Willie Anderson

[Alexir]

[url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&Show=SKILL&id=2531"]http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&Show=SKILL&id=2531[/url]

35 year old Willie Anderson has stated that he wants to come out of retirement and play in the NFL. I don't have any details if that's a starting tackle role or "just playing for a team" as a depth guy role.

I know I would be very comfortable if we signed him. Our depth at both tackle spots would have me resting easy at night.

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[theFRANCHISE]

Even though this isn't a "necessary" signing, I definitely wouldn't complain. Willie Anderson showed in 2008 that he's one of those rare guys where age is just a number. Even with injuries hampering him throughout the season, he still played extremely well. I would be happy with Anderson in the line-up, either as a starter or a backup -- that's how confident I am in his abilities. If he were to be signed again by the Ravens, I wouldn't expect him to beat out Jared Gaither or Michael Oher, but I'd expect him to see playing time and I'd expect him to play well.

[ed.s52]

I'll lay down 50 bucks saying the Bills pick him up

[BloodRaven]

I wonder how many bookies are after him..

[Romo Ravens]

I say we sign Little Willie from Philly. It won't hurt. Plus you never know when Jared might get his pinky toe injured.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 June 2010 - 12:48 AM' timestamp='1277268515' post='424942']
I wonder how many bookies are after him..
[/quote]
All joking aside, it sounds like Willie Anderson's been in good shape (financially) according to Twitter. He's got some recording artists he's been working with and he owns a couple of restaurants. In other words, if he comes back, it'll be for the love of the game. (I hope, anyway...)

[BloodRaven]

I don't know, if we had two journeyman backup tackles I'd be all for it but I'm sold on the potential of Cousins and Harewood. I have serious doubts that he's in shape.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 June 2010 - 12:40 AM' timestamp='1277271653' post='424959']
I don't know, if we had two journeyman backup tackles I'd be all for it but I'm sold on the potential of Cousins and Harewood. I have serious doubts that he's in shape.
[/quote]

Cousins? Are you kidding me? Cousins cant even control his temper let alone did you forget he got completely embarassed by Woodley in the RT position. Secondly, Harewood is a Raw rookie that is going to need to be groomed. I dont have faith in either of these guys if one of our starters went down

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' date='23 June 2010 - 03:13 AM' timestamp='1277280826' post='424974']
Cousins? Are you kidding me? Cousins cant even control his temper let alone did you forget he got completely embarassed by Woodley in the RT position. Secondly, Harewood is a Raw rookie that is going to need to be groomed. I dont have faith in either of these guys if one of our starters went down
[/quote]

Everyone saw those plays against Woodley, but according to coaching staff Cousins has made some huge progress this offseason and have described him as a starting quality tackle.

[Rav'n Maniac]

I say, bring him in for a look-see. Why not. If he's not in shape, there's still time to get him there. It can only help to have proven ability on the right side and would keep Yanda at guard where he'll help the most. I'm not totally sold on Cousins and have lost all respect & trust in Gaither.

It has been reported that Gaither has only worked out twice in the weight room this off season. What kind of dedication is that? You can't tell me his foot bruise kept him from lifting. Man, he is really doing a lot to help his contract and/or trade issues.

If I could make the decision ( probably a good thing I can't, lol ), I would incorporate a rotation between Anderson & Cousins and park Jared [i](T.O.)[/i] Gaither on the bench, at least through the preseason. This kid, ( and he is acting like one ), needs a wake-up call. If he gets into Harb's "dog house", he may never step on the field again as a Raven.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Interesting. If the price is right, sure, why not? You need great depth to make a run at the Superbowl, and tackle is a vital position. Can't go anywhere if your QB is on his backside.

[justifythegame]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 June 2010 - 05:07 AM' timestamp='1277284061' post='424980']
Everyone saw those plays against Woodley, but according to coaching staff Cousins has made some huge progress this offseason and have described him as a starting quality tackle.
[/quote]
the best thing he could do to step up his game is to stop playing dirty. if i were the coaches i would be embarassed to have a player of his character on the roster.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 June 2010 - 05:07 AM' timestamp='1277284061' post='424980']
Everyone saw those plays against Woodley, but according to coaching staff Cousins has made some huge progress this offseason and have described him as a starting quality tackle.
[/quote]
I hate to say it but you can't always trust what the coaches or anyone else says. But honestly, I wouldn't really mind him playing as long as he doesn't commit anymore penalties. That would be a big plus.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 June 2010 - 01:40 AM' timestamp='1277271653' post='424959']
I don't know, if we had two journeyman backup tackles I'd be all for it but I'm [u][b]sold[/b][/u] on the potential of [u][b]Cousins and Harewood[/b][/u]. I have serious doubts that he's in shape.
[/quote]
Weird choice of word?

Sold? On a flag waiting to happen and an undeveloped project?

[darklight1216]

ABC = Anyone but Cousins

I wouldn't be upset if the Ravens signed him. In fact, I think they tried to get him to unretire last season...

[PuRock]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='23 June 2010 - 10:50 AM' timestamp='1277304612' post='425034']
ABC = Anyone but Cousins

I wouldn't be upset if the Ravens signed him. In fact, I think they tried to get him to unretire last season...
[/quote]

I second this opinion. But besides that, this does sound like a money move. Maybe he found out he had a few babies with strange women during this past year, Shawn Kemp style.

[Wacko4Zacko]

I rather us sign Shawn Andrews, yes he has back injury, but it would be good depth.

