Who makes the cut: Offensive line
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Who makes the cut: Offensive line
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The three-week slog through training camp is over as the Eagles left Lehigh University on Tuesday and returned to Philadelphia to resume preparations for the season. Practices resume on Thursday at the NovaCare Complex as coach Andy Reid continues the process of weeding out the players that won’t make the 53-man roster.
In 12 days every NFL team must pare its roster from 90 players to 80. Over that span – excluding weekends – we’ll take a look at each position and predict who stays and who goes. Final cuts are on Aug. 31. Here's the lineup:
Wed, Aug. 15: Offensive line
Thur., Aug. 16: Defensive tackles
Fri., Aug. 17: Cornerbacks
Mon., Aug. 20: Running backs
Tues., Aug. 21: Wide receivers / tight ends
Wed., Aug. 22: Linebackers
Thur., Aug. 23: Safeties
Fri., Aug. 24: Quarterbacks / Specialists
Mon., Aug. 27: Defensive ends
We start our journey on the offensive line where there are fewer questions than a year ago when Howard Mudd remade the group. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a little haze after the starting five.
LIKELY TO KEEP: 8-9.
WHO STAYS: Demetress Bell, King Dunlap, Todd Herremans, Jason Kelce, Dennis Kelly, Evan Mathis, Justin Vandervelde, Danny Watkins.
WHO GOES: Mike Gibson, D.J. Jones, Alfred McCullough, Dallas Reynolds, Steve Vallos, Brandon Washington, Thomas Welch.
If they can, the Eagles will keep only eight offensive linemen. I think that’s the number because whoever is the backup interior lineman will also be asked to swing at both guard positions and center. That is essentially the one spot up for grabs and it looks like any one of four could claim it. I’m going with Vandervelde – a 2011 fifth round pick -- right now, although I could change my mind when I select a final 53. The second-year linemen did not play well in the preseason opener, so he has to show something over the next two weeks. His competition – especially Dallas Reynolds – did not fare so well either against the Steelers. Reynolds has been taking most of the repetitions with the second team at center, but he hasn’t come close to putting a stamp on the spot. Gibson and Vallos have more experience than either and could leap ahead of both, but they haven’t really stood out yet. This battle still has a ways to go.
Kelly is a project, but the Eagles like what they see so far. He’ll remain on the roster. Dunlap is currently starting at left tackle, but I think the Eagles will likely work Bell back up to the first team by the opener. Dunlap is a versatile backup having started at both tackle spots and left guard in the NFL. It’s tough to get a read on Washington. He’s been out for a while with a concussion. He looks destined for the practice squad.
- LJ14, THE FOLKS AT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS GRADED KELCE TO BE THE WORST PASS BLOCKING CENTER IN THE NFL OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS. KELCE'S GRADE (FOR HIS PLAY IN 2011) WAS THE WORST GRADE OF ALL OF THE CENTERS THAT PLAYED FOR ALL OF THE NFL TEAMS DURING 2009, 2010 AND 2011. YOU JUST NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT I WROTE. AND, I USED LARGE TYPE FACE TO ASSIST WITH YOUR COMPREHENSION. NOW, I KNOW THAT THINKING MAY BE A NOVEL CONCEPT FOR YOU. BUT, TRY IT. YOU JUST MIGHT LIKE IT.
— bedpan - King cant play like a queen this year— blueye7
- TNEaglesFan, some yearend reports had Eagles Oline ranked in the top 5. However for this year, Peters is missing so they will have a drop off.— watsonmr
- JUST AS YOU WROTE, THERE "will be a drop off". NOW, BASED ON WHAT WE SAW VS. PITT. (LOSS OF STARTING QB), THAT DROP OFF IS IMMENSE AND POTENTIALLY CATACLYSMIC. — bedpan
- I believe it's Julian Vandervelde— t4tuck
- The line played great last year, Kelce pushed Ratliff all over the field and he is supposed to be a Pro Bowl Nose Tackle. Herremanns had a very good year, and so did Mathis. The only concern is or Peters, who was really good, and they will miss him for sure. The Vick injury was a freak accident that could have happened to anybody. Seriously, they O-line was very good last season while starting two rookies. Of course experience will help those guys.— Paul SoTX
- Birds go 10-6 and get to the second round of the playoffs. Nick Foles is your quarterback next year. Why all the negativity??— athousandgods
- WELL, THEY SHOULD GET 5 WINS AT LEAST WITH OUT EVEN BREAKING A SWEAT. COWGIRLS, SKINS AND BROWNS ARE ALL HORRIFIC. ITS ALL OF THE OTHER GAMES THAT WILL BE A CHALLENGE. — bedpan
- this is crazy, and its only b/c the coaches so often also have bad judgment you may be right.
first of all, when have the eagles EVER only kept 8 O-linemen?
secondly dennis kelly is a joke, the one bad pick this draft. practice squad at best. no one should lose a spot to him.
washington should make it, but his injuries have made him a question mark.
i have it as 9 to 10, and it goes: dunlap, bell, mathis, kelce, watkins, herremans, with these 4 then should be the guys: gibson, VV, washington, vallos. (reynolds might get in there for one of these guys, depending on how they feel about kelce staying healthy, but if its only 9, vallos is likely out)— Mr.Sinatra - I didn't know Justin Vandervelde plays for the Eagles. There's a guy named JULIAN VANDERVELDE who does.— TommyGunn
- TOMMYG, AND I MEAN THIS IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, COMMENT POSTERS LIKE YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THE NFL THEN THE GUYS THAT ARE GETTING PAID TO COVER THE TEAM. — bedpan
- I don't know whether that is sarcasm or not haha. But I do believe that a journalist should at the very least get the names of the subjects he is writing about correct. — TommyGunn
- I think its Julian Vanderlay, Arts brother, who's agent is George Costanza.— watsonmr
- I'll agree with Mr. Sinatra. They picked Kelly for a reason, but he's coming along slowly. Keep Washington, who'll play four positions eventually. Vandervelde, Reynolds, and Gibson look like a toss-up.— armchairGM
