Ranking the greatest offensive linemen in Eagles history

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The Eagles have a checkered past when it comes to offensive linemen. 

And checkered is putting it mildly.

From 1981, when Jerry Sisemore made his second and final Pro Bowl, through 2001, when Tra Thomas made his first of three, the Eagles did not have a single Pro Bowl offensive linemen.

Nobody was close.

Not surprisingly, the Eagles allowed more sacks than any other team during that span. In fact, they allowed 107 more than any other team.

From 1969 through 2000 – a span of 32 years – their offensive linemen made a total of just four Pro Bowls: Stan Walters in 1978 and 1979 and Sisemore in 1979 and 1981.

It’s gotten a whole lot better the last couple decades.

In the 18 years since 2001, the Eagles have had 10 different linemen make a total of 27 Pro Bowls. No NFL team since 2001 has had more different Pro Bowl linemen.

They’ve also had more All-Pro O-linemen since 2006 (five) than in the first 60 years of the NFL All-Pro team (four).

But who are the best?

With the Eagles formally cutting ties with Jason Peters on Thursday, we thought it would be a great time to come up with a list of the top 10 offensive linemen in Eagles history.

One played in the 1940s and two in the 1980s. The rest have all played here since 2008, which shows how much of an offensive line renaissance the past decade or so has been for the Eagles.

The top 10

1. Jason Kelce

Why Kelce over Peters? Tough call. Peters has more Pro Bowls and probably a better Hall of Fame shot. Both are tremendous leaders. I just feel like Kelce has been as important to this organization as anybody from a standpoint of leadership, personality, performance and durability. J.P. spent six years with the Bills and didn’t get here till he was 27. Kelce is a homegrown Eagle and still playing as well as ever. Plus, Kelce was huge during the 2017 postseason, and J.P. was hurt. You can definitely make a case for J.P. No. 1, but I’m giving the edge to Kelce.

2. Jason Peters

During his prime, Peters was a human brick wall, keeping the best pass rushers in the NFL away from Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick, Sam Bradford, Nick Foles and Carson Wentz. With his size and swagger, he really did seem super-human. It's going to be weird not having him in the building for the first time sine 2008.

3. Al Wistert

Wistert was a four-time All-Pro tackle for the Eagles in the 1940s and one of the leaders of the 1948 and 1949 NFL Championship teams. He was finally a Hall of Fame finalist this past year and really should be in the Hall. The only players in Eagles history to make All-Pro more than Wistert are all Hall of Famers: Reggie White, Chuck Bednarik, Pete Pihos and Steve Van Buren.

4. Tra Thomas

Thomas, a three-time Pro Bowler, blossomed under Juan Castillo as one of the most consistently dominating offensive linemen in the league. The Eagles made the playoffs seven of his last nine years here and reached the NFC Championship Game five of those years. Only Thomas, Jon Runyan and Dawk started all 17 playoff games under Andy Reid. And only five people in franchise history have played more games in an Eagles uniform.

5. Lane Johnson

Another Pro Bowl and Lane will move ahead of Tra. He’s that good. Tra just did it a little longer. 

6. Brandon Brooks

Brooks is the top guard on the list and like Kelce and Johnson just keeps racking up the Pro Bowls – three in a row now. Has had some terrible luck with late-season injuries the last two years, but he's as good as any guard in the NFL.

7. Jon Runyan

Runyan made only one Pro Bowl, but the dude played here for nine years and never missed a game and never seemed to have a bad game. His streak of 144 consecutive regular-season starts is longest ever by an Eagles offensive lineman. And the way he played the game really gave the Eagles a lot of their swagger and personality. The Eagles made the playoffs seven times with Runyan at right tackle and they won at least one playoff game all seven years.

8. Jerry Sisemore

Size spent his entire 12-year career here, didn’t miss a game from 1974 through 1981, made two Pro Bowls and didn’t allow a sack during the 1980 Super Bowl season.

9. Evan Mathis

Mathis had bounced around the NFL for six years and was never a full-time starter, but as soon as he got here in 2011 he blossomed into one of the NFL’s best guards. Mathis made his first two career Pro Bowls at 32 and 33. He and Shawn Andrews remain the only Eagles guards ever named first-team all-pro.

10. Stan Walters

Along with Sisemore, Walter gave the Eagles two consistent, durable and productive tackles during the Dick Vermeil years. Walters also made two Pro Bowls, started on the 1980 Super Bowl team and then became the Eagles’ radio color analyst alongside Merrill Reese from 1984 through 1997.

Honorable mentions

Bob Brown: He’s a Hall of Famer and did make All-Pro three times as an Eagle but only played here five years on five teams that went a combined 28-41-1. 

Shawn Andrews: At his best, he was the best guard in the NFL. A two-time Pro Bowler and an all-pro in 2006. But he only played more than two games three times.

Jim Ringo: Like Brown he’s a Hall of Famer, but he didn’t arrive in Philly until his 12th season after winning two NFL Championships with the Packers (and losing one against the Eagles).

Jermane Mayberry: When left tackle didn’t work out, Mayberry moved to right guard and made a Pro Bowl in 2002, in his seventh season. Solid pro.

Todd Herremans: Never made a Pro Bowl but gave the Eagles a very solid decade at both guard and tackle. 

Guy Morriss: Like Herremans, Morriss never made a Pro Bowl, but he was a steady starter for most of 11 seasons from 1973 through 1983. 

Chuck Bednarik: Bednarik is a Hall of Famer because of his play at linebacker, but he played enough center that he deserves at least an honorable mention spot.

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