Shawn Andrews talks of depression

Last year, after the birth of his first child, a boy named JaShawn, Eagles offensive lineman Shawn Andrews began partying and drinking to mask his feelings of depression, Andrews told the New York Times in a story posted on the newspaper's Web site yesterday.

"I was partying, drinking to try to hide what was really going on," Andrews told the Times in an interview during the Eagles' recent mandatory minicamp. "Temporarily, it helped me. In the grand scheme, it really didn't."

Andrews also told the Times that, while he continues to take antidepressant medication, along with the drug Adderall to treat attention deficit disorder, he no longer is undergoing counseling.

"I'm at a better point, mentally and physically," Andrews told the Times, comparing his health from a year ago to now.

After missing most of the Eagles' preseason last year, Andrews played in only two games before needing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. He spent an extended amount of time in California after his surgery, but returned to Philadelphia and two weeks ago told reporters that he was looking forward to playing alongside his brother, Stacy, and college roommate Jason Peters, both of whom the Eagles acquired during the off-season.

Also, in reshuffling a line that has lost offensive tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, coach Andy Reid moved Shawn Andrews from guard, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler, to tackle, a move the 26-year-old Andrews said might invigorate his career.

"I think he's always wanted to play tackle," Reid said during the recent minicamp. "Shawn's been an all-pro guard, so he should look good at tackle. I think he's enjoying it. He's in phenomenal shape right now. I think his back is fine. He's been up here working out and doing everything that the other guys have done, and it hasn't bothered him."

Speaking with reporters in front of his locker at the NovaCare Complex after a minicamp practice, Andrews declined to say whether he was still being treated for depression. He said he addressed the issue in an exclusive interview with CNN that he said would be shown in July.

But Andrews told the Times that he briefly stopped taking his medication last season because "I was feeling great, I was like, 'This thing is over.' Man, things went south.

"I've never been a big fan of medication, but at this point, it's very crucial for me."

Andrews could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Andrews has been unwilling in the last year to talk extensively about his personal life, including the birth of his son nearly 14 months ago, but he told the Times that it affected him greatly to have a child out of wedlock after growing up in a single-parent household in rural Arkansas.

"I had a new obligation, and I'm going to fulfill it because of my past experience," Andrews told the Times.

Andrews also said that he was teased as a child because he was overweight and poor. After signing with the Eagles as their first-round draft pick out of the University of Arkansas in 2004, Andrews bought his mother, Linda, a Mercedes-Benz and bought himself a Hummer, jewelry, and a Rolls-Royce.

"I bought a whole bunch of things that I thought were going to boost who I really was, make people like me more, try to impress people versus being smart," Andrews told the Times. "I wasted $300,000 on a car. I was fortunate to get a grasp on myself before it became too late."

Andrews also told the Times that he heard that, prior to his rookie year, a longtime friend from Arkansas was planning to have him killed over money, a story the Times could not corroborate.

Andrews told the newspaper he wasn't concerned last year when his agent, Bob Moran, told Andrews the Eagles were planning on fining him $15,000 a day during his training-camp holdout. And now, Andrews said, he most worries about being able to play with his son when he gets older.

"All the physical anguish I've been through, the thought of not being able to get up and play with my son, that really keeps my mind going every day," Andrews told the Times.