There has been a lot of talk and speculation since Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly decided to part ways with veteran guard Evan Mathis last week.
While much of that talk has centered on why Kelly chose to make the move now, why they couldn't consummate a trade for his services and just what the Eagles will do to replace him, not a single media outlet has suggested that the Eagles are actually now a better team with Mathis on the street.
That is, until now, of course - otherwise, why else would this article have been written?
According to former Philly offensive tackle and Kelly coaching intern Tra Thomas, Mathis was not a fit on the left side next to potential future Hall of Fame tackle Jason Peters and therefore the Eagles are better off without him.
"I know Evan is a two-time Pro Bowler, but he and Jason Peters play a different style of game" Thomas said, via GaryCobb.com. "Evan Mathis is a guy who likes to jump set and likes to take everything at the line of scrimmage. Jason Peters is a guy who likes to set back and let his guy come to him. He came up in the same school of thought as Juan (Castillo). He likes to count his steps and everything is timing and about punching the guy (rusher) to take him past the quarterback."
Thomas claims that there were fundamental problems along the left side of the Eagles line the last few seasons, despite the fact that Mathis and Peters both consistently graded out as among the best players at their respective positions and that former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy posted at least 1,000-yards rushing three out of the four seasons since Mathis joined the franchise in free agency.
"Evan is taking his guy right on the line and Jason Peters is about three yards behind him," said Thomas. "He's setting back and that puts them on two different levels which creates issues and problems when the rushers run games against them. Lot of times if you saw the film, you saw issues. They were on different levels."
More importantly for Eagles fans, Thomas believes the switch from Mathis to veteran Allen Barbre will be a significant improvement.
"When you bring in Allen Barbre on that left side, Big Al and Jason. They kind of move the same. I think you will see a better rapport and better chemistry. These two will play better together. Just because Allen sets more at a 45 degree angle and he punches his guy."
That's certainly a positive outlook for Philly fans, but considering Thomas is the guy who hinted that racism may have played a part in Kelly's decision-making, it's probably good to take his comments with a giant grain of salt. There's also the fact that the 30-year-old Barbre has started all of eight games in his eight-year NFL career to this point.
Then again, there's no denying that Peters didn't sound particularly upset by Mathis' absence and potential departure when asked about his former offensive line partner last week.
"No, not really," said Peters, via PhillyVoice.com. "I've been playing beside different guys every year, so it doesn't really matter who's beside me to get the chemistry with them, and then get ready for the season.
"We've got a group of guys out there putting in work who have been here since April. Right now Allen Barbre is the starter. Don't know if Evan shows up, he'll get his spot back, I don't know."
Peters, of course, knows now, since Kelly released Mathis last week.
Whether Thomas' assessment is accurate or not though, is something we'll have to wait for the regular season to find out.
