The Ravens expect to see offensive lineman Willie Anderson, one of their biggest offseason acquisitions, in a purple jersey for the first time on Sunday.
“I’ll probably be rotating in,” Anderson, who signed a three-year, $11 million deal late last week, said. “With the continuity these guys developed in the first game, it would be hard to break that up right now.”
The Bengals cut Anderson, a three-time pro bowler, last week. A few days later, he signed with Baltimore. The Ravens’ offensive line excelled in a 17-10 win over Cincinnati with left tackle Jared Gaither and Adam Terry playing prominent roles in the team rushing for 229 yards and not yielding a sack.
But Anderson, at 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds, could soon crack the starting lineup, but will provide depth for the unit against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday at 4:15 p.m.
“Willie can make any offensive line more physical,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We have a plan. Hopefully, it’s a good one.”
Weather or not
Hurricane Ike continues to head toward Texas, and could impact the Ravens’ travel and preparation for their game in Houston. The storm is supposed to hit the city on Friday night and continuing off and on through Sunday. If the storm gets worse, there is a possibility Houston could be evacuated, which could change the game’s venue.
But Harbaugh showed little concern for the storm, as Reliant Stadium has a retractable dome and the chance of evacuating the city is slim.
“Whatever the [contingency] plans are,” he said, “they will let us know.”
Personnel moves
The Ravens cut kicker Steve Hauschka and tackle Mike Kracalik on Monday afternoon to make room for cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Derrick Martin. Each of the defensive backs was suspended for the season opener, but are expected to play on Sunday. The team also signed tight end/linebacker Edgar Jones to the practice squad, causing it to cut Nate Lawrie to make room for Jones.
Long road home
Defensive end Trevor Pryce said the team has to block out its distractions away from Baltimore if it is going to have a chance to beat Houston.
The Ravens won only one road game last season, a 9-7 win at San Francisco on Oct. 7, en route to a 5-11 season.
“It’s going to get tougher,” Pryce said. “It’s the second week so everyone is in their groove. It’s always tough, no matter who we are playing, and that’s just the way football works.”
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