Anderson: Sunday last home game?

[Jeb]

[quote name='Bengals1181' post='612566' date='Dec 22 2007, 01:15 PM']They thought they did in Bluto, and that still may be true. Let's let the line get used to playing with each other before we think about throwing one of our more respected coaches under the bus. The current unit has only played 10 games together, and even then it hasn't been 10 full games. You can't just put 5 guys on the line and expect them to be cohesive right away.[/quote]

I expect Marvin to be fully informed from Paul about the Status of Stacey Andrews' development schedule. He still needs work in the run blocking techniques and for Marvin to make an intelligent decision about Willie, ...he needs to know where he stands with Stacey. We must be careful not to step back on the road to the '90's. A semi-green rookie to take over for an all pro RT and when we haven't even fixed our problem at center yet? I'd rather take my chances at the Argosy casino!

(note: when you attempt a run block, you have several players to key off of. The primary block, secondary choice block, and the third choice block. All this has to be accomplished while you are in motion and pretty quickly to avail yourself of the momentum your motion builds. If you hesitate then you can lose a lot of power from your block and the defender can easily shed your block. This is one example of why experience pays.)

[-GoBengals-]

[quote name='Rumble In the Jungle' post='612534' date='Dec 22 2007, 11:34 AM']now that he's making this his last home game, it makes me wish that we should of resigned Steinbach [/quote]


for what?

[BengalBacker]

When was the last time Willie said anything in the media that wasn't a backhanded slap at the management, and promotion of himself in a "poor me" kind of way?

[-GoBengals-]

[quote name='BengalBacker' post='612656' date='Dec 22 2007, 07:33 PM']When was the last time Willie said anything in the media that wasn't a backhanded slap at the management, and promotion of himself in a "poor me" kind of way?[/quote]


never?

[Jeb]

Another win on the books because of our running game and on a windy day, ...thanks Willie!

Next week will be another good day for our running game. Willie will start again. I hope to see more Dorsey this time but Watson looked real good.

[oldschooler]

[quote][size=5][b]Anderson plays last home game - for 2007[/b][/size]
[size=3][b]Tackle backs off 'Senior Day' talk[/b][/size]
BY MARK CURNUTTE | MCURNUTTE@ENQUIRER.COM

With 3:01 remaining in the first quarter Sunday, the familiar No. 71 in the black Bengals jersey trotted onto the field.

Right tackle Willie Anderson was back for the first time since Oct. 21, Game 6, against the Jets. He missed nine in a row because of heel and injuries.

"I wouldn't be out there (if I couldn't contribute)," Anderson said. "We're just trying to get our identity back and run the football, whoever may be in there."


Stacy Andrews started for the 10th time at right tackle, but he and Anderson alternated once Anderson entered the game.

"It's not bad," Andrews said of the situation. "Willie had to get back in and get it going."

The Bengals rushed for 155 yards, the second highest total of the season. Kenny Watson, in for the injured Rudi Johnson, ran for 130 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 130 against the Jets.

Anderson backed off comments made Friday that the Browns game might be his "Senior Day" - or last home game with the team.

He has four years remaining on the $32 million contract extension he signed in August 2006. The Bengals can't afford to release him.

"It was a good thing to say in Cleveland week to get guys riled up," Anderson said. "You never know what might happen. We do have a lot of so-called seniors. It could be me."

Teammates said the offense fed off Anderson's leadership and calming influence in the huddle.

"It was great," quarterback Carson Palmer said of his presence. "What's crazy is that Stacy has played flawlessly all season long. Willie's leadership kept everyone under control today."

Anderson deflected - often by ignoring - the incessant trash-talking by Browns defensive lineman Shaun Smith, a former Bengals backup.

"There was a lot of talking on the field today, and Willie did a good job of keeping the other guys on the line on the same page," Palmer said.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis liked what he saw from Anderson but said that "it wouldn't have been fair" not to start Andrews.

"I thought Willie held up well," Lewis said. "Stacy has been our starting tackle most of the season."

The season had been a trying one for Anderson because the team will have a losing record for the first time since 2002 and because he couldn't play. He extended to 116 his consecutive-games started streak, but it was snapped when he was inactive for the Oct. 14 game at Kansas City.

