tr1
June-13th-2007, 05:13 AM
I remember the play looking quite innocent...that such a difficult injury resulted is truly astonishing.
Running back counsels QB on what to expect in knee rehabilitation.
By Larry O'Rourke Of The Morning Call
http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/all-eagles.5896089jun13,0,3290726.story?coll=all-sportsmorefootball-hed
| A day after rejoining his Philadelphia Eagles teammates in a practice session for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury Nov. 19, Donovan McNabb was back at it again Tuesday, offering yet another sign that his recovery is on -- if not ahead of -- schedule.
Neither McNabb nor coach Andy Reid commented on the latest workout, but the back-to-back days of activity were an indication McNabb's surgically repaired right knee did not swell overnight, something the coach had said on Monday could be an issue Tuesday morning.
Another indication all is going well: Eagles official informed reporters McNabb is going to participate in a press conference Thursday, a sign he plans to work out again today and Thursday.
But running back Correll Buckhalter, who managed to play in each of the Eagles' 18 regular-season and playoff games in 2006 after missing three of the previous four seasons because of knee injuries, predicted there are still going to be some tough days ahead for McNabb.
''The main thing is, it's probably not going to swell until we get into two-a-days,'' Buckhalter said, looking ahead to the Eagles' late July/early August training camp workouts at Lehigh University. ''Then, you're getting a lot of work, and it'll probably swell the first couple of days. But knowing the kind of guy he is, he'll be responsible and take care of it.
''At some point, that's going to happen,'' Buckhalter added. ''It's not even a year yet, so you know at some point it's going to swell. But if you can get out there [as McNabb has this week], drop back, throw a little bit, and move on it, and you don't feel any damage, you're fine.''
Buckhalter was one of the teammates who helped talk McNabb through the tough times in December and January, when the quarterback could do little more than watch the Eagles reach the NFC Playoffs' semifinal-round without him.
''I didn't know at first what happened to him,'' Buckhalter said. ''But when I saw the replay on the [big video screen], I said, 'It's probably his knee.'
''I kind of talked to him when he first did it. I helped him through that phase, saying, 'Hey, if I can come back through three knee injuries, you can do it for one.' So, I think I'm kind of [an example] that motivates him. I was telling him the other day, 'You're pretty much over the hump, getting through months four, five and six.'''
Nothing is guaranteed, however, something demonstrated by Buckhalter's need to make three comebacks.
It also is demonstrated by the fact the Eagles' first selection in this year's draft was University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb.
If need be, Buckhalter could counsel McNabb on that issue, because even after re-signing Buckhlater to a two-year contract in March, the Eagles still picked two running backs in the draft; Penn State's Tony Hunt in the third round and Hawaii's Nate Ilaoa in the seventh. For now, at least, Buckhalter remains No. 2 on the depth chart behind feature back Brian Westbrook and ahead of Hunt.
''It's a job,'' Buckhalter said. ''At some point in their career, everybody is going to get replaced. I didn't think anything about it. I just do the things I have to do on the field.''
A year ago, Buckhalter's activity on the field was limited, much like McNabb's participation now. He was taking what amounted to little more than baby steps in a recovery that wasn't over until he saw his first regular-season action.
''This is just a blessing,'' Buckhalter said of the ability he now has to participate fully in workouts. ''God placed a healing hand on me, and I feel like I've never felt I hurt myself.
''I stayed on top of my workouts throughout the season. And I stayed positive.''
Running back counsels QB on what to expect in knee rehabilitation.
By Larry O'Rourke Of The Morning Call
http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/all-eagles.5896089jun13,0,3290726.story?coll=all-sportsmorefootball-hed
| A day after rejoining his Philadelphia Eagles teammates in a practice session for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury Nov. 19, Donovan McNabb was back at it again Tuesday, offering yet another sign that his recovery is on -- if not ahead of -- schedule.
Neither McNabb nor coach Andy Reid commented on the latest workout, but the back-to-back days of activity were an indication McNabb's surgically repaired right knee did not swell overnight, something the coach had said on Monday could be an issue Tuesday morning.
Another indication all is going well: Eagles official informed reporters McNabb is going to participate in a press conference Thursday, a sign he plans to work out again today and Thursday.
But running back Correll Buckhalter, who managed to play in each of the Eagles' 18 regular-season and playoff games in 2006 after missing three of the previous four seasons because of knee injuries, predicted there are still going to be some tough days ahead for McNabb.
''The main thing is, it's probably not going to swell until we get into two-a-days,'' Buckhalter said, looking ahead to the Eagles' late July/early August training camp workouts at Lehigh University. ''Then, you're getting a lot of work, and it'll probably swell the first couple of days. But knowing the kind of guy he is, he'll be responsible and take care of it.
''At some point, that's going to happen,'' Buckhalter added. ''It's not even a year yet, so you know at some point it's going to swell. But if you can get out there [as McNabb has this week], drop back, throw a little bit, and move on it, and you don't feel any damage, you're fine.''
Buckhalter was one of the teammates who helped talk McNabb through the tough times in December and January, when the quarterback could do little more than watch the Eagles reach the NFC Playoffs' semifinal-round without him.
''I didn't know at first what happened to him,'' Buckhalter said. ''But when I saw the replay on the [big video screen], I said, 'It's probably his knee.'
''I kind of talked to him when he first did it. I helped him through that phase, saying, 'Hey, if I can come back through three knee injuries, you can do it for one.' So, I think I'm kind of [an example] that motivates him. I was telling him the other day, 'You're pretty much over the hump, getting through months four, five and six.'''
Nothing is guaranteed, however, something demonstrated by Buckhalter's need to make three comebacks.
It also is demonstrated by the fact the Eagles' first selection in this year's draft was University of Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb.
If need be, Buckhalter could counsel McNabb on that issue, because even after re-signing Buckhlater to a two-year contract in March, the Eagles still picked two running backs in the draft; Penn State's Tony Hunt in the third round and Hawaii's Nate Ilaoa in the seventh. For now, at least, Buckhalter remains No. 2 on the depth chart behind feature back Brian Westbrook and ahead of Hunt.
''It's a job,'' Buckhalter said. ''At some point in their career, everybody is going to get replaced. I didn't think anything about it. I just do the things I have to do on the field.''
A year ago, Buckhalter's activity on the field was limited, much like McNabb's participation now. He was taking what amounted to little more than baby steps in a recovery that wasn't over until he saw his first regular-season action.
''This is just a blessing,'' Buckhalter said of the ability he now has to participate fully in workouts. ''God placed a healing hand on me, and I feel like I've never felt I hurt myself.
''I stayed on top of my workouts throughout the season. And I stayed positive.''