Ex-Bronco Wilson still awaits medical clearance, miss not being a Bronco - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 06-09-2007, 03:13 AM

Ex-Bronco Wilson still awaits medical clearance
By Tom Kensler
Denver Post Staff Writer

Castle Rock - Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson still holds out hope that his playing career isn't over.

Wilson, who will turn 30 on June 21, said today that he has been contacted by several NFL teams but he is not yet cleared by doctors to play. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most popular players in Broncos' history, Wilson was carted off the field after suffering a neck injury in the fourth quarter of the 12th game, Dec. 3 against Seattle.

Returning to the starting lineup the following week, Wilson accounted for seven unassisted tackles against San Diego. He suited up but did not see action in the final game and he did not play in the Pro Bowl after being named a starter.

The Broncos released their team captain for the past six seasons on April 13 because of injury and salary cap concerns.

Wilson declined to identify the teams that have shown interest in him.

"I'm just trying to stay in shape and see where it goes from there," Wilson said today before teeing off in the sixth annual Al Wilson Prostate Cancer Golf Tournament at The Ridge at Castle Pines North.

"The neck feels good. But at the same time, that's just an internal thing, how I feel. You never know until you get out there and play ball. If you're not healthy, you shouldn't be out there.

"So it's still up in the air," he added. "I feel good. But that doesn't mean the tests won't show that nothing has changed. I'm just looking forward to finding out."

Wilson's benefit golf event is expected to raise more than $100,000 this year to support free or low-cost prostate cancer screenings. Wilson lost a grandfather, Milton Grice, to the disease.

"This tournament is for a great cause, a cause that's near and dear to my heart," Wilson said. "We're out here to help get guys to think about getting tested. It's something I look forward to every year."

A Broncos first-round draft choice in 1999 out of Tennessee, Wilson recorded a team-best 113 tackles in 2006 and has 959 in his eight-year career. He plans to maintain a residence in the Denver area.

"I'll be here," Wilson said. "I've been here nine years, so it's hard to just pick up and leave. The city has been great to me. It's a great place to be. It's beautiful, and I plan to be around."

After being released, Wilson said there were no hard feelings and took out a full-page advertisement in local newspapers to thank the fans.

"I miss not being a Bronco. But I don't miss the mini-camps, training camps, none of that," Wilson said with a grin.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6095077

bronco610 · 06-09-2007, 03:17 AM

Classy Guy!!!

thumpc · 06-09-2007, 03:19 AM

He can rest up a year and come back.

Killericon · 06-09-2007, 03:22 AM

Quote:

I miss not being a Bronco.

He misses not being a Bronco? But...he isn't a Bronco.

Houshyamama · 06-09-2007, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killericon

He misses not being a Bronco? But...he isn't a Bronco.

That one took me a while.

Los Broncos · 06-09-2007, 05:42 AM

Ill miss not seeing him on the field come preseason. Maybe if hes cleared to play he can come back.

Atlas · 06-09-2007, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragondawg

A Broncos first-round draft choice in 1999 out of Tennessee, Wilson recorded a team-best 113 tackles in 2006 and has 959 in his eight-year career. He plans to maintain a residence in the Denver area.

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6095077

I would just like to point something out. We all know how good Al was. He had 859 tackles in his 8 year career. Randy Gradishar had over 2000 in his 10 year career!! Just throwing some love out there for Randy.

Natedogg · 06-09-2007, 06:48 AM

I'm a dreamer. I hope he comes back.

Broncojef · 06-09-2007, 07:09 AM

Can you imagine this Defense if we could plug Al into it somehow? I just can't stop thinking how much I'd like to see him out there again and how much more confidence I'd have if he was involved.

dragondawg · 06-09-2007, 07:38 AM

if he comes back he'll probably take a huge pay cut and less playing time, maybe he can play at strongside

elsid13 · 06-09-2007, 08:28 AM

I am still amazed that Denver Doctors gave him a clear bill of health to play in January and now no teams will touch him because of the neck issue. WTF, is going on with Dove Valley medical staff

Tredici · 06-09-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elsid13

I am still amazed that Denver Doctors gave him a clear bill of health to play in January and now no teams will touch him because of the neck issue. WTF, is going on with Dove Valley medical staff

If I recall the Dove Valley medical staff had cleared him. It was the physicians for the New York Giants who said he couldn't pass the physical. Whatever they found seemed to have changed everything.

elsid13 · 06-09-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tredici

If I recall the Dove Valley medical staff had cleared him. It was the physicians for the New York Giants who said he couldn't pass the physical. Whatever they found seemed to have changed everything.

