Weight and see

Like the coach who drafted him, Andrews seems to have a pretty high tolerance for jokes and jibes about eating and weight. He'll need it in Philadelphia, at least in the early going, as he tries to win over a fan base that was hoping for a more exciting trade-up scenario, such as Oregon State running back Steven Jackson (eventually drafted 24th, by the Rams), Miami linebacker D.J. Williams (taken 17th, by Denver) or Miami defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (drafted 21st, by New England).

Drafting Andrews 16th wasn't a Jon Harris-type reach; he was widely projected to go to the Miami Dolphins, 20th overall. The Dallas Cowboys, at 22nd, also were said to like him. A Miami TV station traveled to Little Rock to tape Andrews' reaction to being drafted, ending up with footage its viewers probably didn't find all that compelling. The Sun-Sentinel, in Fort Lauderdale, reported yesterday that Miami tried to trade up to draft Andrews, failing because it didn't have a second-rounder to deal.

But Andrews' huge weight gain during and just after his final season at Arkansas made some teams leery, though he continued to be ranked as the second-best offensive lineman available in the draft, behind only Iowa's Robert Gallery (taken second overall by the Raiders). The fact that Andrews not only weighed more than 400 pounds during the winter, but sat out the Independence Bowl with nasal polyps, then blamed at least part of his weight gain on the prednisone he was taking for that condition, raised alarms with some teams.

Even Eagles coach Andy Reid took a jab there, at the news conference announcing Andrews' selection.

"I know you put food in your mouth, not your nose,'' Reid said, when asked what he made of the weight gain-nasal polyps issue. And surely, Reid speaks with a command of the subject.

For what it's worth, Andrews is currently in the 340 range, he and the Eagles said, and yesterday he looked almost svelte for an offensive lineman.

But there also is the matter of the Eagles giving up their lone second-round pick this year, which they packaged with their first-round pick (28th) to move up to 16th, trading with San Francisco. Last year, when the Eagles moved up from 30th to 15th to take defensive end Jerome McDougle, they had two second-round picks, and were able to keep one. They selected Rutgers tight end L.J. Smith, who is widely projected as a future star. We'll see whether Andrews justifies the Eagles missing out altogether on this year's second round; San Francisco drafted Pitt corner Shawntae Spencer with what would have been the Birds' pick.

As usual, the Eagles used their first pick to address an area few fans saw as a crucial need; current tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan both have played in the Pro Bowl. But as Reid acknowledged yesterday after trading disgruntled guard John Welbourn to Kansas City, this year Andrews seems likely to compete with third-year lineman Artis Hicks for Welbourn's spot at left guard. A strong year at guard for Andrews might make the Eagles less likely to carry Runyan's $6.5 million cap number in 2005, the final year of Runyan's contract.

"There's not a lot I can control about that,'' Runyan said yesterday. "I don't see it being an issue this year - possibly next year. "

Runyan said he wasn't surprised to see the Eagles take an offensive lineman first overall, and to make the OL their top draft priority, accounting for four of their 10 picks. Runyan noted that Welbourn is gone and right guard Jermane Mayberry is entering the final year of his contract. "We need those guys,'' Runyan said.

Andrews said he is ready to play wherever the Eagles need him, as a reserve or as a starter.

"I just want to come in and learn everything, learn the system, and learn from the older guys,'' he said. "If it's meant for me to contribute this year, then that would be great. ''

Finally having an NFL contract within his grasp is a huge relief for Andrews, who admits he once considered leaving college to go to work, when his mother, Linda, lost her job at the local Camden, Ark., paper mill.

"[Saturday], people were wondering why I wasn't jumping up and down or why I was so laid-back about it, but I just take my upbringing as a humbling experience. I didn't really have anything,'' Andrews said. "When I was in college, I had the 'want' to eat right and do everything right to take care of my body, but if you don't have the means, it's real hard for you to be able to do it on a $100-for-3-months scholarship check . . . It's a big step for me and my family. I got that worrying part out of the way. I don't have to worry about the lights being cut off anymore. ''

Last year's 16th pick, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, got a 5-year deal worth a reported $8.275 million.

Before last season, which was his junior year, Andrews was projected as a top-10 NFL pick, a fast, powerful, dominating tackle who could bench-press more than 500 pounds. But he acknowledges he gained so much weight, he was slower and less effective than he had been as a sophomore.

"There was a big difference in my stance,'' Andrews said. "My stomach got in the way of my stance. ''

Then, his season ended with Andrews missing the bowl game because of the polyps, having seen a specialist on his own, unhappy with team doctors' diagnosis of sinusitis. Arkansas fans were miffed.

"They did a poll on a couple of the news channels,'' Andrews said, "saying, 'Do you think Shawn Andrews was selfish by not playing in the bowl game? ' It was 70-30 yes. ''

Yesterday, Andrews confirmed the accuracy of a newspaper report at the time that said he would have been academically ineligible for the bowl, anyway. But he still became known as the guy sidelined by sinuses.

Andrews said he decided he needed some time away from working out, while the prednisone was shrinking the polyps. Andrews said he 'didn't have a scale around,'' but grew alarmed when he couldn't bend over far enough to tie his shoes.

Agent Rich Moran - a former Packers guard during Reid's time as an assistant coach there - quickly shipped Andrews out to Arizona, where a workout regimen with a trainer and a better diet produced impressive results.

"I've totally changed my lifestyle, my eating habits,'' Andrews said. "I kind of realized it's not cool being big . . . I won't be 400 pounds anymore.''