Why Eagles aren’t thinking ‘Oh s***, what now’ with Lane Johnson out; Jack Driscoll, Andre Dillard likely starting

By Chris Franklin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

PHILADELPHIA – Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata and offensive lineman Jack Driscoll were sitting next to each other in a meeting room Wednesday, reviewing the tape from Saturday’s 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

A run play was being shown on the screen, with Mailata missing a block. Wanting to remember what to do the next time he was in the same position, Mailata scribbled notes on a piece of paper. Meanwhile, Driscoll began feverishly typing on an iPad, making it a competition: Who would be the first to finish the directions given by offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland? Driscoll had the quicker draw, finishing before Mailata, who asked for Driscoll’s help learning what had just been said.

"The way he is preparing is second to none,” Mailata said. "When you talk about guys preparing like starters, he embodies that. He has his own routine. I love that for him because I told him that having a routine helped me along, and he’s got his own routine now. I knew I had missed one, so I knew he had written it down. His attention to detail and being ready at all positions is good because that’s the expectation that Stout puts on a player like Jack. He quizzes him on everything. I’m proud of what Jack has become so far.”

Driscoll preparation could come in handy, especially if he is named a starter for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field. Starting right tackle Lane Johnson is out for the rest of the regular season with a torn tendon in his abdomen that he suffered in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Cowboys. Johnson will sit, hoping to be ready for the postseason without having surgery.

Johnson, one of the NFL’s top offensive linemen, has not allowed a sack since Oct. 21, 2019, against the Cowboys. He has not allowed a quarterback hit since last season’s Week 7 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. There are three options to replace Johnson: Insert Driscoll as the starter; start first-round pick Andre Dillard in Johnson’s spot; or shift Mailata to right tackle and start Dillard at left tackle, a move the Eagles made last season when Johnson was out.

Head coach Nick Sirianni was coy when asked the plan.

"I’m not going to give you that answer because if I give you that answer, then I give the Saints that answer, and I want them to have to prepare for all the different options,” Sirianni said. "That’s a great thing to have options, because now their left side defensive end has to prepare for different guys.”

When Driscoll replaced Johnson on Saturday, he played the final 11 offensive snaps, not allowing a sack or quarterback hit, but one hurry, according to Pro Football Focus. In his three seasons since the Eagles selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, Driscoll has allowed five sacks and seven quarterback hits in 588 pass-blocking opportunities. Driscoll said if he starts, he will use what he learned from Johnson and do the best he can against the Saints’ edge rushers.

"Lane is someone I’ve learned so much from and someone who has helped me out so much,” Driscoll said. "It sucks to see him go down, or anyone for that matter. I feel like if I have to play, there is stuff I have to improve on for next week and go in there and be confident if needed.”

Driscoll said he tries to stay ready whenever needed, especially in the middle of games, because he can be called upon to play tackle or guard in case of injury. To prepare, he listens to Stoutland discuss in-game tweaks with center Jason Kelce and the rest of the offensive linemen.

After watching Johnson for three seasons, Driscoll said he has learned to get out of his stance quickly and put himself in a good position to protect the quarterback — Jalen Hurts or Gardner Minshew. This week, he’ll match up against Saints linebackers Demario Davis and Kaden Elliss or defensive end Cameron Jordan.

"Lane is a freak,” Driscoll said. "Lane is he’s so gifted athletically, and he works for all of it. On Lane’s pass sets, he does the same thing every time. He changes up a bit, but he has a plan and gets to his spot. He gets there quickly and uses that time to his advantage. Lane has taught me about getting off the ball and understanding the different types of sets to change up against different rushers, where the quarterback is at his launch point, and all those little things.”

Driscoll’s potential insertion into the lineup goes back to something Mailata said during a Sunday Night Football broadcast: The offensive line can play at a high level, no matter who is starting or where they are playing.

"I think that’s the whole beauty of Jeff Stoutland University,” Mailata said. "At first, it started as a joke, but it’s a real thing. The way he prepares guys is by making sure that we’re versatile. I can play swing tackle, Isaac (Seumalo) can truly play everywhere, and Landon (Dickerson) can play both guards. Driscoll can play both guard and tackle spots. (Dillard) can play guard now, and he can play right guard and right tackle. He prepares the players, so we’re not stuck in a situation where it’s ‘Oh s*** what now?’”

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2022/12/why-eagles-arent-thinking-oh-s-what-now-with-lane-johnson-out-jack-driscoll-andre-dillard-potentially-starting.html

One thing that I heard this week which I hadn't considered was around putting a OT on an island. With Lane they literally never need to put help over on his side. That changes what the offense is able to do. 

So here's the question... Do they think they can get away with providing less help if they move Mailata over to RT? I.e. does the combo on Mailata and Dillard at OT give them more options? If so then that may be the combo to go with.