Phil Sheridan, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Todd Herremans tough to replace

PHILADELPHIA -- Three of the Philadelphia Eagles' starting offensive linemen were selected for the Pro Bowl this year. Todd Herremans was not one of them.

In his 10 seasons with the Eagles, Herremans never went to a Pro Bowl. That doesn't seem right, now that the Eagles have decided to part ways with their former fourth-round pick.

But maybe it is fitting. Herremans was never a guy who got a lot of public acclaim. He was just good at his job.

When Herremans tore his left biceps during the Eagles' game in Arizona in October, he stayed in. The team had a chance to drive down and score the go-ahead touchdown, and Herremans didn't want that opportunity to be lost. He played with one arm, and the Eagles did score that touchdown. Their defense gave up a score that cost them the game, but there wasn't much Herremans could do about that.

The next week, at Houston, Herremans played with a brace on his left arm. It didn't help that much, merely kept his elbow from disclocating due to the torn muscle. But center Jason Kelce was returning to the lineup after surgery to repair a sports hernia. Left guard Evan Mathis was still out with a sprained knee.

So Herremans played. He sprained his ankle during the game and had to leave. He could play with one arm, but one arm and one leg? That was too much to overcome. After that, Herremans decided to have surgery to repair the biceps. He went on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season.

That half in Houston turned out to be Herremans' farewell appearance as an Eagle. He was released Thursday as the Eagles' offseason plan began to take shape. Herremans and veteran tight end James Casey were both released this week.

The Eagles could look to replace Herremans with one of the players already on their roster. Allen Barbre, who went on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain in September, can play guard. The Eagles have been developing Matt Tobin, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Tobin started two games in place of Herremans, but was also dealing with an ankle injury.

Andrew Gardner started the last five games of the season at right guard. He'll get a chance to compete for the job.

But coach Chip Kelly may want to add another potential guard in free agency or the draft. Some very good guards are expected to hit the free-agent market -- Denver's Orlando Franklin, San Francisco's Mike Iupati, Cincinnati's Clint Boling among them -- but the Eagles already have big money tied up in the other four offensive line spots.

That would make the draft a more likely avenue for finding a potential starting guard. Oregon's Jake Fisher can play guard or tackle, which would make him a valuable addition on the second day of the draft. South Carolina's A.J. Cann, Florida's Tre Jackson and Duke's Laken Tomlinson are also highly rated guards.

Somebody will line up in Herremans' right guard spot. It won't be so easy to take his place in the locker room.

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