Allen Barbre has played in Jason Peters absence. Photo by Pete Lerro/contrastphotography.com

There was a lot of talk about fourth overall pick Lane Johnson coming in and taking over the right tackle spot from the jump. You had Johnson, plus quite a few players, several were solid starters and key subs returning mostly from injury , so one would think Philadelphia is a tough place for a journeyman lineman to make an impact.

Still Chip Kelly brought in 18 different offensive linemen to camp to look at and it appears he has uncovered a surprise contributor in Allen Barbre.

Barbre has fared well in the two starts Kelly gave him beginning last week against New England, holding down the left tackle spot while All pro tackle Jason Peters continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

“It’s good to be able to be out there and running with the one’s,” Barbre said. “I’m showing the coaches that I am reliable and accountable for going in and playing. If something happens to someone, I can go in and start for them…hopefully there is not much of a drop off.”

Against Carolina in the second preseason game, the first unit produced 104 yards rushing on 16 carries, in the first half for a gaudy average of 6.4 yards per carry and two touchdowns. LeSean McCoy lead the way with 47 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.

Barbre and the line looked more relaxed than at any time last year.

“I fell a little more comfortable this week than I did last week,” Barbre said. “I’m working at it. I am getting some good work during the week and working on technique, focusing on some small things, it’s been really helping me.”

Barbre is carrying no delusions. The 29-year old out of Missouri Southern State University has been the definition of a journeyman. The Eagles are his fifth stop since being drafted in the fourth round by the Green Bay Packers.

The other teams include the Green Bay Packers (2007–2010), Seattle Seahawks (2010), Miami Dolphins (2010–2011), Seattle Seahawks (2011–2013) and now the Birds. He is played in 32 NFL games with seven starts.

There is no doubt Barbre is playing well. After the Carolina game, he said he was just going to keep doing the task at hand and let the chips (no pun intended) fall where they may. Barbre said he can only go by the amount of quality time he gets from the coaches to gauge how he is doing.

“I just keep working and everything else should take care of itself,’ who is listed at 6-feet-4, 310 pounds. “It’s something they (the coaches) don’t really talk to you about it. But I can play guard, tackle. I am running with the ones, but when JP (Jason Peters) comes back I imagine he’ll go back with the ones.”

It is not just Barbre, the line play on offense has been pretty solid this offseason through the forst two preseason games. Barbra was asked why the offense has been solid regardless of what quarterback is in there, especially the chemistry between the quarterbacks and the line.

“I think it’s product of us working hard in the offseason,” Barbre said. “From  OTAs, Mini Camps, training camp we’ve all worked hard. It doesn’t matter which quarterback is in, we’re in there taking care of business, doing our job. I think when everybody does their job, things run pretty smoothly.

“I think communication is crucial,” he added. “We continue to work on it. Our coaches hounded on us…’communicate,’ ‘communicate,’ and you know what? It’s helped and we keep getting better and better.”

Barbre also talked about conditioning and the high pace the team has now gotten used to and appears to have embraced.

“I think it’s something to our advantage,” Barbre said. “I think defenses have to train for it for that week if they are going to play us.”

Center Jason Kelce said he is noticing several differences this year. For one the amount of offensive linemen in camp is different.

“I don’t think I’ve seen this many guys in a training camp setting,” Kelce said. “I think there are quite a few backups that we have who are really good football players. I think we have a lot of depth this year than we did on last year’s offensive line. It’s going to be cool to see how it shakes out with those last few spots. I really don’t know where they are going don’t know where they are going with it.”

Kelce admitted it is going to be tough on the coaches when they have to cut some of the offensive linemen in a few weeks.

“They are handcuffed with the 53-man rule,” said Kelce, who himself is having a good summer after missing most of last year with a knee injury. “Some guys are going to get cut that really deserve to be on this team but it’s part of the nature of the beast.”

Barbre’s play will make once choice pretty easy. •