NFL Philadelphia Eagles

OL Depth Will Be Strong Suit For Philadelphia Eagles In 2015

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It’s easy to point out what the Philadelphia Eagles need to improve upon in 2015. After watching the Eagles crash and burn themselves out of the playoff hunt, it’s even easier to see how it’s all anyone can talk about. With clear things happening, like the atrocious play of the secondary, the inconsistent quarterback play, and Chip Kelly gaining power over the roster (and the very public way in which he got it), it’s hard for Eagles fans to see the bright side of things.

Of course, when you’re in a bad mood, the last thing you want is someone telling you to look on the bright side. But there is a bright side to all of the struggles the Eagles dealt with this season, and it’s from a place that no one is talking about right now, the offensive line.

The Eagles’ starting offensive line was decimated in the beginning of the year, thanks to both injuries and suspensions.  As a result, we all had to hold our collective breath and pray while we watched players like Andrew Gardner, David Molk and Matt Tobin play for an extended period of time. Granted, they looked at times very much like second-stringers, but that’s to be expected of any string of backups when they are forced into action all at once. It’s easier to blame a backup for not performing well if they’re surrounded by starters. But when you’re all out there together, you really have to take a step back and judge their play from a different perspective.

You have to automatically assume that there will be struggles. You have to assume that the growing pains are going to happen all at once, and as such, there’s going to be a consequence. And believe me, there was a consequence – LeSean McCoy’s play went right down with the ship as the backups found out what starting life in the NFL is like.

I told you there would be a bright side, and here it is: all those backups got the best thing they could have in order to improve, and that’s experience. They went up against starting defenses and saw not only exactly how they stacked up, but how they needed to improve. While they may never develop into full-time starters, they now at least have the chance to grow into solid backups who can help this team weather an injury or two for a short time. That’s a valuable asset to have, especially when you have starting linemen who are aging and about to slow down some.

The Eagles do have some overhauling to do, that’s for sure. But let’s be happy that we don’t have an offensive line that needs to be fixed, overhauled or improved upon right away. That will be another battle for another day — there are plenty of other battles that need to be fought today.

Doug Green is a blogger for www.RantSports.com covering the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL.  Follow him on Twitter @DGreenNFL.

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