Shawn Andrews moved to tackle

by JasonB on May 1, 2009 4:04 PM EDT in News Comment 47 comments

It appears that we may have had our first real bit of news breaking from the Eagles first spring minicamp. According the Inquirer Andy Reid has indicated that he will move two time pro bowl guard Shawn Andrews to right tackle.

Coach Andy Reid indicated that he's leaning toward keeping Shawn at tackle and moving Stacy to right guard, the position the younger Andrews has played since joining the Eagles as a first-round pick in 2004.

"(Stacy) has no hard feelings about it," Shawn Andrews said. "He's excelled at guard. The team didn't say if he was going to play guard or tackle when he first came here, so this is where he is and he's excited to get on the field when he does."

Stacy Andrews has played both guard and tackle in the NFL, so moving from RT(where he played in Cincy last year) to RG shouldn't be a major transition. As for Shawn, he played RT in college and with his athleticism should be a perfect fit there.

Also, there's lots of great photos from minicamp in the gallery!

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first instinct: i don't like it

ideally, peters and the big kid would be on the same side of the line, and you’d just go out week 1 and say ’we’re running off tackle, try and stop us’. this is the shaun alexander route, noted because of seattle’s all pro T/G tandem of walter jones and steve hutchensen.

so, while that’s preferred, and while it would be devastating, it wasn’t gonna happen.

i guess, it could have happened if you stuck with herremens as LT, moved stacy to LG and then put peters and the big kid on the right side of the line, but i’m not sure that’s a much better option, and it’s pretty easy to understrand why it didn’t happen.

one thing this should do is to really push stacy as RG. there’s a lot of talent at the position, and if he’s not 100%, i can’t imagine he’ll keep the job, contract or not.

brian mccann: derek lowe's got the best slider i've ever seen
john smoltz: yeah? and josh bard's the best catcher i've ever thrown to.

by variablesdont on May 1, 2009 4:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shawn was always supposed to be a tackle. IT seems to me that the only question was whether it would be on the left or right.

I don’t see a drawback here. This should maximize the talent on the line.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on May 1, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, as i said,

if you have a T/G combo like peters/andrews, you pretty much only have to run 1 play to be successful. with 2 guys who play at the level that andrews and peters do, even if the opponents know it’s coming, they still have to beat those beasts 1 on 1. and even if they do that, westbrook is still a shifty focker who can make guys miss. .

i guess we’ll see how it plays out, but it strikes me as if it’s not taking full advantage of the wealth of talent that’s on the line.

brian mccann: derek lowe's got the best slider i've ever seen
john smoltz: yeah? and josh bard's the best catcher i've ever thrown to.

by variablesdont on May 1, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that stacking your line on one side is not taking advantage of your tallent

this way we can run either left or right. I think that Stacy at RG and Shawn at RT can do the same things as Peters and Shawn on the left side

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But Peters is a LT. Shawn has never played LG. You’d have to move Herremans to somewhere he’s never played….

For me, the best way to maximize talent on your line is to put your two best players at the two most important spots. With Peters at LT and Shawn at RT, they’ve done that.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on May 1, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also think we can't overlook

the fact that this is the position Shawn played in college. There have always been murmurings that Shawn would be moved to Tackle, but for some reason I’ve always gotten the feeling it would be LT. I was nervous about that, but am much happier with this move.
Will the right side of the O-line get a bit of push this year?
Maybe, maybe…

by cavortingEagle on May 1, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reid did drop the ‘best college tackle he ever saw’ bomb in regards to Shawn. If Thomas and Ruynan weren’t so legit, Shawn would have been playing tackle already.

by FredEx on May 1, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly he said once “I have the best tackle in football he plays guard” … I have no problem with this. Andy put Andrews in at RG because he was to much of a talent to have on the bench it was never supposed to be perminant.

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on May 1, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

/Cobb’d ….. permanent

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on May 1, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah I think this alows every one to play that there best positions.

