Out Of the Brew...

Heart breaker, soul shaker
I've been told about you
Steamroller, midnight stroller
What they've been saying must be true
Red hot mama, velvet charmer
Times come to pay your dues
Now you're messin’ with a son of a bitch!

...first you get a “fat guy” spike, then a “fat guy” dance!

There is one thing about the upcoming season that is already a certainty. No one will be asking the question, “Where’s the beef?” when looking at the Eagles offensive line this season. For years, we Eagles fans have been bemoaning the lack of a dominant offensive line, and for the first time in recent, and distant past memory, that problem has been addressed. For a change, we’ve got an offensive line so large that they could put an average steakhouse out of business! Come to think of it, what a name for this group: “The Steakhouse!” Has a ring to it, don’t you think?

Being part of the “Body by Buddha” cast myself, I find this to be particularly tantalizing addition to the Eagles offensive menu. We’re going to be running the ball!

Let’s take a look at the series of events that has led to this weighty proposition for the Birds. Step one: John Runyan was signed to a new deal to keep the right tackle position manned and mean. Steps two and three: Winston Justice and Max Jean-Gilles were added via the 2006 draft. Step four, and one that put a huge smile on all our faces, the behemoth, Shawn Andrews was signed through the 2015 season courtesy of one of the Eagles trademark contract extension deals.

Add to those additions the return of a healthy William “Don’t Call Me Tra” Thomas, a more seasoned Todd Herremans, and the spirited competition between Hank Fraley and Jamaal Jackson at the center position, and you’re looking at a unit that’s poised to be jamming opposing defenses back on their heels.

Here’s a look at the squad on a man-by-man breakdown:

Right Tackle: John Runyan. 6-7, 330 Lbs. Runyan was the first big-name free agent to join the Eagles under Jeffery Lurie’s ownership. Prior to Runyan’s signing, players were loathe to consider the Eagles as a team they wished to play for. At the time, Veterans’ Stadium had the worst playing surface in the NFL, and the facilities at the Eagles disposal were sub-par, at best.

Runyan was sold on the commitment shown by Lurie and then new Head Coach Andy Reid displayed to make the Eagles team and facilities the best in the NFL. He was clearly the player that marked the change in the perception of the Eagles.
Runyan has been called a dirty player over his career, as he plays the game with the rage comparable to a scorned woman. One aspect of his game has been consistent during his career: he’s always done what was necessary to improve his game. For years he had the knock of being Michael Strahan’s whipping boy, but in the last two seasons, he’s overcome that tag, and has emerged as a rock on the Eagles line.

Right Guard: Shawn Andrews 6-3, 340 Lbs. The Eagles traded up in the 2004 draft to land Andrews, who at the time was dropping on the draft board due to weight-control issues and a sinus infection that affected his entire body. During his first game, he suffered a freak ankle injury, and was unavailable for the rest of the season. Last year, he returned to the lineup, and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate by his peers.

Weight issues continued to plague Andrews during the 2005 season, frequently approaching the 400 Lb. mark during the season. He’s dedicated himself to a rigorous training regimen, and has slimmed down to a comparatively svelte 340 lbs. While his strength has not suffered, the reduced tonnage has had a dramatic effect on his speed and footwork. Many camp observers have noted that his first step off the snap has improved dramatically as a result.

The Eagles have rewarded Andrews with a big-money contract extension through the 2015 season, making Andrews a cornerstone for the franchise for the next decade.

Center: Hank Fraley 6-2, 300 Lbs. Jamaal Jackson 6-3, 330 Lbs. At this time, the battle for the starting center position is hot and heavy. (purely intentional pun) Fraley has frequently been an example of one of Madden’s favorite fat guys, earning the nickname “honey-buns” in the Eagles locker room. Fraley is a solid blocker in pass situations, but could use a bit more explosiveness off the ball on running plays. He and McNabb have had few problems misplaying snaps, and Fraley rarely draws flags during a game.

While Jackson is a more physically-imposing presence on the line, last year his play was marred by poor center exchanges, and frequent penalties. His off-season was spent amassing a more-thorough knowledge of the offensive schemes. On a positive side, Jackson is an explosive blocker in both the passing and rushing aspects of the game, and is more athletic then Fraley as well.

This training camp will be a fierce battle between these two players, and that competition will only improve both players’ performance.

Left Guard: Todd Herremans 6-6, 320 Lbs. Herremans was a fourth-round pick in the 2005 draft, selected with an eye on developing him to back up and eventually replace veteran William Thomas at left tackle. Thomas’ medical issues pressed Herremans into a starting role by November of last year; starting four games before succumbing to injury in mid-December.

The departure of Artis Hicks has virtually guaranteed Herremans’ starting position at left guard. During the off-season, he has worked with Line Coach Castillo to learn to lower his center of gravity on drive blocking, and that will only add to his size and reach to become an even more effective component of this year’s offensive line. The Eagles staff is impressed with the mobility and learning ability of the second-year Herremans, and his future appears solid in Philadelphia.

Left Tackle: William Thomas 6-7, 335 Lbs. This off-season has borne witness to a changed attitude with Thomas, reaching as deeply as his desire to be called “William” as opposed to his nick-name “Tra” that has been used throughout his career. Injuries have affected his play in the last two seasons, and Thomas has reacted by dedicating himself to reporting to camp in the best condition of his career.

Thomas has been an imposing presence on McNabb’s blind side throughout his career, and his pass-blocking ability has earned him several Pro Bowl selections, most recently in the 2004 season. This season will hopefully answer any questions regarding his health once and for all, and with the current emphasis on the running game in the NovaCare Mothership, a new spark will be added to Thomas’ game as well.

So where is the beef? Five men: An average of 328 Lbs of man-meat per player. The Steakhouse? Come to think of it, allow me to wax in a Vonnegut-esque fashion, and let’s call this offensive unit...

The Porterhouse Five!

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• #1 Comment from vince4628 
  6/16/06 7:39 PM | Permalink

  where's the beef? in wendy's buns.
    the eagles certainly have a monstorus line plus the backups have size. jackson will win the center spot, if a backup can also play center fraley will be let go.hank plays to the whistle ala runyan, but doesn't have mean streak in him. honey buns [tasty-kate] came from hank sending them to his brother in iraq
  .  this unit should be a pancake line. i don't think tra will last the season the injuries are mounting up on him