Incumbent Allen Barbre Opens Eagles OTAs as Starting Left Guard

The Eagles entered the offseason on a mission to upgrade their guard play.

With the free-agent additions of Brandon Brooks and Stefen Wisniewski, plus the drafting of Isaac Seumalo and Halapoulivaati Vaitai - it appears that mission has been accomplished.

The Eagles’ wanted to add competition and depth to the offensive line and did just that.

But it's a familiar face at today's Organized Training Activities that is getting the first-team reps at left guard, which is teams most anticipated battle on the offensive line - veteran Allen Barbre.

"Right now it is Allen Barbre's job," Eagles head coach Doug Pederson explained.  "I think again that's something we did through the draft and a little bit of free agency is to kind of shore up that spot."

A fourth-round pick by Green Bay in 2007, he was the starter at right tackle in 2014 before he went down in week 1 with an injury that ended his season. He then shifted to left guard before the 2015 season, and was pretty much handed the starting job by former head coach Chip Kelly.

Barbre started all 16 games at left guard last season, but still could be pushed once the team gets to training camp.

"I really like where we're at," Pederson stated. "I like the depth at that position right now. But yeah, Allen Barbre is my guy and he's our starter."

Barbre’s main competition at the position will be Wisniewski, a position he hasn't played since 2011, and Seumalo, who is not at this week's OTA's because he is finishing up school.

"I tell you what, one thing I notice about Isaac is how sharp he is during that rookie camp we just had," said Pederson. "He's a smart guy."

Others who could be in the mix include, Andrew Gardner who was the the Eagles' starter at right guard last season before injuring his foot in the Week 3.  Matt Tobin, who just signed a new two-year deal.

With Jason Peters at left tackle, Jason Kelce at center, Brooks at right guard, and Lane Johnson at right tackle - the left tackle spot is wide-open, but definitely a deeper unit with Barbre the guy...for now.