September 08, 2015
As the season approaches for the Eagles, one of the major question marks is on the offensive line. On the projected starting unit, the two tackles and center form a trio as formidable as there is in the NFL. The concern comes at the guard spots, where the Eagles waved goodbye to both of last year’s starters and didn’t do anything obvious to replace them in the draft or via free agency.
Chip Kelly decided to go with a “next man up” philosophy. The player who won the starting right guard job apparently impressed enough that the Eagles decided to give him some money. Andrew Gardner received a three-year, $4.7 million extension on Tuesday. Here are some of the contract details:
Andrew Gardner's contract extension is $500K to sign, $1.4M per "new year" average ($ he gets on new years on deal), upside based on PT.
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) September 9, 2015
#Eagles sign G Andrew Gardner to a 3-yr extension with base value of $4.7M, including a $500K signing bonus. Incentives bring it much higher
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2015
Gardner started eight games for the Eagles last season, splitting time between guard and tackle. Allen Barbre, the team’s new starter at left guard, signed a similar extension last offseason for three years and $4.35 million.
Meanwhile, a former Eagle isn’t performing as well in his new role across the state as many might have initially expected. That's what Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes:
"Yes, I believe when they go to three, Cortez Allen will be on the field. [...] I expected [Boykin] to play until I learned he probably is not among the top 3. Silly us, we thought the Steelers traded a fifth-round pick to the Eagles because they too thought he would play."
One of the Eagles’ other question marks is cornerback depth, which is partially due to the trade of their reliable nickelback right before training camp. Boykin needs to play 60 percent of Pittsburgh’s snaps for the pick to turn from a fifth-rounder to a fourth. Right now, it appears as if he won’t even be on the field in nickel situations to start the season.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
