Eagles Notes: With Herremans Out, More Moves on the Eagles Offensive Line

The Eagles have made some more moves along their disheveled offensive line. Demetress Bell will now man left tackle and King Dunlap with shift over to right tackle in Todd Herremans' absence to protect Michael Vick's blindside.

The new look offensive line will now feature Bell at left tackle playing next to Evan Mathis and center Dallas Reynolds with Dennis Kelly playing right guard and King Dunlap moving over to right tackle.  Its a line that says they are committed to doing a better job at protecting Mike Vick on Sunday against Dallas according to Kelly.

“Just do extra work," Kelly explained about what can be done to improve by Sunday. "Commit to doing that extra film work. Even working together a little bit trying to build some continuity. It’s a big thing with the offensive line and if you can just do the little things to try to build a little bit of the rhythm with each other would be great.”

Continuity has been a big problem this season with injuries to Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, Danny Watkins and now Herremans causing the Eagles to move guys and play guys out of position. That was evident on Monday night against the Saints Kelly stated.

“They brought a lot of pressure and I think it led to us having a lot of miscommunication," Kelly admitted.  "There was confusion on who was getting who, where was the MIKE backer and things like that. That’s where we have to build that rhythm, get that continuity that I was saying, and just have the trust in each other to know that we’re going to know the assignment before we have to call it out.”

Kelly is subbing for Watkins who is still dealing with an ankle problem that forced him to miss the Atlanta and New Orleans games and did not practice on Wednesday and is doubtful to play again this week.  Kelly, like Watkins, was a college tackle and really has never played guard until now.  Kelly is just one of the many new pieces that could be in place on Sunday verse the Cowboys and Vick knows there will be an adjustment.

“I’ve just got to believe in the guys in front of me and do whatever it takes to get the ball out, whether I’ve got to slide, I’ve got to move, break contain," Vick explained.  "Regardless of what [happens], just continue to maintain trust in them. That’s part of my job as a quarterback and [I’ve] just got to keep believing. Keep believing, stay optimistic, just keep playing the game and try to block out everything else.”

Its been tough to watch at times and tough to deal with but this is for sure, a team that loses four of its five starting lineman is going to struggle and that's been the case, its also something Vick has never seen happen before.

“No, I never have played behind a line that’s had to shuffle so many guys in and out," Vick said.  "But it’s part of the game. It’s one of those seasons where you’re nicked up and guys have got to step up. Guys have to step up; they’ve got to step up and play. We watched the film, we prepare. Coaches can’t do but so much. We’ve all got to put it all together.”

But are the players starting to lose trust and faith in the coaching staff?

“As of right now, we understand as players that it’s us out there on the field," Vick stated.  "We have to go out and get it done. Coach [Andy Reid] can say all he wants; we’ve got to go out there and put it all together. I’ve said over and over again and I continue to say it: it’s all three phases of the game and we’ve got to make plays in all three phases of the game. I can’t say more than that.”

The Eagles will look to snap a four-game losing skid verse division rival Dallas on Sunday at 4:25.  You can listen to that game on 97.3 ESPN with pre-game coverage starting at 3pm.