The Eagles have the oldest projected starting offensive line in the NFL and they haven't drafted an OL the last 2 years. Dumb, frankly.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) May 2, 2015
But the NFL draft is the ultimate game of chance. Not only where you pick, but in who is available when you do so. And in the eyes of Chip Kelly, the odds simply did not roll for the Eagles to draft offensive linemen this year on a year when there was plenty of depth to do so.
The question was placed to head coach Chip Kelly following the draft. In short, with perceived needs at offensive line, how did not drafting a single lineman happen?
“I think you look at our line in terms of being able to go play this season, I think we're excited about the group we have to go play this season. We do have to address it as we move forward in the future, and then maybe there's one or two or three or four guys that we sign here that are undrafted guys that will have an opportunity, like Matt Tobin, who came in here and made our team as an undrafted guy, and that's kind of the direction we're going to go, at least this year. It’s not that we don't think we need to create depth on the offensive line, but as you look at it right now, the only offensive lineman we've lost is Todd (Herremans), and so we feel like getting Allen Barbre back off of his injury, Tobin and (Andrew) Gardner played really well for us there, and we've got some young guys that we're still continuing to develop. Julian Vandervelde is back. “There's some guys there that have played for us, but it's just kind of how it fell. There were some offensive linemen we were really excited about in this draft, but they got picked before we had an opportunity to pick again. “There were guys that we really wanted in this draft, but you know, in each round they were taken before we had an opportunity to pick. We're going to stick to our board.”” – Chip Kelly
And so, just as was the case in 2014, the Eagles turned to undrafted free agents and the magic of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
And so it goes. In 2014, the Eagles signed two undrafted free agents who remain with the team: tackle Kevin Graf and guard Josh Andrews. Two additional players signed ended up on other NFL teams: tackle Donald Hawkins is now a Dallas Cowboy, and guard Karim Barton is now playing for the Cleveland Browns.
Considering undrafted free agents are awfully rare to end up on an NFL roster, the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles placed all four offensive linemen on NFL rosters is spectacular. Clearly the training camp maximizes their repetitions. But even moreso than that, offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is nothing short of excellent as a position coach in the NFL.
2015 Quartet of UDFA Offensive Linemen.
So we are facing a new season, and a brand new wave of undrafted free agents have been signed to the Philadelphia Eagles. Is it enough? Well, curiously enough, the Eagles have listed three signings as guards, and one as center. It's important to note that a year ago they only signed one natural offenisive guard in Josh Andrews. Let's find out by discussing each:
Offensive guard Brett Boyko – University of Nevada Las Vegas
Offensive guard Malcolm Bunche – UCLA
Offensive guard Cole Manhart – University of Nebraska Kearney
Center Mike Coccia – University of New Hampshire
OG Brett Boyko – Boyko is a large strong individual who fits the prototypical "big" so often referenced when discussing what Kelly looks for in football players. Standing at 6'7" and 301 pounds, he is the type of body frame ideally suited for the trench work in the NFL. But he brings more to the table. Described as "very intelligent", Boyko has been noteworthy in his recognition of blitzes and defensive stunts. While he has been a four year starter at the left tackle position, he is slotted as an interior linemen for the Eagles. He suffered ligament damage in his knee in 2012, and injured the ACL when he returned to play before his knee had truly healed. He was undrafted because he needs additional coaching in his hand placement and footwork. But he is not afraid to work, and will give his all to improve his play. A good pickup.
OG Malcolm Bunche – The 6'6" 310 pound young man hails from Newark New Jersey. He played with the University of Miami for three years, but transferred when he felt he was not getting sufficient playing time. Unfortunately, he started at left tackle for six games, then slid inside to guard for three games. Due to academic performance, he did not travel with the team to play in the Alamo Bowl.
Bunche has talent, but he also has an edge, a perception of himself that has proven to be greater than reality. He left Miami for more playing time, but failed to do so at UCLA. He was quoted as saying he was better than a fourth round prospect, but failed to be drafted. Sometimes that difference can be incredibly motivating, and with the return to the home town team, his support system should be strong. But sometimes that creates a scenario where coaching is less effective.
With Stoutland, he should sit up and pay attention. This is his one chance to excel in the NFL. I think he'll take advantage of that.
OG Cole Manhart – Another "BIG", the 6'4" 298 pound guard. Scounting reports on the young man are sketchy, as he hails from a smaller school – University of Nebraska Kearney. He was a starter for an effective running game offense. He was ranked 32 out of 164 offensive guards available this year, and was projected as a 7th round draft prospect. He also carried a high academic GPA, earning honor rolls while playing football in college. An intriguing small school prospect.
C Mike Coccia - The Eagles picked up another home town favorite when they signed the 6'3" 302 pound center from the University of New Hampshire. Coccia hailed from Bethlehem Pennsylvana. His high school football coach has been following his center's career, and has a prediction about Coccia's chances in the NFL.
"(The Eagles) are getting a steal.He's going to work like crazy. He's tremendously gifted. (It's a) No-brainer. He's as good as they come in terms of effort and attitude. Even still now, being an undrafted free agent, he's going to prove people wrong." – Jason Roeder, Freedom High School football coach
Coccia will be playing in an offense similar to the one run by the Philadelphia Eagles, because the architect is the same for both offenses. And he also has a link to the quarterback coach who also just arrived from the University of New Hampshire.
Offensive Assembly Linemen
A year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles signed undrafted offensive linemen who all extended their careers into 2015. Similarly, four new young men have signed on with the Philadelphia Eagles hoping for the same fate, to extend their dream of an NFL career for one more year.
If history repeats itself, they will do just that. They just need to put in the work, while we put in the patience.
See ya at roster cuts.