Exactly true.

bpc · 06-09-2007, 12:00 PM

I will miss seeing #56 out there big time.

Play2win · 06-09-2007, 12:57 PM

I hope he comes back to coach here, he still has a lot of fire for the game, I am sure that could translate very well into coaching. I wonder if he would do something like that, since he loves the Denver area so much...

Play2win · 06-09-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpc

I will miss seeing #56 out there big time.

I will miss seeing #56 out there as much as I miss seeing ATWATER out there.

24champ · 06-09-2007, 01:13 PM

DJ Williams era has started...Al is not coming back, nor do the coaches want him back. If they did want him back, why would they trade him after he was given a clean bill of health by Dove Valley? People need to move on and Ian Gold is going to be the next one to get the pink slip if he doesn't shape up.

telluride · 06-09-2007, 02:22 PM

Retire with dignity Al.

Rascal · 06-09-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

I would just like to point something out. We all know how good Al was. He had 859 tackles in his 8 year career. Randy Gradishar had over 2000 in his 10 year career!! Just throwing some love out there for Randy.

True that.

But it also puts it into perspective that I believe we can move on without his stats. His leadership maybe not, but what he did on the field I think we can replace.

Broncoman13 · 06-09-2007, 03:11 PM

I'd love to see Al Wilson as a coach in Denver one day. Kind of like Ken Norton and Mike Singletary, he has the ability to be a great LB coach. I'd even enjoy seeing him coach at CU or the Academy for that matter. It's not about the money for him at this point. It's about adding to the communities in Colorado, which is something he's stated that he would like to do.

I just hope that no matter what Al Wilson won't end up playing for the Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers, or Ravens. I could stomach him playing for the Pats or even the Colts for a year or two. Ideally, if he ends up anywhere I hope it's in New Orleans, Tennessee, or maybe even Cincy so he can bang some heads and help the NFL out a little with their problem child!

Inkana7 · 06-09-2007, 05:43 PM

I sure will miss Al's intensity. He's a man who just loved football.

footstepsfrom#27 · 06-09-2007, 06:16 PM

Al Wilson as the Broncos LB coach would ROCK!

06-09-2007, 03:13 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Ex-Bronco Wilson still awaits medical clearance, miss not being a Bronco Ex-Bronco Wilson still awaits medical clearance By Tom Kensler Denver Post Staff Writer Castle Rock - Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson still holds out hope that his playing career isn't over. Wilson, who will turn 30 on June 21, said today that he has been contacted by several NFL teams but he is not yet cleared by doctors to play. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most popular players in Broncos' history, Wilson was carted off the field after suffering a neck injury in the fourth quarter of the 12th game, Dec. 3 against Seattle. Returning to the starting lineup the following week, Wilson accounted for seven unassisted tackles against San Diego. He suited up but did not see action in the final game and he did not play in the Pro Bowl after being named a starter. The Broncos released their team captain for the past six seasons on April 13 because of injury and salary cap concerns. Wilson declined to identify the teams that have shown interest in him. "I'm just trying to stay in shape and see where it goes from there," Wilson said today before teeing off in the sixth annual Al Wilson Prostate Cancer Golf Tournament at The Ridge at Castle Pines North. "The neck feels good. But at the same time, that's just an internal thing, how I feel. You never know until you get out there and play ball. If you're not healthy, you shouldn't be out there. "So it's still up in the air," he added. "I feel good. But that doesn't mean the tests won't show that nothing has changed. I'm just looking forward to finding out." Wilson's benefit golf event is expected to raise more than $100,000 this year to support free or low-cost prostate cancer screenings. Wilson lost a grandfather, Milton Grice, to the disease. "This tournament is for a great cause, a cause that's near and dear to my heart," Wilson said. "We're out here to help get guys to think about getting tested. It's something I look forward to every year." A Broncos first-round draft choice in 1999 out of Tennessee, Wilson recorded a team-best 113 tackles in 2006 and has 959 in his eight-year career. He plans to maintain a residence in the Denver area. "I'll be here," Wilson said. "I've been here nine years, so it's hard to just pick up and leave. The city has been great to me. It's a great place to be. It's beautiful, and I plan to be around." After being released, Wilson said there were no hard feelings and took out a full-page advertisement in local newspapers to thank the fans. "I miss not being a Bronco. But I don't miss the mini-camps, training camps, none of that," Wilson said with a grin. http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6095077

