OWINGS MILLS -- The irony of his arrival at the Baltimore Ravens’ training complex quickly struck former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson.

After years of competing against a familiar AFC North rival, the four-time Pro Bowl right tackle began practicing with the Ravens on Friday after signing a three-year, $11 million contract that includes a $1.67 million signing bonus.

“It was one of the teams that in Cincinnati we always envied, the way the organization is run, the integrity that they had,” Anderson said. “We always looked up to the Ravens as a goal to get to. It’s funny being here, but the guys welcomed me in. The rep of this place, it carries big in Cincinnati.

“The respect between us and the rest of the guys is mutual because we battled so much. I’m still just trying to fit in and not come in with any ego. I’m an old-time guy. I found that a lot of these guys are young guys up here, so my thing is do what I can to make this team better.”

Anderson, 33, was cut by the Bengals a week ago after he refused to accept a pay cut. He lost his starting job to Stacy Andrews during training camp.

Unaware if he’ll play against his former teammates Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, Anderson said he doesn t harbor any hard feelings toward the Bengals.

He did reference some unspecific issues with the Bengals, though, an organization that has been ridiculed around the league in the past for owner Mike Brown’s flintiness, for several troubled players’ legal issues and for having substandard facilities.

“They didn’t cut me because I couldn’t play, they cut me because I said I didn’t want to play there anymore,” Anderson said. “That was me not wanting to deal with the other non-football issues that I had to deal with for so long. After 13 years, you kind of get tired of dealing with non-football issues.”

The 6-foot-5, 340-pounder was limited to a career-low seven games and five starts last season due to injuries, but has started 173 of 181 career games. Nine times, he has started every game.

“I feel like any 13-year lineman feels,” Anderson said. “Am I 21 again? No, I’m 33."

Anderson expects to challenge former second-round pick Adam Terry for the starting right tackle job, but not immediately.

“I would be crazy to sit here and think that I’m more prepared than those guys right now," Anderson said. I’m just trying to recover from being out of work for a week.”

Terry is scheduled to remain in the starting lineup Sunday, and didn’t sound concerned about his job security.

As a natural left tackle, Terry could always shift over and compete with Jared Gaither if he’s supplanted by Anderson.

“You never know,” Terry said. “It’s a situation where I have to do the best I can going into this game. There’s a myriad of variables that could happen. As far as I know, I haven’t heard anything.

“He adds veteran leadership to a young offensive line. He’s been around the block. It’s not his first rodeo.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to offer any insight into when Anderson would be installed as a starter, only saying there’s a chance he may play this week.