A Fine Line
Eagles’ highly-touted O-line on display against Miami
PHILADELPHIA » As the Eagles ran through an offseason and their minicamps, there was one constant if muffled theme. By the time they closed training camp Tuesday, it would be a final, defiant echo.
Daily, in almost any interview with an offensive coach or player, even if it was not the particular topic at hand, there was a mention: The offensive line … it’s pretty good. And while no football team has ever conducted a camp without every one of its positions being touted for its awe-inspiring excellence, this time, this year, it just sounded real.
The Eagles are convinced that while so many others were wondering about the new receivers, or LeGarrette Blount’s belt size, or Carson Wentz’s choices of off-day entertainment, or the cornerbacks, or the rumors, the offensive line was inviting no questions at all.
“Once we finished up the year last year and were going through OTAs this year,” Bran-
don Brooks was saying, at the close of camp, “we were all out there. It is definitely something special up front.”
Thursday, the Eagles will play their final Linc exhibition game, entertaining the Miami Dolphins and, for a rare preseason moment, entertaining their customers, too. Week 3 of the preseason is as close as any NFL team will edge toward serious preparation, with starters from most teams playing at least until halftime. For the Eagles, the moment will be particularly telling for that line, which will be together for the first time.
Jason Peters will be healthy. Lane Johnson will be eligible. Brooks will be at personal peace. Jason Kelce will be bothered by no foot problems. Isaac Seumalo will be sufficiently seasoned. And throw in Zach Ertz, who either will prove to be a Pro Bowl candidate this season or begin looking over his shoulder pads as the Eagles begin importing their next generation of tight ends.
They will all be there, prepared and physically fit.
“Yeah, last week they went about the first quarter,” said Doug Pederson, of a victory over Buffalo in which Peters did not play. “I don’t want to put them in any kind of harm’s way. But I’m hoping to get them more work than last week.”
An understandably more persistent training-camp theme than the guards, center and tackles was the growing comfort level of Wentz and his many new weapons. The Eagles did the usual blah-blah-blah about that being possible in practice, but at some point, there must be at least some production in a game setting. That’s why it will be critical Thursday that the offensive line plays as expected, providing Wentz necessary protection from injury, opening a gap or two for Blount, and granting Wentz enough time in the pocket to gain some familiarity with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith.
“I think we have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL,” offensive coordinator Frank Reich said. “We’ve got two outstanding tackles. We’ve got good players inside.”
The Eagles’ offensive line was built to dominate, even if it rarely has had that opportunity. Peters has been injury-prone. Johnson had a 10-game suspension last season when he failed to read the agate type on a vitamin bottle. Kelce had plantar fasciitis. It was always something. And it could be that they all are just at that age where that happens. Peters, 35, is a 14-year veteran. Kelce is 29. Johnson is no longer young at 27. Brooks is 28. Only Seumalo, 23, is closer to the start of his career than to the end.
But all are ready. And they should be. Peters is a nine-time Pro Bowler, likely bound for the Hall of Fame. Johnson was the third pick in the 2014 draft. Brooks came to the Eagles as a $40 million free agent. Kelce has been a Pro Bowl center.
“In 2012, when I was in Houston, that was a pretty good offensive line,” Brooks said. “We had Duane (Brown), Wade Smith, Chris Myers. That was a pretty good offensive line that I was a part of there. But this is probably the best group that I have been a part of.”
And that’s how it went, through the offseason. There was the buzz, constant, persistent: That offensive line … it can make the difference.
Said Brooks: “I look forward to us imposing our will this year.”
If such echoes continue, the Eagles could be, as the man said, something special.