Roster Breakdown: Offensive Line

Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to be taking an in depth look at this entire Eagles roster. For your enjoyment we've broken the roster down into offensive line, quarterbacks, running backs and full backs, wide receivers, defensive line, line backers, safeties, corners, and special teams.

First up on our Eagles roster breakdown is the all important offensive line. I'm a firm believer that the game of football is won and lost in the trenches. Andy Reid also lives by this motto as seen through his many offensive and defensive line first round draft picks.

When you have a quarterback like Michael Vick who likes to scroll out of the pocket, protecting him is a top priority. With newcomers Danny Watkins, Evan Mathis, and Ryan Harris the offensive line has definitely upgraded and will look to give Vick the time and protection he needs to make plays.

Jason Peters LT In his third year with the Eagles, Jason Peters is the projected starter at left tackle and is the bookend for this solid left side. I really like Peters and feel that he will only get better under Howard Mudd. According to multiple reports, Mudd flipped out on Peters during a practice on Monday. Either way he is still one of the best guys on this line.

Todd Herremans LG Herremans is the projected starter at left guard. Herremans has been a starter since 2006, and he is another part of this offensive line that Im not worried about. He is a great player and he and Peters make up a strong left side. He is extremely versatile and can play other positions if the Eagles need him to. There has been talk about Herremans possibly switching to right guard to protect Vick's blind side. If Ryan Harris, Danny Watkins and Winston Justice can't get it done on the right side, then look for the Eagles to make a switch.

Jamaal Jackson C Jackson is coming off an awful torn right triceps injury. Jackson injured his triceps in the opener last year against the Packers and will look to stay healthy this year. In 2006-2008, Jackson played in started in all 16 games for the Birds but played in just 1 game last year. For the first time in a while, Jackson says that he feels great and is totally 100%. He is greatly looking forward to playing with Mike Vick and learning from Howard Mudd.

Danny Watkins RG I thinks it's safe to say that Andy Reid has a lot of faith in Danny Watkins. Watkins is the projected starter at right guard and will help in protecting Vick's blind side. Watkins was the Eagles first round pick this year and will look to have an immediate impact. With contract issues Watkins was a hold out but he didn't miss too much time and the Eagles coaches should have no problem in bringing him up to speed. Watkins says he is a quick learner.

Ryan Harris RT With Winston Justice on the physically unable to perform list, I'm going to slot newly acquired Ryan Harris into the starter at right tackle. Like Jackson, Harris has been plauged with injuries over the past couple of the years but he is a starter and was named to Peter King's SI All-Pro team in 2008. Justice is out with a knee injury and King Dunlap and Austin Howard have been taking reps at right tackle. Hopefully Harris can step in and be the starter until Justice is ready to return.

Evan Mathis To add even more depth to the offensive line, the Eagles brought in Evan Mathis from the Bengals. Mathis can play in different spots and a lot of Cincinnati experts believe that he should have been a full time starter with the Bengals. From 2008-2010 Mathis started in 22 games for the Bengals. He will most likely compete for a spot along the right side where there are still a lot of questions even with the signing of Ryan Harris.

Winston Justice According to an article on gcobb.com, Andy Reid reported, “His [Winston Justice] schedule was a little bit crazy because he was a player rep, and he was all over the place. I think it set back his rehab just a bit. The lockout in his case I don’t think helped him with getting the rehab done on his leg that he needed to, so we’re doing that.” As of right now Justice is on the physically unable to perform list and until he is ready to go Ryan Harris will most likely be the starter at right tackle.

Overall the Eagles offensive line looks great. They have a lot of depth and I'm confident that they will do a solid job of protecting Mike Vick. Look for the Eagles to do a lot of experimenting before the season opener. The Eagles will most likely do a lot of mixing and matching, trying to find where guys are most comfortable.