The Eagles didn’t draft an offensive linemen this year. Or last year. Normally that might not be a huge deal, but the Eagles have the oldest OL in the league. And they released starting RG Todd Herremans in the offseason. Clearly this is not an ideal situation.

Some critics say the Eagles neglected the OL. How is Sam Bradford supposed to stay upright, let alone play well, if he doesn’t have good blocking?

I don’t think everyone gets the overall situation.

The OL should be fine for 2015. The Eagles return 4 of 5 starters. The team is very comfortable with Allen Barbre taking over at RG. Jason Peters remains one of the better LTs in the league. Jason Kelce is becoming one of the best Centers. Lane Johnson has played very well in his 2 years. Evan Mathis is showing a bit of his age, but remains a very good starting LG. This is a talented group.

Let’s talk about Allen Barbre for a minute. He has 8 NFL starts, all at RT. He played some LT in 2013 when Peters got hurt during a game. Barbre played well, which surprised me since he was at LT. Barbre is an inconsistent pass blocker. He doesn’t have great feet but moves them well enough to be an effective pass protector. The big issue that I’ve noticed is that he isn’t aggressive enough with his hands. Instead of quickly extending his arms to get control of the rusher, Barbre keeps his arms close to his body and that gives the rusher too much space/freedom. Still, the guy has talent. Check out this shot of him as a LT in 2013.

Barbre is a better run blocker than pass protector. He comes off the ball well and has some pop. He is strong enough to get movement at the LOS. Barbre is athletic enough to block in space or up on the second level. If the Eagles run the ball as much as I anticipate, Barbre has a chance to be a solid starting RG. The Eagles are certainly confident in him.

There is no denying that it would have been nice to add players in the draft. An early pick might have challenged Barbre for the starting RG role. At the least, it would have helped the depth of the OL. As we saw last year, you can never have enough good blockers.

I do think there is some confusion in regard to last year. First, the OL didn’t play terribly. They were actually pretty good for most of the year. The first month was terrible, with things hitting rock bottom in the loss to SF. Think about the lineup for that game.

LT Jason Peters

LG Matt Tobin

OC David Molk

RG Dennis Kelly

RT Todd Herremans

That was the first start of Molk’s career. That was the first start of Tobin’s career. Kelly was seeing his first action at RG in a regular season game since 2012. Herremans was playing in an old spot at RT. Combine that information with the fact the Eagles were playing against SF’s defense and you can see why things didn’t go well.

Lane Johnson returned from suspension after that game and the line got much better.

I think people saw the Eagles as having no depth. No team can afford to have that many guys out. A lot of teams don’t have 5 good starting O-linemen, let alone multiple good backups. The Eagles had 5 good starters. They had a top backup in Barbre. They had backups with some potential (Tobin, Andrew Gardner). That’s not a bad situation at all. You just can’t handle that many injuries at a spot where continuity and chemistry are so critical.

That first month skewed some perceptions. Shady ran for 192 yards…in September. Yikes. He had no holes to work with and it showed. In the final 12 games, he averaged 93 yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry. Pro rate that for a full season and Shady would have been up over 1,500 yards. He still finished with 1,319. The OL started doing something right once they got Johnson back and there was a bit of stability.

If the OL can stay reasonably healthy this year and Barbre plays to the level the coaches expect, the line could be one of the better units in the league. The real problem isn’t the present.

The problem is the future.

NFL projected starting OL, ranked by average age: pic.twitter.com/mY6lj3C27G — Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) May 17, 2015

The Eagles don’t have any high-level backups ready to take over as long term replacements. Tobin is a player the team likes more than some fans realize, but that doesn’t mean he’ll pan out the way the Eagles think he can. Molk played well once he settled in last year, but he’s not a guy you want as a full-time starter. These aren’t mid-round picks just waiting their turn. These are developmental types that have more of an uphill battle to succeed.

Let’s talk about the backups the Eagles have in place.

MATT TOBIN – 6-6, 290 – IOWA – UDFA — Last summer Tobin was the team’s #6 OL. With Barbre at RT (due to Johnson’s suspension), Tobin was projected to be the top backup OT/OG. He had a terrific showing in Training Camp and the preseason. It looked like Tobin was going to develop into a quality blocker. Then he hurt his ankle in the preseason finale. That sidelined Tobin for the first 3 games. He started at LG for 7 games before suffering a concussion and losing his spot.

