then were in deep shit right? Definitely not flattering to hear
Seahawks release 7 Year Veteran DB Will Blackmon who was a 4th Rd Pick
of the Packers a few years ago.. He’s 6-0 210lbs and Versatile where he can play CB & Safety & Special Teams .. I would like to see the Eagles bring him in asap for he can provide some Depth at both Positions and is a Physical Player
Eagles just waived Phillip Hunt. No surprise here!
With injury, was going to miss the entire Season, a Free-Agent after the Season so no real reason to place him on IR list if they don’t feel he had a future with the Team…
Will Blackmon has been plagued by injuries. Down that road to many times.
The Lions just released DeQuan Menzie who was a good CB at Alabama-5’11” 203 lbs. They also released a good kicker in Havard Rugland. I’m willing to bet he could beat out Alex Henery!!!
Evan Mathis and pro bowl don’t really sound right together. Journeyman or stop-gap might be better descriptions.
Not a good sign when the Lions are releasing CB’s.. Their CB group could be weaker than the Eagles, talent wise..
True, however, DeQuan Menzie was injured last year. He’s a former Bama player so I’d be willing to look at him. After all it’s not like the Eagles are exactly stockpiled at the CB position. And lets be serious, no elite defensive backs are going to be on the market.
Clay Harbor might get cut but Id rather have harbor than casey. Chip Kelly alluded to the tight ends being a position of strength and that one good player is going to get cut.
I think Harbor makes the squad, last year of a cheap Contract and will be the 5th/6th WR & 3rd String TE
Remember that FB/TE Casey had his Knee Scooped in May and is just rounding into Football shape..
Evan Mathis is a 98 rating on the new Madden NFL 25 video game, He is the highest rated player on the Eagles with McCoy second with a 93. LOL.
If you ask me, every single team in the NFC East has it’s problems top to bottom.
Philly – Secondary
NY- Oline, Secondary
WASH- QB, Secondary
DAL- Oline,Secondary
There is no way Philly’s defense is worse than last years in any category. I don’t care if it’s a new DC or system. This team is way better off with Cary Williams, Boykin, and Fletcher than DRC and Nhamdi. Nate Allen, who is 2 years removed from his ACL tear should be better next to Patrick Chung and Earl Wolfe switching in. Kurt Koleman needs to be cut. Immediately. This offense will be in the top 5. Mark it down. Our secondary will also be improved from last years Bobby April disaster. Damaris is going to get 2-3 KR Touchdowns along with Desean getting a couple PR TDS. With a better OFFENSE, OLINE, gameplan, and special teams I believe we really can compete and get into the playoffs with 9 wins possibly.
Who knows how healthy RG3 is going to be? and can their shaky secondary and no depth Oline hold up?
Will Eli be consistent? With Cruz and Hakeem battling injuries and an shaky old OLine, this might be a down year for the Giants
Personally, I can’t see Dal doing anything until they prove me otherwise. Every year I go into a season saying “Oh my god, this is going to be the year there tough.” And Tony Romo never disappoints me. Will he be able to be consistent for one behind a shaky oline and questionable secondary?
Philly- 9-7
DAL- 8-8
WASH-8-8
NY- 7-9
“Philly- 9-7
DAL- 8-8
WASH-8-8
NY- 7-9”
I can live with that…
Do you some of you clowns watch any player than mv7, Vick doesn’t look that good and all of a sudden it’s the oline problem, the offensive line is a strength, the biggest strength on the team, maybe they looked bad because the qb can’t get the ball out of his ands quick enough, a retelling tale of this albatross of a qb, nick foles gets rid of the ball very quickly and these so called fans, football gurus, say foles checks down, no shit you fucking geniuses he’s running the Kelly offense, getting the ball out in 1.5 seconds, Impossible to do That on a long throw, but this shit head mike vik waits and waits and waits, looks like and waits some more, wake me the fuk up when he’s outta here……..
I am tired of mike Vick, I don’t give a shit who quarterbacks other than mike vick, bring on Barkley, he would produce more than Vick, meanwhile.a potential stud a qb rots on the bench until this jag off af a quarterback shits the bed again or gets hurt, damn, it’s gonna be the same shit this year with vick
GCobb..is dead right on this one. While everyone wants to, pardon the pun, dog Mike Vick….the key to this team is the running game! GCobb details the break down on the line that had Vick running for his life…yet he still made some good throws, and gain positive yards with his feet turning some of the negative, poor play by the O-line into positives!
