Andy Reid's Eagles have long abided by the creed that football games are won at the line of scrimmage. Seven years ago, that logic led the Eagles to pay top-dollar for free agent Jon Runyan, in hopes the former Titan would team with William Thomas and anchor the Eagles front-five from the tackle positions.

Now, the Eagles may have another impressive, in-the-trenches tandem on their hands in the form of Shawn Andrews and Todd Herremans.

Before they arrived in Philadelphia, Andrews and Herremans were both tackles by trade – Andrews at SEC contender Arkansas and Herremans at Division II Saginaw Valley State. But with road blocks at tackle in the form of Thomas and Runyan, both young players have established themselves as proficient guards on one of the better offensive lines in the league.

Despite missing nearly his entire rookie season in 2004, Andrews has quickly solidified his status as one of the best guards in football. Andrews earned All-Pro honors in 2006 as well as his first Pro Bowl selection.

Herremans had a breakout season of his own in 2006, his sophomore campaign, earning a starting spot at left guard. Herremans moved inside after starting four games at left tackle in 2005 filling in for an injured William Thomas.

Looking into the crystal ball, it's possible to Eagles could consider a move back out to tackle for Herremans sometime in the future. Regardless, both he and Andrews appear to be in the Eagles long-term plans – Herremans is signed through 2013 and Andrews through 2015.

Guard, indeed the Eagles O-line as a whole, is a position where the Eagles possess quality depth should Andrews or Herremans go down.

In 2006, Scott Young was the Eagles' third option at guard. A fifth-round pick in 2005 out of BYU, Young has filled in at both guard spots, but most notably played right guard for the second half of the Eagles divisional playoff loss at New Orleans after Andrews left the game with an injury. Young performed adequately, but most will remember a costly false start penalty that helped stall the Eagles final possession.

Still, Young has shown he is a capable option at guard and has an inside shot at a roster spot.

Also possessing of a good chance of securing a place is second-year guard Max Jean-Gilles. The Eagles fourth-round pick in 2006, Jean-Gilles has plenty of potential – he allowed just three sacks in 40 career starts at Georgia and was an All-America in 2005.

If Jean-Gilles can show the ability to move around well and continue to develop under offensive line coach Juan Castillo's tutelage, the burly guard should have no problem making the team.

But Jean-Gilles and Young can't feel totally comfortable, as there are players behind them pushing for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Stefan Rodgers returns for another go-around at Lehigh. Originally a tight end and later a tackle at Lambuth University (Tenn.), Rodgers spent last year on injured reserve with the Eagles after spending 2005 on Tampa Bay's practice squad.

The other two contenders at guard are rookie free agents.

Jacob Hobbs is transitioning to guard after serving as Albany's starting left tackle for three years. Hobbs was a second-team mid-major All-America and a key cog in a line that specialized in run-blocking – Albany averaged 193.7 rushing yards per game in 2006.

Chris White was a fixture at South Carolina over his four year career, starting 41 out of 48 games at center and guard. His final 25 games spent at center. White is listed as a guard in Philadelphia, although his versatility will no doubt help him in his campaign to make the squad.

Like Rodgers, Hobbs and White are likely outside looking in at the moment. There is reason for optimism, as the Eagles have invested in unknown or rookie free agent offensive linemen as recent as last season. Pat McCoy and Nick Cole made the team last year as undrafted free agents, and Hobbs and White will try to make a similar impression this training camp.