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Monday, June 2, 2008
Future at offensive tackle

We ran across this from Scout.com's Ed Thompson regarding the future of the Eagles' offensive line.

Thompson is projecting what might happen with both Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan as unrestricted free agents after this season. The two have started 118 games together and have been beyond durable, especially considering the positions they play. Thomas will be 34 and Runyan will be 35.

The writer makes the point that Runyan's salary is about $1 million less against the cap than Thomas' and that could be a factor in deciding who stays, unless the Eagles can work out deals with both of them to remain. Thomas is listed at $5.7 million with a $5.45 million base and a $250,000 roster bonus in the final year of a 9-year, $38.5 million deal he signed in 2000. Runyan is listed at $4.2 million with a $3.2 million base and a $1 million roster bonus from a 3-year, $12.45 million deal his signed in 2006. 

Runyan is among the team's most popular players, with radio and TV commitments, and is heavily involved in a number of charitable causes. His candor has been refreshing, especially around an organization often known to be lacking in that area.

One potential succession plan involves moving either Shawn Andrews or Todd Herremans from guard to tackle. Andrews is one of the best guards in the game, so there is some question about making him change positions. Moving Herremans might make more sense. He played tackle at Saginaw Valley State and also during his rookie season with the Eagles. That would open a spot at guard, potentially for Max Jean-Gilles, who is already vying for the starting spot at left guard this season with Herremans. 

The Eagles have drafted three tackles over the last three years, presumably looking for a successor to Runyan or Thomas.

The potential answer, everyone thought, was Winston Justice, taken in the second round in 2006, the highest the Eagles have taken an offensive lineman since grabbing Shawn Andrews in the first round in 2004. We all know what has happened to him and all the criticism he has received for his performance against the Giants. Justice is still 320, but says he is stronger this year and has gained some muscle. Les Bowen has more on Justice in an Eagletarian post from last week.

Among this year's draftees, Mike McGlynn, a fourth-rounder from Pitt, could be an answer in the future. Although he might be a better fit at guard, he also played right tackle in college. The Eagles took King Dunlap, another right tackle candidate, in the seventh round. He fell in a major way in the draft after a bad senior season at Auburn and the Eagles are hoping a change of scenery will help him.

The writer points out that Thomas has the inside track on being the one guy to return in 2009. But a lot has to happen between now and then for the Eagles not to need to re-sign both Thomas and Runyan for the future, despite their age, unless one of them has a bad 2008.

Posted by Josh Barnett @ 8:43 AM  Permalink | 12 comments
12
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Comment removed.
Posted 09:15 AM, 06/02/2008
berbatov
Did the Eagles's OTs actually play that well last season? I wonder? The numbers of sacks (and hurries) against the Eagles were very high -- and not only in the Giants game. Was their performance really outstanding? I am dubious but I don't have the videos to really know the answer.
Posted 09:15 AM, 06/02/2008
berbatov
Did the Eagles's OTs actually play that well last season? I wonder? The numbers of sacks (and hurries) against the Eagles were very high -- and not only in the Giants game. Was their performance really outstanding? I am dubious but I don't have the videos to really know the answer.
Posted 10:09 AM, 06/02/2008
JeffA
I think the Eagles blocking packages & playcalling combined with 5's lack of mobility could be as much to blame as the offensive line play. Reid insisted on running his usual pass first offense despite the fact that 5 clearly returned too soon to take on that offensive scheme. Defense and special teams should be improved, the defense perhaps even dominant at times. 5 is healthy and so is the TE. If the stars align health-wise, then performance-wise this team should contend for the division with a shot for the SB.
Posted 10:10 AM, 06/02/2008
JeffA
I think the Eagles blocking packages & playcalling combined with 5's lack of mobility could be as much to blame as the offensive line play. Reid insisted on running his usual pass first offense despite the fact that 5 clearly returned too soon to take on that offensive scheme. Defense and special teams should be improved, the defense perhaps even dominant at times. 5 is healthy and so is the TE. If the stars align health-wise, then performance-wise this team should contend for the division with a shot for the SB.
Posted 10:52 AM, 06/02/2008
DJ
Barring training camp and pre-season injuries the birds will (should) have a better season than last year. Thomas and Runyan are two of the best in the league even at 34 and 35 years old. Our Q/B wasn't 100% and didn't run well, along with that a little too much passing raised the hurries and sacks allowed. King Dunlap: Let's keep an eye on this man mountain!
Posted 11:31 AM, 06/02/2008
FrankieDaFace
I think Jeff and Berba are on the right track. Donovan never was, or ever will be, a pocket passer. His strength is making plays with his feet on rollouts, busted plays, or scrambling until something develops. He is not a Marino, Manning or Brady. He holds the ball way too long unless he's programmed to throw to his primary read on a certain play. That's why Carson Palmer appeared to be more successful than McNabb after a short rehab. He's not a scrambler, so it didn't impact his game as much. We should all expect more out of the 5 guy this year, so it should make life better for the uglies up front. Go Birds.
Posted 12:42 PM, 06/02/2008
Cant Climb
A refocused Jamal Jackson, healthy Shawn Andrews, and maybe a mean-powerful Jeane-Gilles is what this O-Line needs in 2008. Runyan and Thomas are rock solid professional pros...
Posted 12:49 PM, 06/02/2008
traugdog420
Its hard to say what we should do about this possition in the future. Hard to imagin the line without these guys but the truth is you cant play forever. I think this is the last year for these veterans plus a couple others - Dawkins & Reagor. The fact is if we resign them then we are just putting off the inevitable. Lets see what the young guys do and where the progession of Justice is before we deside to resign these guys. Id like to see them stay but that isnt the smartest move.
Posted 01:54 PM, 06/02/2008
KGKoons
If Dunlap and or Justice and Jean-Giles grow in the next year and one half, we will have 3 mountains to block for Kolb or even a rejuvenated Donnie. I like the 3 and have not given up on them as so many whiners have on these forums.
Posted 06:02 PM, 06/02/2008
mikeb
The Birds have planned for this day. I'd have to say that unless the price is right, they're going to move forward w/out both of them. They have 2 first round picks next year (SPOILER ALERT: the Eagles will be picking an OT in the 1st round next year). Runyan and Thomas are great players who have contributed greatly over the past decade. However, I believe that most of you would agree, the Eagles are not fond of over-paying aging vets who can be replaced by a younger player at a smaller salary. If the past dictates anything, the Birds will draft a young player and lock him up until 2034. By moving forward, the Birds clear cap space and do what they always do, keep building for tomorrow. Look for Dawkins, Buckhalter, Runyan, Thomas, and possibly Darren Howard to retire and/or play for a different uniform next year.
Posted 01:13 PM, 06/03/2008
livesinphilly
No team keeps a man around because of his charitable contributions. Tre has more talent....Runyon will be the first to go, maybe even this year... Justice played in ONE game. Give the 23 year old kid a break. After starting every game he played in College in, he sat out his first year waiting his turn. Giants game was no determining factor, a one game Mental Breakdown has nothing to do with skills or talent. Has everything to do with Maturity, time, and experience. Hugh can't make headlines on his own anymore, has to drag someone thru the mud to get so Press.
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