Sassy
11-03-2007, 01:17 AM
Friday, November 2, 2007
Notes: Abdullah Ready If Needed
Safety Hamza Abdullah hasn't played since Week 2 after injuring his hip flexor against Oakland, but appears to have his hops back. PHOTO: ANDREW MASON / DENVERBRONCOS.COM
11/2: Lynch Limited; Questionable for Lions
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Hamza Abdullah has practiced for the last two weeks. He wasn't even listed on the injury report this week, marking the first time he wasn't placed on the listing since he injured his hip flexor during the Week 2 win over the Oakland Raiders.
And with fellow safety John Lynch questionable for Sunday's game at Detroit after suffering a pinched nerve Monday night, Abdullah not only feels he's set to return -- but knows he needs to be ready to play.
"I hope so," Abdullah said. "Hopefully both John and I can play, but if John can't play, I'm going to put that added pressure (on myself) to get back out there."
While he has been able to go through the full gamut of practice-time work the last two weeks, Abdullah admits that he's not 100 percent, though he offers that he's "somewhere near there."
"With injuries like this, they want to give you a few weeks of practice, just to get your legs underneath you, because my wind isn't game-ready," Abdullah said. "I don't think my legs are game-ready, so I think they're giving me a little bit of time to get back up to speed.
"I just think the No. 1 thing is getting my legs back underneath me. Cutting, backpedaling, that wears on your legs a little bit -- just getting back out there and doing those same movements."
What was harder on Abdullah, however, was sitting out the last five contests.
"It's been a long time," he said. "It seems like I haven't played all season."
The injury was bad, but it could have been worse -- and he knows from first-hand experience.
"I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) my freshman year in college, and that was by far one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with," he said.
Yet he quickly put that injury behind him, and hopes he's about to do the same with his hip flexor.
"I'm just anxious to get back out there," Abdullah said.
SAFETY OPTION: While Abdullah is a valued part of the Broncos' depth at safety, it is Domonique Foxworth who is the first reserve at safety, and the third-year defender saw his playing time increase geometrically on Monday night in Lynch's absence.
Foxworth started the game, but saw his playing time rocket skyward after Lynch left the game. Foxworth has actually started more games the last season and a half at safety than at cornerback, his listed position, since he filled in for Nick Ferguson late in 2006.
While Foxworth has always identified himself as a cornerback, he seems to have warmed up to his role as primary backup at all four secondary slots.
"Personally, as clichéd as it sounds, once you get into the season, and especially when you're having a season like we're having -- where it's (comprised of) ups and downs -- you're really willing to do whatever it takes to turn this thing around," Foxworth said. "If the coaches think I'm more of an asset to the team at safety, then I'll do that.
"I take it as a huge compliment from them. One week I'm starting at corner and then the next week I'm playing safety and nickel. It's a huge compliment for them to think that I can handle all this mentally and physically."
But that being said, one position is more taxing than the other.
"Safety is definitely tougher mentally, and it's tougher as far as physical contact," he said. "But corner is so tough as far as athleticism is concerned.
"If I had to pick one -- I'd say (safety) is tougher physically, just because I'm a 170-pound safety hitting 240-pound running backs."
Notes: Abdullah Ready If Needed
Safety Hamza Abdullah hasn't played since Week 2 after injuring his hip flexor against Oakland, but appears to have his hops back. PHOTO: ANDREW MASON / DENVERBRONCOS.COM
11/2: Lynch Limited; Questionable for Lions
By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Hamza Abdullah has practiced for the last two weeks. He wasn't even listed on the injury report this week, marking the first time he wasn't placed on the listing since he injured his hip flexor during the Week 2 win over the Oakland Raiders.
And with fellow safety John Lynch questionable for Sunday's game at Detroit after suffering a pinched nerve Monday night, Abdullah not only feels he's set to return -- but knows he needs to be ready to play.
"I hope so," Abdullah said. "Hopefully both John and I can play, but if John can't play, I'm going to put that added pressure (on myself) to get back out there."
While he has been able to go through the full gamut of practice-time work the last two weeks, Abdullah admits that he's not 100 percent, though he offers that he's "somewhere near there."
"With injuries like this, they want to give you a few weeks of practice, just to get your legs underneath you, because my wind isn't game-ready," Abdullah said. "I don't think my legs are game-ready, so I think they're giving me a little bit of time to get back up to speed.
"I just think the No. 1 thing is getting my legs back underneath me. Cutting, backpedaling, that wears on your legs a little bit -- just getting back out there and doing those same movements."
What was harder on Abdullah, however, was sitting out the last five contests.
"It's been a long time," he said. "It seems like I haven't played all season."
The injury was bad, but it could have been worse -- and he knows from first-hand experience.
"I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) my freshman year in college, and that was by far one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with," he said.
Yet he quickly put that injury behind him, and hopes he's about to do the same with his hip flexor.
"I'm just anxious to get back out there," Abdullah said.
SAFETY OPTION: While Abdullah is a valued part of the Broncos' depth at safety, it is Domonique Foxworth who is the first reserve at safety, and the third-year defender saw his playing time increase geometrically on Monday night in Lynch's absence.
Foxworth started the game, but saw his playing time rocket skyward after Lynch left the game. Foxworth has actually started more games the last season and a half at safety than at cornerback, his listed position, since he filled in for Nick Ferguson late in 2006.
While Foxworth has always identified himself as a cornerback, he seems to have warmed up to his role as primary backup at all four secondary slots.
"Personally, as clichéd as it sounds, once you get into the season, and especially when you're having a season like we're having -- where it's (comprised of) ups and downs -- you're really willing to do whatever it takes to turn this thing around," Foxworth said. "If the coaches think I'm more of an asset to the team at safety, then I'll do that.
"I take it as a huge compliment from them. One week I'm starting at corner and then the next week I'm playing safety and nickel. It's a huge compliment for them to think that I can handle all this mentally and physically."
But that being said, one position is more taxing than the other.
"Safety is definitely tougher mentally, and it's tougher as far as physical contact," he said. "But corner is so tough as far as athleticism is concerned.
"If I had to pick one -- I'd say (safety) is tougher physically, just because I'm a 170-pound safety hitting 240-pound running backs."