Eagles offensive line woes put McNabb in jeopardy

PHILADELPHIA - Sometimes when Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb turns over in his bed he feels a little pain from the cracked rib he suffered running for a 3-yard touchdown late in the third quarter against Carolina in the season opener in September.

Sometimes he's reminded that he's not fully healed when he laughs.

Obviously, in the Eagles' 13-9 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 18, McNabb couldn't help but be worried because he was sacked six times.

His offensive line was horrible in that game and was shaky too much against the aggressive Dallas Cowboys in the Eagles' 20-16 defeat Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

McNabb was sacked three times, losing 18 yards in the first half. It didn't help that starting left tackle Jason Peters, after being landed on by nose tackle Jay Ratliff, went out with an ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return until the second half.

Nothing, however, was strong with right guard Stacy Andrews, who provided unsatisfactory pass protection. He wasn't the only lineman, but certainly a main concern since he has not lived up to the billing he came to this city with after being signed to a six-year deal via an offseason free agency pickup from the Cincinnati Bengals.

He's had too many breakdowns and was pushed out of the lineup in favor of Nick Cole, which isn't such a big deal since the Eagles rotate linemen. But the 6-foot-7, 342-pounder was supposed to be a key linemen alongside his brother Shawn Andrews at right tackle.

It has not materialized, first because Shawn is in California going through rehabilitation for his back that he had surgery on last October, and second, because Stacy just hasn't picked up offensive line coach Juan Castillo's blocking schemes well enough to make an impact.

Stacy had knee surgery in January, which has also limited him in important areas, but he's still hopeful that he will soon get his blocking together. McNabb is probably praying. He can't continue to get battered the way he did in the first half.

''I've still got a few things to iron out that I'm still learning,'' Stacy Andrews said. ''So that will come shortly. Once I get that in sync there's no stopping me.''

Lack of continuity has been a problem with the Eagles offensive line all season, caused mostly by a platoon of injuries, but left guard Todd Herremans is back after missing all preseason and the first five regular season games recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.

The line played better against Washington and the New York Giants, then took steps back against Dallas as McNabb was sacked four times, twice by Ratliff, and hit many more times in a crushing defeat that dropped the Eagles (5-3) a game back of the Cowboys (6-2) in the NFC East.

''We're still working on that chemistry,'' center Jamaal Jackson said. ''I hate to throw the word around. That's what happens when you pretty much have four different guys playing together. We just have to keep building on that.''

A lot of season remains and the Eagles' quick-strike offense can certainly use Andrews at his best. McNabb can only take so many hits, despite his toughness.

McNabb has not complained, which for now is a good thing. Friction never helps. Besides, his linemen know what they must do to protect him better.

''To a man, it's doing your job,'' Jackson said. ''That's what film study is for. We just need to correct some things.''

The Eagles next two games are at San Diego and Chicago, and somehow they must steal one of those, if not both, and better line play is a must to prevent the team from falling further behind the Cowboys.

''A lot of things didn't go our way this game,'' right tackle Winston Justice said. ''In the NFL you have another game next week, which we get to improve on.''

Stacy Andrews, who was dressed and out of the locker room fast Sunday, can certainly bolster the line by playing better himself.

andre.williams@mcall.com

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