Bengals’ loss is Baltimore’s gain

By Neal Coolong  |   Friday, September 05, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Baltimore Ravens
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If former Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson is bitter about being released last week after refusing to take a pay cut to stay with the team, the Ravens are going to give him an opportunity to extract some revenge on Sunday. Anderson signed a three-year deal worth $11 million with Baltimore just a few days after being cut by Cincinnati.

Commentary: Anderson lost his starting right tackle spot to Stacy Andrews in Cincinnati, and last season was the first in five years that didn't end with him in the Pro Bowl. The Bengals gave Andrews the franchise tag, and Anderson became a cap casualty. If Anderson can stay healthy, it could be a key acquisition.

Baltimore lost future Hall of Fame left tackle Jonathon Ogden to retirement this offseason, and its pass protection was subject at best this preseason. How much Anderson will play Sunday as the Ravens kick off 2008 by hosting Cincinnati remains to be seen, but he commented ever so slightly in the Baltimore Sun on Friday that a little payback may be on his mind.

"Things always work out in strange ways," he said.

Fan Pulse: The word on Extreme Ravens, a fan-based message board, is generally optimistic. One fan notes his excitement about providing some protection for rookie Joe Flacco, who is starting for Baltimore on Sunday.

Fantasy Football Impact: A veteran presence on the line will only help the Ravens, but perhaps not right away. It's not likely that Anderson will start at either tackle spot, or play a significant amount of snaps. But starting a rookie under center does not always equal success, especially in terms of fantasy production.

Injury Watch: Running back Willis McGahee, tight end Todd Heap and safety Ed Reed are all listed on the team's injury report, and did not participate in practice on Thursday. McGahee's status will be a game-time decision, according to the Baltimore Sun.
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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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