Eagles OG Shawn Andrews – One of the NFL’s most bizarre training camp stories gets stranger by the day.
You don’t want to speculate, but there have been a variety of rumors (Weight – once ballooned to near 400 pounds in college, emotional issues, or his contract) bantered around about why “The Big Kid” as he likes to call himself is not in camp. Whatever the reason Andrews is piling huge fines at $15,000 per camp day missed (If the Eagles are even applying them…But you know how this team operates when it comes to $$$). How this holdout turns out only time will tell as Andrews has been in contact with several Eagles players. The Eagles must make sure that they handle this situation carefully (Remember former Cowboys DE Demetrius Underwood and for Raiders O-Lineman Barrett Robbins). If this scenario is about money then Vikings’ Pro Bowl Guard Steve Hutchinson ‘s contract (7 years, $49 Million w/ 10 Million in guarantees) would be a good start for Andrews and his agent Rich Moran. Current Contract: In June 2006, Signed a 7-year contract extension for $40 million through 2015.
Eagles RB Brian Westbrook – (Reported) B-West has never publicly complained and he came to camp ready to work in a professional manner. But everyone knows that the Eagles best player is grossly underpaid — In 2007, Westbroook made 2 Million from the contract extension that he signed in 2005 that included a 12 Million dollar signing bonus. His ‘07 salary ranked him 20th behind players like DeShaun Foster and LaMont Jordan. There is no doubt Westbrook at 29 years of age and nearing the magical age of 30, will have a difficult task getting “Stone Wall” Joe Banner to renogiate. Westbrook even told McNabb’s agent Fletcher Smith to take a walk in an effort to get a new deal — Signed with agent Todd France (also Omar Gaither’s rep) in hopes that he and the Eagles can work out an extension…don’t hold your breath though. I think Westbrook should at least be in the neighborhood Houston Texans running back Ahmad Green (four-year, $23 million contract). Current Contract: In November of 2005, signed a five-year contract extension that runs through the 2010 season and is worth slightly less than $25 million. The deal included the aforementioned $12 Million dollar signing bonus.
Eagles CB Lito Sheppard – (Reported) The former first round pick in 2002 made a power move by hiring Drew Rosenhaus as his agent. But I hope he doesn’t think that move will motivate “Stone Wall” Joe Banner to renogiate or trade him. With Asante Samuel’s hamstrings being very iffy and teams playing three receiver sets about 60% of the time, expect to see Sheppard in an Eagles uniform versus the St. Louis Rams on September 7th. Current Contract: Signed a 8-year, $26.3 Million deal w/ a 8.7 Million signing bonus in ‘04 season.
Eagles OG Scott Young – (Reported) After sitting out some OTA’s….Surprise, Surprise Young came to camp. Even with Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews AWOL, Young is still running with the 2nd team. But as I stated before, “Does anybody really care that a backup offensive guard best known for a crucial 4th down false-start penalty in a playoff loss is unhappy”. There have been negoiations that I have heard of between Young’s reps and Joe Banner. Current Contract: Scheduled to be paid $525,000 in ’08 from his rookie 4-year contract signed in 2005.
Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer/Analyst for Taking It to the House and an award winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
