Time to trust "The Process"

[Shake n Blake]

(03-14-2017, 08:58 AM)fredtoast Wrote: They tried, but Willie refused to take a pay cut for the Bengals.  

However he signed for a greatly reduced price with the Ravens.

If willie was so great why did the Ravens pay him about a third of what he was due under the Bengals contract?

Willie Anderson showed up for the '08 training camp unable to play.  he actually had somesort of surgical procedure done during traiing camp.  It was doubtful if he w9uld be able to play effectively ever again, let alone by the start of the season.  the bengals did what every other team does in this situation.  They offered him a chance to come back at a reduced rate or else they release him.  Then he signed for a lot less with the Ravens. 

Willie's salary for his last year was $3.15 million. He signed a 3 year, $11 million contract with the Ravens. Average salary of 3.67 million. So by "greatly reduced price", did you actually mean "pay raise"?

Willie received interest from the Ravens, Chargers, Bears, Rams, Bucs and Giants according to Rotoworld. 20% of the league was interested...and this is right before the season. Those teams wouldn't have been interested if they thought Willie was washed up. You are greatly exaggerating the seriousness of any injury or surgery that Willie had. I remember Willie playing that preseason, and Rotoworld mentions nothing of any surgery. He wound up starting 11 games (beginning in week 3...he had to get up to speed) for the Ravens. They even tried to convince him not to retire, wanting him back in 2009 at 34 years old.

Look...I understand that Andrews was viewed back then as having potential, but it's clear looking back that the Bengals made the wrong call there. They franchise tagged Andrews and that surely played a role in Willie's release. The line was terrible that year, and this - along with sticking with Ghiaciuc at Center, was among the biggest mistakes.