2010 is a make-or-break season for Stacy Andrews.
Over the past few seasons, the Eagles have been a team making a splash in the early-goings of free agency. Last offseason, that splash was made in the form of former Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman, and brother of Shawn, Stacy Andrews.
He was immediately slated to take over the right guard position, with his equally disappointing brother slated to play next to him at right tackle. He started the first game against the Carolina Panthers, but it quickly became evident that something just wasn't right with Stacy.
He didn't seem to be going full-force. He seemed timid when planting on that surgically-repaired knee and it was affecting his game in every facet. Andy Reid then made the decision to play him only sparingly, then not at all.
It was a very bad way to get started in Philadelphia, especially considering the emotional roller coaster that his brother Shawn has put this city through. The Andrews name was also a bit stained coming in, so he's done himself no favors with the Philadelphia media or fanbase.
His poor season even has some people ready to get rid of him right now, even though he signed a lucrative six-year deal with the Birds less than a year ago.
Of course, anyone talking about getting rid of Stacy already are either speaking out of anger and frustration on the part of the Andrews brothers, speaking out of ignorance, or just trying to heat up an angry fanbase and gain some readers. Or it could be a combination of the three.
And since we don't beat around the bush here at 2M2MG, I'm of course talking about Jeff McLane's article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, in which he discusses players who should "stay" or "go."
In which, he says that it's time for Stacy Andrews to be shown the door. Really? After only one season recovering from major knee surgery you're ready to get rid of the guy? Let me just say that I'm incredibly thankful that this clown does not have a say in the Eagles' personnel.
It's people like McLane who give Philadelphia a bad rep as an ignorant bunch who are more interested in learning new methods of torturing visiting fans than actually learning anything about the sport they're watching/covering.
He's also the guy who gave us such gems as, when discussing whether or not Jeremiah Trotter should stay: "Proved he can still play. Maybe backs up Bradley. Just not here."
He might back up Stewart Bradley, just not here? Where else is he going to be Bradley's backup? My guess is that when he says "here," he means his article. Okay, but it's still poor writing. Of course he's not going to be the backup for Bradley if you have him walking in free agency.
Is it nitpicking? Maybe, I don't believe so, but maybe.
It's just another example of the ignorance that plagues a lot of the people in the Philly media. I don't want to list the ones who aren't morons and actually know what they're talking about because I might leave someone out, but the readers know who I'm talking about.
Anyway, enough of my tangent.
Stacy is a high-quality player who can certainly help this team if he's able to come back healthy and stronger next season, which I believe he will.
I think Reid puts a lot of blame on his strength and conditioning coaches for not having guys like Stacy, as well as his brother Shawn, Victor Abiamiri, Quintin Demps, and others, ready to go before the season or during the season.
Hence their firing.
It's going to be an interesting offseason watching the Andrews brothers and their fight to get back into the starting lineup for this team, and I believe it will have a positive outcome for both players. And if one or both of these guys can start full-time for the Birds next season, we could once again be talking about the Eagles as having one of the best lines in the league.
Unlike my gut feeling for guys like Victor Abiamiri and Quintin Demps, I believe that Stacy's story will have a positive outcome and he will become the starter that the Eagles envisioned when they brought him to town.
Will he be shown the door if he can't produce in 2010? Probably not, but it will certainly cause the team to lose faith in him. So, in that sense, 2010 is a make-or-break season for Stacy.
