After the Eagles' first preseason game, Allen Barbre received a text message from Evan Mathis complimenting him for the way he played left guard. If there's anyone outside the NovaCare Complex whose opinion should be valued on that topic, it's Mathis, who was a Pro Bowler for the last two years at the position.
But the Eagles released Mathis in June during a contract dispute and they handed the left guard spot to Barbre without so much as trying anyone else. It was belated validation for Barbre, a 31-year-old journeyman who has been released four times and has started just eight of the 48 games he has appeared in during a seven-year career.