Readers' opinions on Anderson's status

Readers responded in great numbers to the Enquirer story Wednesday morning about the inability of the Bengals and right tackle Willie Anderson to agree on a contract extension.

Letter 1: Having been a Bengals fan since Day 1, I find it discouraging that Willie and the team
can't agree on a nice four-year contract for around $25 million to $26 million. -- Jim

Letter 2: Did you ask him if he wanted some wine with that cheese. Now were going to see the
real pre-Lewis Willie Anderson. He's going to cry,whine, and be a distraction the whole preseason! If they don't want to sign you, "say the (heck) with you" and go to free agency. Don't stand around crying into a reporter's microphone. Open another Fatburger place. -- Mike

Letter 3: Great article (Wednesday) about Willie. It strikes me the negotiations have begun. There will be to much pressure to sign him. -- William

Letter 4: While all players reach a place where they need to retire either because they can no
longer do the job or they are endangering their own future health pushing. Certainly there needs be development of younger players who can fill in or take over as needed. Giving offensive linemen the chance to develop as they gave Carson (Palmer) time to grow into his job is just as valid.
Everyone who understands football knows the team travels only as well as its offensive line
performs and that there are leaders with real class who shape and mold youngsters coming up. Check out Jerome Bettis for instance. This idea is especially true of a man of the stature of Willlie Anderson.
The loss of this prototype tackle would be much more injurious to Carson Palmer and the rest of the offense than any number of Kimo von Oelhoffen low tackles. -- Dave

Letter 5: I was disappointed and shocked regarding the Bengals and Willie's age. Isn'tthe newly aquired Sam Adams 34 years old? Age was no factor there. How can the Bengals consider letting go of one of the best tackles in the NFL? He's the anchor of one of the best lines in the game. -- Chris

Letter 6: Anderson makes a good point in his article with Rich Braham being 35. I do not
understand the thinking of the front office here. They should re-sign Anderson. He is and will continue to be an asset to the Bengals. -- Wes

Letter 7: I've always like Willie Anderson, but lately, he seems extremely jealous. All he ever
talked about was wanting to be part of a winning and playoff contending team. Well, now he's got his wish, and I'll be interested to see if he becomes a free agent does he run to the highest bidder. -- William

Letter 8: I know football is a business first, last, and always, but I hope the Bengals find a way to keep Willie on the team at a respectable salary. He has contributed so much through the really stupid years of Bengals football. He spoke up and said some things that make a lot of sense. I would also hate to lose Levi Jones and Eric Steinbach to free agency. -- Craig

Letter 9: I hope you can try to talk some sense into the organization about resigning Willie
Anderson. I am sure they have some bean counter telling them they shouldn't offer him a contract. But in this case, loyalty should come first.
This reminds me of one of the turning points for the Bengals years ago when they let Max Montoya go because of his age and then he continued to play very well for a couple more
seasons someplace else. It seemed like the O-line never was the same again, nor good, until now.
Of all of the players on the team, none more than Anderson deserves a nice fat check that says
thank you from the organization and fans. As a fan who has been loyal to this team through the best and worst of times, all fans should be upset by this and there better be signs flying in the stadium on Sundays in support of Willie on this matter, that is, if they are not confiscated of course. -- D.