We continue our effort to get you to better know some of the players who are expected to make an impact for the Eagles in this 2010 season by taking a look today at guard Todd Herremans. The 6-6, 321-pound Herremans has carved out a reputation as one of the better guards in the NFC. Despite missing five games with a foot injury at the beginning of last season, Herremans was named a Pro Bowl alternate. In 2008, Herremans was named to the USA Today All-Joe Team which honors the "players whose work doesn't necessarily garner headlines, but is integral to the success of their football team." Here are some more nuggets about the veteran who is entering his sixth NFL season.
1. One of the top highlights from the 2008 season was Herremans' 1-yard touchdown grab in the win at Seattle. It was the first reception of his career. He became just the second offensive lineman in team history to catch a touchdown pass. The other was Bob Gonya, who did it way back in 1934. Herremans' score was a play that the team worked on during the week and if it was called against the right defense, Herremans would be wide open. And indeed, he was. It's funny because Herremans' definition of an offensive lineman is "the ultimate team player. They never touch the ball or score points or get highlights on SportsCenter. But no one else is going to get that done unless we do our job."
2. Once named one of Philadelphia's "Sexy Singles," Herremans hopes to make the transition from the playing field to the stage one day. In fact, he enjoys going to see live theatre. He was a member of the drama club at Ravenna (Mich.) High School and played the lead role in the play "Tom Jones" during his junior year. Herremans is also active in the community as he lends his time to a number of non-profit events, especially ones that raise money for cancer research since both of his grandparents died from the disease.
3. Despite earning all-state honors in football, Herremans didn't get recruited to play at any Division I-A schools. Growing up in a town with just one street light, one gas station and one grocery store, the football program was just as small with only 19 players. Herremans played tight end, offensive tackle and defensive tackle. Herremans went to Saginaw Valley State, which offered him a scholarship that paid half of his tuition. Saginaw Valley is a college that specializes in teacher education, which was fitting because both of Todd's parents are teachers.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 10:45 a.m., July 8
