By Art Beitchman
The 2014 season was not kind to the Birds’ offensive line.
As opposed to 2013, when all five guys played all 16 games, in 2014 every starter was in and out of the lineup, except for anchor All Pro left tackle Jason Peters, whose play continues to be at a top level going into the 2015 season. Ten-year veteran Todd Herremans also got nicked up in the Cardinals game with a bicep tear, but is expected to have a full recovery and start his 11th season in midnight green.
O-line play for the most part was solid with the offense getting nearly 30 points a game, but some reinforcement through the draft and free agency might be a good idea.
Andrus Peat, OT from Stanford, will be at a high pick, Brandon Scheff out of Iowa is another at the top of many mock draft boards.
Free agency could be another option for the Birds to take. Eugene Monroe, who played the 2014 season with the Ravens, will be on the market; Browns’ OL Alex Mack also will be testing the free agent waters, along with the Chiefs’ Brandon Albert and the Rams’ Rodger Saffold.
Is the age of Peters (who will be 33 later this month), Evan Mathis (who turns 34 in November) and Herremans (33 in October) a concern?
The Eagles will be sure to tweak the O-line to a degree, but for the most part a unit that has been very solid the past three years will leave well enough alone.
