Five keys to the Eagles ending the season with a title (Part 4)

Key No. 4: The Eagles offensive line must come together quickly.

The Eagles offensive line went through a massive renovation in the offseason. Whether that renovation is for better or worse will go a long way in dictating how this season turns out.

So far, the new unit looks to have a long way to go.

Preseason injuries kept the group from playing together in the preseason and that will carry into the regular season as left guard Todd Herremans is out for at least Week One after surgery on his left foot. Head coach Andy Reid also announced today that Shawn Andrews will miss the Carolina game.

Not a great start.

The turnover process began after last season when the Eagles opted not to bring back veteran tackles Jon Ruynan and Tra Thomas. To replace the former Pro Bowl tackles, the Eagles brought in Stacy Andrews from the Bengals. Then just before draft day, the Eagles traded away a first round draft choice to the Buffalo Bills for two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters. In an instant, the Eagles o-line problems had been solved – or so they thought.

The offensive line has been a major concern in the preseason as Peters and Andrews missed time with injuries. Once back on the field, both looked a step behind, especially Peters.

Then there is starting right guard Shawn Andrews, who is out with a bad back. Shawn Andrews has always been a bit of an enigma, whether it is his problems with depression or desire to produce a rap album. When his head is in the game Andrews is a stud at guard, as evidenced by him making the Pro Bowl two years ago. When his head is not in the game, he is just a body.

The one constant on the line is center Jamal Jackson, who emerged last year as a center that Donovan McNabb and Co. can count on.

Behind them are reserves Max Jean-Giles, Nick Cole ( starting for Herremans) and Winston Justice (starting for Andrews).

One of the best things that the line has going for it is its age. All five starters are on the south side of 30 and have the ability to make up for a bad first step. The question is whether with all of the injuries and time missed, the unit has had enough reps together to form a needed cohesion.

The Eagles knew the offensive line would be a work-in-progress going into this season. You don’t just lose guys like Runyan and Thomas and think things will go as smoothly as they have for the past few seasons. It doesn’t work that way. This unit has the potential to be something special, but potential is a dangerous word. How long it takes to live up to that potential will go a long way in determining the success of the Eagles season.

As the saying goes: Football games are won in the trenches.”

Oh yea, one more thing: The Eagles worked out Ruynan this week. That tells me they are more than a little concerned about their line.