On the defensive side of the ball, well, the Eagles have more work to do but they have some foundational pieces. Tackles Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave will gain chemistry with a full and more-normal offseason on the field together. End Brandon Graham enters his 12th season coming off a Pro Bowl year and still has gas in his tank. End Josh Sweat has improved steadily in his three seasons and that should continue in Year 4. After that? The Eagles have to make the decision on Derek Barnett's fifth season. They have other roster calls to make, too, in a new defense and a new scheme. The Eagles need more firepower along the defensive line, for sure.
But they have something to build upon here. Both lines of scrimmage are focal points for a team aiming to play sound, fundamental, physical football under new Head Coach Nick Sirianni.
Right here and now, I know the popular topic of conversation isn't the offensive and defensive lines. Nobody here is blind. Those stories, that story, will take care of itself between now March 17, when the NFL's new business year begins.
The Eagles have so much going on right now – salary cap projections to make, free agency to prepare for, the NFL Draft – and on that list is the state of the line of scrimmage. It has long been a focus for this franchise. It will continue that way. If the Eagles are great in the trenches, they're going to win a lot of football games. As much as the focus in this great NFL game is on those who make the headlines and who score all the touchdowns, we all understand it's the offensive and defensive lines that pave the groundwork. Green Bay lost its left tackle, David Bakhtiari, prior to the playoffs and his absence came back to cost quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Championship Game loss to Tampa Bay. Kansas City played the Super Bowl with backups at both tackle positions and one guard spot and failed to score a touchdown against the Bucs.
The lines matter. There is nothing blurry about that fact, and the Eagles, as they turn to 2021 with an 0-0 record like every team in the league, begin with optimism about the state of the trenches, a good place to start for a transitioning roster.
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NFL champions start in the trenches, a strong spot here - PhiladelphiaEagles.com
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