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

im 100% comfortable with this !

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

If Football Had A Church , Brian Dawkins Would Be My Preacher. -NPK

by NorthPhillyKid on May 1, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I think Shawn will dominate at RT...

…he’s such a fantastic RG that you hate to lose that. But think of it this way: we don’t have to worry about Shawn. He’ll be great wherever. Maybe this says more about Stacy’s knee injury; playing him at RG might be safer than asking him to be a tackle right now.

by ajay on May 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t really think so. Remember back to when Stacy was signed? Andy wouldn’t say whether he’d be playing RT or RG back then… In fact he said several times that a big reason they signed him was because he could play either.

Andy has said for years that he planned on moving Shawn to tackle… I think this was his plan from the moment they signed Stacey, they just didn’t want to say.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on May 1, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, Stacy is coming off knee surgery and playing guard is simply easier then playing tackle. if it doesnt work we can always flip-flop the two of them.

by njh3293 on May 1, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

y: we don’t have to worry about Shawn. He’ll be great wherever.

Sorry for being pessimistic but I just don’t buy that. Don’t forget, Shawn missed the whole year last year and now we are moving him to an arguably much harder position immediately after his return. Sounds fishy to me. Still, I hope for the best though cuz if this happened before camp last year I would have thought it was a great idea.

About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.

by IronHank on May 1, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that quote was under the assumption he was physically and mentally ready to play. If he is, it’s hard to question his ability.

by FredEx on May 1, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

in that case

agreed 100%

About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.

by IronHank on May 1, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But it’s a position he’s totally comfortable in. He played RT his entire college career and a few times in the NFL. It’s not a “new” position for him.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on May 1, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

another reason he wouldn't mind moving to RT is...

MONEY!! In and interview on PE.com Chris McPheerson asked if Shawn wanted a new contract and his answer basically was yes but I am in no position to be demanding a new contract at this point.

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad he understands this...

…that’s a good sign.

by ajay on May 1, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea most people forgot about this lol

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

If Football Had A Church , Brian Dawkins Would Be My Preacher. -NPK

by NorthPhillyKid on May 1, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i know he will

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

If Football Had A Church , Brian Dawkins Would Be My Preacher. -NPK

by NorthPhillyKid on May 1, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I LOVE this move

Shawn is a much better athlete than Stacey and if we were thinking that moving Shawn to LT would be a great move for his ability to be a good pass blocking tackle imagine having him at right tackle where you normally get the teams number 2 pass rusher with Jason Peters handling the number one pass rusher on the other side. Another benefit of putting a big guy like Stacey inside is that he can use his size in a more confined space and maul defensive tackles. This is going to be great!

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i like this

hes definitely the most agile of our lineman and with two backs that love the outside id love seeing him rolling out leading the way with weaver to back him up … grab your syrup fellas cause were gonna be seeing pancakes all season !

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

If Football Had A Church , Brian Dawkins Would Be My Preacher. -NPK

by NorthPhillyKid on May 1, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

now im hungry :D

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

If Football Had A Church , Brian Dawkins Would Be My Preacher. -NPK

by NorthPhillyKid on May 1, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no doubt

by cavortingEagle on May 1, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

People are going to read this at 3am drunk

And start to lick their computer screens.

by ajay on May 1, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lmao

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

If Football Had A Church , Brian Dawkins Would Be My Preacher. -NPK

by NorthPhillyKid on May 2, 2009 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it5's past three a.m. and i am drunk.

and these looks so delicious. damn you npk!

"I think if you go low on Runyan, he may drop the knee somewhere. So I think you have to stay high and just let him baptize you. That's probably what I would do. You know when you go backwards and your head hits first and you wake up as if somebody baptized you or blessed you? I think that would be Runyan right there, all day, every day."