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06-09-2007, 03:17 AM	#2
bronco610 OLD FART Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 2,025 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	Classy Guy!!!

06-09-2007, 03:19 AM	#3
thumpc Pro Bowler Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Future Posts: 745 Adopt-a-Bronco: Richard Quinn	He can rest up a year and come back.

06-09-2007, 05:42 AM	#6
Los Broncos Ring of farmers Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anaheim Hills, Santa Ana Mountains CA Posts: 18,766 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ryan Clady	Ill miss not seeing him on the field come preseason. Maybe if hes cleared to play he can come back.

06-09-2007, 06:48 AM	#8
Natedogg 1st Amendment Protection You sending The MethWolfe!!!??? Join Date: May 2005 Location: St. Petersburg Russia Posts: 1,877 Adopt-a-Bronco: Travis Henry	I'm a dreamer. I hope he comes back.

06-09-2007, 07:09 AM	#9
Broncojef Ring of Famer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Great White North Posts: 3,019	Can you imagine this Defense if we could plug Al into it somehow? I just can't stop thinking how much I'd like to see him out there again and how much more confidence I'd have if he was involved.

06-09-2007, 07:38 AM	#10
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	if he comes back he'll probably take a huge pay cut and less playing time, maybe he can play at strongside

06-09-2007, 08:28 AM	#11
elsid13 Lost In Space Bóg, Honor, Ojczyzna Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: DC Posts: 19,080	I am still amazed that Denver Doctors gave him a clear bill of health to play in January and now no teams will touch him because of the neck issue. WTF, is going on with Dove Valley medical staff

06-09-2007, 12:00 PM	#14
bpc "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" 1 sword keeps another in the sheath Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 12,567 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	I will miss seeing #56 out there big time.

06-09-2007, 12:57 PM	#15
Play2win Ring of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 9,610 Adopt-a-Bronco: The Duke	I hope he comes back to coach here, he still has a lot of fire for the game, I am sure that could translate very well into coaching. I wonder if he would do something like that, since he loves the Denver area so much...

06-09-2007, 01:13 PM	#17
24champ Livin' the dream! Methwolfe Alliance Captain Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 18,538 Adopt-a-Bronco: DomCasual	DJ Williams era has started...Al is not coming back, nor do the coaches want him back. If they did want him back, why would they trade him after he was given a clean bill of health by Dove Valley? People need to move on and Ian Gold is going to be the next one to get the pink slip if he doesn't shape up.

06-09-2007, 02:22 PM	#18
telluride Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,557 Adopt-a-Bronco: --Rulon!--	Retire with dignity Al.

06-09-2007, 03:11 PM	#20
Broncoman13 Broncoholic JT #80 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 16,961 Adopt-a-Bronco: Orange Julius	I'd love to see Al Wilson as a coach in Denver one day. Kind of like Ken Norton and Mike Singletary, he has the ability to be a great LB coach. I'd even enjoy seeing him coach at CU or the Academy for that matter. It's not about the money for him at this point. It's about adding to the communities in Colorado, which is something he's stated that he would like to do. I just hope that no matter what Al Wilson won't end up playing for the Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers, or Ravens. I could stomach him playing for the Pats or even the Colts for a year or two. Ideally, if he ends up anywhere I hope it's in New Orleans, Tennessee, or maybe even Cincy so he can bang some heads and help the NFL out a little with their problem child!

06-09-2007, 05:43 PM	#21
Inkana7 Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,230 Adopt-a-Bronco: Derek Wolfe	I sure will miss Al's intensity. He's a man who just loved football.

06-09-2007, 06:16 PM	#22
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,117 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Al Wilson as the Broncos LB coach would ROCK!