Three of the Eagles' offensive linemen played all 1,158 snaps in 2015. Two of those players - tackle Lane Johnson and center Jason Kelce - are entrenched as starters for the 2016 season. The third, left guard Allen Barbre, is fighting to retain his spot among the starting five.
One of the best competitions to watch in Training Camp will be at left guard where Barbre the incumbent will be attempting to stave off newcomers like veteran Stefen Wisniewski and rookie Isaac Seumalo among others. Wisniewski was signed by the Eagles this offseason after four years in Oakland and one in Jacksonville. He has started all 77 career regular season games in which he has played including 15 as a rookie left guard in 2011. Despite playing center for the past four years, head coach Doug Pederson said on Friday that Wisniewski's best chance to win a starting job will be at guard.
"I like that. I came here to be a starter. If I get a shot to do that at left guard, that would be great," Wisniewski said. "I've played left guard before, my whole rookie year, and all through college I started there. I've done it before and I feel I could be a very good guard for this team."
Barbre is entering his ninth NFL season, but became a full-time starter for the first time in his career in 2015. Prior to last year, he had started a total of eight games. He doesn't have plans on giving up the job he's worked so long to attain.
"If I listened to all of the critics, I probably wouldn't be playing five years ago," Barbre said. "I've had my ups and downs and I'll just keep working hard and plugging away. It's why I think I'm still here."
While both Barbre and Wisniewski are adjusting to a new offensive scheme, Barbre has the experience of having worked with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who was retained by new head coach Doug Pederson.
"I just think that speaks to the job that Stout's done. Stout's a great football coach. His detail is great. He knows how to get the best out of guys," Barbre said. "In this game, there's so much detail. If you overlook those small things, you can really lose track of where you are."
The Eagles have a three-day mandatory mini-camp next week before Training Camp kicks off and the pads go on in late July.
"Football is a physical game," Wisniewski said. "That's when you can really tell who's doing well and who's getting better when the pads are on."
