Winston Justice, how far you have come

Tuesday November 24, 2009 • Leave a Comment 

Entering the 2008 season, Eagles fans got shivers whenever the name Winston Justice came up. Thoughts of his 2007 performance against the Giants where he allowed Osi Umenyiora to get to Donovan McNabb seven times were imposible to forget. Although some of the blame had to go to Andy Reid for putting the second-year player making his first career spot in that position in the first place, Justice was immediately labeled a bust.

Today he is labeled a multi-millionaire.

ESPN’s Adam Sheftler is reporting that the Eagles have inked Justice to a four-year deal worth $18 million, including a $6 million signing bonus.

Two years later Justice has turned into a quality lineman, playing a variety of positions before settling in as the Eagles starting right tackle. Justice was set to become a free agent at season’s end, so the move helps solidify an offensive line that saw an overhaul this year when veteran tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas were not resigned and Jason Peters and Stacey Andrew were brought in.

Andrews has been a major disappointment, while Peters has performed well, but has had problems staying on the field.

Then there is Justice who proves his doubters wrong game-after-game.

If you are in need of a feel-good story, look no further than Justice. No one will be labeling him a bust anymore.



Playing the blame game

Tuesday November 10, 2009 • 2 Comments 

Over the last two days blame has been spread everywhere regarding the Eagles. While some of it is overreaction from a fan base that is still smarting from a World Series loss and never takes losses to the Cowboys well, much of it is justified. Sunday nights 20-16 loss to Dallas was the type of loss that the team has suffered so many times.

There is plenty of blame to go around for the loss so we will dish it out to the deserving parties.

 

Andy Reid — 35 percent: Kicking a field goal down seven with 4:30 left and no timeouts in inexcusable for someone who has been around as long as Reid. It is hard to blame him for being out of timeouts when two were used on failed challenges that could have – and should have been overturned. That said, Andy Reid was a big reason the Eagles lost on Sunday. You have one of the best fullbacks in the league, how about using him in short-yardage situations.

 

Donovan McNabb – 30 percent: Another big game and another shortcoming by McNabb. He threw two picks and again failed to rally the team from behind in the fourth quarter. When is the last time McNabb led a comeback? McNabb is a very good quarterback but never seems to be at his best in the biggest moments.

 

Eagles defense – 15 percent:  The unit certainly played well enough to win on Sunday, but never produced a big turnover to swing the momentum in the Eagles favor. Sheldon Brown biting on the double move will be what is remembered most.

 

Jason Peter’s injury – 10 percent: Peters missed a little bit more than a quarter and boy did the Eagles miss him. McNabb was under heavy pressure with Peters out and the offense ad big trouble moving the football as a result.

 

Eagles front office – 10 percent: Something was missing from the Eagles Sunday Night. They didn’t seem to have the energy we have seen from them so many times in primetime games. Why? Brian Dawkins is playing in Denver. Dawkins wanted to stay an Eagle but the front office had other plans. If I hadn’t been clear before that the decision was a mistake, it certainly was on Sunday.

 

It all adds up to a 100 percent frustrating loss.



Eagles offensve line must jell quickly (Key 4)

Friday September 11, 2009 • 3 Comments 

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.