Shawn Andrews: The Past Decade's Mike Mamula

With the releasing of Shawn Andrews today by the Philadelphia Eagles, another highly touted first-round pick who had tons of potential has been let go. The last time this happened to the Eagles was when they drafted Mike Mamula.

The comparison between the two is shockingly identical. Both spent the same amount of time in Philly, had two successful seasons, and were picked by the Eagles after trading up in the first round to get them.

Mamula was picked seventh overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played in 1995 but was not a significant producer. In 1996, Mamula produced with eight sacks and looked promising until he got hurt causing him to miss the 1997 season and not do well in the 1998 season. In 1999, Mamula recorded a career-high eight-and-a-half sacks. That was the last season he played. Mamula retired because of injuries in 2000.

Andrews was picked 16th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. Before he even got on the stat sheet, Andrews blew out his leg in his first regular season game. Andrews got his turn to shine in the 2005 season, making the Pro Bowl. 2006 was successful until the postseason when he left the game against the Saints with a neck injury. Coming off the neck injury, he made the 2007 Pro Bowl but then he dropped off the list of top linemen in the game. Beginning in 2008, Andrews' problems got worse. He left the team at training camp due to depression and when he came back, he injured his back. His back would also cause him to miss the 2009 season and eventually lead to his release.

The list of players that were successful and picked after both players is full of players that had long careers. In 1995, Mamula was drafted above Warren Sapp, Luther Elliss, and Hugh Douglas. 2004 saw the Eagles pick Andrews over current NFL players Vernon Carey, Max Starks, Chris Snee, and Nick Hardwick.

The end of the Shawn Andrews era in Philly is thankfully over and comparing him to Mike Mamula's tenure in Philly is the right thing to do considering their eerily similar career paths.