However, Vick can’t bail the O-line out all of the time…the running game has to be established…this is very much the key to the season for the Eagles
Jake.. come on now bud.. this is the same kind of silliness that got vinnie canned… isnt it possible that the oline had a bad game? Remove vick from this for a second… isnt it possible that the oline struggled? Even if vick throws 10 tds in a game… or 8 ints.. its still possible for the oline to struggle. No?
Stevo, the vast majority of the Mike Vick haters refuse to accept that Vick won the job fair and square. So they are too blind to see obvious facts…the O-line played horrible…Chip Kelly’s offense is based on the running game! When people shake off the Vick hate and realize this…then they will see GCobb’s point about the O-line is very important!
Of course the oline struggled.
The Eagles are not the only team to have oline problems you know.
The problem is that elite QBs (for ex Rodgers) still ri[p the leage apart despite getting sacked 51x, while Vick goes back to spinning, scrambling, bailing and heaving.
Teams cannot win the SB anymore without an elite QB. It is 2013, not 1973.
Actually, Pro football focus had Rodger’s o-line ranked 11th best in pass blocking.
Which goes to something Football Outsiders wrote about Rodgers.Rodgers takes a lot of coverage sacks. Football Outsiders wrote an article explaining about short and long sacks. Short being under 2.4 seconds, long being over 3. Short are the fault the oline. Long are on the Qb.
Vick had less long sacks , and far more short sacks, through 10 weeks of the season (when Vick got hurt). Vick had the 3rd most short sacks.
The Eagles o-line was ranked 25th in pass blocking. Long story short, Rodger’s o-line was not bad in terms of pass blocking.
Rodgers actually does hold onto the ball too long…often. That’s why he’s sacked so much.
His oline isn’t nearly as bad as folk make it out to be – last year they started off decent and got worse due to injury I beleive. This year I think you may see those short sacks increase – they are kind of sketch.
What are talking about? Vick had more long sacks than short sacks.
Vick had 13 long sacks and 10 short sacks through 10 weeks last year. The difference between Vick and Rogers is…. well I’m sure you know the difference just look at their completion percentage.
Was not saying Vick is as good as Rogers. The point was his line actually protects him well. It was Vick behind the garbage o-line, not Rodgers. He also had more long sacks than Vick.
Vick isn’t Rodgers, but he’s been productive as the Eagles starter. And while Vick ain’t Rodgers, Foles isn’t better than Vick. Nor does he have upside that Rodgers had coming out of college.
Why keep whining about Foles when multiple guys with more upside are in next year’s draft?
Why Not see what the Kid can do? Then we might not have to use that #1 pick on another QB? If I remember correctly 5 was drafted in a class of 5 number one QBs and Ricky Williams of all those QBs only 5 made it…Couch, Smith, Culpepper and Mcknown all bums…In fact Ricky can’t miss Williams was a miss too…..I’d rather see if one of the kids can carry us, then pick another QB if we had to.
Because Vick proved to be the better Qb.
Developing a young Qb while the veteran starts is done all the time in this league.
The Eagles don’t have to make a choice between competing to win now and developing for the future. They can do both at the same time.
How did Foles enter into the conversation – I simply pointed out that you were wrong saying – “Vick had less long sacks , and far more short sacks, through 10 weeks of the season.” – No, he had MORE long sacks
And now I will tell you that you are wrong saying Vick has been productive – No he has not – with the exception of 6 games three years ago.
I said he had less long sacks and more short sacks than RODGERS, not that he had less long sacks than short sacks.
Only in your Vick bias is he not a productive Qb. Too much bias has you blaming Vick for things that were out of his control in 2011, like the defensive collapses, and the horrible STs.
“Only in your Vick bias is he not a productive Qb”
Yeah right…. So the Eagles organization must be bias too since they gave him a pay cut, and made him try-out for the starting job. When you are ranked 30th in a league of 32 starting quarterbacks, you are not a productive quarterback.
If anybody is bias here it’s you! You are blinded by your love of Vick. He sucked for the last two years – accept it and hope he does better in this new system. Do’t make up bullshit….
who cares about other O Lines? I’m only worried about this Eagles team. O Lines are graded, so why not be an A grade O Line than a C grade…Basically you are saying that no one else needs to play, just the QB. Shit, lets tell Peters, Kelce, Herremanns etc…don’t show up on game day, its all on the QB, a great QB can get it done without you… Bottom line for the Eagles to be a complete team the O Line has to play better, the defense, the QB…everyone!
And about the “potential stud”.. easy buddy… hes had a chance to show how amazing he was in college and last year and in camp and… he played well but not well enough to beat out vick. I know you want him to be a stud… we all do… but that guy hasnt shown up yet.
