Eagles Notes: Eagles' offensive line is starting to jell

It's funny how quickly things can change.

A month ago, the Eagles offensive line was being called the worst in the league. But after two games in which the running game has flourished and Nick Foles has been sacked only two times, the unit appears to be coming together despite the continued losing.

So what changed?

The most obvious was the addition of Jake Scott. The veteran right guard, acquired just before the Redskins game last month, has helped steady a group that has now played three games together.

"I think we got better all three weeks that I've been here," Scott said. "But I think we still got a ways to go."

Despite not playing this season until the Eagles signed him, Scott was able to perform without missing much of a beat. He got his opportunity because Danny Watkins was out with an ankle injury and because the Eagles wanted to move Dennis Kelly outside to his natural tackle position.

Coach Andy Reid confirmed Wednesday that Scott will remain the starter even though Watkins is essentially healthy. Asked if it made sense to let Watkins play out the card because he was the team's top draft pick in 2011, Reid said: "We'll see."

"The group that's playing right now is a positive," Reid said. "I'm sticking with that group as we speak."

Kelly said that he has benefited from playing alongside Scott, who started 121 NFL games before coming to the Eagles. The rookie said that Scott will often calm him down and tell him not to worry about anything outside his control.

It appears to have paid off.

"It's a lot better watching film because obviously you're not seeing yourself get beat all the time," Kelly said of his move from guard to tackle.

With center Dallas Reynolds improving, left tackle King Dunlap avoiding injury and unnecessary penalties, and left guard Evan Mathis staying consistent, the battered line could finish the season with some momentum even if most of the members aren't expected to start next season.

With Kurt Coleman unlikely to play Sunday against the Buccaneers because of a chest bruise, Colt Anderson will get the nod at safety ahead of David Sims.

Last month, when Nate Allen missed the Saints game, Sims started because Anderson had struggled against the Lions a few weeks earlier. He gets his opportunity to wash that performance away with a full week of practice.

"I told my teammates I hope I get another chance," Anderson said, "and I got another chance."

Allen and Coleman have not played well of late. Some have suggested that the additional stress put on the safeties because of the defensive line's wide-nine scheme made their jobs more difficult.

Now that defensive line coach Jim Washburn and the wide nine are gone, will the safeties' responsibilities change?

"It could change," Anderson said.

Washburn's replacement, Tommy Brasher, took part in his first practice since Reid brought him out of retirement on Monday. Defensive tackle Cedric Thornton said Brasher's system was "completely different" from Washburn's. . . . Todd Herremans was spotted in the locker room for the first time since he suffered a season-ending injury Nov. 5. The guard, who dislocated the cuboid bone in his right foot, was wearing a cast and getting around on a Roll-A-Bout scooter. Herremans said that he was having the hard cast removed on Dec. 17 and that he expected to be healthy by the spring. . . . Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (tailbone) did not practice. Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (knee) and running back Chris Polk (toe) were limited.