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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 > July > 30 > Entry
Much ado about ‘Big Willie’
‘MOTHER GIBRALTAR’
MUCH TOO VALUABLE
TO BE SECOND STRING
===LUDWIG AT LARGE calls Willie Anderson “Mother Gibraltar” because he’s a combination leader and humanitarian (Mother Teresa), plus a mammoth fortress-monument-mountain (Rock of Gibraltar).===
You’ve got a 13-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler who happens to be the best leader in the locker room who happens to be one of the greatest players at his position in the NFL and who happens to be one of the most revered players in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 41-year history.
And he’s here at training camp running with the second team … for two reasons.
Stacy Andrews is the franchise-tagged player, making $7.455 million a year.
And Andrews, AKA “Big Country,” just happens to be an outstanding player.
If you’re head coach Marvin Lewis, wha-cha-gonna-do?
You simply let this starting-right-offensive-tackle thing sort itself out … as time goes by.
“As I said in the springtime with Willie, we really didn’t know where Willie Anderson was (health-wise),” Lewis said. “Willie came in and proved that he was in a pretty good spot. So we have a good issue to deal with as we go forward.
“We have a good young player in Stacy, and we have a guy who’s been as good a player as there has been in the NFL at right tackle in Willie Anderson. So we’re blessed.”
The Bengals better not even THINK about cutting Big Willie. He’s too great a player, too great a leader, too great a person, too great a mentor, too great a presence and influence to be let go.
In fact, I look for him to start … at right tackle … with “Big Country” at right guard … Bobbie Williams at center … Andrew Whitworth at left guard … and Levi Jones at left tackle.
Ta-dah!
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
July 30, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
The O-line seemingly has a great cast of characters, but it has to translate on the field. The more I hear about Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh the more optimistic I am about the season, especially if the O-line finally jells in synch with Carson’s prime years.By jay
July 30, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
that o line sounds greatBy Ron
July 30, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Now that’s a dream team, all 1,600 lbs. of them!By Ron
July 30, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Now that’s a dream team, all 1,600 lbs. of them!