With all this mixing up, the line wasn't complete and ready until the first week of the season. That made many scared as they were worried how they would play. The Eagles made a major move as they moved former left guard Todd Herremans back to his old position at right tackle. Herremans was to block Vick's blind side as Jason Peters would block the left side. Evan Mathis was then brought in to start at left guard, while former Colt Kyle DeVan who was also recently acquired would start at right guard. Then for the center position there was a battle all camp to see whether rookie center Jason Kelce would start or would veteran Jamaal Jackson. Kelce who is a Howard Mudd type player was rewarded with the starting center position. Herremans, Peters, Mathis, DeVan, and Kelce were the five the Eagles went into St. Louis with the first week of the season.
After 4 rough games to start the season the Eagles made a change as they gave their first round pick Danny Watkins a chance to start at right guard. From there on this offensive line got better and better each game as they established themselves as the strength of this team. They were able to help this offense in numerous ways as they kept Vick clean and allowed LeSean McCoy to run loose all season.
Vandervelde, who was a rookie, had a very good training camp and preseason which helped him make this Eagles team. He shows good diversity as he is able to play center and guard, something that teams value in their backups. Unfortunately, Vandervelde was buried on the depth chart and never saw any game action. With that said Vandervelde's grade is incomplete this year as he never saw any action.
GRADE: INCOMPLETE
Jackson has been a steady piece to this Eagles offensive line for many years, but back to back major injuries, one to his knee and one to his triceps has really hurt him. He has missed a significant amount of time over the last year and a half due to those various injuries. Many believe Jackson is one of the most underrated offensive lineman in Eagles history, but it seems like that might be over. Unfortunately for Jackson he was not able to claim the starting job and ended up being a backup for the year.
Dressing for all games Jackson failed to see the field all season. He was used in practice as both a center and a guard to make sure he was ready because he was their best backup interior lineman. It looks like Jackson's time with the Eagles is over with and it will be interesting to see whether they let him walk.
GRADE: INCOMPLETE
Dressing for all games Jackson failed to see the field all season. He was used in practice as both a center and a guard to make sure he was ready because he was their best backup interior lineman. It looks like Jackson's time with the Eagles is over with and it will be interesting to see whether they let him walk.
GRADE: INCOMPLETE
Justice dealt with some lingering knee issues from offseason surgery during the early part of training camp and the preseason. He was in and out of practice during training camp, which was a major cause of concern. After starting most of the season at right tackle many wondered whether his play down the stretch would hurt his chances of starting. That plus the knee injury did in fact hurt him as Justice became one of the backup offensive lineman.
Justice saw game action once all year as he got the start against the Washington Redskins. He played very well, but was replaced the next week once Jason Peters returned from injury. In his one start he played very well and maybe he just needed his knee to heal fully before he could return to top form.
GRADE: B+
Dunlap established himself as the Eagles best backup offensive lineman this year. He practiced at every position on the offensive line except center. His versatility was key as he played in many different roles for injured players this year. Dunlap suffered a few injuries this season, which affected his year. The most significant one was a concussion, after the concussion late in the season Dunlap did not see any more time on the field.
Coming in to replace injured starters, Dunlap did a great job. He helped this offensive line stay afloat even when they were down a key starter. He stepped in very nicely and showed his versatility as well. The more game action he sees the better he plays and that was clearly evident this year.
GRADE: B+
Watkins came to camp late as they worked on a contract for him and it clearly affected his play in the beginning. When he got to camp Watkins was thrown right under the fire as he was expected to start from day one. He admitted that he was overwhelmed in his first training camp and it definitely affected his play. He did not play well during training camp and the preseason which led him to lose his starting job before week 1. Watkins spent that time learning the system and getting acclimated better.
Once he learned the system Watkins was given the opportunity to start after the first four games of the season. He then started for the rest of the year. One side note I like about Watkins is that he has a mean streak, at least once a game he was in a little scrum with another player. Besides that Watkins had his ups and downs in his rookie season. He showed a lot of promise, but had those rookie mistakes that were costly at time. He had a solid rookie season though and look for more improvements in his second year.
GRADE: B-
Kelce was a late round pick in this years draft and a prototypical Howard Mudd type lineman. Mudd fell in love with him and that really helped Kelce. Battling with Jamaal Jackson for the center spot in training camp and the preseason Kelce kept up to par with his play. Keeping up with Jackson proved that the rookie could handle the load and he was given the starting job a week before the season started. There was a lot of pressure on him because center is a tough position to begin with, let alone he was a rookie and had to endure the shortened training camp because of the lockout. However Kelce handled the pressure very well and it showed in his play.
He had a very good season as rookie. Some thought he should of gone to the pro bowl, while others thought he was solid; either way he played great for a rookie. Every game he continued to get better and better. He held his own early on, but he was definitely a lot better of a player in the latter part of the year. It was a solid year for the rookie as he had a lot of responsibilities and handled it very well.
GRADE: B
During training camp the Eagles went out and signed underrated guard Evan Mathis. Formally of the Bengals Mathis is one of the most underrated offensive lineman in the game today and he showed that immediately. During training camp and preseason, Mathis was terrific and earned a spot as the teams starting left guard. Things only got better from there, as Mathis started to come out of the shadows of being underrated.
Mathis had a great season as he helped solidify this line as one of the best in the league. With such quick time to learn the offense and get used to his line mates there were definitely problems early on in the season. They weren't because of his play, but because of the lack of chemistry he had with them to start the season. That chemistry continued to build week after week and he looked better week after week. Mathis had a great year and the Eagles will do everything to bring him back and keep this line intact, they should only get better as they play more and more with each other.
GRADE: A-
Herremans started out training camp and the preseason playing his position that he has been at is whole career with the Eagles and that is left guard. After problems at the right tackle position the Eagles moved Herremans to the outside after the preseason was over. Many were worried about Herremans and his position change. Herremans who used to play tackle but hasn't in a while, didn't have anytime to adjust to his new position at right right tackle.
Herremans provided solid play protecting Vick's blindside. It took some adjusting though as he wasn't used to playing tackle and that showed early on. An area where he had no problems with was run blocking as Herremans was one of the best run blocking guards and continued that success at tackle. His pass blocking took time, but he continued to work and get better. Herremans had a solid season in which it only got better and better each game.
GRADE: B+
Peters was definitely one of the best offensive lineman in the whole league this season. A player who has a lot of talent, but needs some extra motivation, Mudd clearly got him playing at the best level he was capable of. Peters was a complete beast from day one as he absolutely dominated anyone he faced. No matter who it was Peters would have the better of the game and everyone noticed it. Constantly during games you would hear the commentators raving about Peters play this year.
It seemed like Mudd really lit a fire under him this year. He was the most consistent offensive lineman on the team and involved consistency with excellent play. He was awarded a trip to the Pro Bowl once again this year, but this one was his most deserving. Peters had a career year and established himself as one of the best offensive lineman in the game.
GRADE: A+
Overall
The offensive line turned out to be one of the best units on the team this year. Many were worried early on and especially when they made so many changes a week before the season started. Turns out this line is young and very good. As the year went on they built chemistry and the line was better and better each week. With two rookies and everyone else experienced, the Eagles offensive line should only get better and better.
GRADE: A
The offensive line turned out to be one of the best units on the team this year. Many were worried early on and especially when they made so many changes a week before the season started. Turns out this line is young and very good. As the year went on they built chemistry and the line was better and better each week. With two rookies and everyone else experienced, the Eagles offensive line should only get better and better.
GRADE: A
No comments:
Post a Comment