Colts 2015 Player Preview: Offensive Lineman Todd Herremans

Despite the fact that the offensive line has been a significant issue for the Colts over the past several years, the team really made only one significant move to try to improve it this offseason.  That move was to sign veteran Todd Herremans in free agency, a player who Colts general manager Ryan Grigson is familiar with from his time with the Eagles.  It seems likely that he will be the team's starting right guard when they open up the regular season on September 13 against the Buffalo Bills.

Herremans (6-6, 323 pounds) spent the first ten years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.  He has played in 127 career games and has started 124 of them, and he has also caught two touchdown passes in his career (the most in Eagles history for an offensive lineman).  In other words, perhaps Anthony Castonzo will have competition in 2015 for his receiving services.  All kidding aside, Herremans is likely to play a significant role for the Colts this year, as they signed him in free agency after the Eagles released him earlier this offseason.  Again, it was essentially the only offensive line upgrade by the Colts this offseason.

There are questions about some of the other offensive line positions for Indy.  The health of Gosder Cherilus makes the right tackle position a big question mark, and because of that the left guard position becomes a question mark too, as perhaps Jack Mewhort will make the move to right tackle to replace Cherilus if the veteran isn't healthy.  And, of course, there is a significant competition at the center spot with Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison competing for the start.  So while there's a lot left to be figured out and while a lot will certainly change, so far the right guard position has been pretty clear: it's Todd Herremans.  He should give them a significant upgrade at the spot for at least the 2015 season, and if the Colts can protect Andrew Luck, the offense could be even better than it has been.  Herremans could be a big factor in that success if he can stay healthy and play well for the Colts this year.