by Jordan Raanan from www.eaglesville.com
8/5/2008- AM Practice
The talk at Lehigh University remained all about Shawn Andrews and his struggle with depression on Tuesday. The Eagles, though, again declined to comment on Andrews’ admission. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg brushed off the questions about his All-Pro right guard.
“I don’t talk about players who are not here,” Mornhinweg said. “The only thing I will say is I know that Coach Reid spent an awful lot of time with that situation. I will talk about the players that are in camp.”
While the coaches and front office were aware of Andrews’ personal situation, most (if not all) of the players were left in the dark. They just found out about the offensive linemen’s illness on Monday. Guard Todd Herremans didn’t know until he read about the problem.
"It's a private issue," tight end L.J. Smith said. "It's kind of like having marital issues. Depression is kind of an inward type thing. You don't want people knowing about that. If you don't want that, it doesn't have to be public information."
Well, several weeks into training camp and it is now inevitably public knowledge. And none of the players did or ever have displayed any resentment toward Andrews missing time in training camp. Almost to a man they all believed it was best for every individual to take care of their own business. Only tackle Jon Runyan expressed any disappointment with Andrews missing time at camp, and that was before Runyan was aware of the illness.
The Eagles plan to welcome Andrews back either later this week or early next week with open arms.
“I don’t think we have any guys on this team that wouldn’t want the best for Shawn,” running back Brian Westbrook said. “I think everybody here, including coaches, would want the best for Shawn and are sensitive to his situation. So we are going to do everything we can to make it an easy transition and get him ready for the season.”
Oh yes, even without Shawn Andrews and the “Over-30 Club” the Eagles did practice on Tuesday. And who had a good day? Maybe the player who has the inside track on the third receiver spot – Greg Lewis! That’s right, G-Lew. He’s here forever.
