PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles traded starting right guard Stacy Andrews to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday in exchange for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick.
The Eagles didn't complete the deal until after the 6 p.m. ET deadline for reducing their roster to 53 players, so they were forced to release guard Max Jean-Gilles.
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Jean-Gilles, who started six games last season, is now an unrestricted free agent, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said the team plans to sign him Sunday. Because he's a vested veteran, Jean-Gilles isn't subject to the NFL's waiver-claim procedure, Roseman said.
"Hopefully, when this process is over, he's a Philadelphia Eagle," Roseman said.
For now, the Eagles' roster stands at 52 players.
Andrews came to Philadelphia amid high expectations after the 2008 season, but he started just two games in 2009 and in recent weeks began splitting time in practice and preseason games with veteran Nick Cole.
The trade came one day after the Eaglesacquired veteran guard Reggie Wells from the Arizona Cardinals -- a move that Roseman said led to numerous inquiries about Andrews' availability.
Andrews told reporters last week that he preferred playing tackle over guard, but the Eagles are set at tackle with Jason Peters and Winston Justice.
"Stacy feels more comfortable at the tackle position, he's voiced that, and ... hopefully he'll get an opportunity to do that," Roseman said.
"With the addition of Reggie Wells, we're comfortable at the guard position. The positive is that we like the players we have on our offensive line, and we're encouraged about the progress of some of those guys, and we wish Stacy luck in Seattle."
Roseman said Cole, who started all 17 games last season, will start in the Sept. 12 opener against the Green Bay Packers. Cole played nine games at right guard, six at left guard and two at center.
"We're very confident with Nick," Roseman said. "Nick's played a lot of games for us, a lot of football."
Also Saturday, the Eagles acquired defensive end Antwan Barnes from the Baltimore Ravens for an undisclosed pick in the 2011 draft. Barnes has played in 38 games in three seasons and has five sacks, including three in his last five games in 2009.
"We always had our eye on Barnes, ever since he came into the draft (in 2007)," Roseman said. "He's got rare speed, and it's hard to find guys who can consistently get pressure on the quarterback. And it goes back to our philosophy here, that we're going to make sure our defense is able to get pressure on the quarterback."
Philadelphia released 12 players Saturday, including former starting safeties Macho Harris and Quintin Demps.
Demps began preseason last season as the starting free safety, but he was replaced by Harris, who lasted seven weeks before he was replaced by Sean Jones. None of the three is still with the team.
Also released were wide receiver Chad Hall, wide receiver Jordan Norwood, tight end Cornelius Ingram, center A.Q. Shipley, guard Dallas Reynolds, guard Fenuki Tupou, defensive end Eric Moncur and defensive tackle Jeff Owens.
Rookie cornerback Jorrick Calvin, a sixth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, made the team just five days after being acquired in a trade and two days after playing in a preseason game against the New York Jets.
"He did a good job on special teams, and it's hard to find corners in this league with cover ability who can play well on special teams and with return ability," Roseman said. "He's got an intriguing skill set."
Nine of the Eagles' 13 draft picks are among the 53 players on the roster, as is undrafted rookie Austin Howard.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
