PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - If Ron Burgundy was working the beat at the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday, he might have opened with "boy, that escalated quickly."

Less than two hours after Frank Reich tabbed Isaac Seumalo as the Eagles' starting left guard, the team announced that veteran Allen Barbre was released.

The decision came after Barbre, 33, met with the organization, likely was given the news that the Eagles were prepared to move toward Seumalo and balked at being a backup.

“Allen Barbre is a pro’s pro,” Eagles executive VP of football operations Howie Roseman said in a team-issued statement. “Not only did he help the team with his solid play as a starter at left guard, but his ability to step up and play multiple positions helped us battle through some difficult situations. We had a conversation yesterday and agreed it made sense to allow him to pursue some other opportunities, but the door is open for him to return here as well.”

The move saves the Eagles $2.1 million in salary-cap space but throws into flux the team's depth behind starting tackles Jason Peters and Lane Johnson.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai figures to be the top backup with veteran Matt Tobin and second-year man Dillon Gordon also figuring in. On the interior with Barbre gone, veterans Stefen Wisniewski and Chance Warmack are next in line.

Barbre was graded as the 16th best guard in football last season by ProFootballFocus.com. He split time with Seumalo during the team's minicamp sifter sitting out the early season work with a calf injury.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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