Ultimately, Anderson was happiest with the victory.

"Our biggest thing was to get a win and have something sports-wise to feel good about," he said.[/quote]


[url="http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071224/SPT02/712240344"]http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...SPT02/712240344[/url]

[oldschooler]

[quote][size=5][b]Anderson returns to his spot on line[/b][/size]

By Kevin Goheen
Post staff reporter

Willie Anderson didn't start Sunday's 19-14 win against Cleveland but he did play for the first time in two months. His presence was felt.

The Bengals rushed for 155 yards on 33 carries, including 130 from Kenny Watson on 30 carries. It wasn't the highest rushing output of the season for the Bengals but for the third consecutive home game they were able to run the ball more than 30 times and gain more than 148 yards.

Stacy Andrews started at right tackle for the 10th time in the last 11 games and he and Anderson rotated into the game every second or third series.

"It was great," said quarterback Carson Palmer about Anderson returning to the lineup. "What's crazy about it is that Stacy has played flawlessly all season long. Willie's leadership kept everyone under control today. There was a lot of talking on the field today and Willie did a good job of keeping the other guys on the line on the same page."

It was the first time since Anderson's rookie season of 1996 that he played in a game that he did not start. He had been sidelined by heel and knee injuries this season but practiced all three days last week for the first time since early in the season.

"We were just trying to get our identity back and that's running the football with whoever may be in there," said Anderson. "I probably played too many (snaps). It's been nine weeks. One time it was Stacy's turn to go back in but Carson asked if I was back in. I said "Nah," but he said 'Nah, you're back in.' "

Head coach Marvin Lewis said he based the decision to start Andrews and play a rotation on two things: Andrews had been the starter for too long and played well enough that it wouldn't be fair to simply replace him, and Anderson's conditioning wasn't up to playing a whole game.

"Willie is one of the biggest leaders we have," said Andrews. "I don't have a problem with any of that. Whatever we need to do to help us win, we'll do."

Anderson, 32, said Friday that he thought about Sunday's game possibly being his last home game as a Bengal after 12 seasons, referring to it as "Senior Day" as is the tradition of high schools and colleges to honor their graduating seniors on their final home games.

"I'm just saying stuff, man," said Anderson Sunday. "But who knows? You never know, but it was a good day for me to say it because it's Cleveland week. Get everybody wired up for Cleveland. It was kind of funny, but it's kind of realistic, too, because some guys may not be here. It may be me or it may not be me. I don't think that but it was something to say."

[b]ONE WEEK TO GO [/b]- Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh had just two catches Sunday, the first time he's had fewer than four all season, but it was enough to retain the NFL lead in receptions heading into the final week of the season. Houshmandzadeh has 103 catches, while New England's Wes Welker has 101 after catching five passes in the Patriots' 28-7 win against Miami. Derrick Mason of Baltimore is third with 97 receptions.

The Patriots finish the regular season next Saturday night on the road against the New York Giants, while the Bengals will play the Dolphins in South Florida. New England has a chance to finish the season undefeated but Giants Stadium is notorious for its swirling winds. The weather conditions should be more conducive for Houshmandzadeh and the Bengals.

"You know how Miami is; it might be real hot or it might be raining," said Houshmandzadeh. "We just want to win. Hopefully we can go out with two straight victories to end the season."

[b]MOVE OVER DOUG[/b] - Thanks to a fortuitous gust of wind, kicker Shayne Graham now owns the franchise record for field goals in a season. Graham's 38-yard field goal in the second quarter hit off of the right upright, which appeared to be blown a little extra to the right by the swirling winds that gusted between 19-29 mph, and bounced through for three points.

It was Graham's second field goal of the game and 30th of the season, topping Doug Pelfrey's mark of 29 in 1995. Graham has now made 30 of 33 attempts this season, including 18 in a row to begin the season.

Long snapper Brad St. Louis agreed that the wind moved the upright to the right and helped the result. Graham said he didn't notice but that he was proud of how the kicking unit has performed.

