Jamaal Jackson

SO, NOW where are we, with the Eagles' offensive line? Better, it would seem, but still a long way from copacetic. The move of Todd Herremans to right tackle wasn't a shock; it was something Andy Reid had kept in his back pocket all along. Herremans is a solid, consistent guard who has filled in capably at left tackle in the past; there is no reason to think he won't be just fine at right tackle. In fact, you could debate whether Herremans might even be better than a healthy Winston Justice on Mike Vick's blindside.

He finally made the move. After seeing Michael Vick battered again Thursday, Andy Reid pushed Todd Herremans, one of his most talented and consistent linemen, to the most critical position on the offensive line, right tackle. Problem solved? Not quite. With rookie Danny Watkins struggling at right guard, rookie Jason Kelce apparently having the inside track to the center job despite evident growing pains, Herremans in a new position, and a new left guard, there are four offensive line slots with question marks hanging over them with two weeks to go until the season opener.

"It's not multiple choice. " - Howard Mudd, April 6, 2011 During the dog days of the NFL lockout, a little more than two months after he was named the Eagles new offensive line coach, Howard Mudd gave a 75-minute dissertation on the correct way to block. The choices were: a. Mudd's way. b. Juan Castillo's way. c. Any other coach's way. Answer: a. After a month of training camp, the Eagles offensive linemen are learning what a reporter found out four months prior only because the irascible Mudd didn't have any players to coach.

If the Eagles are going with rookies at center and right guard - and it sure appears that way - there is no way they can start the season with an inconsistent King Dunlap at right tackle. So coach Andy Reid made the move many have been clamoring for: He slid Todd Herremans from left guard to right tackle and promoted Evan Mathis to Herremans' spot. Both players were informed of the changes on Friday, a day after the Eagles offensive line had difficulty protecting quarterback Michael Vick against the Browns, and both were lined up at their new positions at Saturday's practice.

Here are a few takeaways from the Eagles' preseason victory over the Browns on Thursday: The best news about quarterback Michael Vick was that he emerged without injuries after starting behind a porous offensive line. He had 10 completions, but seven went on short passes to running back LeSean McCoy. Vick's receivers were not getting open, and he often had little time to work. He wisely went to the wide-open McCoy, who was able to make people miss. Vick had no touchdown throws but also no interceptions - though he got bailed out of one by a phantom roughing-the-passer call.

Given a chance to win a starting job, Jason Kelce had a brutal opening Thursday night. The rookie center struggled early blocking Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor, allowing a sack and later getting called for holding. Rookie guard Danny Watkins, expected to start Week 1, had an equally rough start, also struggling in pass protection while lining up alongside Kelce. Meanwhile, rookies Casey Matthews, Alex Henery, and Chas Henry had strong showings, providing mixed results for young Eagles being counted on to play big roles in a season of high expectations.

THE ST. LOUIS Rams' defense was ranked No. 7 in the NFL last season in sacks. The Atlanta Falcons' was No. 20. The New York Giants' was No. 5. That is how the Eagles' regular-season schedule opens. At the Rams, at the Falcons, home for the semiannual blood sport against the Giants. That is what awaits quarterback Michael Vick and the unsettled, unsettling right side of his offensive line - two killers in the first 3 weeks, and also two dome games where the noise has a chance to shake the continuity of a shaky group of pass protectors.