Fan Pulse: Bengals fans debate how much breaking out RT Andrews will do in 2008

By Neal Coolong  |   Monday, July 07, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco named Bengals right tackle Stacy Andrews the No. 1 player to watch in his Breakout 30 list.

The only issue among Bengals fans posting on Bengals Zone is whether he's going to start over veteran Willie Anderson.

Andrews was given the franchise tag by the Bengals earlier this offseason, and he will earn a base salary of $7.455 million, a hefty price for a backup. Anderson has been a rock in an otherwise bleak 10-year run for Cincinnati, but injuries forced him to break his streak of 116 consecutive games played this past season, and Anderson himself says Andrews will be the team's starter.

Considering Anderson has three years left on a five-year, $32 million contract, will he even make the Bengals in 2008?

One poster isn't completely sold on Andrews from a chemistry standpoint.

"I just hope they don't feel obligated to start Stacey at the expense of the quality of the o-line play. But I could see how that could happen. If (head coach Marvin) Lewis thinks that the best way to get him signed to a long-term deal is to give him a starting job then what? Willie sits with his big contract? Whit sits? Hopefully this works itself out without controversy at camp."

Bengals fans point out that Andrews is only signed through the 2008 season, and his franchise-tag salary becomes fully vested July 15. The Bengals wanted to sign him to a long-term deal before then, but talks between Andrews and the club are seemingly stalled.

A poster sums it up as being between a rock and a hard place.

"At this point, we are just about screwed when it comes to Stacey. The franchise tag move was a good one ONLY if the Bengals could get him signed to a long term contract by the July 15th deadline. I said back then as I say now that there is only a very small chance this will happen, as Stacey has already determined he wants to be elsewhere."

Part of Andrews' allure is his ability to play guard or tackle. While it seems he's getting the early nod over Anderson, the team will likely ramp up efforts to get him signed to a long-term deal. Considering the money Andrews is guaranteed to make in 2008, and the value Bengals fans already know he brings, it's a wonder how much breaking out Andrews will actually do.

"Breakout player of 2008? Did he not "break-out" last season? Did it not get him a franchise-tag? Even if he has a pro-bowl season(unlikely, since he figures to split either playing time, or time at 2 positions) I can't really see that being a "break-out" season. Thats just an improvement from good to better isn't it? I believe the term "break-out" should be used for a player who has A) Never been a starter, or B ) Come out of nowhere to excel."


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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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