Sweet Willie says thanks, but no thanks
Willie Anderson announced his intention to retire back in May, but that apparently hasn't dissuaded the Ravens from inquiring about the offensive tackle's status.
According to Anderson, he told the organization last night that he has no plans to return to the NFL and will instead stay retired in Atlanta, where he lives. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Ravens were in Atlanta last night for their final game of the preseason.
"Just had to inform Raven's coaching staff and manangement that for now I'm staying retired," Anderson wrote on his Twitter account last night. "They've been in talks with me since May about coming back. I wanted to come back too!"
Anderson, however, did not close the door entirely on a possible comeback to the Ravens, who would like to add depth at their offensive tackle position with Oniel Cousins and Joe Reitz currently backing up starters Jared Gaither and rookie Michael Oher.
"Not saying that down the line if they need [me], I won't come back," wrote Anderson, who made 11 regular-season and three playoff starts at right tackle for the Ravens last season. "I know I can play for 3 more years so who knows what may happen down the line."
Comments
Surprised we haven't heard more about this before now. That backup tackle situation is pretty tenuous. Cousins might be able to hold down the spot for a little while, but they are really thin. Reitz has potential but probably needs another year of seasoning. If they need anyone for an extended period of time, I think there will be trouble unless someone better is picked up from somewhere.
Maybe they're waiting until week 2 so he won't have guaranteed salary?
Posted by: Tim | September 4, 2009 11:37 AM
"Just had to inform Raven's coaching staff and manangement that for now I'm staying retired... They've been in talks with me since May about coming back."
-OR-
"I wanted to come back too!"
Which is it dude?! Either you want to play or you want to retire. If they are open to talking to you and you want to play then play.
p.s. This is why the media should not be reporting on that B.S. brainstatic Twitter crappola. There is no editorial filter over the accuracy of what gets posted and apparently no editorial filter on reports written about it.
Posted by: Blue Hen | September 4, 2009 11:46 AM
He says he won't discount coming back later, if they need him. But it does kinda make you wonder about his commitment, doesn't it? He says he could still play three years, if that's the case and a Super Bowl contender comes knocking, wouldn't he jump at the opportunity? It's not like he would have to be the everyday starter. The Ravens have two backups for their two starters, so at most, Anderson would play sparingly. Seems they would want him to be something of a mentor to the young players, especially Oher.
I just wonder that if he doesn't want to come back now, and they do call him later and he accepts, in what kind of condition will he be? And what is the depth of his commitment? I'm not sure he is someone that can be counted on.
Posted by: ken | September 4, 2009 12:49 PM
What about Yanda?
Posted by: joe | September 4, 2009 5:16 PM
I am not ready to play until I hear the cash tingling in my ears.Why dpn't they tell the truth?Either you want to play or you don't and won,t.
Posted by: Richard Davis | September 4, 2009 6:21 PM
Translation: Willie hates OTAs and Training Camp, yet needs more income to support his Krispy Kreme habit.
This guy was a liability in the pass game last year, and his work ethic is shot.
Better to find a FA tackle and use Reitz (former college hoops star) as a blocking TE, which is the only scenario in which Adam Terry would have seen the field if healthy.
Posted by: Mongo | September 5, 2009 10:24 AM