FoxSports - Eagles Team Report

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Inside Slant

Andy Reid doesn't seem to think offensive tackle is as pressing a need for the Eagles heading into the draft as many other people do.

Neither of the Eagles' starting tackles from last season -- left tackle Tra Thomas and right tackle Jon Runyan -- are expected back. Thomas already has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Runyan, an unsigned free agent, is recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee and won't even know until June or early July whether he can play again.

But Reid feels that, with the addition of free agent guard-tackle Stacy Andrews, and the can-play-inside-or-outside versatility of guards Shawn Andrews and Todd Herremans, he has the flexibility to move some people around and have a solid line without necessarily using one of their two first-round picks on a tackle

"I think I've got those guys (to play tackle) here," he said. "I know I've got enough guys right now to line up there and have a very successful offensive line. Am I always looking for good offensive linemen? Yeah. But do I think I can go and play with what I've got and be very successful? Yeah."

Both Andrews and Herremans were tackles in college, and Herremans started 4 games at left tackle as a rookie when Thomas was injured.

"Shawn and Todd came here as tackles," Reid said. "Against their will, I moved them into guard. They want to be tackles. They bug me all the time about playing tackle. They would have no problem moving out to tackle if that's what happens.

Right now, it appears that Reid's first choice would be to put Shawn Andrews at left tackle.

"You've got to remember something," he said. "Even though he was a right tackle (at Arkansas), Shawn Andrews probably was the finest offensive tackle I'd ever seen come out of college football. I would have no problem putting Shawn or Todd (at left tackle). But because they don't have that (left tackle) label, because I put them at guard, that doesn't mean that's all they can do."

Andrews' brother, Stacy, played right tackle last season with the Bengals. But he is recovering from January ACL surgery on his knee. While he is expected to be ready for training camp, the Eagles may prefer to play him inside his first year back from the injury.

Notes and Quotes