It was time to rebuild after an NFC Championship Game appearance in 2008, and nowhere did the Eagles need more help than along the offensive line. Tra Thomas, the 10-year starter at left tackle, left the Eagles in free agency to sign with Jacksonville. Right tackle Jon Runyan was recovering from knee surgery.
The Eagles needed to get it right.
So they entered free agency in the spring of 2009 intent on doing just that, even if the moves came at a considerable cost. They acted first in free agency, signing Stacy Andrews – the brother of right guard Shawn – from the Cincinnati Bengals.