A few years ago after Winston Justice had allowed Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora to get six sacks in one game, if somebody had told you that the Eagles were going to start Justice at right tackle for an entire season, you wouldn’t have believed it.
You would have figured the Eagles were enduring an awful season if they had to start Justice for every game.
What a difference a year or two makes.¬† Justice started 16 games for the Birds last season and did a very, good job.¬† Most of the time Justice had his man under control and the Eagles had time to throw the football.¬† He’s come a long way from that awful Sunday night at the Meadowlands and he’s not satisfied with where he’s at, wants to get better.
The former USC offensive tackle wants to get better at every aspect of the game, so that he can dominate at his position and be recognized as one of the best offensive tackles in the business.
“My goal is to be an extraordinary offensive tackle, not just to be good, not just to be solid. I need to improve on everything from the run game to the pass game”, Justice told me and a group of reporters during the OTA’s.¬† Amazingly Justice has become a team leader and spokesperson.
Justice and his linemate offensive tackle Jason Peters will play a huge role in the upcoming season.¬† They’ve got to keep pass rushers off of new young starting quarterback Kevin Kolb.¬† If they’re consistent it will aid Kolb and allow him to have plenty of time to decipher what coverage the defense is in and which receiver is open.
Justice will battle Anthony Spencer of the Dallas Cowboys, Pro Bowl DE Robert Mathis of the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings DE Ray Edwards, and New York Giants Pro Bowl DE Justin Tuck to name a few.¬† If he doesn’t play well against one of these guys, they’re all capable of taking over the game.
He’ll also occassionally get the chance to open up some holes for running back LeSean McCoy.¬† Justice has been spending a lot of time in the weight room in an effort to be a more dominant run blocker.
The Eagles can’t afford for Justice to have any problems outside because they’re going to be trying to keep the situation at guard and center from becoming a problem.¬† He’s got to have a big year and build on what he started last year.
I am looking forward to a strong season from WJ and possible Pro-Bowl consideration if the team does well.
I also see players like K Dunlap, M McGlynn, F Topou and even Stacey Andrews following in his footsteps by making big improvements this camp and really solidifying the O/L as one of the real strengths of this team moving forward and for the next few years…
My question is this: Why does the F/O constantly draft players and then stick them in a foreign position and then expects the same level of play? (Think Justice at LT and Gocong at OLB) Thank God Bradley did well as a MLB. I understand the need to make players more diversified so they can play multiple positions. It just seems like the F/O doesn’t think things through sometimes.
i like winston he showed alot of heart most players careers would have ended that night he has clearly earned my respect
Justice has really taken alot of abuse from both fans and media after that Giants game for the past few years. I admit it, I was one of them. It says alot about the type of player and person that he is that he has been able to work himself into a postion to be a starter on this team.
The lineplay this year will be one of the keys to how well this team will do. The last two games of the season are still burned into my brain.
haha u were not alone i wanted him stoned
gcon – It’s a very common thing in the NFL. The college systems and skill levels are so different that changes often have to be made for the NFL transition. Strongside linebackers don’t exist in the college systems mostly. College LTs can muscle to turds across from them, not in the NFL. It ain’t just the Eagles. Look at all of the DE – LB changes around the league. Some will say I’m just making exuses here, but my points are facts. You can’t call the Eagles weird for doing stuff most teams do.
G:
Now hold on – he’s improved, but let’s not get carried away here because he’s in the weight room. He’s had holes in his game, frankly. Now he’s got to be able to communicate with the G and C and make the right block…and make it WELL. I thought he took too much abuse for a one game deal, but I’ll barbecue him if he can’t handle his job. He’s no different than any other OT, or player for that matter. I will not care how hard he is trying. He needs to produce. I think that he will, and I’m looking forward to it.
Justice was hated..despised..and ridiculed by mostly everyone here..and persevered..never complained and just went to work..I think the guy is great..A true man.
Justice is a Christian man and attributes his strength to his faith as did Reggie White.
Last year, Justice had an unexpectedly good season. However, our offensive line, as a whole, was not very good. There should be growth from last season.
I have always liked WJ and thought he got a raw deal from just about everyone when he was thrown into the wolves without any help from the TE/FB on that Monday night game versus the Giants a couple years back..(that was more poor coaching/play calling/blocking schemes in my opinion
that just putting it on WJ who was definitely overmatched from his 1st play in)
I always liked him for the right-side and not the left-side due to his overall lack of foot speed. I really think he would make a better Guard than Tackle, but that’s just me…
Anyways, the real story is about WJ putting in hard work, lots of time in with the coaches to improve to the level he’s now at (which is a Starting RT in the NFL) He believed in himself and the sysytem and the coaches (J Castillo) believed in him to give him an opportunity… I think he takes another step-up this season and gets mentioned as a possible Pro-Bowl at RT if the team plays well.
I look for K Dunlap,M McGlynn, F Topou all to make nice strides this years camp/preseason and to
become NFL caliber offensive lineman even if it’s a back-up status for 2010 with an eye of competing
for starters playing time by 2011/2012