(Note: One of the league's top executives in personnel agreed to break down the Eagles roster for New Jersey Advance Media. So over the next two weeks we'll take a look at the team position by position. Today is the offensive line.)

The Eagles go into the 2015 season with 40 percent of their starting offensive line gone.

When veteran guards Todd Herremans and Evan Mathis were both released this offseason, and no replacements were taken in the draft fans began to panic. According to an executive in personnel for another team there is no reason to worry.

Herremans was released before free agency began, as the Eagles saved $4 million under the salary cap. He signed with the Colts for one year at $3 million.

Mathis skipped the team's voluntary OTAs in hopes of getting a raise from his $5.5 million salary. He had asked the team to add incentives that could push his salary to $8 million. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, according to the team, had asked several times for a release.

The Eagles released Mathis, who has gone to the past two Pro Bowls, just before the start of their mandatory minicamp and he remains unsigned.

"I don't know how much either one of them has left,'' the executive said of the 30-something guards. "Herremans had a nice career, but you look at the past few years he wasn't the same. Then, he got hurt last year.

"(Mathis), that's the craziest thing I ever saw. He either got the worst advice from an agent ever, or he made the dumbest mistake ever. You watch him last year? He's just a guy at this point. Why do you think he hasn't been signed?''

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The strength of the Eagles line remains with the three players who are back -- left tackle Jason Peters, right tackle Lane Johnson and center Jason Kelce.

"Peters,'' the executive said, "yeah he's still real good, probably the best. He's just a physical freak. You talk to our guys about him they'll tell you he's the best. People talk about Tyron Smith in Dallas. He's good, but I'll still take Peters.

"(Johnson) is OK, too. You see him developing, getting better. They're all right there. And the center (Kelce) is good, too. With him, and the two tackles you can find guys to play guard.''

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The Eagles will go with veteran backup Allen Barbre at left guard in between Kelce and Peters and are having an audition at right guard. Matt Tobin, Andrew Gardner, Kevin Graf and newly-signed John Moffitt are all in the mix.

"I haven't seen a lot of (Barbre), but he'll be fine,'' the executive said. "Moffitt was OK before he hurt his knee. So you have to see how that goes.''

It doesn't sound as if the Eagles offensive line problems are as bad as some think.

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