Carson Wentz is ecstatic: 'They call him the bodyguard for a reason' originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
You think you’re relieved Jason Peters is finally back at left tackle?
Just think how Carson Wentz feels.
His blind side will be protected by a nine-time Pro Bowler and likely Hall of Famer instead of a former 6th-round pick who’s never played tackle in the NFL, a former Australian rugby player who’s never played a meaningful snap of football at any level or a veteran free agent who’s been out of football since March and never seen the Eagles’ playbook.
J.P. is back where he belongs.
“They call him the bodyguard for a reason,” Wentz said Monday. “He always takes care of me.”
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson revealed Monday that Peters, who the Eagles signed last month to replace injured Brandon Brooks at right guard, told him earlier in the day that he’s now open to playing left tackle in place of injured Andre Dillard.
Peters is 38 and has had some injury issues of his own, but he's a huge upgrade from Matt Pryor, Jordan Mailata, Cordy Glenn or anybody else the Eagles could have put out there.
“I’ve had J.P. blocking my blind side pretty much every year, and obviously he’s missed a couple games with injuries and stuff over the years, but he’s been the guy,” Wentz said. “He’s been the guy out there and done a great job. I’m pretty excited he’s back there, I think the o-line is excited about it, and it puts us in a good position going forward for sure.”
Pederson wouldn’t confirm that Pryor would start at right guard, but that does make the most sense. And – after all this – an o-line of Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Pryor and Lane Johnson would be the same one the Eagles finished last year with.
On the one hand, Wentz said he wasn’t concerned about having a novice left tackle trying to block Chase Young this coming weekend.
On the other hand, he did sound thrilled - he said "ecstatic" - that Peters is back where he’s started 146 games since 2009.
“I wouldn’t say (I was) concerned,” Wentz said. “I would just say (I was) trusting the coaches. I knew at the end of the day as this unfolded and you saw the competition and everything that we’d have the right guy out there, so for me it was just trusting that it would play out how it was supposed to.
“Obviously, I’m ecstatic that it’s J.P. , just because of his track record, his understanding of this offense, his understanding of the position, he’s been doing it for a long time, he’s one of the best. So I’m excited that it’s him and these younger guys will still get their opportunity in different positions without a doubt. So they have to stay ready regardless. But I’m excited that it’s old 7-1 back there.”
And maybe a little relieved too. Just like everybody else.
