Andy Jasner 10y

Eagles can rely on offensive line

Even without Lane Johnson for the first four games, the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line still has plenty of firepower.

Johnson will miss the first four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

But with Allen Barbre likely filling in alongside Evan Mathis, Jason Peters, Todd Herremans and center Jason Kelce, the Eagles' offensive line should be quite strong.

“I feel really good about the progress we've made and how we've played as a unit and how we will play as a unit,” Mathis, an All-Pro left guard, told the Philadelphia Daily News. “I see everything being better. It's not brand new to us anymore. We have experience doing it. If there's anything any of us had flaws at, we've worked really hard at correcting those, as well as improving on every other aspect of the game.”

Running back LeSean McCoy led the league in rushing last season with 1,607 yards. Quarterback Nick Foles threw 27 touchdowns, two interceptions and compiled a passer rating of 119.2.

Much of that success must be attributed to the offensive line.

Even with Barbre filling in, the group is still pretty much intact.

“He [Barbre] is not getting thrown into the fire,” Mathis told the Daily News. “He didn't find out just last week that he's going to be starting at right tackle. He's been groomed for this. He's ready for this. And he knows what he has to do.”

So does Kelce.

“Kelce is developing into one of the best centers in the game,” an NFC scout told the Daily News. “He's not the biggest guy in the world, so he can't overpower the big nose tackles. But I watched him play against New England last month and he just wheeled around Vince Wilfork the whole game. He shielded him easily. His hands are so good and he just runs so well. He gets to the second level. He can lead sweeps all the time. He can snap and get out. He's just extremely talented at what they ask him to do.”

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