No-Huddle Notebook: Eagles Have Offensive Line Problems

The Eagles have concerns about their offensive line going into Thursday night's game against the Colts.

Because of injuries, Philadelphia will play only one starter, center Jamaal Jackson, and four backups. Tackle Winston Justice and guard Nick Cole, two of those backups, have plenty of upside.

But coach Andy Reid obviously wants his starters back playing -- he just needs them to get healthy first.

"That's a spot, that I've said it before, I want them to have an opportunity to play together and I think the more time they spend together the better things work," Reid said this week. "This is the hand we are dealt with here, and we expect guys to step in and play well."

The Eagles' starting right tackle, Shawn Andrews is still having back problems after having surgery last October. He did find out this week that there's no lingering structural damage, but it's unknown when he'll return.

Stacy Andrews, Shawn's brother and Philadelphia's projected starter at right guard, is still recovering from knee surgery and has not practiced much. Same goes for starting left tackle Jason Peters, who has missed time with a quadriceps strain. On top of all that, left guard Todd Herremans recently went down with a stress reaction in his left foot.

The Eagles spent lots of money on their offensive line this year, especially the starters, and might not see the entire unit in action until the season opener.

Money up Front A look at what the Eagles' projected offensive line stands to make in the 2009 season: Player Base Salary (Bonus) 2009 Cap Number Jason Peters, LT $10.5 mil (None) $12.7 million Todd Herremans, LG $1.3 mil (None) $2.33 million Jamaal Jackson, C $1.1 mil (None) $1.35 million Shawn Andrews, RG $750k (None) $3.19 million Stacy Andrews, RT $1.62 mil ($3.5 mil) $6.908 million

TAMPA BAY LOOKING FOR STARTER AT QB: After signing a free-agent contract with Tampa Bay in the offseason, Byron Leftwich looked like he had the inside track to the Bucs' starting quarterback spot. But now, after a month of training camp and one preaseson game, the Buccaneers are still not sure who will be under center when the regular season begins.

Rookie head coach Raheem Morris is determined to find a starter soon, and hopes someone emerges among Leftwich, Luke McCown and first-round pick Josh Freeman.

"It better be the week," Morris said. "We're going to make our decision next week, so here's your week, here's your show. It's been the whole process, it's been the whole thing, so they'll be graded on what they've done, what they're going to do this week and next week sometime, I'll let you know who the starting quarterback is."

TWITTER LINE OF THE WEEK: OGOchoCinco: Attention all athletes, build a bunker at home and stay there until your career is over, you want to party, bring the club to you!!!!!!

- Chad Ochocinco of the Bengals on Plaxico Burress agreeing to a two-year prison term on weapons charges in New York.


FOURTH DOWNS: There is still no movement between WR Michael Crabtree and the 49ers regarding a contract. ... Texans coach Gary Kubiak said his first team offense and defense will play more snaps on Saturday when his team takes on the Saints. Offense got in 18 snaps and defense played only 10.
... Cowboys WR Roy Williams should play in Friday's game against the Titans despite a sore wrist. Williams missed only one practice after hurting the wrist last week during training camp. ... The Chargers had their preseason opener blacked out last week. They have two weeks to sell all those preseason tickets so their Sept. 4 game against the 49ers will be shown to the entire area.

FOURTH DOWNS: No progress has been made between WR Michael Crabtree and the 49ers regarding a contract. ... Cowboys WR Roy Williams said he will play Friday night vs. the Titans despite a sore wrist. Williams missed one practice after he fell on his wrist during a pass play in practice last week. ... Texans coach Gary Kubiak said the first-team offense and defense will get more playing time on Saturday against the Saints. The first-team offense played 18 snaps last week and the defense 10.