Eagles Offensive Line: Strength in Depth
9 August 2019 Eagles News
In the NFL, games are won in the trenches. Wait, you’ve heard that before a million times before? Let me say it again. Games are won in the trenches. And the Eagles might have the best offensive trench in the league headed into 2019.
If you told me a starting offensive line that has an average age of above 30-years old would top the league, you’d think I was crazy. However, the Eagles have a legitimate chance of having the best offensive line in the league this coming season with the veteran players they have in the lineup. Howie Roseman has done a phenomenal job keeping this starting lineup together while locking them in to friendly yet necessary deals.
Recently released to the public, the starting lineup in 2019 is as follows from left to right: Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson. The starting lineup might have its fair share of veterans, but there are some youngsters waiting in the wings to start when their time comes. Let’s analyze each position and talk about what’s in store for this Eagles offensive line.
Left tackle:
Jason Peters is a fan favorite and has proven plenty of people wrong (including myself) that he can in fact remain a top offensive tackle in the league. Who knows when Peters will retire. For now though, Peters is the starter until further notice. The Eagles drafted his heir to the throne in Andre Dillard with their first round pick this past draft and based on his college production at Washington State, he looks primed to be a premiere pass-blocking protector for Carson Wentz in the future.
Left guard:
The left guard spot has been probably the most unpredictable position for the Eagles since Evan Mathis. Currently, Seumalo is penciled in as the starter after gaining a bit of praise over Stefen Wisniewski. There could always be starter swap down the road, but if Seumalo looks good, you’ve got to ride with him ’til something comes up. I’d give it the same treatment as Vaitai had when he had to replace Peters during the Eagles Super Bowl run.
Center:
What more can you say about Jason Kelce? He’s a man of a lot of words. Have you seen his speech? Kelce has established himself as the best center in the league by far. Yep, I said it. He’s been snubbed time and time again from Pro Bowl nods, All-Pro selections—you name it. The only question surrounding him is who will replace him. The Eagles will have to invest in a center down the road in a future draft unless Seumalo kicks it over to center (he has the versatility to do so).
Right guard:
If there’s one thing to complain about at the right guard position, it’s why Brandon Brooks couldn’t come to the Eagles sooner. The Eagles acquiring Brandon Brooks is still, to me, the most underrated signing in recent Eagles history. A bruiser when it comes to the run game, Brooks has shown his fair share of “eliteness” in the league. His current ACL injury put him in a slump over the summer but he looks to be on track to return to the team by Week 3 at most. Apparently now Vaitai has been placed as the backup right guard? Some versatility in this lineman group for sure.
Right tackle:
Lane Johnson, a co-creator of the underdog mask, showed how much the league messed up by not acknowledging his greatness when he posted a photo on twitter of him being ripped beyond all belief. Not only has Johnson showed everyone up on Twitter, he’s shown some of the opposing pass rushers in the league the business. Last year he played against the likes of Demarcus Lawrence, Everson Griffen and Ryan Kerrigan just to name a few. He constantly goes against top talent and consistently holds his own in the process.
Not too much to worry about for the Eagles offensive line. Starters have been jelled together for a while, plus a handful of the backups have starter potential. Depth alone keeps this offensive line at one of the top spots in the league. Plus, not too many crucial injuries have been sustained on the offensive line to keep them from completely crumbling.
The 2019 season is four weeks away and the Eagles offensive line is ready to stomp all over the league.
Brendan Walker Brandon Brooks, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Jason Peters, Lane Johnson