Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole has been able to see the ups and downs of tackle Winston Justice's career first-hand. The two have tuned up for the season against one another in training camp and Cole has provided Justice a great barometer to determine just how far along he has progressed.
In his fourth season out of USC, Justice will start in his second NFL game Sunday when the Eagles take on the Panthers in the season opener in Carolina. Head coach Andy Reid made the announcement on Friday that Justice would start in place of Shawn Andrews at right tackle because of Andrews' back injury. Cole has a lot of confidence after watching Justice make long strides in this training camp and preseason.
"He's stepped it up and has come a long way," Cole said. "He's put some weight on. I've been watching him in practice and he's done a great job. He's playing like a veteran."
While this is his second NFL start, it will be his first at right tackle. He made his other NFL start against the Giants early in the 2007 season at left tackle in place of Tra Thomas. However, right tackle is his natural position, the one he played at USC when he helped the Trojans win the National Championship.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 5:36 p.m., September 12
