Any talk of the Eagles making a strong run during the 2009 season has to start with their offensive line. Andy Reid loves to bring-in offensive linemen,
but no one could have imagined his two pre-draft coupes of trading for big Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jason Peters (Bills) and signing versatile lineman Stacy Andrews (Bengals).
With those moves, the Birds O-line not only softened the blow of losing veteran bookend tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, but they also have been installed by some high profile media types as a favorite in the NFC.
Speaking of the Eagles new wall offensive line, Reid said in an offseason press conference, “We are striving to lead the league in rushing”. The comment brought a chuckle from everyone at the press conference, but when you see the Eagles new O-line there maybe some validity in Reid’s quip. Of course being named a top flight team and having a great O-line on “paper” during 
the offseason are a good thing, but in training camp is where the Eagles have to prove it.
Even though the Eagles offensive line allowed only 23 sacks in 2008 and the aforementioned acquisitions have made Eagles fans happy. There is still the matter of synergy in this unit, because let’s face it the entire five-man unit has not lined up totally together in mini-camps or OTAs.
The Eagles will have two new offensive linemen (RG Stacy Andrews and LT Peters), a player moving to a position who also is coming back from a back injury and a sub par season where there were questions of his dedication (RT Shawn Andrews), and lingering questions leadership and cohesiveness. Any talk of bringing the O-line together has to start at the center position. Though the center position is not as well known as the quarterback’s blindside protector at Left Tackle, some would say the center is more important to a team’s offense.
The center has to call out all the line calls, snap the ball efficiently (quarterback under center and shotgun), and be a battler against big defensive tackles. Right now the center position is manned by former undrafted free agent Jamaal Jackson with backups Mike McGlynn and Nick Cole pushing him.
Jackson looked solid enough to merit a contract extension in July 2006 (extended through 2013 with a deal that included a $1.75 million signing bonus). However in 2007 Jackson struggled with injuries and last year consistency (short yardage blocking) was a big problem causing the team to look at options.
The Birds may look to McGlynn (drafted in the 6th round of the 2008 draft to be a utility O-lineman) and Cole (played himself into contention by filling in nicely for injured Pro Bowler Shawn Andrews at guard in 2008) to push for the starting job in ‘09. Jackson will need to report into Lehigh in shape and ready to face the challenges of McGlynn and Cole or he soon could be following Hank Fraley out the door as the Eagles have a lot of depth at interior offensive line this year.
The two guard positions seem less complicated as solid veteran Todd Herremans and free agent pick-up Stacy Andrews are virtual locks to start on September 13th in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. Herremans may not get the press of others on the team, but he is a workman lineman that has built himself into a quality starter. Stacy Andrews comes over from a porous Bengals O-line — allowed 50-plus sacks in 2008 — but he along with former Bengals OT Levi Jones were the two best players on that line.
A December 2008 ACL injury is definitely a question with Stacy Andrews. But during mini-camps and OTAs, the former Bengals franchised player in 2008 was confident his knee would be ready for the start of training camp. If Stacy Andrews cannot go early in training camp it will most likely be either Cole, McGlynn, or 2008 Draftee Mike Gibson that fill-in for him. There will also probably be another interior lineman roster spot up for grabs at training camp too. Injured offensive guard Max Jean-Giles probably will spend 2009 on I\R with a severe leg injury from ’08, so Cole, McGlynn, Gibson, 2009 Draftee Paul Fanaika (7th Rd), and free agent Dallas Reynolds will be battling it out.
Since 2000 at the Eagles offensive tackle positions there was the dynamic duo of Runyan and Thomas – combined 24 years of NFL experience, 357 career starts, 4 Pro Bowls, and 1 All-Pro selection. They could be counted on week in and week out, but all 
things must come to an end. Now it is time for former Pro Bowl offensive guard Shawn Andrews and his former college roommate Jason Peters to take over on the outside.
Shawn Andrews seems to back to his old dominating self after a year battling depression and a back injury. He has seemed to have embraced the move back to offensive tackle — has not played the position since 2003 in college – and the Eagles O-line braintrust of Reid and offensive line coach Juan Castillo believe Shawn Andrews has the athleticism to slide over to the outside.
Don’t believe the hype around Peters struggling in 2008 for the Buffalo Bills – credited with 11 ½ sacks. The former Pro Bowl player was not happy with Bills management and his play suffered. But now armed with a new contract extension until 2014 that pays him on par with other top tackles (six-year contract for $60 million), look for the player that made the Pro Bowl in ’07 despite playing with an injured groin.
Peters is a big physical mauling tackle with good lateral movement and a very good initial punch off the snap. Having been working with Castillo since his signing, Peters is much more comfortable in the Eagles system and should have a very good training camp.
Behind Peters and Shawn Andrews probably the first two tackle backups that would be called on are guards Stacy Andrews and Herramins, but there will be some serious roster battles behind them. Enigmatic 2006 second-draft pick Winston Justice is still on the team and he will need to be focused to continue on the Eagles roster.
Everyone knows about his only career start in 2007 against the Giants where he was manhandled, but it is time to put that horrible game behind him. Justice must either realize the potential that the Birds thought he had when they drafted him or find another line of work. Justice’s competition should come from 2008 seventh-round draft pick King Dunlap, 2009 fifith-round draft pick Fenuki Tupou (big strong 2nd team All-PAC 10 performer), and free agent Chris Patrick.
Prediction: Jackson gets another chance due to his extension and familiarity of the Birds system, but watch for Cole in pre-season as he will continue to be a swing player at LG, RG, and Center. At offensive guard, expect Herramins to be solid in camp and for Stacy Andrews to be in the starting lineup in the Birds third preseason game against the Jaguars (August 27th). Cole will hold down the RG until Stacy Andrews is ready. It will be fun to see offensive tackles Shawn Andrews and Jason Peters in blocking drills in the hot Lehigh University sun.
After the Andrews—Andrews—Jackson—Herramins—Peters starting group here are the rest of my roster predictions. On the team: Mike McGlynn, Mike Gibson, Nick Cole, King Dunlap, Fenuki Tupou, Paul Fanaika (Practice Squad), and Max Jean-Giles (I/R). Winston Justice cut after training camp when no trading partners are found.
