Shawn Andrews will no longer be “Getting His Michael Phelps on” in Philly.
The Eagles released the two-time Pro-Bowl lineman Wednesday.
Andrews turned to his Twitter to show respect for Eagles head coach Andy Reid and to let fans know the release was expected.
“We appreciate the efforts and contributions of Shawn while he was in Philadelphia,” said Reid. “We have, however, decided to move in another direction.”
For as talented as Andrews was when he was on the field he was trouble by off-the-field issues.
Andrews was the Eagles first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2004 draft. He became a full-time guard in 2005 and by 2006 he made his first of two-straight Pro Bowls.
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But, things turned down for the 6-foot-4 lineman especially after he was moved from guard to tackle before the 2009 season. He missed all of last season and all but two games in 2008 with various back injuries. He also has publicly battled depression and other mental problems -- even sitting out training camp in 2008.
Despite his problems, the 27-year-old sounded optimistic about returning to the Birds when he spoke to South Jersey sports talk station 97.3 ESPN back in January.
“I want to get to mashing people again,” Andrews told 97.3’s Mike Gill.
“I’m already motivated right now to get back on the field,” Andrews said.
It looks like that the only way the Big Kid will be mashing people again will be with another team.
"Philly its been real like my BBQ Grill.. The good the bad, & the ugly... Lil/BIG country boy like myself have really enjoyed myself," Tweeted Andrews after the release.
