JACKSONVILLE, FL --There were no butterflies, nor was there a moment when Jason Peters felt a twinge of nostalgia. He hadn't played in a game since the 2011 season, and after missing all of the 2012 campaign with a torn Achilles tendon and then sitting out the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury, he felt right at home on Saturday night at left tackle.
Peters started and played the first half for the Eagles, reporting no setbacks. It is, then, all systems go for Peters as the starting offensive line points toward September 9 and the regular season opener against Washington.
"There wasn't a feeling of nostalgia or anything like that," said Peters. "I've been doing it so long, it's like second nature for me. As long as I do what I do, things will take care of themselves."
The Eagles started a line of Peters at left tackle, Evan Mathis at left guard, Jason Kelce at center, Todd Herremans at right guard and Lane Johnson at right tackle. There were a few rocky moments early as the Jaguars went after quarterback Michael Vick with a series of twists and stunts that generated some pressure, but eventually the Eagles won the line of scrimmage and virtually moved the football at will.
"I thought they got a little bit worn down, tired," said Peters. "We started moving the football and the only thing that stopped us was our mistakes. We have to limit those mistakes."
Mathis said he made "a season's worth of mistakes tonight," and everyone seemed to understand that it was a good time to see a defense with an aggressive approach after two fairly vanilla defenses in previous preseason weeks.
The Eagles still rolled up the numbers -- 452 total net yards -- but two offensive turnovers stunted the production and proved to be a source of frustration, as they were last year and the season before.
"That's got to stop and we know it," said center Jason Kelce. "What's important is that we all got out there together and had some time on the field. We have a lot to work on. We know it. But I think we all feel really good about what we can be. There is a lot of work, but we have a chance to get this together and make it pretty special."
The best news of all was the return of Peters and the prospects for the top five offensive linemen on the field together at the Redskins in Week 1.
"That's what we're aiming for," said Peters. "That's when the games count, and I know I will be ready to go. I felt great to be out there again."
