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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > November > 28 > Entry
Emotional homecoming for ‘Big Willie’
ANDERSON WILL SEARCH
FOR HIS ‘SHOVEL’ AT PBS
MEMORIES WILL COME FLOODING BACK
FOR BENGAL-TURNED-RAVEN STAR
Yes, it’ll be an emotional homecoming for Baltimore Ravens right offensive tackle Willie Anderson, who spent 12 years with the Bengals before getting released on Aug. 30.
“The feelings will probably come upon me once I land in Cincinnati and once I do get into the visitor’s locker room,” he said. “I’m going to have to get there and go find the groundskeeper guys so I can find my shovel — I want my shovel.
“I’ll be coming there from a different side. I’ll get a chance to see all of the security guys around there. But until we get there, it will be the same week for me. I’m sure emotions will be running high once I do get there.”
DEADLINE FOR CARSON
Auarterback Carson Palmer has targeted Dec. 7 as the day he’ll start throwing again, but said surgery on his right elbow remains a possibility because the ligament and tendon are detached from the bone.
That’s the projected date doctors believe the ligament and tendon will have re-attached on their own.
Just one problem: The Bengals face the Colts on Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
“We’ll readjust the date I’ll throw — either the day before or the day after,” Palmer said.
His quarterbacking teammates — Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jordan Palmer and Jeff Rowe — suggested, facetiously, that Palmer “warm up” with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning during pregame.
“Maybe I’ll throw with Peyton on the sidelines,” Palmer said, laughing.
DEFENSIVE GEM
How good is Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed?
Reed has 37 career interceptions, a Ravens record. and his 108-yard TD against Philadelphia on Sunday is the longest interception return in NFL history. Reed held the previous mark of 106 yards set in 2004 against the Cleveland Browns.
According to Pro Football Weekly, Ed Reed’s 28.7-yard return average ranks No. 1 all-time among players with at least 30 career interceptions.
“He’s harder to find because he doesn’t have that long hair like (Pittsburgh’s Troy) Polamalu,” Fitzpatrick said. “But he’s a guy you have to know where he is at all times. As you saw last week when they played the Eagles, he’s a special player. And I’ll do my best not to throw him the ball.”
BEARCAT PRIDE
Ravens first-year head coach John Harbaugh was a defensive back at Miami University in nearby Oxford and served as an assistant coach (special teams coordinator) at the University of Cincinnati from 1989-1996. So this is his homecoming, too.
Naturally, he was asked about the success of the UC Bearcats, who can win the Big East championship — and a BCS Bowl berth — with a victory over visiting Syracuse on Saturday.
“That’s great,” Harbaugh said. “Congratulations to them and the coaches. For whatever it’s worth, we’re proud of them.”
INJURY REPORT
The following players are out against Baltimore: Defensive ends Robert Geathers and Frostee Rucker (both on Injured Reserve), quarterback Carson Palmer (elbow), guard Scott Kooistra (knee) and guard Andrew Whitworth (ankle).
Five players did not practice on Thanksgiving Day. They are left tackle Levi Jones (back), wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back), linebacker Eric Henderson (neck), safety Chinedum Ndukwe (foot) and cornerback David Jones (knee).
Limited participation: Center Andrew Crummey (knee), linebacker Rashad Jeanty (shin) and defensive end Antwan Odom (shoulder).
Full participation: Wide receiver Jerome Simpson (ankle).
THANKSGIVING FEAST
Right guard Bobbie Williams eagerly awaited his family’s Thanksgiving Day spread.
“Knowing me, I’m going to enjoy myself with a hearty helping of a little bit of everything,” he said. “I’m going to be the taster, the sampler. Not too much, but just sampling.”
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