Offensive Tackle – Jason Peters and Lane Johnson
The current bookends for the Eagles’ offensive line highlight the 2010s offensive line. In the Twitter poll, where you can select only one, the fans were almost split on who to select for the team:
The offensive skill position polls are done! Now it's time for the offensive line! The tackles with the most starts from 2010 until present are: (top two will be selected)
— Philly Sports Network (@PhiladelphiaSN) July 9, 2019
Leading the vote is the Bodyguard Jason Peters. He’s been the Eagles’ left tackle since 2009 and has done a stellar job since.
The Eagles traded a first, fourth, and sixth round pick to Buffalo for Peters back in 2009, the same draft capital they sent this year to the Ravens to move up and select Andre Dillard, Peters’ heir apparent.
Peters’ ProFootballFocus grade of 92.8 since 2009 is fourth most among left tackles since that time, behind names like Joe Thomas, Andrew Whitworth, and Joe Staley.
He played and started in all 16 games last season, however his snap count was only at 79.49%. So out of 1,092 snaps, he played in 868 of them. He also played 100% of the snaps in only six games. Peters has had an amazing, hall of fame worthy career with the Eagles, but 2019 might be his last.
Lane Johnson has been one of the best, if not the best, right tackle in the league since making his debut in 2013. His combination of size and athleticism has been crucial in his career while protecting quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Carson Wentz, both of whom can use their legs very well.
In the playoff game against the Bears, look at just how dominant he was against the great Khalil Mack:
.@Eagles @LaneJohnson65 is back. All the way back to being a “blue chip elite player “ No right tackle in football has his combination of size, strength, and athletic ability. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/gYLYFsMNIA
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) January 8, 2019
He’s started every game he’s played in the NFL, however it’s only been 80 of a possible 96. A ten game suspension in 2016 limited him to just six games, and the other six games that he’s missed throughout his career have been to knee injuries. However, since that suspension, he’s only missed two games total in 2017 and 2018 and looks healthy as ever going into 2019.
Offensive Guard – Brandon Brooks and Evan Mathis
Brandon Brooks signed with the Eagles in 2016 after four seasons in Houston. Playing and starting in 46 out of a possible 48 games with the Eagles, Brooks has been a stalwart on the offensive line.
Last season, Brooks received a 98.9 pass blocking grade from ProFootballFocus, tied for the league lead. In Week 17, Brooks allowed a sack. That sentence would be pretty worthless without context, right? Here’s the context: it was his first sack allowed in 1,889 pass blocks. That streak is the longest streak without allowing a sack for a guard in 13 years, according to ProFootballFocus.
In the Eagles loss to the Saints in the divisional round of the playoffs, Brooks suffered a torn Achilles, putting the start of the 2019 season in jeopardy. He’s been posting Twitter updates on his progress, showing that he’s ahead of schedule, but the Eagles would be smart not to rush him.
In Evan Mathis’ 12 year career, he made the Pro Bowl twice and the First Team All-Pro list once, all of these coming with the Eagles.
During his four years in Philly, Mathis played and started in 56 out of 64 possible games.
In Philly, fans LOVE players who turn it up another level against division rivals. Well, according to ProFootballFocus, Mathis received a 94.3 career grade against Dallas and a 92.0 career grade against Washington. In a combined 674 pass blocking snaps between the two teams, Mathis allowed 16 pressures and zero sacks. Dominance.
Going into the 2014 season, Mathis was ranked seventh on ProFootballFocus’ top 101 players. He was ranked one ahead of LeSean McCoy. He was THAT good.
Imagine a guard tandem of Mathis and Brooks; Wentz would have the cleanest pocket!
Center – Jason Kelce
Speaking of top 101 players, Kelce comes in 64th on this year’s list.
Arguably the best center in the NFL, Kelce was the best ranked run blocking center and the second best pass blocking center in 2018, according to ProFootballFocus.
He has been selected to two straight First Team All-Pro’s and is a two time Pro Bowler. Funny thing is, those two Pro Bowls haven’t come in his All-Pro years, go figure.
Kelce is on a four year streak of starting all 16 games, and he’s done so in six of eight seasons overall.
This All 2010s offense would have what it takes to take on any team in the NFL today, but would the defense match up just as well? Stay tuned for the All 2010s Defense edition coming soon!
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