With LA Rams DT Donald in town, Eagles offensive line vulnerable

As the LA Rams DT Donald arrives, the Philadelphia Eagles plan to stick with RG Herbig, not change to Pryor

The LA Rams are coming to town, and with them comes defensive tackle Aaron Donald, one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL today. That’s already making the Philadelphia Eagles second guess their starting offensive line. Thought about it, and decided the team will not make a change. Instead of swapping in a newcomer at right guard, Matt Pryor, the Eagles are keeping Nate Herbig for their right guard position.

For comparison purposes, proposed right guard Matt Pryor is an offensive tackle by trade, standing 6-foot=7 and weighing 332-pounds. The incumbent right guard Nate Herbig is a more versatile offensive lineman standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 334 pounds. Herbig is an undrafted offensive lineman from Standford University, signing on with the Eagles following the 2019 NFL Draft.  His teammate Matty Pryor was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Texas Christian University.

Who’s the right guard? I don’t know? Left tackle!

The Eagles are already beaten battered and bruised on the offensive line.  Projected starting right guard Brandon Brooks is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Starting left tackle Andre Dillard is out with a torn bicep. Right tackle Lane Johnson missed last week with a sore ankle, but he is expected to start this week against the Rams.  Left tackle Jason Peters is nursing a sore knee, and he was horrific against Redskins rookie Chase Young.

The Eagles front five against Washington were LT Jason Peters, LG Isaac Seumato, C Jason Kelce, RG Nate Herbig, and RT Jack Driscoll.  When Driscoll was forced to leave in the second half with an undisclosed injury, the Eagles lined up Jordan Mailata at right tackle.  This week’s offensive line will be LT Jason Peter (Q), LH Isaac Seumato, C Jason Kelce, RG Nate Herbig, and RT Lane Johnson (Q).

It gets ugly quickly in Philly

The Eagles offensive line reminds me of the old Abbott and Costello comedy routine “Who’s on first?”. While the Eagles are going to ensure that both Johnson and Peters play bookends for their offensive line, should either aggravate their existing injuries, the Eagles will be digging deep into their roster depth to replace them.

Even as the Eagles bring back both Johnson and running back Miles Sanders, the Eagles’ ability to run the ball or protect Carson Wentz is not a given. The LA Rams did not blitz much against the Cowboys, and there is little reason for them to plan to do so this week. That means the Rams will have more defenders in the secondary even as Carson Wentz struggles to be more accurate with his passes.

To be fair, it matters little to Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald who he faces. He blew up the Dallas Cowboys on almost every play and is looking to do the same against Philadelphia. He has yet to register a sack against Carson Wentz and is looking to change that this weekend. The Eagles usually boast one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. This year? That unit is just looking for some daylight.