Is Runyan really the answer to Eagles' problems?

October 19, 1:48 AMPhiladelphia Eagles ExaminerGordie Jones

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Philadelphia Eagles Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The knee-jerk thing to say now, after the Eagles’ ghastly 13-9 loss to the Raiders, is this: Sign Jon Runyan.

But does that solve everything? Does it solve anything?

As horrid as the offensive line performed against Oakland -- allowing six sacks to a team that had nine in its first five games – it’s important to remember that Runyan is 35. That he hasn’t played since the end of last season. And that he’s coming off microfracture surgery on his right knee.

The Birds, for whom he had played the last nine years, worked him out recently, but decided not to bring him back. At least not yet. And as much as he might be able to contribute in the long run, how much immediate help can he offer? And obviously the Eagles do need immediate help, seeing as the next three games are against the Redskins (next Monday night in FedEx Field), the Giants and the Cowboys (both at home.) And seeing as left tackle Jason Peters injured his left knee in the first quarter Sunday, never to return.

Andy Reid would later call the injury a sprain, but an MRI is scheduled for today.

No way can they expect King Dunlap to line up at left tackle and take on the Justin Tucks and DeMarcus Wares of the world. It was bad enough watching King get steamrolled by Richard Seymour Sunday.

That said, I’m not sure what the best solution is. Even if you bring Runyan back, he’s not a left tackle; he is and was a right tackle. And if you do plug him in on his usual side, what are you gonna do then – move Winston Justice back over to the left flank? I think not.

Then there’s Todd Herremans. He just started working out with the team last week, but has missed the first six games with a stress fracture in his left foot. He played tackle in college, and began his pro career at that position, before moving to guard.

It might be asking a lot for him to come back off an injury and play a position he has not manned in years, but honestly, is there a better option?