Deadline Miss on Andrews Deal; Max Set to Re-Sign
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Deadline Miss on Andrews Deal; Max Set to Re-Sign
Les Bowen and Daily News staff
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told reporters this evening that the Birds' trade with Seattle, which sent Stacy Andrews to the Seahawks for an undisclosed (not real high) draft pick, wasn't officially completed until 6:03, three minutes past the NFL roster deadline. So, Roseman said, the team had to cut guard Max Jean-Gilles, with the intention of bringing him back Sunday if he doesn't sign elsewhere. Roseman indicated he thinks Jean-Gilles will choose to stay where he has played since 2006. Jean-Gilles' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed that his client will re-sign with the Birds Sunday morning.
"Rules are rules," said Roseman, who said the trade actually was done by 6 p.m., but hadn't been filed with the league by then.
Also, the team made WR Kelley Washington its final cut to get to 53. Linebacker Tracy White, announced as released, actually was traded to New England, Roseman said. Apparently the Birds will get a conditional 2012 pick there.
Andrews hadn't spoken to Seattle yet when he spoke with your Eagletarian, but he said he was excited to go to a plce where he assumes he'll get a chance to play right tackle. "I'm not sure what they have in store for me," said Andrews, who added "I wish things could have worked out" here in what he called "a first-class situation."
Nonetheless, Andrews said he felt the negativity surrounding his brother Shawn, released and signed by the Giants after 2 years of injuries, affected the way he was viewed. "It affected it totally, man. People were questioning whether he was really hurt, throwing dirt on his name, and that kind of rubbed off on me. I kind of came in on a bad note," Andrews said.
He said he felt much of the negativity was from the fans and media, but "it trickled into some of the players. I'm not sure about (it affecting) the organization."
It's unusual to trade your starting right guard a week and a day before the season starts, but Andrews and agent Rich Moran were vocal about their unhappiness, when it began to look as if Andrews' starting position might not be assured, and esepcially after the Birds traded for longtime Cardinals starting guard Reggie Wells on Friday.
Andrews, who told the Daily News he came here to play tackle, said he would not have agreed to restructure his six-year, $39 million contract if Roseman hadn't assured him he would be the starting right guard.
"I think Stacy feels more comfortable at the tackle position; he's voiced that," Roseman said last night. "We feel with the addition of Reggie Wells and the health of our offensive line, we feel comfortable at the guard position."
Roseman said veteran Nick Cole will start at right guard. Obviously, that could change once Wells gets here and gets comforable in the offense. The Eagles resume practice Sunday.
It's an oddly shaped 53-man roster, which could still get some tweaking over the next few days
Earlier, The Eagles acquired defensive end/linebacker Antwan Barnes from the Baltimore Ravens for an undisclosed draft choice in 2011. The pick reportedly is a seventh-rounder.
Also, the Birds made 11 of the 13 cuts they need to get down to 53 by 6 p.m. Gone are WR Chad Hall, WR Jordan Norwood, TE Cornelius Ingram, C A.Q. Shipley, C Dallas Reynolds, OL Fenuki Tupou, DE Eric Moncur, DT Jeff Owens, LB Tracy.White, S Macho Harris, and S Quintin Demps.
The final two moves were the cutting of Washington and the trading of Andrews (combined with the deadline snafu and the "cutting" of Jean-Gilles.)
It's mildly surprising that Demps and Harris both were cut. CB Jorrick Calvin, picked up in a trade last week with Arizona, made the team, at least for tonight. Roseman said Calvin, a kick and punt returner, has "an intriguing skill set."
The Eagles right now have 6 corners and only 3 safeties, vet Quintin Mikell and rookies Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman. Roseman said there are corners in the bunch who also can play safety, and that he hopes to add a practice squad safety when that group is assembled on Sunday.
When Jean-Gilles returns, the Eagles will be carrying 10 o-linemen and 10 d-linemen, along with 7 linebackers, 2 tight ends and 5 wideouts.
Although Barnes was listed as the backup at outside linebacker to Terrell Suggs, he is expected to be a defensive end with the Eagles.
Barnes, 25, was a fourth round draft choice of the Ravens in 2007 and posted 20 tackles, five sacks, one interception and one forced fumble during his three-year career in Baltimore. Three of his sacks came last season in 11 games, and he is viewed as a promising pass rusher.