- Titans' cornerback Cortland Finnegan

by #1EaglesFan on May 2, 2009 6:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha nice

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1) Stacy is making an assload of money to be a guard
2) Will he be as effective getting to the second level as Shawn
3) Shawn’s rookie deal expires soon. If he plays well at tackle, he’ll have every right to demand $10 million per year. Could the Eagles field the first $50 million line?

by Tracer Bullet on May 1, 2009 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Shawn signed an extension

he wont be a free agent for another like 5-6 years. He could however ask for a pay raise if he plays well at tackle.

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quite right

I had forgotten he’d signed a new deal.

by Tracer Bullet on May 1, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But your right about him wanting more money if he moves out there

I honestly think that if he is healthy all season he will want to rework his contract any way

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In today's press conference

Andy was saying that the competition for RG is between Stacy Andrews and Nick Cole. What’s the deal with MJG? Is he still recovering from his injury? Because otherwise he’s definitely a viable option to compete

"Now Sav Rocca played for the Magpies in Australia. I don't know if it's a bird or a pie or what it is." Ike Reese

by The Badassador on May 1, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't believe he'll be ready to start the year ...

… IIRC, but he will be able to go at some point in the season.

Wasn’t he injured like Week 12 of last year?

Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome

by D3Keith on May 2, 2009 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i liked the pic of

westbrook talking to mccoy! there is nobody better in this league to teach mccoy then westy

"Howard, he know me" Rudy

by phillyduck23 on May 1, 2009 6:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope Stacy can pull and lead like Shawn...

I have always heard this and I didn’t like the idea of it. I THINK THIS IS A MONEY PLAY…

When Bill Billacheat says that Shawn is the best guard he has seen, that is saying something. When we were running the ball 2 years ago, Shawn was the clearly the catayst.

I could careless about this if Stacy can do what Shawn does when he pulls and clears the 7 or 8 holes. If not, I am very upset we put our version of Larry Allen at Tackle…

Whodie says that he trusts Andy on the line. I do to, but when it comes to playing around with this type of athletic talent at guard and replacing him with someone that isn’t(might not be) at that level I am going to be a little cautious in giving my endorsement before I see what Stacy can do.

Lets hope Stacy can replicate what his brother has done at the guard position.

by topcat6 on May 1, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would rather have my good players at Tackle than Guard though

and honestly I think that Stacey will be good no matter what position he plays and so will Shawn.

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this made our line even better!!!!

I cant imagine that Stacy is as good as Shawn, but he’s bigger and physical. Shawn can bring his finesse to stop the athletic ends, while Stacy can bruise the middle tackles. This, as it has been said multiple time here, puts each guy in the best position for their ability. The weakest link in our line is definitely (and has been) Jamaal in the center Jackson…which is a compliment to the line!!!!

This is awesome!!!

"What did it feel like? That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box."- Sheldon Brown on his pounding of Reggie Bush in the '06 Playoffs

by jalarsen1 on May 1, 2009 6:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

update ?

Does anybody know the status of Kind dunleezy ? is he progressing, is he still on the team ?

by Mikegeminsky on May 1, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oops

king

by Mikegeminsky on May 1, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah he still is on the team

I’m not sure what team he ran with thought today. I would imagine it would be the 2’s but you never know…

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess Shawn to RT is not a lock

From http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=17751&spadaro=1

Interesting non-commital from head coach Andy Reid regarding the right offensive tackle position. With Stacy Andrews recovering from his knee surgery — and doing well — and with Todd Herrremans out after having his knee cleaned up, the Eagles shuffled things around on the offensive line. Mike McGlynn played left guard and Shawn Andrews played right tackle, with Nick Cole at right guard. Stacy Andrews, it has been largely assumed, would play right tackle. I still think he will, but it certainly is not a slam dunk. Shawn Andrews would love to slide out there, too, and after watching his tremendous footwork and technique, I think Shawn Andrews could star at right tackle. It’s nice to have options.

by homestar2281 on May 1, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs