Stacy Andrews to Eagles
A source close to the situation has confirmed a report on Profootballtalk.com, that Bengals offensive tackle Stacy Andrews is signing with the Eagles.
Stacy Andrews to Eagles
Les Bowen
Editor's note: Click here for a Brian Dawkins update.
Stacy Andrews was wearing a Reds cap when he arrived at Philadelphia International Airport Friday afternoon on Delta Flight 6438 from Cincinnati. Let's hope Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder or security chief Butch Buchanico, who accompanied Andrews into a waiting limo, made a stop for some more appropriate apparel on their way to the NovaCare complex, where the Birds' new right offensive tackle was to undergo a physical that presumably will cement the deal to make him Jon Runyan's successor.
Officially, Andrews, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery last month, is "visiting" the Eagles and will talk to
reporters at NovaCare Saturday, presumably when details are wrapped up.
Andrews, 27, the brother of Eagles right guard Shawn Andrews, said the prospect of playing alongside his brother was thrilling.
"That would be great. It'd be a great feeling. It'd be a boost for Shawn and me, (and) the organization. It's something I'm looking forward to .. It'd be great to be playing right beside my brother, dominatin' over there.
"It was something we've been talking about every since we first got to the league" in the 2004 draft, he said. Shawn went from Arkansas to the Eagles in the first round, Stacy went from Ole Miss to the Bengals in the fourth.
Stacy was franchised by the Bengals last season, but tore both his ACL and his MCL at Cleveland Dec. 21 and underwent reconstructive knee surgery Jan. 7, though there is talk that the surgery wasn't as bad as feared, that the MCL would have healed on its own. He is 6-7, 342.
"Doing great, doing great," Andrews said when asked about his knee. "I'm ahead of schedule."
He said he will be ready for the start of training camp.
"I was asleep when my agent (Rich Moran) called me," Andrews said. "It was a great wake-up call."
The acquisition of Andrews would seem to signal the end of Runyan's courageous nine-year run with the Eagles, in whch Runyan played every game, through several injuries, including a knee problem that required microfracture surgery following the past season. He became a free agent this morning.
The Moving the Chains blog on philly.com is doing a good job of keep abreast of various other free agent dispatches. To sum up what's on there and some other stuff we've heard elsewhere today, Correll Buckhalter apparently will sign with Denver and, most gasp-worthy, Brian Dawkins is visiting there, Atlanta apparently has designs on L.J. Smith, and Sean Considine is visiting Jacksonville. That latest one was pointed out to us on scout.com.
No word on anything involving Tra Thomas yet, here or elsewhere.
He was the best OT not named Tra Thomas on the market. Andrews is only 27. I'd rather a 27 year old coming off an ACL/MCL over a 36 year old that won't even be allowed to workout for another 4 months ... coming off two season where he was clearly in decline. Now if only we can get the center from the Ravens.— jcu123- TodaysPeople, if the reports coming off ProFootballTalk are true, then NO, Andrews isn't cheaper than Runyan. He's just not 35 and about to have microfracture surgery...but hey, don't let stupid little things like FACTS get in the way of your opinion.— JLB
- i'm surprised i haven't once heard the name King Dunlap during all these "need OT" articles/discussions. He got a boo-boo last year during training camp, and was put on injured reserve. From the moment it happened, i suspected the reason for putting him on IR was to avoid putting him on the practice squad, where another team would be able to sign him. That would give them 1 year to take his 6' 9", but only 310 pound frame, and bulk him up. If this actually is the case, and they bring him into training camp 30 or so pounds heavier this year, they won't need Thomas or Runyan. With Andrews and Dunlap, they'll have 2 monsters at tackle.— oTTo the CzAR
- Can't wait to hear Joe Buck refer to the right side of the Eagles line as "the Andrews side". I hate Joe Buck.— MTbelly
- Great move. This is a first step toward showing Mcnabb that the team is serious about upgrading the offense. Now go out and get a wide-out, I want Boldin. Give the cardinals Lito Sheppard and one of the first rounders. If that is not enough maybe even throw in a third from next years. Then I think we would be able to sign Tony Gonzales to put in with Brent Celeck. That would give the team the ability to draft a RB in the first round with their remaining pick. In my estimation, it should either be Beanie Wells or Shonne Greene. That would give us a great offense. The only thing on defense would be to bring back B-Dawk. Get this done eagles! This would mean championship game for sure!— Phillyfan28
- If he's healthy... GREAT move! Runyan was the man but this guy could be the man for next 6-7 years. Why go through this every year with holding on to old,, and I do mean old players? Thomas would still be great, but let's go after weapons people.. throw the kitchen sink at Boldin and draft Wells.— clevland
- Make him a blocking TE and Sign OUR EAGLES!— Louisjco
- So Stacy has to make a full recovery and switch to tackle. Totally follows their MO -- should work out wonderfully.— battman21
- need to sign tra now. Get him back in the fold. send a number 1 to phoenix for boldin. Send a number 2 to kc for gonzales.— PEFF
- 7 mill a year is alot for a guy coming off new surgery, however when Stacey was healthy he was a good RT. An upgrade over Jon Runyan— dawggone
Comment removed.- OK Move if we sign B-Dawkins and Tre Thomas... but for those questions on Runyan... he won't be ready until mid football season. The Eagles still need to use some of that 40 Million and sign a decent receiver and a Big back to help B-West out. Draft a TE and/or Running Back in the early rounds.— DESIXERSFAN
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- jwad56 - yes we have no right to complain about anything this team does. We have won every Super Bowl since Reid took over, and every free agent signing and draft pick has been to a Pro Bowl with the team. While I agree that some of these clowns get a carried away w/ the negativity, a comment like yours is just as dumb.— djsaitta
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