The 6-1, 251-pound Barnes has seen action in 37 regular-season games and two postseason games for the Ravens and has 24 career special teams tackles.
Via his Twitter account, Barnes wrote, "Woooooooo........I had a good run in Baltimore......thank everyone for your support......its a new beginning and I'm ready to be a eagle..."
Barnes also set the career sacks record at Florida International with 24 and also made 224 tackles. He also was twice named first-team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Roseman said the Eagles have been following Barnes for a long time, and really like his pass-rushing speed.
To read our earlier posts from today, click here.
The Wells trade and this one are both fine moves. AR took the preseason to look at his talent and evaluate what he had, saw what was lacking and made moves to improve. He let the other teams do the same and then traded for players that were going to be replaced by the other teams' draft picks or cheaper players. Anybody rooting for Stacy to play RG? Did Tapp impress any one? So what's the problem?Both of these moves are upgrades IMO and the idea is to improve in any way they can. That's what they did.— tpizza
this guy is another fastball big red can fire at the opposition. he has a high motor blah blah blah— TommyGun- Roster juggling is always done before the season starts... I wouldn't read into these moves. Here today gone tomorrow. They are all back-ups and if they contribute great moves for 6th and 7th round picks if not no big loss there.— BBAX
- I'm not sure I know any Eagle fan that is satisfied with finishing second. We all want them to win the SB and won't stop hoping that it will happen. If some of you guys can only root for a sure thing every year I'm not sure what team in the NFL you could root for. If you aren't happy with Reid I'm sure that perfect coach is just waiting for the Eagles to hire him. Isn't the very definition of a band wagon fan a guy who bails when things aren't perfect but returns when the team is a winner? Sound familiar? If you guys need perfection keep looking. Good luck to you.— tpizza
- @TXEagleFan.... "not good news all of you Fokou fans out there" Really? Both of them, including you?— shady24
- @Nugget... You sir are an idiot. Sorry if the truth hurts. "Most" Eagles fans are realists. We understand that its probably not possible to trade for Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Chris Johnson, Tom Brady, and Andre Johnson. We also understand that when your roster gets old, you need to re-tool. That comes with Youth and trades. How many "impact" 6th and 7th round picks are there in the NFL? I can live with AR trading a 6th and 7th round pick for a player who is young and will help the team rebuild. Go root for the Yankees.— shady24
- another realization, too late of course, that what they have at LB/DE is just not good enough. what a shock (fokou, tapp, sapp, jordan, gaither...etc.) remember when rosensuck was saying how they've been following tapp since he was drafted and couldn't wait to get him?— snakeplissken
- If the Eagles draft 13 players again next year it would mean that this season was a complete failure. Trading 6th and 7th rounders for depth this year just means they're happy with the young players they got this year and will be playing in a different market (free agency) next year.— Rick Wise Guy
- shady24, agree completely. I live among Yankee fans and I get to listen to them moan on a daily basis. The sky is falling when their 3rd string catcher has a hang nail. Best team money can buy and all the fans do is gripe how bad they are. Gaurenteed every year to have a spot in the playoffs but never satisfied. These guys would fit right in with them. Sad.— tpizza
- This move shows what the coaches think about the depth of the roster. I think it's a good move but at this point any move to acquire depth must considered a good one.— PhillyTru
- Eagles' management reminds me of the Bush Administration. They walk around all high and mighty and arrogant, acting like they have accomplished great things, while the truth is the opposite: they are an incompetent bunch of morons. I am sure Andy Reid is a Republican, since all Mormons are.— eldiablodelsol2009
- eldiablodelsol2009 "They walk around all high and mighty and arrogant, acting like they have accomplished great things, while the truth is the opposite: they are an incompetent bunch of morons." WOW - you just described the obama administration!! BTW - How's that HOPEY - CHANGEY thing working out for you??— truebluehen
- Somewhere a corner beckons for a protester with a sign. Take the job or talk foootball.— tpizza
- Youwish-What is not true about my statement? Andy Reid is the father of two convicted felons and he has not won anything in 11 years. Is he not arrogant? Are all of these things not true? Do you think they will be better than 6-10?— Dr. Michael
- Maybe 6-10, but would the Eagles be any better with any of the players that they cut? They're keeping players who they think have a bigger upside than the ones they let go. Does anyone really think that Macho Harris or Quintin Demps would ever be a top caliber Safety in the NFL? Hey, but Stacy Andrews is still on the team.....for now.— SteveS11
