Prediction: Better OL play will lead Eagles to a greener season.

Dave Spadaro earlier this week posed a question on his Eagle TV broadcast asking what do you think of Winston Justice so far this year. I thought about this question, thought about not only the play of Justice so far this year, but of the offensive line in general. This led me to think how well the Eagles will really do this year.

As as a True Green Eagles fan, I believe the Eagles will have a great year. They will go to the superbowl  or at least contend for the NFC championship.  A lot of  Eagles fans, like me,  would root hard for the team no matter what and when asked would say that the Eagles are definitely going to the Superbowl even if the Eagles fielded Miami’s team in the dark green and white. But that’s really my wish, not a prediction. That said, here is what I truely believe. 

I’m very afraid that the Eagles will do poorly this season. In training camp I’ve seen the #2 defense dominate the 1st team offense or at the very least, get great pressure.  And as much as I hate to admit this, the Eagles number 2 defense is probably not as good as many other teams #1 defense.

I have huge concerns about the play of Tra Thomas and the recent play of Herremans at LT in training camp.  And I’m not even considering Tra’s recent back spasms.  Let us pray.

Tra Thomas has been beaten badly (almost constantly) during one on ones in training camp, 1st team offense against 2nd team defense, and in the first pre-season game against the Steelers he was charged with a sack. However, the first week of camp he and Runyan both looked great. Later Runyan also started to get beat constantly by DT Clemmons. Hopefully the recent bad play of both starting tackles may just be a combination of their age, natural wear down of training camp, and the summer training theyve done to prepare for this season. Physically they really look in great shape. They might just need a few days rest as I’m sure the whole teams needs. Lets all hope.  

Winston Justice is now playing RT. He started slow this training camp. But soon after he started playing much better. He is now showing a new side to his game. In camp and the first pre-season game he is looking much stronger, determined, and at ease. I believe with  contant playing time and working him into full game playing shape, he’ll be everything we had all hoped for when he was drafted.  I’ve always believed, and continue to believe, the issue with Justice isn’t his ability but his game playing shape. In the last four years he’s played essentially one season of college ball and 2 1/2 NFL games.

He is ready to fill in at RT. He proved he could last year when he filled in for Runyon at RT against a good Buffalo defense. He played the entire game without the benefit of preparation. In that game he had 1 penalty, no sacks. Tra Thomas had 1 sack charged to him. Justice also looked good against the blitzing Steelers in last week’s pre-season opener.  Will he have a bad game in the future? Sure. Everyone does. He needs playing time. Would that mean he he can’t play? No. However, I wish Justice was still playing left tackle this season because Dunlap may be good in the future. But that future, I believe,  is not going to be soon enough.

Prediction: Eagles will be strong in the second half of the season as always.  Lots of work needed up front on offensive line or maybe just a bit a rest after training camp. Hopefully.