Willie Anderson bound for Baltimore

We told you this morning Pro Bowl OT Willie Anderson was considering the Bucs as one of three teams interested in signing the free agent.

The Bucs never got that far. Anderson's agent, Terry Bolar, told us this evening his client decided against making a visit to Tampa in an effort to avoid leading the Bucs on. He'll sign with the Ravens on Friday.

As the day began to unfold, it became more clear that things weren't going to work out in Tampa, Bolar said. The reason wasn't necessarily about money in this case, though I'm not prepared to say the Bucs were offering anything in the same neighborhood as the Ravens. Bolar said Baltimore will pay Anderson $3.5-million this season with the whole three-year deal reportedly worth $11-million.

The issue centered more on the Bucs' ability to accomodate Anderson's wishes to compete for a starting job. The Bucs just couldn't honestly say Anderson would get on the field here as they have Jeremy Trueblood firmly entrenched as their right tackle. Anderson likely will start this season for the Ravens. So, in an effort to be upfront about the situation, Bolar said his client canceled the trip to Tampa because it was pretty clear Baltimore was the better option.

Comments

[DR's Rectum]

SSSSSPPPPHHHHLLLLTTTT! Baltimore is smart. Willie Anderson, Willie Anderson. Bucs missed the boat. That boat will go to the Superbowl without the Bucs. Willie Anderson, Willie Anderson. SSSPPPPHHHLLLTT! Here Donket, Here Donkey!

[Carson Palmer]

DR's Rectum

Do you know how many times I got my @ss kicked because that slow old fool missed his assignments? Your an idiot for promoting any team goes after a washed up lineman like him. If he was so good why didn't the Cowgirls take him? Fool.

BTW - I have not seen your donkey, but I do know where a you can find a herd of steer.

[James Wilson]

Thank goodness for a sound decision. We have a good right tackle in Trueblood and our luck with free agent linemen has been pretty bad. The last eight we signed didn't have 4 good knees between them.

[Mike]

At least dude is straight up sort of refreshinig in this day of Millionaire idiots..

[DR]

There is nothing wrong with competition, in fact, competition is needed.
Anybody who puts the Bucs and super bowl in the same sentence in regards to this year is a f'n moron. I'll put my life to your $100 that the Bucs don't make the super bowl.

[Nick .com]

Trueblood is the Real-Deal!
Every Free Agent throws the Bucs out there as a team also innterseted.

[vikingdan]

Relax folks. Tampa is just looking for a solid back-up who is a veteran. Willie would never have seen the field short of injury to Trueblood. The short-term loss of Pettigout really hurts, but I predict he will return for less money after suspension...

[DR]

vikingdan, Petitgout must be on a roster to serve his suspension. Unless he is like Bryant who missed an entire season and received a pass on serving his from Goodell this year.

[Kurt]

Anybody who would've projected the Giants at the beginning of last year to win the SB was considered a f'n moron too DR. You picked the Bucs to go 4-12 and I called you a f'n moron at the time, because it showed your true lack of insight and jaded opinion of our front office. So, what's your point now; that you're still ignorant and uninsightful? The Bucs are one of the deepest teams in the NFL at almost every position yet once again you have to make jerkoff statements because you don't understand what makes a good team. Seriously, what have you ever been right about? What's your W-L prediction for the Bucs this year Einstein? Im just sayin...

[DR]

Kurt, you predicted the Bucs to win 10 games the year before last and what happened to them? 4-12. What have you predicted that was right? You've always had high expectations of Caddy.
The Bucs only won 2 games against winning teams last year and both of those teams were the 6th seeds. I was the only a-hole last year who was saying the retirement of a whiny baby, Tiki Barber, was a blessing for the Giants. They were a better team without him and they got better after the other cancer was lost for the season. I didn't think they had a chance against my boys but they outplayed everybody in the playoffs.
I have the Bucs going 7-9 with a better pass rush with the outstanding DBs they have. If the pass rush is inconsistent like they were last year, it could be worse. Their offensive line is still young and a short lapse could cost them Garcia and Griese. They are improving and need to keep doing so.
I could tell you one thing, if the Bucs do better than 7 wins, it will be because of the defense putting the weak offense on their shoulders...again. It's tiring watching good guys (HOFers) like Brooks and Barber spend their entire career having to break their backs and compensate for terrible offenses.

[john]

We dont need that old guy anyway!Our line is fine the way it is.

[Tony G]

Nice post DR, finally you make an accurate statement "I was the only a-hole last year..."