Shawn Andrews Doubtful, But Eagles Are Not Worried

Really Lost One · Sep 20, 2008

Shawn Andrews could not say whether he would be well enough to play tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field.

"Can't answer that," Andrews said yesterday as he stood at his locker at the NovaCare Center. "You would have to take that up with Big Red."

That's Eagles head coach Andy Reid.

Someone then asked Andrews whether he felt any better since he suffered back spasms Monday night in Dallas.

"Again," said Andrews, wearing a lumbar pad to support his sore back, "I would leave that to coach Reid."

Well, could he do 20 deep-knee bends?

Andrews smiled and replied: "You are an avid fisherman. I plead the Fifth. Go see Big Red."

Reid pronounced Andrews doubtful for the game, which is to say there is a 75 percent chance he will not play. If he is sidelined, Max Jean-Gilles will replace him. Jean-Gilles stepped in during training camp and the preseason while Andrews battled depression.

Reid said Jean-Gilles has gotten snaps each week with the starting unit in the event that "something happened to either of the guards."

Reid also said center Jamaal Jackson is expected to play, despite missing practice this week to attend to an undisclosed personal matter. Reid said assistant coach Juan Castillo stayed in telephone contact with Jackson this week.

"I am not worried about Jamaal not being there," Reid said. "Shawn is more of a concern, because of the physical nature of it, not knowing if he can go or not. Right now, he is hurting. [But in] both of those positions, we have legitimate backups."

Even if Jackson is in the lineup, his absence and the substitution of Andrews with Jean-Gilles could leave the Eagles at somewhat of a disadvantage against a strong Steelers defense. That could be offset by the fact that, like Dallas, Pittsburgh plays a 3-4 defense. Tackle Jon Runyan said that Jean-Gilles should be capable of stepping in without a problem, and that the chemistry on the offensive line should not suffer.

"Whenever Max is not sure of something, he asks a question," Runyan said. "The key for anyone who has been a reserve is getting up to game speed."

Andrews said Jean-Gilles would do fine if called upon.

"I think Max is going to do a heck of a job," he said. "Max is a strong guy. He kind of reminds me of myself when I was just starting out."
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http://www.philly.com/philly/sports...back_trouble__but_Eagles_are_not_worried.html

Ugh...

This sucks. We need all the help we can get tomorrow against the Steelers. I like MGJ, but he's nowhere near Andrew's level. Hopefully he'll be able to step up and improve on his pass protection.

Vintage · Sep 21, 2008

Yeah, losing Andrews is a big blow. He's such a dominating force in the run game... and going against a big NT like Hampton, Andrews was needed (on the double teams).

Jean Giles certainly has the size too. He better be ready, though.

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Shawn Andrews Doubtful, But Eagles Are Not Worried

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Shawn Andrews Doubtful, But Eagles Are Not Worried

Really Lost One Suspended

Vintage Defeating Communism...

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