[PuRock]

Isn't Tony Washington still available?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='23 June 2010 - 03:07 AM' timestamp='1277284061' post='424980']
Everyone saw those plays against Woodley, but according to coaching staff Cousins has made some huge progress this offseason and have described him as a starting quality tackle.
[/quote]
I would take everything you hear out of OTA's by Cameron and Harbaugh with a grain of salt my friend.

[BloodRaven]

Heres the tossup: Two young tackles with upside or an old tackle who hasn't played in over a year. We'll see what Ozzie thinks.

[Perfekt]

i would be happy to have willie back would add depth at a needed position. we seem to be big on getting vets in to help our team this offseason so this move would make sense.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='24 June 2010 - 06:35 PM' timestamp='1277426148' post='426083']
Heres the tossup: Two young tackles with upside or an old tackle who hasn't played in over a year. We'll see what Ozzie thinks.
[/quote]
Two young tackles, 1 has limited game experience, with poor results against a good defense, the other is a complete project. Really with the moves we've currently made signing Anderson if hes actually in football shape wouldnt surprise me, and not signing him wouldnt surprise me either. Either way with both options for backups, we'll have to go double protection on that side with a TE or a HB.

[lowrider]

Anderson wasn't that good 2 years ago when he played for us. Who is to say he has gotten any better. I'd rather have Cousins or Yanda over there. I think this would be a useless addition.

[Perfekt]

willie was actually good for us when he played. i was hoping he wouldnt retire last year. im glad that oher worked out but really i dont have faith in cousins.

[J-man]

I am against trading Gaither, but what if we trade Gaither and sign Willie to play RT?

[Ravensfan23]

I find it funny how some people are so down on Cousins but would highly support Willie coming back. Willie was an average RT his last season with us. I actually don't think Cousins played nearly as poor as many Ravens fans make it seem. Yes he struggled for the last few minutes of the Pittsburg game, but Oher struggled just as much in that game and noone is bashing that guy.

i think if Cousins can get his technique a little better that would help on his penalty problem. Other then that i think the guy is progressing really well for a guy that was a Defensive lineman 4 years ago.

As for Willie, he had his moments in his final season with us, but most of the time he played just about average for us. I don't really see a need for Willie and i don't really see him as a luxury signing either. The only thing i can see him adding to this team is just some veteran help for what is young group of Tackles, but he'd be more of a coach then a player for us.

[berad]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='25 June 2010 - 06:22 PM' timestamp='1277504528' post='426545']
I find it funny how some people are so down on Cousins but would highly support Willie coming back. [b]Willie was an average RT his last season with us.[/b] I actually don't think Cousins played nearly as poor as many Ravens fans make it seem. Yes he struggled for the last few minutes of the Pittsburg game, but Oher struggled just as much in that game and noone is bashing that guy.

i think if Cousins can get his technique a little better that would help on his penalty problem. Other then that i think the guy is progressing really well for a guy that was a Defensive lineman 4 years ago.

[b]As for Willie, he had his moments in his final season with us, but most of the time he played just about average for us.[/b] I don't really see a need for Willie and i don't really see him as a luxury signing either. The only thing i can see him adding to this team is just some veteran help for what is young group of Tackles, but he'd be more of a coach then a player for us.
[/quote]

Actually I thought Anderson played extremely well. According to [url="http://profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2008&pos=T&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1"]ProFootballFocus[/url] he was the 4th best tackle in the NFL in 2008. Now, I know that's no where close to being definitive proof of his performance but it's a pretty decent evaluation.

Now, Willie probably can't play up to that level two years later. And, Gaither pending, we are set at both tackle positions so there's no real need, either.

[JO_75]

Is he pulling a Brett Favre? lol.

If the Ravens feel like he can help the team and provide depth behind Gaither and Oher, I won't complain if they want to bring him in on a one year deal, both Gaither and Oher are young, and we don't have that veteran behind them that we could rely on if one of them were to go down with an injury. Plus has we have seen the past couple years it seems the offensive line and corner are the positions on this team that get hit with the injury bug more often and having someone like Willie who is probably in better shape after being away for a year and can provide depth and can help both Gaither and Oher would be great for us.

I'm not worried about Willie starting unless Gaither/Oher(whomever plays RT by the start of the season) gets hurt or Gaither gets traded. Plus this Tender is like a cheaper version of the Franchise Tag, Gaither is under contract for a year and there is always the Franchise Tag to use next off-season, so I don't see Gaither leaving for at least 2 years so adding Willie will provide great Depth just like the Bulger signing did.

I don't know about you but if Willie wants to come back, who says we should try to convince JO to come back lol, the more offensive lineman the merrier.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='berad' date='25 June 2010 - 07:15 PM' timestamp='1277507738' post='426559']
Actually I thought Anderson played extremely well. According to [url="http://profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2008&pos=T&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1"]ProFootballFocus[/url] he was the 4th best tackle in the NFL in 2008. Now, I know that's no where close to being definitive proof of his performance but it's a pretty decent evaluation.

Now, Willie probably can't play up to that level two years later. And, Gaither pending, we are set at both tackle positions so there's no real need, either.
[/quote]

Yea but what profootballfocus probably doesn't show is, despite having a second year LT, how much help we have to put to the Right side of the line. McClain and Heap often stayed on the right side of the formation in 2008 to help Willie.

I'll give him credit for being solid, but i don't think he'll add nothing more and probably less then what Cousins can right now.

[PurpleChaos]

No way he's too old and too slow
He was lumbering around even before calling it quits. I can't even imagine his condition now after being on a endless diet of hamburgers and inactive. Let him go back to Cincy