The Biggie Shuffle

The Eagles have a good starting offensive line. They also have some very talented backups. One of the questions now is where everyone will line up.

Jason Peters is the LT. Jordan Mailata worked at LT last summer. Andre Dillard is a LT. Lane Johnson is the RT. Matt Pryor is a natural RT. And we can’t forget about Big V. He’s a good backup tackle on both sides.

Plenty of other NFL teams would kill for a situation like that.

So what is going to happen with all these guys?

Mike Kaye wrote a good piece on the line that included an interview with OL guru Duke Manyweather.  Duke said good things about Dillard, but I found a comment about Big V most interesting.

“He’s a guy that gives you flexibility. He’s played left tackle, he’s played right tackle and he’s a big SOB. Maybe he’s a guy that could play guard. Maybe Jordan [Mailata] could play guard. [The Eagles] have some options there and Philly is in a good situation.”

I had kicked around the idea of Big V playing OG, but hadn’t really thought about it too much. With Brandon Brooks out right now, the Eagles need someone to fill his spot. Matt Pryor worked at RG last summer, but didn’t look great. Big V is an experienced player and would make some sense. He doesn’t have OG experience, but he’s got the skill set to succeed on the inside. He’s big and strong. He can get movement in the run game. Big V is a solid pass protector. He struggles at times on the edge, but I think he would be fine on the inside.

This is pure speculation at this point. We’ll have to wait for a minicamp to see where guys are lining up.

Here is a guess for now.

LT Jason Peters ….. Andre Dillard
LG Isaac Seumalo …..
OC Jason Kelce …….
RG H. Vaitai …… Matt Pryor ….. Brandon Brooks (injured)
RT Lane Johnson ….. Jordan Mailata

You could also switch that up a bit. Big V could be Johnson’s backup and Mailata could be playing LG. The problem with projecting Mailata at OG is that he’s 6-8. Most guards are 6-6 or lower. John Wetzel is 6-7 and has started 24 games so far in his career so it isn’t out of the question. It would be unusual, though.

The Eagles like Mailata a lot. They have a plan for him. I don’t know what it is, obviously, but he’s not just another guy.

Depth at C and G isn’t close to being set. Anthony Fabiano would probably be the backup C right now. He is very athletic and would make a lot of sense for the Eagles. The problem is that this is his seventh organization. Teams are interested in him, but he can’t seem to keep a job.

What about the UDFAs?

Draft analyst Thor Nystrom had this to say about the Eagles class, which he ranked 6th in the NFL.

The Eagles swooped up three draftable guards — I predict they’ll find at least one in the group who’ll hang.  (LB T.J.) Edwards was worth a shot on college play alone.

Thor had the Eagles OGs rated:

Ryan Bates
Iosua Opeta
Nate Herbig

Notice that he didn’t have C/G Keegan Render mentioned. I like Render and think he’s a player to watch. Thor must be wrong. I don’t have a track record of overrating at least one UDFA per year for the last two decades. Oh wait…C Bruce Johnson, T Aaron Evans, LB Jake Knott, etc.

I’m sticking by Render. First stop, Philly. Next stop, Canton.

*****

One website said this about Render.

Keegan Render – The three-year starter on the offensive line will be taking his talents to the City of Angels. Render signed a UDFA deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

When the heck did Philly become the City of Angels?

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