Shaky offensive line worries Eagles

Michael Vick's current problems are manifest, as are the causes of those problems, but what cannot be overstated is the offensive line's role in his slow start.

The Eagles quarterback and his coaches' play-calling have shouldered the bulk of the blame for the offense's early struggles, especially after Sunday's loss at Arizona.

But the guys up front have been just as responsible, and their deficiencies may exceed even Vick's in importance because he cannot function behind sievelike blockers.

Despite evidence to the contrary - nine turnovers and approximately 50 hits in three games - Vick said Wednesday that his battered line has not affected his performance.

"No," he said, "because I trust my feel and my instincts so much that I almost feel like I can get out of anything. That's the way I got to feel."

But as the hits pile up, the 32-year old is not making the same escapes he made even two years ago. And right now the Eagles' lack of protection, partly because of injuries, has the quarterback often running for his life and in turn making poor decisions.

On Sunday night, that line will be tested by a vaunted New York Giants defensive front that includes Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Osi Umenyiora.

Heading into this season the offensive line was supposed to be a strength for the Eagles. But left tackle Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon in March, center Jason Kelce tore ligaments in his knee in Game 2, and their backups were significant downgrades.

"Any time you lose some marquee guys on the offensive line it's kind of hard to fill that void," Vick said.

Demetress Bell was signed in April to fill in for Peters, but the Eagles benched him after the first preseason game and promoted longtime reserve King Dunlap in his place. Dunlap, though, injured his hamstring against the Ravens and is likely to miss his second straight start when the Eagles host the Giants.

Bell missed his first two blocks against the Cardinals and had several other breakdowns Sunday, but he said he felt confident after watching tape of his performance.

"For the first game I think I did all right," Bell said. "I didn't do as bad as I thought. I've just got to build off that game."

Bell started 30 games in Buffalo from 2009 to 2011, but Sunday was his first start playing in offensive line coach Howard Mudd's new system. Dallas Reynolds made his first career start at center, filling in for the injured Kelce, and he also had issues.

Left guard Evan Mathis said losing Kelce was "going to be a step back" because the second-year center had become one of the best in the league at making protection calls and getting the linemen on the same page.

"Dallas is very good at doing that, but he's not Jason Kelce," Mathis said. "And for where he lacks in any way, the rest of us will try to pick up and cover for that."

If either falters further, the Eagles have alternatives in rookie tackle Dennis Kelly and veteran interior lineman Steve Vallos, although they are low on the depth chart for a reason. Coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that both would rotate in and get repetitions at practice this week.

"We're going to let all the guys, all those offensive linemen, get in there and do their thing," Reid said.

By the end of last season Mudd's unit was considered one of the strongest in the NFL. Peters, Kelce, Mathis, right tackle Todd Herremans, and right guard Danny Watkins had played together in nine of the final 10 games.

Vick had seven turnovers in seven games over that span and was sacked only 15 times. He was not perfect by any means, nor was he playing his finest football, but he appeared to trust his line late last season. He scrambled only nine times in the final four games.

On Sunday he ran four times even though on three occasions he looked to have open receivers downfield. His first carry, however, came on the first play of the game when Bell whiffed on his assigned man.

Despite this and other examples of protection breaking down - auxiliary blockers at running back and tight end didn't fare as well, either - Vick said he remained confident in his line.

"Truth be told, as long as I've been playing since high school, regardless of the state of my offensive line, I've always lined up thinking the protection was going to be great on that play," Vick said. "As a quarterback, you have to have that sense of belief because if you don't it kind of screws your whole game up."