"It means the most to me because we're always looking for opportunities to help the team; we've gotten a lot of opportunities and we've executed those opportunities with our snaps and holds and all of it," said Graham, who has now converted 132 of his 151 field goal attempts as a Bengal.

[b]ROOKIE RECORD [/b]- Cornerback Leon Hall intercepted his fifth pass of the season in the second quarter, setting up Watson's 1-yard run. Hall's total ties him with Tommy Casanova (1972), Ray Horton (1983) and Odell Thurman (2005) for the single season high for rookies in franchise history.

Hall was beaten for three touchdowns against the Browns in Cleveland on Sept. 16 but was part of a Bengals defense that allowed Cleveland just one offensive play of more than 20 yards. The Browns entered the game third in league in plays of plus-20 yards with 57.

[b]INJURY REPORT [/b]- Center Eric Ghiaciuc (foot), running back DeDe Dorsey (ankle) and defensive tackle Domata Peko (ankle) all left the game with injuries and did not return. Linebacker Landon Johnson left the game in the second quarter with a lower back strain but returned.[/quote]



[url="http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071224/SPT03/712240312/1022/RSS0302"]http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...12/1022/RSS0302[/url]

[ccartman2]

Can't believe people are still debating the Steiny vs Willie Decision. One bad season and people forget it was Steiny's missed block that helped Kimo make the cheap shot on Palmer. That is still the knock on Steiny is he can handle a big tackle over him. He is a good guard, but with a classic drop back QB, you can't afford to have the middle of your line getting run over. At any rate, this decision wasn't even close. It was obvious when they drafted Whitworth that he wasn't coming back. Andrews has long been groomed for the Right Tackle slot and it's not time to replace Levi yet so that was the slot we had to go into. So it does make since that we signed Willie, as Andrews wasn't ready and still needs a little work.

Personally, if Willie gets healthy, we will be back to a very strong line next season. Andrews is capable at playing guard and tackle so he will be the first off the bench. Sure Bluto may need to improve a little, but this has little to do with this debate. Plus, you have to give the O-line a little credit. They did go into the game tied for the NFL lead in least amount of sacks allowed. The lack of rushing yards is a disappointment, but that can also be because of being down to our 4th string running back and our starter playing hurt when he did. It has been painfully obvious that Rudi hasn't been right since week the seattle game and shouldn't have been on the field when he was, whether it was due to injury or decline. One thing is certain is we should be better here next year with a choice of Rudi, Irons, Perry, Watson, and Dorsey. That'll be an interesting training camp battle.

[bengaled]

[quote name='Ben' post='612225' date='Dec 21 2007, 01:01 PM']I said the same thing last year....... I am nostradomus... at least this time.

This team just is not very good at knowing when to let players go it seems. I knew i was going to get attacked as soon as i opened my mouth about willie in this thread. Willie WAS a great tackle, but his age and weight have caught up to him.[/quote]

if you really watched that game the other day, you'd realize willie still IS a great tackle. he was mauling people and opening up huge holes, just like the old days. i say we wait and see what tomorrow brings in regards to probably the best ORT in the game of football.

the signing was a good one IMO. we lost nothing in steinbach, nothing we couldn't replace...certainly nothing worth 49M. had he proven he could hold up the center position(our biggest need) i might have had a different opinion. but he never proved that, and that would be a monstrous contract for a center, anyway. the thing is, with steiny's versatility and his ability to move out to LT, it was time for him to hit FA and there really was nothing we could do about it but bid him farewell. sometimes it just plays out that way. could he have supplanted willie at RT? are you kidding me? could levi move over to RT? nah, i doubt it. did he perform like a 49M guard while here? no way in hell! i think we did the right thing. i also think willie has some more tread on his tires.

[T-Dub]

For the record, Paul Alexander is listed as not only the O-line coach but "Assistant Head Coach" as well...

[Jeb]

[quote]It's the end of the line
Updated: December 25, 2007, 12:42 PM EST 79


As 2007 winds down, so are the days some familiar faces will be spending with their respective teams.

