While offensive line is a priority in the 2009 off-season and draft, offensive guard is currently a position of depth for the Eagles.  Todd Herremans has proven to be a starter at guard in the NFL, and both Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Cole stepped up in the absence of “The Big Kid” Shawn Andrews.  Shawn is expected back in ‘09, and the status of the tackle position impacts our depth at guard as Andrews or Herremans could be moved outside.  Andy Reid and the Eagles personnel department are always looking for offensive lineman with versatility.

Although it doesn’t appear to be a top priority and this year’s guard class isn’t the deepest, drafting a guard who has the ability to play a number of positions along the offensive line has some real viability for the Eagles in the 2009 NFL Draft.  Here’s how some of the top guards at the Combine performed:

Herman Johnson is the type of wide-bodied offensive guard the Eagles have drafted recently, plus he's from LSU

• Duke Robinson - Projected as a mid to late first round pick, Duke didn’t lift due to an arm injury that also kept him out of the Senior Bowl, but he ran a 5.27 40 yard dash at the Combine on Saturday.  Meh.  Regardless of his limited involvement at the Combine, he looks like he is going to be an impact player and may be gone before the Eagles first pick at #21.
• Herman Johnson - For the biggest guard in the draft (6′7 364 pounds), he didn’t do much with his 5.54 40 time and only 21 reps.  Forget the 40 with him though, his run blocking potential is as big as his appetite and his arm length is 36.5″ (longest of all guards at the Combine).  The Eagles seem to like guards of this mauling build, and I can’t argue that strategy.
• Louis Vasquez - The 6′5″ 333 pound guard had 39 bench reps, most of any OL at the Combine.  He didn’t run and he still a fairly raw player, but has the potential to be dominant.  If he were available after a few other needs are addressed I may consider him.
• Andy Levitre - Played every position except center during his career at Oregon State, but got beat up playing RT at the Senior Bowl due to his lack of lateral movement in one on one situations.  Put up a solid 5.26 in the 40 to go along with 23 bench reps at the Combine.  His versatility, intelligence and athleticism will make him a useful offensive lineman on any NFL roster.
• Kraig Urbik - He’s toward the top 5 of everyone’s offensive guard lists, and did enough to maintain his 2nd to 3rd round grade with a solid performance at the Combine.  29 reps is nice, but a 5.41 40 is nothing special.  The upside with Urbik is his versatility to play either guard or tackle, and he’s big (6′5″ 328 pounds).

There are several value options that may be available in the middle rounds for the Eagles at offensive guard.  Reid loves linemen with the ability to play multiple positions along the line, so the fact that a player started in college playing guard or tackle can be overlooked in some cases.

The Eagles have some serious size at OG right now, and I expect that the trend will continue.  I love it, and adding a player like Herman Johnson in the second round would be interesting if we don’t address the line with earlier picks.  Even if a tackle is selected in the first round, the Eagles could draft a versatile offensive lineman like Kraig Urbik or Andy Levitre in the 3rd or 4rd round as an insurance policy to improve the line’s depth in case of injury.

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.