With New Deal, Justice Is Long-Term Starter
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
With New Deal, Justice Is Long-Term Starter
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Both Winston Justice and Eagles general manager Tom Heckert indicated Tuesday that Justice's new contract extension -- reportedly worth $18.15 million over four years, with a $6 million signing bonus -- makes Justice the right tackle starter going forward.
Heckert said that with Shawn Andrews essentially sitting out his second successive season with back problems, the "question isn't even relevant right now."
It will be relevant next summer, of course, which was why the question was asked. Another source said the team views the commitment to Justice as very much "a quality starter deal." At this point, sources indicate, the Eagles will view Shawn Andrews' return as a bonus, if it happens, but they certainly aren't counting on it. Shawn Andrews could end up competing with his brother Stacy for the right guard job next year (assuming either of them is healthy/good enough to beat out Nick Cole).
Justice, meanwhile, said the money was less important to him than the faith the organization was showing in him by signing him through 2013. "That actually feels better than the whole financial security part," he said. Asked about being viewed as a starter henceforth, he said: "I think so, but again, I really don't play for money ... I don't play for the next contract ... I just play to glorify God and to go out there and enjoy playing."
Justice had been scheduled to become a free agent following this season. Whether he would have been restricted or unrestricted would have depended upon whether there is a new labor deal, but now that's moot, for Justice, anyway.
Until this summer, Justice was widely considered a huge bust, after being drafted in the second round out of USC in 2006. His lone start, at left tackle in 2007 against the Giants, was a memorable disaster, as New York sacked Donovan McNabb a dozen times, at least four of the sacks charged to Justice, who was nowhere near ready to handle Osi Umenyiora.
But Justice moved back to his more natural right side, where he'd played in college, and when Andrews' bad back flared up at the start of this year's training camp, Justice got a chance few had foreseen him ever earning. He has started every game, and though he hasn't been perfect, he has been solid and unflappable, as most of the components of the line around him have shifted through various injuries and recoveries.
Good for him— tampaPhillyfan- Nice story. Good for him. I'm sure money was reasonable. Now if we can just get out from the Andrew Brother's contracts...
- Does that mean its time for Andrews to hit the bricks?— sonofnash
- Funny how that giants game ultimately turned out. Justice used it as a painful springboard to a starter's job. Umenyiora, one in a long line of overrated giants defensive linemen, has been living off that game ever since.— eagle1971
- This is a great story. He took responsibility, said he was going to work hard to prove everyone wrong, and so far he has. This guy is a warrior. Hopefully he keeps it up.— IgglesFan79
- Justice deserves it. He was given a chance to be a Starter and he has really made the most of it. Hope we've seen the last of the Staci and Shawna, The Andrew sisters. I'd rather have the venus and Serena, the Williams sisters playing the line. At least they have some heart.— youpeoplehaveissues
- good to see that..after what he went thru his first couple of years and that first game when he started was a diaster..wasn't all his fault...U put a rookie tackle in to start u better give him some help against any pro team...especially the giants..thats bad coaching..rather him get an extension than andy reid.— bigjay215
- Now you guys quit on the two injured Andrews! sickening! Are you the same ones who quit on Justice? Why not be there in tough times, too! Congrads to Winston! and speedy recovery for the Andrews— billgfc
Good. So much for all the "experts" that couldn't wait to get him off the team. What it means is that if Sh. Andrews can return he'll be back at RG. If not Cole will start there next year. Those same experts that wanted WJ gone are the same ones that want to axe Andrews who was a top flight lineman. Don't be so quick to flush a quality player because he has physical probs guys. It may come back to haunt you.— tpizza
Comment removed.- The Andrews brothers want to collect a check but they don't want to work for it...lazy garbage....— tholler1
- Congratulation! A great story how perseverence and hard work pays off in the end.— Seed
- This doesn't mean anything for the Andrews brothers.... Both of them are still better players then Thick Nick and Justice. All they did was make sure that they had a solid backup in case Shawn has back or emotional issues again. Shawn Andrews will still be given a shot to earn his spot back next season. If he fails then he will be gone and they can focus on keeping Justice in that spot. That's how the Eagles operate!— sima_down_nah
- good for winston. i was certainly one of the ones down on him before this year. i can admit that. funny how everyone else on here now claims they were behind him all the way. didn't hear anyone speaking up on his behalf before this season. he ignored the chatter, worked hard and earned his money. this is a good deal for the eagles. $18M over 4 years is a steal for a solid starting RG in this league. love him or hate him, banner negotiates a tough contract.
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