Pro Bowl tackle considering Bucs

UPDATE, 8:35 a.m.: Here's the latest on the Willie Anderson story, based on a conversation this morning with his agent, Terry Bolar.

The Pro Bowl tackle is expected to visit the Bucs today, but there may be some last-minute conversations before the player makes a final decision to follow through on those plans. Anderson and his agent want to be certain the Bucs' financial terms are competitive and that the opportunity exists for him to compete for significant playing time.

As it stands, the Ravens likely would provide the best opportunity for playing time. In Tampa, Jeremy Trueblood has been anointed the Bucs' long-term solution at right tackle, the same position Anderson plays.

"We're trying to find an opportunity where he can have an opportunity to start," Bolar said.

Still, the Bucs have been talking to Anderson since his release on Saturday and have shown significant interest, so there's still a chance.

Regarding Anderson's health, Bolar emphasized that his client has no physical problems at the moment. He pointed out that he passed a rigorous physical with the Ravens earlier this week.

1:02 a.m.: Pro Bowl OT Willie Anderson is considering the Bucs as a destination as the team continues to search for depth on its offensive line.

Anderson, 33, was released by the Bengals on Saturday after losing his starting job to Stacy Andrews and declining to take a pay reduction to stay with Cincinnati. He was limited to seven games last season by injuries, but went to four consecutive Pro Bowls in the previous seasons.

The free agent, according to NFL.com, has had dialogue with the Bucs, Ravens and Chargers. He is known to have visited the Ravens and passed a physical.

The Bucs' level of interest remains unclear.

(Pictured - Willie Anderson. Getty Images. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

he was the man... maybe he still has some left in the tank to make one more superbowl run...

[JS]

another great tackle to join our team... we had our problems with veteran proven OL and they did nothing!! develop our young... and put Zuttagh at tackle.. there we can have zuttagh sears josephs and trueblood so we can have the youngest OL in the nfl

The key word is, "was". You remember what happened when we signed tackles that were "the man" before, don't you? Deese, Petitgout, etc... Don't do it!

[Tex Mex]

I just gotta say, that this scares the hell out of me. Anything that DR says should happen, you should absolutely do the opposite. Willie is so old he craps fosils. Just another past prime time player. Let him go to Dallas.

[DR's Rectum]

Willie Anderson, Willie Anderson! SSSSSPPPPHHHHLLLTTTT! I know what I am talking about. Here Donkey, Here Donkey!

[Dr. Angry]

DR's Rectum,

You have a bit of a Donkey fetish. I have seen this with many patients that like to pull all their ideas out of their @ss. I suggest you suck down a couple of tubes of Preparation H, take a cold shower and stick to Cowgirl blogs.

[Tony M.]

It's all about price guys...

[aaron]

the last thing we need to do is sign another old LT. Let me remind you all of LT signings from the past: Todd Steussie (although he moved to RT), Derrick Deese, Luke Petigout. all busts. i agree 100% with JS move Zuttah over to LT and lets see what he does. He has played there before, although at college. But if he is as versitile as everyone says it could be a very good move. Zuttah, Sears, Faine, Joseph and Trueblood. Damn that could be a great line for years.

[DR]

JS, Don't compare Anderson to that steroid abuser Petigout who couldn't play more than 2 plays in a game. The Giants got rid of him because he was a sissy and the Bucs made a mistake in picking him up. Anderson was cut because of money. He still has some left in the tank and he would be that competition that will make everyone better. He would likely be the starter if he gets into one bucplace.
Texmex, it seems you're giving up your sick fetish. How many times have you gone south of the border...this week?

[CVal]

Zuttah is an interior line guy but strong as a bull and versatile and a ROOKIE. Sears played LT for Tennessee and last spring there was talk of trying Trueblood out on the left. Didn't happen. Should have experimented just in case. But, darn it, we just got rid of our other best LG (Buenning).Mahan can B/U Ctr and play both guard spots but he's a lightwt.

[Stephen Holder]

Want to clear some things up. I've asked Gruden about Zuttah and he is adamant that he will be an interior lineman - period. If anything, Sears or Joseph would become tackles if necessary. For whatever reason, they see Zuttah as better equipped to play inside. So I wouldn't expect to see anything different from him.

[Tex Mex]

Keeping Zuttah on the inside might be an issue of focus and development. He is young and inexperienced so asking him to do too much could diminish his effectiveness and growth.

DR, I have been there every night you ave given your donkey show. Here donkey, Here donkey.

[Hillary Clinton]

No way, no how, no Willie Andreson.

[DR]

Texmex, you have come out of the closet. Dreaming about another man in a donkey show is just flat out gay. Good luck breaking the news to your family. Hope you and Kurt's relationship works out for the both of you.

[Michael]

Guys, I didnt ready all the comments because the ones I read were saying the same thing, so if someone already pointed this out, sorry, but we dont need a left tackle. The issue the Bucs really have is Davin Josephs injury, and Davin is a guard. So, while I would like to see Willie sign here, I wouldnt be too upset if he dosnt, as why should we mess up the chemistry of the o-line for no reason?

[mike]

Super Bowl Run??? Please!!!!! Who said anything about a super bowl? Until this team finds a long term solution at quarterback and wide receiver, lets stop kidding ourselves. This is a passing league and our passing attack is made up of has beens and patchwork. Lets hope for 8-8 and a decent draft pick next year. Farve would have at least given us a chance.

[J Garcia]

Ever notice how we hardly ever get the player that considers the BUCS...What happened to the Tackle from Chicago ?

[glenn]

mike, Garcia is perfect for a defense lst team like the Bucs. And he's backed up by a QB ranked 21st ALL TIME in QB ratings. You're going to be pleasantly surprised (assuming you're really a Bucs fan) by how well Antonio Bryant plays. Our OL is finally going to give some relief to our defense. 10-6 at a minimum. If they upset NO at their place, minimum 12-4.

[Benjamin Green]

Would it be a big/long task to convert him to LT?

[Brandon]

Anybody that looks at Trueblood and think that he is a stud is delusional. He and Todd Wade were by far the two worst OL starting for us last season. The way Trueblood played in the last 3 games last season was flat out embarrassing.

Willie Anderson, even at this stage and his age, would be an improvement, but given his injuries and age it couldn't be more than a one season solution.... and I'm sure Anderson is looking for the biggest, longest contract, something we probably won't do on either count.

[Michael]

I meant Right tackle. Sorry. Thats what I get for not proof reading. LOL

[Michael]

Brandon, you mean John Wade? And remember Jeremy Trueblood is very young still.

[ohiobucfan]

Why not sign him, if got the cap room DO IT. Its a long season lets keep a deep bench and it would be nice to have a pro-bowl veteran to teach Trueblood too.

[Kurt]

I never thought about Joseph moving to LT, but if Zuttah works out nicely in his position, that would give us a serious stud there. He's got nimble feet for such a large body; it's worth a thought.

That's nice of you to attack me for no reason DR. It must really suck being you. So pathetic and devoid of articulate and intelligent thought you are. Do you predict us going 4-12 again this year? I'm just sayin...

[DR's Rectum]

SSSSSPPPPHHHHLLLLTTTT! How dare you question my smartness. I am a sphincter. SSSPPPHHHLLLTT! I know what I am talking about. Willie Anderson, Willie Anderson. SSSSPPPHHLLLLTT! Here Donkey, Here Donkey!