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Tucker trying to work his way back onto the field
Friday, July 25, 2008
The pain in Ryan Tucker's hip is gone. The pain in the bottom of his stomach is not. It's eating up the 12-year veteran not to be practicing with an offensive line that has turned into one of the league's finest.
Tucker popped out of the trainer's room after Wednesday's morning practice to visit with former teammate Aaron Shea. He is on the active/physically unable to perform list for another three weeks or so.
"I hate watching film when I'm not in it," Tucker said. "But I have a role to play right now and that's to get healthy. We have a great group of guys. It's awesome to be a part of this right now. Obviously I'm not on the field but I'm trying like crazy to be out there. I'm not going to rush. I'll be back out there eventually."
Tucker is hopeful he'll be activated in time to appear in at least one exhibition game. He had surgery in June to fix a fractured hip, a freak injury that occurred in the noncontact off-season voluntary practices.
Tucker had a metal plate secured to the hip in surgery. He said he needs to rebuild strength in his legs before he can return to practice. When he returns, he'll battle newcomer Rex Hadnot for the starting right guard spot.
On call
Numerous fans have wondered whether Josh Cribbs could be used as an extra defensive back, a la Troy Brown of New England. On Thursday, coach Romeo Crennel conceded Cribbs would be considered for the role in an emergency .
"Sure. Because he's an athlete," Crennel said. "But at the present time, he's got a lot of things he's trying to learn right now. We don't have to unnecessarily put a bigger load on his shoulders."
Besides his myriad roles on special teams, Cribbs is learning a new package of plays tailored for him in the offense by coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Crennel said coaches have no intention of lining up Cribbs on defense to familiarize him with a defensive back role.
"If there's a need, we can. But we wouldn't do it just to do it," Crennel said.
Testing, one, two, three
A new NFL rule this year allows one defensive player to wear a helmet with an earpiece, like the quarterbacks, that will enable them to hear coaches' defensive signals. Crennel said the defense will be introduced to the process this weekend. Crennel plans for linebacker Andra Davis to be the designated helmet-wearer and linebacker Leon Williams to be the alternate. No more than one player at a time can wear the special helmet and only two players can be designated for it prior to games.
Say what?
Defensive lineman Shaun Smith is probably the only player that can tell Jamal Lewis to shut up. He did just that when Lewis took umbrage to a hit to the ground administered by linebacker Shantee Orr after a catch.
"He's trying to make the team. Shut up," Smith hollered at Lewis. Lewis got payback later when he bumped Orr to the ground running after a catch.
