When Todd Herremans steps onto the field Monday night for his first game of the 2009 season, he'll have to bring his 'A' game right away because the starting left guard will be lined up against one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the game.

"Playing against Albert Haynesworth, that'll probably be the hardest thing (about playing in my first game)," Herremans said. "He's a great player. I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a good challenge.

"I remember the last time I played him, he's just real slippery. It's hard to keep your hands on him. He's big, strong, and at the same time he's a lot faster than anybody that's 350, 360 pounds. He's got great acceleration."

But being the warrior that Herremans is, he wouldn't have it any other way.

"I like being thrown in the fire a little bit," he said. "I think the performance raises a little bit when stuff like that happens."

Herremans also said that he has no reservations about being ready to play Monday night on the foot that kept him out of the first five games of the season.

"I know I can (play the whole) game," he said, "That's why I'm going to."

Herremans took it up a notch in practice this week because he wanted to make sure he was ready to go.

"Tuesday, in the live pads (session), I talked to the look team and had them step it up a little bit, go a little bit extra," he said.

Herremans was able to get a good replica for Haynesworth in practice from Antonio Dixon, who was in training camp with the Redskins.

"(Dixon) played there earlier this year, so he knows (Haynesworth's) game, know some of the moves that he does," Herremans said. "So, I think he gave me a good look."

It's been difficult for Herremans to watch his teammates on the field without being able to help, and he's excited to finally get the opportunity to get in on the action.

"That was real tough, not being able to be out there with the guys," he said. "It feels like this week has taken forever."

For Herremans, Monday night can't get here soon enough.

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 5:50 p.m., October 24