He played 2 seasons with Birk, the other Birk was injured. Bryant McKinnie has always been overrated. Hutch I'll give you even though he's not been the same the last two years.
Barry Sanders played with Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover who were both pro bowlers. Did the line make him?
You also left out the fact that his QBs have been awful outside of one season. He's played with Ferotte, Jackson (rookie), Holcomb, Favre (one great, one god awful), McNabb (cut during the season) and Ponder (rookie). I'm sure that he's seen his fair share of 8 man boxes.
So if his "early success" is attributed to his O line, what has his recent success been attributed to? The golden arms of Ferotte, Ponder and Jackson?