Posted: Monday, March 9, 2009, 10:48 PM | 31 comments |
 

Na Na Na Na Tra Hey Goodbye
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So, this is what we know about the Eagles offensive line for the coming 2009 season: Every available member of the Andrews family has been signed and very few incumbent tackles are on board.

The Eagles are in a position to wait and see about right tackle John Runyan, a free agent recovering from knee surgery, but they lost the services of left tackle Tra Thomas, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

What does it mean? Well, if Stacy Andrews is indeed going to be the right tackle, it means that either Shawn Andrews will be shifted to left tackle from right guard (unlikely), or that Todd Herremans will move from left guard to left tackle (not quite as unlikely, but not that great), Winston Justice will make a huge leap in ability (yeah, I've got a picture of that happening), or the Eagles will have to find a new left tackle.

I think moving Shawn Andrews to left tackle is unlikely because he is coming off a serious injury and because his mental attitude is unknown. Just getting him back as a serviceable guard would be a positive for the Eagles. Expecting him to come back and change positions seems like more than they would ask.

There are a limited number of excellent offensive tackles available in the draft, but the Eagles, who hold the 21st and 28th picks would have to move into the top 10 to be assured of getting one of them.

That has to be what is going on here. If that isn't their plan, then letting Thomas go makes no sense. Allowing Brian Dawkins to walk away is meaningless compared to the tightrope they are walking with their offensive line right now.
Posted by BOB FORD @ 10:48 PM  Permalink | 31 comments
31
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:00 PM, 03/09/2009
    They don't plan, they improvise.
    — ItalianSausage
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:11 AM, 03/10/2009
    This is clearly Winston Justice's break out year. That much is obvious.
    — dawkins20d
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:16 AM, 03/10/2009
    Daryl Dawkins is available !!
    — mick314
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:59 AM, 03/10/2009
    King Dunlap is going to show up to camp 25 pounds heavier, after an entire season of conditioning... and be ready to dominate the left tackle position!!! (at least that's what i'm hoping they have up their sleeve..)
    — oTTo the CzAR
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:08 AM, 03/10/2009
    Amen Bob. It is amazing to me the uproar over Dawkins and not a peep regarding Thomas. On a team that throws the ball 70% of the time and everyone they play knows- Tra gave up 2 sacks last year. Sign him until you are SURE you have a replacement to protect the QB's blind side. This team is so cheap it's beyond belief. We now are counting on the Andrews brothers who have both been hurt more that they have played. Scary. And remember there is no Justice.
    — mikeyboy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:29 AM, 03/10/2009
    Interesting post by the Czar...They could be riding with the king here...big time wingspan.
    — Grazman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:42 AM, 03/10/2009
    I can't imagine them trading up anymore. Banner clearly would rather pay 2 (or more) lower round picks the same $ as 1 first round pick. Remember, Joe's a legend in his own mind. So they'll trade at least 1 if not both first round picks and stockpile lower rounders, most of which will never step foot on the field for this team. I think we're headed for the dark ages for the Eagles, similar to the Marion Campbell days of the early-mid 80's. Thank Joe "the genius" Banner.
    — wingnut12
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:56 AM, 03/10/2009
    I recall they had Max Jean Gilles from last year, Justice and King Dunlap. Seems to me that if they have these three o-line guys on the squad this year they should not need to butn their 2 first rounders on another one - better to use them and trade up for RB Wells or someone who can help No 5 get some offense going
    — Tom Man
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:11 AM, 03/10/2009
    Bob, we already know you think The Three Stooges letting go of Dawk is "meaningless" from yor initial apologist read the morning after he left. Please stick to basketball as you are in over your with football in this town.
    — Earl J
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:55 AM, 03/10/2009
    Why so much doom and gloom in your article, Bob? The Eagles appear to be in very good shape if Herremans moves to left tackle. The starting OL of Herremans, Jean-Gilles, Jackson, and the Andrews brothers is formidable, and perhaps, better run-blocks than last years group. The Eagles need to keep their two first-round choices and get a running back with one of them. The other should be a tight-end, safety, or OL depending on who's available when it's their turn to pick.
    — tbird
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:03 AM, 03/10/2009
    Please explain to me how changing out three ageing starters means the end of the world as we know it? I enjoyed the play and leadership of Dawk, Tray and Runyan as much as anyone, but please, there combined age is 105+. We have a half dozen O-Lineman who haven't seen the light of day due to the great play of Thomas and Runyan. Everyone has given up on Justice after one bad game. Max Jean Gilles has played well when he's had the chance and King Dunlap could be the sleeper everyone has forgotten about. Three guys to fill one spot. And we haven't reached the draft yet. Stop crying people, this team is getting better. Hey, with some young blood on the O-Line we might even be able to run the ball. Oh and another thing. We have a defense now so the need to score 30 points a game may not be necessary.
    — craig123
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:37 PM, 03/10/2009
    Bob, You could include these other members of the Andrews family - much more pleasant to look at - http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/55861/index.html?eref=fromSI
    — jefgov
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:01 PM, 03/10/2009
    Philly needs to collectively get a grip. The tackle situation was known 2 years ago. Like it or not, that was a situation they had to face and they have been working towards an answer. The massive over response to Dawk leaving was pathetic. The complete lack of response to Thomas leaving in contrast says a great deal more about the pathetic emotional state of the fan base. Get a grip. One interesting thing about this situation is what does this mean for the Eagles QB? he wanted weopans and protection. Do the Eagles want to craft a new O-line for an aging and declining QB? Or are we going to see McNabb offered up for trade to get the combination of picks to jump high enough to grab a really good O-tackle? Or does McNabb stay and become the sacrificial lamb while Reid plays musical linemen? Best thing for all parties is to trade McNabb for a high pick and move forward.
    — dutchman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:04 PM, 03/10/2009
    In 5 of the last 6 drafts the first player taken by the Eagles has been a lineman. They passed on Otah last year who apparently was good enough to start at LT for the Colts but not here. If they trade two firsts to move up for a tackle this year I won't be able to stand it. The lines are important but to disregard the "skill" positions to that extent is ridiculous. Letting Thomas walk without a sure fire replacement is as stupid as these guys that want DM out without saying who'll play QB. We need a RB and TE in the first round, not more f*ing lineman.
    — tpizza


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About Bob Ford
Bob Ford has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 1981, and is still trying to figure it all out. A former beat writer covering the Phillies and the 76ers, Ford became a general sports columnist for the Inquirer in 2003, following in and occasionally falling in the deep footsteps of Bill Lyon, Frank Dolson and many distinguished others. He comes to the Philly.com blogosphere after award-winning success as designer/editor of the fabulous Pen & Pencil Club softball blog. Likes: Palestra, inside-the-park home runs, sunny days. Dislikes: phony people, cloudy days, rewrites.
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