The second unrestricted free agent offensive  tackle in the UFA spotlight, LT William “Tra” Thomas.

Doctor Said I Need A Backiotomy

2008 Season Overview:

• Started all 16 2008 regular season games and gave up only 2 sacks, good for third best in the league; hard to argue with that.  However, this statistic is a little deceptive as Thomas’ play didn’t always seem to be at such a high level and at times he lacked push in the run game.  Playing with a QB that’s fairly difficult to take down like McNabb helps cover up some mistakes as well.

2009 Outlook:

• As we’ve said before, offensive tackle is the #1 priority of the 2009 offseason and many consider left tackle to be the most important position on a football team.  Tra’s been to three Pro Bowls and selected to the All Pro team twice; teams pay a lot of money for left tackle’s with resume’s like that.  In last year’s free agency Dallas resigned Flozell Adams (four career Pro Bowls) at 32 to a 6 year, $43 million contract.  Thomas is 34, and has had back spasm issues over the past few years, but I would expect teams are floating Tra somewhat comparable numbers ($30+ million).
• Drafted by the Eagles in the 1st round the year before McNabb, the time may have arrived for the Eagles to draft the LT of the future, as they ponder who the QB of the future will be.  That’s not to say that there aren’t a few options already on the roster:

1. Winston Justice - A blatant assassination attempt on Donovan/Kolb/other’s life.
2. Todd Herremans - If he were to move to tackle, he seems more of a fit at the RT spot in the NFL.  With that being said, Herremans did first crack the starting line-up at left tackle during his rookie season in 2005 when Thomas was injured.  This could actually work out if we resign Runyan, but a healthy and happy Shawn Andrew’s is needed to make it a reality.
3. King Dunlap - The wildcard.  King showed promise during the ‘08 preseason, coming in as a 7th round pick that year.  Although most second-year, 7th round picks who have never played in an NFL game don’t get much love, most aren’t 6′8″ and 320 pounds.  Size like that gets people’s attention, but his ability to play at the NFL level is still very much up in the air.

Will he be an Eagle in ‘09?

• Doubtful, but…
• It’s going to hurt. There have been some rookie tackle’s who weren’t drafted in the top 10 recently who stepped right in on Day 1 and played well; Ryan Clady, Michael Roos, Chris Williams and Marcus McNeill to name a few.  The consistency of resigning Tra would ease some uncertainty heading into the ‘09 season.  But really, there is nothing certain about a 35 year old tackle with a history of persistent injury and declining play.  There are teams out there more desperate for a LT in this fairly weak offseason for the position.  I see Thomas moving on, but we may end up missing him greatly as the options behind him have yet to prove themselves.