Eagles Vs Falcons: Two Bad Left Tackles Against Two Good Pass Rushers

by JasonB on Oct 17, 2010 7:01 AM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

Much has been made of the matchup between Eagles backup LT King Dunlap and Falcons DE John Abraham (if he's even able to play). It's absolutely a mismatch since Dunlap pretty much stinks.

Problem is, King Dunlap isn't the only bad left tackle playing in this game. As far as sacks allowed go, Falcons' Sam Baker has been the worst LT in the entire NFL. Baker has given up 5 sacks so far this season, which is the second most of any offensive lineman in the league and the most by a left tackle. Baker is facing Trent Cole, who is third in the NFL in sacks over the past 3 seasons.

You could certainly make the argument that this is just as big a mismatch as Dunlap vs Abraham and it's just as likely to be a major factor in who wins this game.

One more thing... You know how many sacks the much maligned Jason Peters has given up? One and a half. That's the fewest on the team amongst the guys who have been starting since week one. There's no denying that his penalties are an issue, but he's still dominant in the run game and has not been giving up sacks even while playing on a line that has allowed the 3rd most sacks in the NFL.

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The tackles will be fine. Give them time to develop.. Like you say give Kolb time.. Give them some time too.

by phillyisback on Oct 17, 2010 8:12 AM EDT reply actions

King Dunlap will never be “fine”. He was a project to begin with, and if he ever even flashed potential, he would be out there regularly, and there never would have been a Jason Peters trade (and, presumably, the Eagles wouldn’t be such a highly-penalized team). He was on the roster because the Eagles lack any sort of quality depth on the OL (which seems to be unthinkable on a team where Andy Reid has personnel responsibility, but it’s true). He’s playing because the OL has been devastated with injuries, and there’s simply no other healthy warm body to trot out there.

I hope I’m wrong. I also expect Reid to go back to the drafting patterns of earlier years and go heavy on the OL. And hopefully LB. But they need at least two quality OL for next year. At least one T (probably two) and at least one G, preferably who can play C competently in a pinch. Right now, I’m OK with McGlynn, although I admit I’m hoping Jamaal can come back from his injury. Cole and MJG should not be counted upon as more than temporary patches (although I guess at least one of them can stay as a backup, probably MJG…shame, I used to like Cole). I don’t know what Howard can do.

But the OL right now looks like Swiss cheese, and I remember what Kolb looked like after Clay Mathews face-planted him in Week 1. I think the over/under on sacks today should be about six. Take the over.

by dweebowitz on Oct 17, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

i had no idea that jason peters was doing a decent job at LT. all you see are the dumb penalties, so you tend to focus on the negatives…

by ringordietryin on Oct 17, 2010 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

I wonder if Peters sacks allowed total being so low has something to do with Vick being a lefty and being able to see the rusher.

"I hate listening to people's dreams. It is like flipping through a stack of photographs. If I'm not in any of them and nobody is having sex, I just don't care. "

by midnitegreen on Oct 17, 2010 9:53 AM EDT reply actions