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NFL.com took a look this week at what they saw as the most improved individual units in the NFL for this upcoming season. The Eagles, who have no where to go but up from last year's dismal campaign, had two areas of the team make the list.
First was offensive line.
The Eagles topped our list of the teams benefiting from the return of injured players, largely because left tackle Jason Peters, center Jason Kelce and right guard Todd Herremans all are expected back at full strength after missing at least half of the 2012 season. Throw in No. 4 overall pick Lane Johnson at right tackle, and this offensive line might be the most athletic in the league.
Lane Johnson is the one big addition obviously, but otherwise this is pretty much default. The Eagles lost 4 of 5 starters on the line to injury last season.
The other unit to the make the list are the tight ends.
New coach Chip Kelly clearly has designs on featuring the tight end in his offense, signing the versatile James Casey and drafting tight end Zach Ertz in the second round to complement Brent Celek.
This was a position where the team made a concerted effort to get better and brought in multiple pieces from the outside. Unlike the offense line, which was about getting guys healthy and filling holes, the improvement is here more due to a change in philosophy. Clearly the extra talent helps, but Chip Kelly's plan to make TEs a featured part of his offense is really what motivated the change.
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