It's not just those set to become free agents. There are players who have spent most if not all of their NFL careers with one team who may no longer be welcome. Others may be ready to call it a career.
Here are 10 players whose season finales Sunday could be their last in the uniforms we're used to seeing them wear:


Jason Taylor: He hasn't sniffed a Super Bowl in 11 NFL seasons and didn't see eye-to-eye with coach Cam Cameron. That led to mid-season speculation Taylor would try and force his way out of Miami in 2008. Now, Taylor and Cameron could both be goners with Bill Parcells hired last week to rebuild a floundering franchise. Parcells must weigh whether to keep the 33-year-old Taylor and his $7.5 million salary or deal the Pro Bowl defensive end for draft choices while he still has trade value.


Warren Sapp: Prior to last Sunday's 49-11 loss to Jacksonville, Sapp told Jaguars media that "I haven't even thought about" returning to Oakland in 2008. It's time to start. Sapp, 35, is no longer able to consistently back his trash-talking and is set to earn $5.15 million in 2008. Sapp also did himself no favors against Jacksonville by drawing three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and getting ejected for bumping an official.

"This is the first time you saw a lack of discipline," Raiders first-year coach Lane Kiffin said afterward. "I'm not pleased at all. The bottom line is that represents us and it falls on me."


Willie Anderson: The longest-tenured Bengals player (12 seasons) wondered aloud last week whether his days in Cincinnati are winding down. Anderson's concern is valid even though he signed a five-year, $32 million extension in 2006. He missed almost all of this season with knee problems, opening the door for Stacy Andrews to show he was a capable (and younger) replacement. Anderson's fate could hinge on whether the Bengals can re-sign Andrews, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent.


Shaun Rogers: A first alternate to the Pro Bowl usually isn't considered an underachiever. Rogers, though, fits the bill. As the Lions faded from postseason contention with a six-game losing streak, Rogers didn't have a sack. Rogers is overweight and his conditioning is as poor as his attitude. That could lead the Lions to seek an off-season trade with a team that thinks it can get more out of him.


Jonathan Ogden: Baltimore coach Brian Billick won't speculate on his left tackle's future, but Ogden told the Baltimore Sun earlier this month that he was considering retirement. Ogden, who strongly weighed stepping away during the off-season, has played in only 10 games because of toe problems. Ogden, though, was still voted to the Pro Bowl for the 11th time in 12 seasons.
"There's no question that he can continue to play," Billick said during a Monday news conference. "It's a matter of, 'Do I want to do these things in the upcoming off-season that I know that I have to do to continue to play at a high level?'"

If he doesn't, Ogden will have a spot in the Hall of Fame five years from now.


Isaac Bruce: Having just retired running back Marshall Faulk's jersey, St. Louis soon could be doing the same with Bruce's No. 80. The only holdover from when the Rams played in Los Angeles, Bruce is still productive in his 14th season. But the Rams seem unlikely to pay the 35-year-old wide receiver the $5 million he is slated to earn in 2008.
If he is through in St. Louis, Bruce is going out in style. He had seven receptions for 87 yards, including a brilliant tippy-toe catch for a touchdown, in last Thursday's loss to pissburgh.


John Lynch: There aren't many more hard hits left in the strong safety's 36-year-old body. Lynch hasn't generated a turnover this season for Denver and coverage was never considered his forte. Lynch recently said he was still uncertain whether he wants to continue playing in 2008. Even if he does, the Broncos may not be interested.


Chad Pennington: Pennington's fate was sealed when New York Jets coach Eric Mangini benched him at mid-season in favor of Kellen Clemens. At this point in his eight-year career, Pennington would make an excellent backup or a stop-gap starter for a team planning to groom a young quarterback in 2008.


Morten Andersen: The Atlanta kicker seems to have more lives than Vinny Testaverde, but Andersen's 25-year career may finally be winding down. While making all 18 of his field goals this season from inside 39 yards, Andersen no longer has the range to consistently make long kicks. The Hall of Fame only has one specialist (kicker Jan Stenerud), but a strong case can be made for the NFL's all-time leading scorer.


Bryant Young: The last active player from San Francisco's glory years received a wonderful sendoff in his final home game. Young's teammates hoisted the defensive tackle and carried him to midfield after last Sunday's 21-19 home victory over Tampa Bay. Young had a great 14-year career but it's time: He has just 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his past 13 starts.[/quote]

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