Alexander: Andrews Ready If Needed

[HoosierCat]

Anyone catch this little blurb on da site?

READY AND WAITING: Offensive line coach Paul Alexander isn’t sure when RT Willie Anderson (knee) returns, but he says Stacy Andrews is doing just fine and the second-year player with just 70 college snaps is ready to go into a game if needed.

Wow. Great news, if Alexander isn't just blowing hot air out his butt...

[Stripes]

Haha, nah i believe him, and it is good news. I'd like to see Andrews on the field more, he's friggin' huge.

[WhoDeyHomer]

Yeah, Ive been waiting to see him in action, I had hopes for him. He is enormous, and he must have some body control and ability to learn to almost go to the Olympics. I cant wait to see him pancaking 2nd stringers all preseason.

[ArmyBengal]

This guy is a freakin wall !!! If things go downhill on the O-line, it nice to know you can throw the walking skyscraper in there to shut down some folks !!!

WHODEY !!!

[DesperateDerelict]

Although I hope Levi & Willie play forever, the thought of bookend skyscrapers is pretty neat - Andrews and our newest 5th rounder, nicknamed "Sasquatch" (sp?)

[Kirkendall]

No way, Willie Anderson is our man. He's the most loyal guy on our team. He'll be ok. Hell, I'd take a 50% Anderson over anyone!

I did notice Paul wasn't all that enthusiastic about it though. "If needed"?

[Spain]

none of the aforementioned playas could caryy steinbachs jock strap! Its nice to know that the future is coming on however the real ? is, how long is big willie needed here we might see him on the way out, I really dont know but damn Ill miss him if he is shoved out! I would much rather see Levi go than willie. Ive also seen that andrews is backing up Lt not right preferablly. Dont get me wrong but Levi could be improved upon!

[Kirkendall]

I think Mike Brown is loyal enough, as is Marvin, to keep Willie around until he's ready to retire. Sign Willie to a 25 year contract, 3-4 years player, the rest coaching. If it wasn't for Munoz (translation in Cincinnati: GOD), I'd say Willie is the best offensive tackle in Bengals history....

[HoosierCat]

I did notice Paul wasn't all that enthusiastic about it though. "If needed"?

I didn't read it either way (either enthusiastic or unenthusiastic). It just caught my eye because it isn't every day that a position coach, asked what happens if his Pro Bowl player goes down, airily comments that some project who had 70 college snaps and a handful of out-of-position pro snaps could just step right in. Either Stacy has come a long way or Paul's fulla poopie. Hopefully it's the former.

[CantStop85]

You don't need a lot of experience when you're that huge.

Although I'd rather see a Willie Anderson at 70% starting, I'm really excited to see that Andrews might be panning out.

[HairOnFire]

I did notice Paul wasn't all that enthusiastic about it though.  "If needed"?

I didn't read it either way (either enthusiastic or unenthusiastic). It just caught my eye because it isn't every day that a position coach, asked what happens if his Pro Bowl player goes down, airily comments that some project who had 70 college snaps and a handful of out-of-position pro snaps could just step right in.

Not trying to split hairs but stepping in if a pro bowl player goes down sounds like quite a bit more than he actually said.

"...ready to go into a game if needed."

[HoosierCat]

Not trying to split hairs but stepping in if a pro bowl player goes down sounds like quite a bit more than he actually said.

"...ready to go into a game if needed."

So exactly what, in your opinion, did he say?

Did he mention moving Levi to RT and letting Steinbach go to LT (where other stories have him taking a lot of reps)? Or Keift, who IIRC took a lot of snaps on the right side in college?

Nope. His first answer was Stacy, who in Alexander's own words is "fine."

So either Stacy has come a long way...or Paul's fulla poopie. Intentionally or otherwise.

[HairOnFire]

So exactly what, in your opinion, did he say?

The way I read it was he's progressing within the time frame they hoped for, hasn't hit any major hurdles, and could play now if injuries dictated he had to. And if that sounds like faint praise then so be it.