Tobin was up and down in his starts. He looked really good as a run blocker at times. Pass protection was another story. He struggled. Sometimes he let go of rushers too quickly. Sometimes he didn’t get his hands cleanly on them. He looked like a young player that was learning on the fly. Tobin showed enough promise that I think he could he could eventually be a starter. But he must show serious improvement as a pass blocker. This will be his third summer with the Eagles.

ANDREW GARDNER – 6-6, 308 – GA TECH – 6TH RD — Has been in the league since 2009, but saw his first real playing time last year. Started at RG and RT. Would be a very interesting developmental guy, except that he just turned 29. Time isn’t on his side. Gardner can be a very good run blocker. There were times in 2014 when he really impressed me. Played collegiately at GT, where the team runs the ball 70 times a game, so he knows a thing or two about run blocking. Pass pro is erratic. Doesn’t have ideal quickness so he’s going to guess a lot. That leaves him vulnerable to counter moves. If Gardner focuses on a DL attacking his outside shoulder, he could get beaten with a hard inside move. That said, he gets the job done most of the time. Get away from throwing 40 passes a game and Gardner can be an effective starter.

DAVID MOLK – 6-1, 295 – MICHIGAN – 7TH RD — Molk is very strong and is a good athlete. He just doesn’t have the kind of frame you want in a blocker. He is just under 6-1 and his hands are smaller than 9 inches. Molk is a good fit for the Eagles due to his athletic ability. He can pull and blocks well on the move. Fun to watch because he loves to mash on LBs and DBs when he’s blocking downfield. Isn’t just out there to run around and look pretty. Wants to hit someone. Smart player who uses angles and leverage to his advantage.

Molk is a guy you want to replace because he is a pure C. You don’t want a guy his size playing OG. If the roster was big enough to have someone whose job was just to be the backup C, Molk would be fine for the Eagles. Struggled when first on the field in 2014, but improved each game and proved to be a solid blocker. Just needed experience. Doesn’t turn 27 until December so age isn’t an issue with him.

DENNIS KELLY – 6-8, 320 – PURDUE – 5TH RD — This is the do or die year for Kelly. He showed potential as a rookie. Then got hurt in 2013 and missed the season. Played some last year, but was still new to playing in Chip Kelly’s system. Kelly started two games at LG, then one at RG. Showed some potential, but not enough to keep his job over Tobin or Gardner. Kelly needs to play more to his size. He is a big, powerful blocker who doesn’t consistently get his hands on defenders and move them around. Needs the light to come on this summer. Played well enough last summer to win a roster spot, but needs to be better this year. Kelly is only 25 years old so it would be ideal if he could have a breakout summer and show that he could be someone worth keeping around, whether as a future starter or just as a quality backup.

JULIAN VANDERVELDE – 6-2, 301 – IOWA – 5TH RD — The ultimate yo-yo guy. The Eagles let him go. The Eagles bring him back. Has never started an NFL game. I’m not sure how much he’s ever played. Doesn’t stand out in terms of size. Solid athlete, but nothing special. Game tape from preseason games isn’t compelling. Must be off the charts with intangibles for the coaches to keep him around. I’ll be shocked if he survives the summer (as an Eagle, not as a human).

KEVIN GRAF – 6-6, 309 – USC – UDFA — I had to go back and re-read my notes on him. Did you remember that when Barbre went on IR after Week 1, Graf was moved from the practice squad to the roster? I had completely forgotten that. For better or worse, the coaches like Graf. Here is something I wrote on him from last summer.

Played LT and LG. Love his effort. Plays every down as if his life depends on it. Very limited athlete. Isn’t pretty when he pulls, but he will block someone. Had a couple of nice blocks on outside plays. I don’t know if he will ever be good enough to play in the league, but it won’t be from lack of effort. Does have NFL size and strength. Footwork and agility are the big issues.

Graf was a RT in college, but the Eagles have been playing him on the left side. It will be very interesting to see if he takes a big step forward this summer or if his limited athleticism is going to be an issue he can’t overcome. Not many guys do, but there are some exceptions. Experience is a big help so knowing what he’s doing this time around should lead to better results.

BRETT BOYKO – 6-7, 301 – UNLV – UDFA — Nothing special athletically. Boyko played LG and LT for the Rebels. He does not have the footwork to play OT in the NFL. He struggled with speed rushers in college. Gets off-balance at times and will lunge at defenders. Boyko is a good run blocker. He comes off the ball quickly and is aggressive. He will win if he gets his hands on the defender cleanly. Boyko is more about effort than talent. Feels like this year’s version of Kevin Graf. Tough, experienced player. Was a QB in high school.

