What is it about the Bengals and retirement parties? They appear to hate them and it has little to do with separation anxiety. Willie Anderson, who toiled 13 seasons with the Bengals, announced Wednesday that he is retiring. But as a Baltimore Raven.
He'd been expected to compete for the starting right tackle job with their first round pick, Michael Oher but now that won't happen. Willie told me three years ago in the midst of his injury plagued final season with the Bengals, that he was a 350 pound man with a bad foot. Nuff said!
That gave the Bengals reason to think he couldn't handle the rigors last season and when he wouldn't agree to a reconfigured (smaller) contract, they let him go.
He was serviceable enough though, to start 11 regular season and 3 playoff games for Baltimore. While the Bengals muddled below mediocrity yet again.
If memory serves me correctly, Anthony Munoz and Tim Krumrie, are the only two Bengals accorded a farewell worthy of their careers here. Think of all the great players who have labored honorably for Cincinnati but were jettisoned just short of retirement.
Whether the Ravens will pay some tribute to Willie is their business. The Bengals had their chance and blew it. Typical.
