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.
Justice is served.— TVGuy22- Good for him!! This guy could have packed it in on many occasions but kept working and believing in himself! He deserves every penny of the extension!— FetchDixon
- I love it when Justice prevails!— Canuck_Eagles_Fan
- We fans need to be as patient as the Eagle coaches. Great to hear Winston give praise to Christ in helping him mature and take his game to a higher level.— tommy_the_k
- Congrats to Justice! Gotta admire the way he bounced back after that devastating first game of his career. This guy should improve a lot over the next 4 years.— JimG
- Perhaps in a weird way the game against the Giants was a turning point for Justice. It could have shown him what exactly it takes to be ready at a moments notice in the NFL and maybe just maybe that game was his Epiphany. regarding the extension, we all know Big Red has been an O-Line draft guy, so this might allow us to not use a first or second round pick in the draft? Only Andy and his crew know what they will do. I like the extension, he deserves it and too bad for Shawn Andrews he was. perhaps still could be a force to reckon with in the NFL. Could we assume a possible draft day trade for Shawn Andrews?— gbreen88
- I also thought Justice was a bust, and I'm glad he proved me wrong. Congrats to him, and I hope we can get more stability to that line, because if not, this year is done.— FKD215
- Shake a tree and what falls out? The Winston Justices and Reggie Browns of the world, armed with extensions and no Super Bowl rings. But I guess it lets the powers that be -- Lurie and Banner -- tell Eagles fans, "Hey, look, we're spending the money."— iceman
- sima...i agree with some of your points, but the eagles not gonna give guranteed money to a backup, trust that, they gonna trade or release one of the three or rework someones contract.— bigjay215
- Way to go, Justice - thanks for hanging in there with the birds! Shawn Andrews, get ready to say goodbye!— Tom Man
Comment removed.- It seems like he is playing well, so it is money well spent.— 76er
- Comment removed.
- This move makes sense. I wonder how Sheldon Brown feels about it.— misteripi
- i am hoping that Stacy's knee just isn't as strong and hold off judgment until next year. Here is to hoping next year we are in a situation that we have more than 5 starting caliber lineman to deal with the inevitable injuries that take place throughout a season.— xlGmanlx