MIKE COCCIA – 6-3, 302 – NEW HAMPSHIRE – UDFA — Quick from snap to block. Has good feet. Likes to get shots in on DTs when he’s uncovered and can help his OG’s out. Good with his hands. Plays too high at times, but generally anchors well in pass pro. Shows good awareness. Handles stunts and blitzes well. Not a great athlete, but had a good Pro Day workout, which the Eagles attended. The Eagles stayed in touch with Coccia before the draft, showing serious interest. He has the size and skill set to play well in the Eagles offense.

JOSH ANDREWS – 6-2, 311 – OREGON STATE – UDFA — Signed with the Eagles in 2014 and earned a spot on the practice squad. Some notes from last summer.

Played LG and C. Has good feet. Does a good job of extending his arms and engaging the defender. Moves well laterally and is an active blocker. If no one is across from him, finds someone to block. Must get stronger. Doesn’t anchor as well as you’d like. Limited push at the LOS. Does a solid job when blocking on the second level.

It will be interesting to see if Andrews got stronger in the past year. He is a good athlete and has the versatility the Eagles like. Could be a bit of a sleeper candidate.

MALCOM BUNCHE – 6-6, 320 – UCLA/MIAMI – UDFA — Interesting player. Spent 4 years at Miami and then spent 2014 at UCLA as a grad student. Started at LT in 2012, was mostly a backup at RT and OG in 2013 and then started at both LT and LG in 2014. Doesn’t have the feet to play OT. Is a smart blocker who understands angles and positioning. I need to study more tape to see him as a run blocker. The Bruins didn’t always run the ball a lot. Does have heavy hands. When he gets a shot on a rusher, the guy feels it. Lost his LT and then his LG jobs in 2014. That’s not encouraging. Looked better at LG. Able to pull and block on the move. Showed some potential. Played under Jeff Stoutland at Miami. Said the team is using him at RT for now.

COLE MANHART – 6-4, 298 – NEBRASKA-KEARNEY – UDFA — I like this kid. Honors student who has already graduated. Started at LT for 3 years in college. Not a natural pass-blocker, but is technically sound with his kick-slide. Has pretty good feet. Able to engage a defender and keep his feet moving. Generates good power when he plays with good pad level. Uses his hands well. Knows his limitations as a pass blocker so tries to quickly get his hands on the rusher to keep him wide of the QB. Smart player. Excellent effort. Blocks to the echo of the whistle. Needs to get stronger. Has the build and blocking style of an Eagles OL. Played LT in the NFLPA all star game and generated some buzz out there. Looked good. Solid showing at his Pro Day. Eagles assistant OL coach Greg Austin was there since Manhart worked at out Nebraska’s Pro Day. The Eagles list him at OG for now.

My guess at the depth chart for now:

LT – Jason Peters ….. Matt Tobin ……………. Kevin Graf

LG – Evan Mathis …. Julian Vandervelde … Brett Boyko ….. Cole Manhart

OC – Jason Kelce ….. David Molk ……………. Mike Coccia

RG – Allen Barbre …. Dennis Kelly …………. Josh Andrews

RT – Lane Johnson … Andrew Gardner ….. Malcom Bunche

If the young players fail to take a step forward this summer, the team will have to aggressively address the OL next offseason. They could go after a veteran free agent to play LG. They could draft a LT to develop behind Peters. RG is a mystery because we don’t know how Barbre and possibly others will play there.

I would bet the Eagles will scour the waiver wire very closely this summer. Again, they aren’t looking for 2015 starters so much as someone to develop for the future. The team could consider trading a player for a blocker. Mychal Kendricks and Brandon Boykin could be trade bait. There aren’t a lot of good options that I can see around the league. Alex Boone is an OG for the Niners that isn’t happy with his contract situation, but they don’t have the depth up front to deal him.

The O-line should be fine for 2015, but the future is a concern. The Eagles haven’t been able to add blockers in the last 2 drafts so unless the UDFAs and returning backups take a major step forward, the OL will become the top priority of the 2016 offseason.

* * * * *

It is getting to be that time of the year.

Preorder your 2015 Eagles Almanac in PDF or Paperback. 100+ pages of #Eagles analysis, scouting, stats, and more! http://t.co/REynuDZIjf — Eagles Almanac (@EaglesAlmanac) April 21, 2015

I’ll be writing more in-depth about the draft prospects and UDFAs.

Jimmy Bama is working on a 50,000 word piece explaining that Sam Bradford is the greatest player in modern sports history.* I’m personally torn between Babe Laufenberg and Paul Mokeski.

(* truthiness of that statement is somewhere between 98 and 0 percent)

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