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Guarded optimism: Eagles always saw Seumalo as starter, but can't be sure he's ready

Isaac Seumalo was a projected starter since the Eagles drafted him in 2016. But is he ready to fulfill that role now, with an anticipated training camp competition at left guard cut short?

Eagles offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (right) talks with Allen Barbre, who was traded on Wednesday because the Eagles have faith Seumalo can hold down a starting guard spot.
Eagles offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (right) talks with Allen Barbre, who was traded on Wednesday because the Eagles have faith Seumalo can hold down a starting guard spot.Read moreCLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer

All spring, the implication was that Isaac Seumalo would emerge from training camp as the Eagles' starting left guard, but it was still a bit of a surprise when the coaching staff made that decision as camp was starting.

Thursday, the Eagles assembled for their first full-squad practice, with Seumalo working between left tackle Jason Peters and center Jason Kelce, and 2016 starting left guard Allen Barbre introducing himself to the Denver Broncos after being traded for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2019.

Something like this has been coming since the Eagles made Seumalo the first player they drafted (albeit in the third round) after they traded up to take Carson Wentz second overall in 2016. But just because a move is expected, that doesn't mean it comes without risk.

Seumalo, 23, started only one game at left guard last season. It's the only position he never played at Oregon State. Seumalo played in nine games as an Eagles rookie, starting twice at right guard and once at right tackle, as the coaching staff mixed and matched around injuries and Lane Johnson's 10-game suspension.

Barbre, 33, is a mauler, a bear in tight quarters. Limited as an athlete, he compensates with guile, muscle and toughness.

Seumalo is much more athletic, much more likely to still be here when Wentz is capable of taking a team to the Super Bowl, assuming that eventually happens. But with Barbre, you know what you are getting. Seumalo, like Wentz, is still a bit of a projection.

"Isaac is a good player. He's a smart guy. He's going to go in and play hard and he's going to do what the coach tells him to. We'll just have to see," Peters said. "Anytime a young guy gets in, you just gotta really see when it's crunch time how they're gonna react to certain things. He did fine last year when he got in – got beat a couple times, but he learned from that."

Peters said working with Seumalo instead of Barbre won't be a big adjustment; Seumalo got a lot of practice reps last year at first-team left guard, and he and Barbre split the reps in spring work this year.

"Ever since they drafted Isaac, I've been working with him. It's nothing to me, nothing different," Peters said.

Seumalo said playing next to Peters "makes it a lot easier," but it "also raises expectations for myself … I want those guys to trust me, just as much as I look up to them and trust them."

Eagles coach Doug Pederson said moving on from Barbre reflected confidence not only in Seumalo but also in the team's young backups, such as Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Dillon Gordon.  Pederson said Seumalo will still get some practice reps at center, to promote versatility. (And maybe replace Kelce next year?)

Wentz knew Seumalo before they were Eagles – represented by the same group of agents, they worked out together before the draft in California.

"I love the dude. He brings kind of a nastiness," Wentz said. "He's very soft-spoken, very quiet, but brings kind of a tenacity that you wouldn't necessarily expect … I think he's got a lot of potential and a lot of ability at that left guard position."

One reason to make the move sooner rather than later is to get the starting five together for an entire training camp and preseason.

"Obviously, I've played a little bit more next to Brandon (Brooks, the starting right guard)," Kelce said. "This whole training camp is going to help out with the chemistry, I think."

Asked whether he is ready, Seumalo replied: "I think we'll find out. I think I've progressed through spring practice. Now I've just gotta apply it to the game."

He said being named a starter going into camp didn't change much for him: "Still gotta practice like it's your last practice."

Seumalo said he got the news Wednesday morning, but was not able to speak with Barbre before he left. The Eagles first announced they were releasing Barbre, who played 44 games here over four seasons, starting 29, so he could try to find a place where he'd get a chance to start. Then OL-challenged Denver decided it was willing to pay a nominal price for a versatile vet.

"That guy is one of the best guys I've been around, in terms of on the field and off the field. I only have really, really good things to say" about Barbre, Seumalo said.

"He didn't want to leave," Peters said of Barbre. "We built a bond … It kind of hurt him to leave, but it's a new beginning for him. They need o-linemen in Denver. Al, he'll definitely be fighting for a starting position there. I'm happy for him."

Kelce also extolled Barbre.

"He was a full team guy. He played both guard positions, both tackle positions. That's hard to find in the NFL," Kelce said.  "And it's hard to find somebody that fully embraces that role like he did."

But Kelce said he has confidence in Seumalo.

"I think Isaac is a very smart player, extremely athletic. He has all the tools. I'm just excited to see him get out there and get more action, and I think so is he," Kelce said. "When he went in last year, he did great, in all the situations he was put in."

Seumalo wouldn't make that claim for himself; asked what he needs to get better at, he said: "Everything. There's nothing I don't need to get better at … I'm going to continue to take a holistic approach to offensive line and work on everything that I can."

Seumalo is the most hirsute Eagle, with a frizzy 'fro he said hasn't been trimmed in more than a year, "at least." Wentz showed up for camp with a close-cropped buzz. Does he have any plans to emulate his new left guard?

No," Wentz said. "Without a doubt, no."