Filling Herremans' Shoes Will Be No Easy Task For Eagles
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The release of Todd Herremans will leave a big hole in the Eagles offensive line. During his long tenure with the team, Herremans proved to be a dependable option who took the reins as a starter and never relinquished it.
With his departure, the offensive line will have to be a priority for the Eagles this off-season. While on the surface this may simply appear to be a money move, the Eagles now also have an opportunity to upgrade the play of the offensive line as a whole.
Whether or not they make that upgrade is a product of the options at their disposable.
The Eagles offense took a huge step backward in 2014 in the turnover department. A reliable Nick Foles all of sudden became an interception machine. He threw 10 interceptions in eight games as compared to two interceptions in 13 games the season before.
Mark Sanchez was not much better as he tossed 11 interceptions in nine games under center.
There was no secret that the offensive line play took a step back in 2014. The line was completely healthy throughout the 2013 season, which is a serious rarity in today's NFL. Injuries led to inconsistency for that unit in 2014 and turnovers were clearly a byproduct.
If there is one thing we know about Chip Kelly. He wants the ball, because he wants to score.
The team has flexibility so replacing Herremans should not be too much of a concern. Striking on a player with the potential for long-term success like Herremans will be the difficult part.
It will be all about what route they want to go to try to accomplish that task.
They could go the free agency route. The current crop of guards on the market includes a number of veterans similar to Herremans in terms of length of service in the league. You could sign one of these names, but the chance for development is slim. They would be stop-gap solutions as you look for a long-term piece.
There is also the draft. Let's assume the Eagles don't give away every draft pick they own for a certain quarterback from Oregon. The team could invest a mid-round pick in a guard. There are a number of them projected to go between rounds 2-4.
The team might be better served picking up a young guy and grooming him into the system. You may not be getting an instant starter, but this is where you find the guys who can compete and surprise.
Remember, Jason Kelce was a sixth round pick, Evan Mathis was a 3rd round pick and your most heralded lineman, Jason Peters, was not even drafted.
Finally, you have the internal candidates. The Eagles will more than likely field a competition that includes Allen Barbre, Matt Tobin and Andrew Gardner.
All of these Eagles filled in last season as the injury bug bit the team. Barbre, 30, inked a three-year deal with the Eagles going into the season, but suffered an ankle injury in the opening game as he filled in for Lane Johnson.
Tobin, 24, started seven games in 2014, two of which were at right guard. Gardner, 28, started six games at right guard in 2014.
Whatever name gets penciled in at right guard to open the 2015 season for the Eagles, will have tough shoes to fill. In his 10 seasons with the Birds, Herremans played 127 games and started in all but three of them. In 2014, he started the first eight games of the season before a biceps injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.
"Todd has been the ultimate professional during my two years in Philadelphia with him," said head coach Chip Kelly when the release became official. He added that the decision to release Herremans now would give him the opportunity to catch on with another NFL team and get acclimated well ahead of training camp.
Herremans turned out to be a real diamond in the rough as a fourth round selection out of Saginaw Valley State. The Eagles can only hope to get so lucky again.
