The Philadelphia Eagles have announced that tackle Winston Justice has been signed to a four-year contract extension.
Justice has become a starter at right tackle this season, thanks to the unavailability of Shawn Andrews, who was placed on injured reserve in September with a back injury.
Previously, Justice had a stint at left tackle. And it didn’t go well. In Justice’s first NFL start, a Sunday night game against the Giants, Osi Umenyiora turned Justice into a human turnstile.
Said former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas at the time, “If they don’t bite when they’re puppies, they’re not going to bite when they’re grown dogs. It just doesn’t look like he has any fight in him. If you look at his demeanor, it’s like he’s not even a football player.’'
Justice, projected as a first-round prospect in 2006, slid into round two, where he was picked with the 39th overall selection. His four-year rookie contract was due to expire at the end of the 2009 season. Absent a new labor deal, Justice would have been a restricted free agent only.
Instead, he’s under contract through 2013. It should go well. Unless the Giants move Umenyiora to left defensive end.
UPDATE: Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Justice’s deal is worth $18.15 million, with a $6 million signing bonus.