New York Giants Sign Shawn Andrews

New York Giants Sign Shawn Andrews: The Giants made a very interesting roster move yesterday when they signed OG Shawn Andrews, a two-time Pro Bowler and the 16th pick overall in the 2004 NFL Draft when he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. The contract is supposedly a 6-year, $32.5 million deal with a relatively small ($250,000) signing bonus. $30 million of the contract is due over the last five years of the deal, including $7 million in 2011. If Andrews doesn’t work out, it’s essentially a 1-year, $1.5 million contract as the Giants can cut him with little cost it terms of future salary cap ramifications.

“It can be classified as a ‘prove it’ type of deal,” said Andrew’s agent. “It protects the club initially and, as he’s productive, it works to both parties’ benefit.” According to Andrews’ agent, Andrews received interest from three other teams.

The 27-year old Andrews is a mammoth player (6-4 and 330 pounds) who had rapidly developed into one of the very best offensive linemen in the NFL before his career was sabotaged in 2008 by emotional and physical issues. Andrews only played in two games in 2008 and missed all of the 2009 season due to back issues that required surgery (twice). He was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2005 and a Pro Bowler in 2006 and 2007.

Andrews has also had off-the-field issues. In 2008, he went AWOL from Eagles’ training camp. Andrews claimed he was battling depression and seeking professional help.

The Eagles terminated his contract after he failed a physical in March.

“Our personnel staff has been monitoring Shawn’s progress for awhile now,” said General Manager Jerry Reese. “He looks great and had a very good workout for us (on Thursday). He can play both guard and both tackle positions. We just have to take him slow for the rest of the preseason to get him into game shape. Shawn is very excited and grateful for this opportunity to play for the New York Giants.”

“Shawn Andrews,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “A nice job by our personnel people. He came in, worked out. He’s in excellent shape. He’s about 330. We’re excited and we welcome Shawn…He’s been here for a couple of days and he’s had interviews with basically everybody. He’s been to dinner with our personnel people – Jerry Reese. So people have spent a lot of time with him. I spent a good half hour with him yesterday. The quality of the football player that I remember from a couple of years ago is outstanding. Knowing that he went through some issues – he had the back and some other issues that he had to deal with. But, sensing now that he really is motivated and that he really wants to play. He’s just a pleasant young man to visit with. He does indicate to you the kind of desire that he has to get back in the game.”

To make room for Andrews, the Giants waived OL Cliff Louis.

Injury Update: The following players will not play against the Steelers on Saturday night: QB Eli Manning (head), QB Jim Sorgi (shoulder/ribs), WR Ramses Barden (back), OG Chris Snee (knee), OG Rich Seubert (hand), OG Kevin Boothe (PUP – chest), LB Chase Blackburn (knee), and S Michael Johnson (back).

Coughing said Snee and Seubert were both improving. Regarding Seubert, Coughlin said, “Richie is not going to play. They let him practice, but let’s face it, he never really stuck it in there and did anything that would cause him to do any further damage. He’s got a couple of weeks. I think he can perhaps go next week.”

Meanwhile Sorgi does not sound particularly optimistic about his situation. “I don’t know what it all entails, how quickly the rehab and the comeback from it is,” Sorgi said. “(The injury) ended up being a lot worse than I thought it was. It ended up being an injury that is not going to get better in one or two days like I thought it would. I’m just playing it by ear…I can tell when I lift my arm up, it’s hard to hold it out to the side. Over-the-head movement is just not going to happen now. I just hope it happens sooner than later.”

Article on the Giants’ Offense: G-Men’s Biggest Issue Not On ‘D’ by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Article on WR Victor Cruz: Victor Cruz Making the Grade for Giants by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com

Articles on OL Shawn Andrews:

• Giants Add Lineman Shawn Andrews by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com
• Shawn Andrews’ Signing With the Giants Results In Surprise, Optimism From His New Teammates by Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger