Shawn Andrews Update
by foos05 on Feb 3, 2009 3:20 PM EST
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PrintComing into the 2008 season, one of the major questions that ran wild through training camp was the mysterious situation that kept Shawn Andrews out of camp. Later, we would discover that Andrews was battling depression and some low-tone mumblings surfaced about possible retirement. Eventually that talk was shelved, Andrews made it to camp, and proceeded to prep for the upcoming season. Things seemed on the par, until the second game of the season against Dallas when he injured his back. The following months would result in numerous back surgeries, cross country flights, and constant question about both his physical and mental state. Oddly enough, he was never actually placed on IR, and had the Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl, there was an outside chance for his return.
Leading into the offseason, we have numerous questions along the offensive line. We have some questions regarding what route to take at center, but our most pressing concern is at offensive tackle. Aging veterans Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas are both free agents in just over three weeks, and the smart money is that only one returns; if that. There are schools of thought that see us moving hard on Pathers' FA Jordan Gross and others that point toward the draft for replacements. The Shawn Andrews situation will weigh heavily upon our FA and drafting approach.
The one positive that came out Andrews' absense is the relative emergence of not one, but two linemen. Initally Max Jean-Gilles was tapped to fill the void, and did an extremely admirable job until he too was sidelined late in the season. At this point, Nick Cole was slated for some immediate, crunch time action, and again he performed extremely well. If anything, our unproven backups got valuable playing time and showed that they could cut it. Andrews is still our key though; as he under contract through 2015 and can play both guard and tackle.
"I'm an athlete," Andrews said at the end of the [2008] season. "I've played tackle before. Of course, it's different from college to the professional level, but it's still tackle. There are a lot of guys that play the position that are just brute athletes and just being an athlete alone can help you take care of quicker defensive ends that are stronger nowadays in the NFL."
If we are assured of Andrews' return, it could completely alter how we approach this offseason. If the FO feels relatively comfortable that we can count on his presence, not only this year, but long term, then it opens many more doors. Given our current battery of, now experienced, backups, a big OT signing could cement this relatively young line for a long time. If we were to sign Jordan Gross, I would probably feel relatively comfortable loosing both Runyan and Thomas, moving Andrews to tackle, and starting Jean-Gilles. This would free up our early picks in the draft to be used on other areas, and allow us to grab depth on the offensive line later on.
At this point, I'm confident that Shawn Andrews will be physically ready to go by camp, but what concerns me is his mental state. This is a game that you must play focused and at full speed or not at all. Depression is a tough opponent; so where's his head at right now.
"I'm very excited about where I feel I'm going to be and where I'm going to get myself to," Andrews said. "I have a whole new attitude about everything right now. It's going to be a brand new attitude and a brand new me."
The goal for Andrews in the off-season is to get himself back in playing shape and to be prepared mentally for the rigors of a tough NFL season.
"First of all, I have to get myself all the way back 100 percent healthy and sturdy and then I have to bring my mental aspect of the game with me," Andrews said. "Just come back with a different attitude, way different than what I had last year and, like I said, I'm a new being and (I have) a new state-of-mind and I just have to come with that everyday."
Well, these recent quotes are a complete one eighty from the ones that were coming out of the Andrews camp only 6 months ago. This will be a situation with huge implications that can honestly effect the shape of our line for the next 5+ years.
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Good info – thanks for that update. Andrews, when healthy, is hands down one of the best lineman in the league. I still feel that a lot of our inability to run the ball and convert on short yardage consistently this season can be attributed to not having The Big Kid in the lineup. Cole and Jean-Gilles did great in his absence, but they do not have the skill set that Andrews possesses. I hope to see him back on the field next year. I know #36 does too.
woah...
If we sign a great Left Tackle, we’d have him, herremans, jackson, jean-gilles and nick cole competing for RG, and then Andrews at RT.
get us a power running back and solidify the secondary, get a DE.
SUPERBOWL :)
or bring back Runyan for a year as insurance against Andrews, then sign Gross to play LT. Gross Herrmans Jackson Andrews Runyan is a hell of an O-line. Frees up draft picks for play makers and lets guys like Dunlap develop.
I know Gross is still a pipedream…but I really feel if Carolina can’t sign him by FA the Eagles will make an honest push for him.
by Clyde Simmons on Feb 3, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
I said it before and I'll say it again
I think Andrews’ back was contributing to his depression. Very often, hard to diagnose ailments (and back ones qualify) are treated as depression until it becomes clear it’s physical, not emotional. I’m really in no position to do anything but speculate, but I wouldn’t be suprised if Andrews’ back was bothering him before the season, and it was misdiagnosed, then flared up into a full, but treatable, problem.
Here’s hoping he returns 100%, and we can address the problem of the OL from a position of strength, not glaring weakness.
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." - Bear Bryant
What an enigma
I think Tommy Lawlor once wrote that he could see Shawn Andrews quit football, or play in the next 7 Pro Bowls. That sounds right to me. Glad to hear he’s SAYING all the right things thus far. We need the Big Kid back next year for sure.
Great Post! rec'd
I’m glad to hear that Andrews is on the right track. And while I agree with everything in this post I also have my doubts.
I would probably feel relatively comfortable loosing both Runyan and Thomas, moving Andrews to tackle, and starting Jean-Gilles.
First I would like to keep Andrews as a OG if possible because he can pull so well and that really helps us in the screens and run plays. Second Jean-Gilles fractured his ankle and that has to be tough for a 350+ lbs man to come back from so I’d still like to spend a top pick on OL just to be sure we have the personnel, especially if Runyan and Thomas walk. I’m also probably one of the few that still believes Justice can play OT in this league.
Gross or not I still think we have a formidable OL especially with the news that the Big Kid will be back. And I’m excited to see how Mike McGlynn and King Dunlap have grown.
"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"
Thanks man. I believe my purpose in life is to bring humor to others, so that’s where a great many of my posts and comments come from, but I do also like to show that my actual analytical skills and writing ability can shine as well; so I appreciate the rec.
Perhaps, in my haste, I phrased that sentence poorly, or didn’t further explain. I would also, like to see Andrews remain at guard, but if things were to progress as I stated, I wouldn’t feel poorly about it either.
I too am excited to see the progress that McGlynn and Dunlap have made given a year of work and also another training camp to benefit from.
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
This situation really concerns me, and I have my doubts about whether Andrews will get it together and play our his career. At this point I’m taking it one season at a time, and last year was obviously disappointing. So hopefully he makes it through the 09/10 season and plays up to his incredible potential.
Agreed
People who struggle with depression like Andrews go through really optimistic times like he is now and really bad times (earlier this season). I hope that the Big Kid comes through and controls it, but I certainly didn’t get any more assurance from his interview.
I think he would do just fine at Tackle. Good thing we are amazing at drafting great lineman. Even if we go back to the Artis Hicks, Newberry, and Welbourn days Andy seems to know how to scout talent on the line.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
Andrews return would be huge. I didn’t see MJG doing that well, he needs to lose 40 lbs, he’s a liability on runs and (less) on passes. Cole looked pretty good, but at 6’0" and 350lbs, he could fall apart any time. So IF Andrews is back & good, that’s one tackle. Then Herremans and/or Thomas and/or FA are the other. THEN MJG and/or Cole, McGlynn have to deliver. Jackson was fat and pushed around, they need to challenge him big time. So, still need at least one draft choice.
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