Willie Anderson?

[dougthonus]

Bengals released LT Willie Anderson because they didn't want to pay his monster salary. He's definitely slipped (former probowler) and was going to be a backup this year, but he's still probably good enough to be a rotation LT if we could sign him reasonably and weren't on the hook for the monster salary like the Bengals were.

[Chewie]

Given McKinnie's 4 game suspension, I imagine the Vikings could be on the phone as well.

He's only 33 and his cut seems to be more about money (they asked him to take a pay cut before making the move) than performance though he has had leg injuries recently. Given the other option is Fred Miller - who we've offered the vet minimum to - I'd find a way to put WA in the mix at OT.

[Howling Mad]

If the Bears aren't pouncing all over this, I'll be extremely mad.

Here we go Fred Miller, again.

[emperorjones]

Definitely. If he hasn't slipped below St. Clair, then his addition to the rotation would be a positive

[tclg]

I think this would be a smart addition way better than fred miller

[Chewie]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080901-chicago-bears-willie-anderson-tackle,0,2838792.story

Bears talk to free-agent tackle Anderson, but chances slim

By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
7:32 PM CDT, September 1, 2008

The Bears have had contact with free-agent Pro Bowl tackle Willie Anderson, but the chances of the veteran joining the Bears are slim to none, according to an NFL source.

Anderson, 33, was released by the Cincinnati Bengals on cut down day. He became a backup to Stacy Andrews at right tackle and refused to take a pay cut. He had a streak of 116 consecutive games stopped last season due to chronic pain in his right foot and also battled knee problems.

Anderson signed a fiive-year contract extension in 2005 reportedly worth $32 million. Money is part of the reason he doesn't fit into the Bears' plan despite the team's need for help on the offensive line.

The Bears lost rookie left tackle Chris Williams until at least November following back surgery. Guard Terrence Metcalf just returned to practice Monday off a knee injury. Veteran Fred Miller is mulling over the Bears' one-year contract offer after being cut by the team following last season.

Profootball.com cited three teams as finalists for Anderson: the Bears, Ravens and Chargers.

Also, the Bears had talks about acquiring Chris Simms but those talks have died down, the source said. Simms visited Baltimore Monday but did not sign with the Ravens. He was released by the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Simms appeared to be a viable option earlier in the off-season, but the Bears don't want to shake up the roster at this point.

C'mon, Bears - pull the effing trigger.

And what did I say about how Lovie would view a Simms acquisition? God forbid we shake up this awesome roster we've built. Looooooong season. I'll be researching the '09 draft prospects early and often. Can't wait to see what injured players and reaches will be drafting!

[Art Vandelay]

I don't see what it would hurt to grab this guy and Simms. Money, but..yeah, I guess that's probably a big thing to the FO.

But seriously, why not sign Simms and cut Grossman? Does it just make too much sense?

[Chewie]

I'm sure we were never in this race:

San Diego Union-Tribune:

Willie Anderson was leaving Baltimore yesterday afternoon even as his agent awaited a contract proposal from the Chargers. The 12-year veteran right tackle, released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, is comparison shopping. He is scheduled to visit Tampa Bay, and his agent said a visit to San Diego could happen this week. Terry Bolar said his client has narrowed his choices to the Chargers, Bucs and Ravens and will make a decision "pretty quickly." Bolar said Anderson had a good visit in Baltimore and passed the Ravens' physical.