Mike Schad has always welcomed pressure -- whether it was protecting former franchise quarterback Randall Cunningham in the pocket or being the vice president of sales at Custom Mortgage Solutions located in Voorhees, New Jersey. The former Eagles guard (1989-93) is never one to wilt under the pressure.

"I love the challenge of managing a sales team," Schad said. "I love sales, because when you close a deal it's similar to scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. My whole team takes a lot of pride in that accomplishment.

"Business is a lot like sports, meaning when you score a big deal one will receive that competitive edge, and in that sense it gives me that same adrenaline rush similar to when I suited up on Sunday."

The imposing 6-5, 305-pound Schad lived for that competitive edge and challenge when taking the field for the Eagles, especially when it came time to play Divisional opponents.

OG Mike Schad

"The night before we played teams like the Giants and Cowboys, (head coach) Buddy Ryan would gather the team together and put us in the film room. He would show our opponents' highlight reel from their previous season, and Buddy would just walk out of the room," explained Schad.

"And as a team, players like Jim McMahon and Herschel Walker would get us so fired up on those Saturday nights. Just watching our opponents' highlights left a very bad taste in our mouth." Schad also talked about how Ryan would react after the outcome of the game.

"On the days we won, we never had to practice with equipment on the following Friday," Schad said. "However, if we lost, Buddy would really beat us up all week in practice. We would hit, run, and practice in full pads on Fridays."

As for the favorite moments of his career in Philadelphia, Schad said: "The game against the New York Giants (1989) when Randall punted the ball 91 yards, giving us momentum for the 24-17 win was great. Also, when I held Lawrence Taylor to one tackle in a game is something I'll always remember."

He also spoke about weekly preparation and what a player goes through physically.

"When you get out of bed on Monday, it feels like you'd been in a car wreck. I was barely able to move," Schad recalled. "On Tuesday, I would go to the practice facility for early rehab and then later see both a chiropractor and get acupuncture. By Wednesday, you start to get your body back, and the rest of the week involves a lot of film study of your opponent."

Yet unlike these current Eagles, who played in Super Bowl XXXIX, Schad never got the opportunity to play in a Super Bowl game.

"It did hurt because we saw the Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys all win Super Bowls, while we never got to the Super Bowl," Schad said. "I'm really not sure why because we had an unbelievable defense and a lot of talent offensively -- Randall, Herschel (Walker), Fred (Barnett) -- but it just didn't happen.

"Buddy always said we were two offensive linemen away from winning a Super Bowl. We had some good linemen in David Alexander, a smart talented center. (G) Ron Solt and myself were high draft picks, but it just didn't happen.

"If you get a Super Bowl ring, nobody can ever take that away from you."

Schad's journey to the professional football ranks makes his story unique. A native of Belleville, Ontario in Canada, Schad starred as a collegiate player at Division III Queen's College, a school that is not known as a football powerhouse.

"It's one of the top Ivy League schools in Canada. Queens has one of the top graduate programs for students going to medical school," Schad said. "I raised eyebrows around the NFL having great numbers at the NFL Combine -- running a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash -- and I was awarded the (JP Metras Trophy) in 1985 as the nation's Most Outstanding Lineman in Canadian Football."

OG Mike Schad

In 1986, Schad was a first-round selection of the Los Angeles Rams (23rd overall). After three seasons there, he was ready for a change of scenery.

"I felt I was going to be traded and was looking at the San Diego Chargers; but I ultimately went to Philadelphia because Buddy (Ryan) really wanted me to play for him," Schad said. "And that is why I came to Philadelphia because I felt a great sense of appreciation from the organization."

Schad was the first Canadian lineman drafted in first round of the NFL Draft.

After his 10-year career ended, Schad remained in Philadelphia and around football. In fact, he tried his hand at coaching at Temple University, coaching the Owls' offensive line for five years.

"I did like coaching because football was such a huge part of my life; but it can't beat the adrenaline of playing," Schad said. "I even thought about high school coaching, but I'm very happy with what I'm doing."

Schad currently resides in Marlton, N.J., with his wife, Christina. In his downtime, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and boating.

He offered this valuable advice for anyone when ever faced with a challenge: "Do what you can do, when you can do it. Make the best of the situation and really enjoy the journey to the top."

It is that motto that puts Schad ahead of his everyday competition.