"I got signed to play right tackle," he said.
At Andrews' 2009 introductory news conference following his signing as a free agent, when coach Andy Reid referred to Andrews having played at a Pro Bowl level, "he was talking about right tackle," Andrews said. This point also was made yesterday by agent Rich Moran. Andrews was a left guard for the Bengals before moving to tackle in 2006. He played well enough in 2007 to be franchised in 2008.
In the short run, Wells' acquisition could just mean the coaching staff has seen enough of Max Jean-Gilles, Nick Cole or Fenuki Tupou. But it also could be the first step toward moving Andrews to another team. Moran questioned this week whether there are any other 6-7 guards in the NFL; clearly, he thinks his client is being misused.
Wells, meanwhile, is a 29-year-old veteran who has started every game for the Cardinals since 2006. He came to Arizona as a sixth-round pick from Clarion in 2003, and has started every game he has been healthy enough to play since 2004. He can play guard or tackle, but has mostly played left guard, something the Eagles really don't need, assuming Todd Herremans' foot holds up. Wells lost his starting job in this camp, after having been moved to right guard to accommodate free agent Alan Faneca on the left side. Wells could not beat out Deuce Lutui at right guard, so the Eagles got him for a sixth-round pick.
"We're adding a player that has started several seasons in the National Football League and has played at a very high level during the course of his career," Reid said. "He has experience at several different positions along the offensive line, and he will be a welcome addition to that group. You can never have enough depth at that position as you go through an NFL season."