Paulman you may be right because Casey was the one that was supposed to be getting split out as a WR and now its Harbor.. Casey hasnt done anything he has 2 catches for like 10 yards.. I wonder if theyre going to cut him.
FB/TE J Casey is just rounding into shape as I mentioned above
He makes this 53 Man Roster, no doubt.. There is a $4,015.00 Cap Hit if he were to be released.. He’s not played much for he has minor knee scope back in May and they have been easing him back to football speed… He should be 100% and in top Shape within the next few weeks and expect his Playing Time,Opportunities to increase once he’s at top Speed/Shape..
Casey’s Status has kind of gotten lost with QB Battle, Cooper Drama, etc,etc but I have been keeping my eye on him and he will be a nice Contributor to this Offense once up to speed which should be shortly
make that a $4,015,000.00 Million Cap Hit..
Oh brother, The O-line is the last thing to Worry about right now. It will be fine, you have a rookie and 3 guys returning form season ending surgery last year. They will gel and be fine. We should be worrying about 1. Defensive as a unit. It was a jekyl and Hyde game Saturday against the 2nd Worst team in the league last year. 2. Turnovers. From Fumbles to Int that has to stop, I think for the most part the Eagles out played the horrid Jags. The turnovers though led directly to 10 Jacksonville points. Can’t win Turning the ball over. Special Teams look solid no complaints there…QB cannot throw the ball off his back foot or as he is being sacked, simple as that. That leads to game changing plays that this team can’t afford. Im gonna assume the running game is gonna be 65% of the offense this year…One can only hope.
Every village needs an idiot. Ours is jakedog. Who, like Vinnie was supposed to be banned from commenting because of his asinine prediction that the eagles would draft Geno smith in the 1st round. This is a guy that forms his opinions from highlights and hearsay instead of actually studying the game. For anyone to say that they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Vick will fail is ignorant, period.
Changing a coach/system has often produced great results for players who struggled under the previous regime. Look at Randall when he went to the vikes. He was virtually unrecognizable as the QB we all grew up loving. Lets give Vick a chance to succeed or fail before we make stupid proclamations. If he fails I have no problem riding with Foles. Go Birds!
Nah our Village idiot is GodgotVick!!
Haha matrley, ole Jakedog the village idiot, so be it
I never agreed to be censored under any terms, nor should have vinnie, I disagree about most about what you say but I am glad you are here, if all is on board about everything then it’s a fascist web site
Real talk should lift the ban on vinnie, and while we are at it, let’s bring back navy eagle and schiller
Thanks for the support Real, but I made the bet and it looks like I’m about to lose it.
Too bad for me….I actually thought Kelly might be different. Was under the misguided assumption that he used math and metrics to make his decision.
But alas, not. He was seduced by the siren song of the former superstar, like so many other wasted coaches before him.
Vinnie never bet against a coaches ego. All of em at that level are smarter than their peers. Look who he hangs with, King Ego from New England. All this does is let people bang their chests like 11 prior seasons and worship at the Cults temple. I don’t blame you for being logical though….I think it was more hope.
Jake I understand your frustration, and for the record I concur. With Vick starting Hope for th future wanes greatly. But As a birds fan Ill bee rooting for him every week…..But eleven years teaches us what to expect. Everyone says new system new coach, but we got the same oold speech already, the same old excuses started from preseason game three and Im afraid season 12 will end up exatly where the previous 11 have.
Jake for a while I thought u had reformed. You were making actual sense for a few weeks. That’s all I’m saying. Lets wait until when/if Vick stinks it up before we lose all faith. I want all my eagle brethren and sistren to be able to enjoy this new regime. Jake included!
Not gonna happen Jake…I am looking forward to 9/9/13, 8pm…can’t wait to be rid of at least one of you ignorantly selective clowns.
Well real talk with that attitude there will always be another ignorant clown for you to rid of, vinnie or no vinnie, jake or no Jakedog, some may consider you ignorant but we read your posts and you add insight to the dialogue, there is no blueprint of an eagles fan, we come in all sizes, colors, weights, sex, sexual preferences, we disagree with our own more than we disagree with outsiders, but that’s Philly, I have had more disagreements growing up with my own family , friends about Philly sports, you need to embrace vinnie and others who disagree with you, otherwise you are not a true Philly fan
I’ll embrace them as they embrace me, Jake….Vinnie will be done 9/9/13 @ 8pm….been waiting for that moment for too long.
I wonder if the 2nd unit plays well tonight? Especially the 2nd unit O Line… Will the ignorantly selective be saying things like Tobin should be starting over Peters, Watkins over Herremanns, Kelly over Johnson….or how about Momah over DJAX…
No problem bro concrete marley, I appreciate your sentiments.