Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard Bobbie Williams is ironically following the same path that the great Willie Anderson did. Though their departures from Cincinnati were different (Anderson was released, Williams wasn't asked to return as a free agent), both players signed with the Ravens with Baltimore's regular season opener scheduled against the Cincinnati Bengals. Anderson sat out against his former squad during the first game in 2008, but Williams is expected to start as the Baltimore Ravens right guard after signing a two-year deal worth $2.92 million with a $800,000 signing bonus last June.
And he's looking forward to playing against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I'd be telling you a story if I said it wasn't," Williams said with a smile. "I'm truly looking forward to it. It's going to be fun, it's going to be electric.
"Although those are still friends over there, unfortunately they're going to be enemies this game. It will be no love lost when I step on that field. I got to treat them as if I don't know them. After the game, I'll say a prayer with them."
In the end Williams holds no ill-will with the Bengals.
"It was a good run there," Williams said. "I played my contract out, so it's not like they cut me. Maybe things could have worked out, but I can't say anything bad about the Bengals."
Nor can anyone say anything bad about Williams during his time in Cincinnati. It was definitely a good run.