Is there no loyalty left in the NFL? The Bengals should never have cut Willie Anderson. They can’t be that strapped for cash. So why do it?
If this decision is based on financial concern, then it had better translate to resigning Housh. Willie was due for a fairly modest $3 million this season, and was asked to take a pay cut or leave. What a way to treat a guy who has repeatedly supported a franchise whose decisions no one can understand. This man is a hall-of-famer who has played through more pain than is reasonable to ask of a person, he’s been one of very few people to publicly praise Mike Brown, has been a rock in a very turbulent locker room.
Even if the Bengals had concerns about his contract, they could have approached him about it in the off-season or work it out as camp progressed. If you want to save some dough by cutting an expensive, underachieving offensive tackle, look no further than Levi Jones. Willie was still a serviceable tackle who added tremendous depth to a line that underwhelmed the world during the preseason. He deserved to have one more season and go out with dignity.
As for Rudi, hooray! Now there’s a guy not worth his contract. I still have concerns with Chris Perry’s longevity throughout the year and I would like to have a complimentary power back, but Rudi was not the answer. He’ll find a job somewhere.
Deltha O’Neal was a bit of a surprise. We’re not particularly deep at corner and I’ve been less than thrilled with David Jones. The Bengals kept six safeties because of their ability to play special teams. They also kept corner Simeon Castille who was a long shot to make the team. Deltha was also scheduled to make $3 million this year and I think Mike Zimmer wasn’t all that impressed with him.
Ahmad Brooks fell apart fast on this team. Last year going in to Week 2, I had pro-bowl hopes for the guy. He fell to third string by the end of camp, and players like Blackstock, Henderson, and Brandon Johnson has made the freak athlete expendable.
Every year I have less hope in the direction of this team. I've become used to shrugging and hoping for the best, but not even in the backwards, twisted universe that is the Bengals does it make sense to bring back Chris Henry and cut Willie Anderson. Who’s running this team?
Mojokong – The Bengals behave like a moody teenager.