Webster Not Ready/Setback

[TJJackson]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2029711

[Section 310]

Check out the link. Webster tore his patella a second time

in rehab and will not be ready by training camp. This

would seem to put a premium on drafting an ILB in rounds

1 to 3.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor..._len&id=2029711

[CTBengalsFan]

or >>>Jamie Sharper.

[Whur CHad At?]

That will effect his 40 time

poor guy, hope they don't get rid of him

[CJBestInAFC]

Yeah I like Sharper. They drafted ILb last year. I would rather have a proven veteran take over the role of ILB.

[Bobcat Bengal]

That sucks.

Webster can't seem to catch a break, OR CAN HE?

[BengalszoneBilly]

First Perry has numerous issues which may, or may not be over. Then Warrick isn't correctly diagnosed as to the true source of his injury until very late, and now this. Who the hell is responsible for handling these things!?! They don't seem to be doing it very well, and that leaves me concerned about Carson Palmer's knee! Is it really okay, or are we going to hear different on that later too?

[Whur CHad At?]

Agreed, I mean no other team in the NFL does this. It is annoying@!!

[jjakq27]

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...050359/1066/SPT

Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Setback forces LB Webster to have second knee surgery

By Mark Curnutte

Enquirer staff writer

Middle linebacker Nate Webster, the Bengals' most important free-agent signing in 2004, revealed Monday that he suffered a second knee injury that required a second operation, and he is "iffy" for the start of training camp.

The Bengals lost Webster at the end of Game 3 last season when he tore a patellar tendon in his right knee. During rehabilitation, a process that Webster described as "going great," he suffered a partial tear of the same tendon and underwent surgery in December.

Now, at the start of the team's offseason strength and conditioning program, Webster said there's a chance he won't be ready to play when camp opens in late July. His potential absence and questionable prognosis have left the Bengals' linebacker situation in flux.

"I've got to listen to the doctors," said Webster, who wore a wrap around his right knee Monday.

Webster refuted a rumor that the Bengals were trying to reach an injury settlement that would release both parties from his five-year, $10.8 million contract.

"No such thing," Webster said three times when asked about the report.

Drew Rosenhaus, Webster's agent, did not return two phone messages left Monday.

Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said the Webster report was "off base and not factual."

Webster, who got a $2.5 million signing bonus, said he was determined to return.

The Bengals have options at linebacker. They've invested three picks in the position in the past two drafts: Khalid Abdullah, Caleb Miller and Landon Johnson. Kevin Hardy, who played in the middle in 2003, struggled at times - especially in pass coverage - while playing outside linebacker in 2004.

Johnson and Miller each had starts at middle linebacker as rookies last season after Webster's injury. Abdullah played in all 16 games on special teams (14 tackles) as a rookie in 2003 but was lost for 2004 when he dislocated an ankle in training camp.

Johnson, who did not play middle linebacker in college at Purdue, made 11 starts in 2004 and led the defense with 133 tackles.

Johnson said Monday he had offseason surgery on his right shoulder and was "just trying to get it right before the season."

He wants to gain weight and strength and would like to start training camp at 230 pounds. He said he weighed 215 - unusually light for a middle linebacker - at the end of his rookie season.

Miller, like Johnson a third-round pick in 2004, played in 13 games with three starts as a rookie but battled ankle problems.

Miller said Monday he prefers to play middle linebacker but would be happy just to be on the field - even if coaches would want to try him as a strong safety to help bolster the run defense. Miller also said the ankle was still "giving me some issues."

Abdullah's goal is to open camp at 240 pounds.

He said he is 90 percent healthy and has sprinted but has not cut on the ankle.

"It's not much about uncertainty," Abdullah said when asked about the upcoming season and returning from injury. "It's about the résumé. They brought new people in (Miller and Johnson), and they displayed what they could do. I still haven't showed what I can bring to the table."

The Bengals last month had an aborted visit with middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, then an unrestricted free agent, who re-signed with Philadelphia.

The Bengals also might be interested in former Ravens and Texans linebacker Jamie Sharper, released Friday by Houston. He started 127 of 128 games in eight seasons and played for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis when Lewis coordinated Baltimore's defense.

Sharper has scheduled a visit to Seattle later this week. Tony Agnone, his agent, could not be reached Monday.

WEBSTER'S STATS WITH BENGALS

Middle linebacker Nate Webster signed a five-year, $10.8 million contract with the Bengals on March 5, 2004. He was lost for the season with a torn patellar tendon in Game 3. His stats:

Games: 3

Starts: 3

Tackles: 26 (17 solo)

Sacks: 1

Passes broken up: 2

Fumbles forced: 1

Fumbles recovered: 1

[TippCityRick]

Who the hell is responsible for handling these things!?!

I believe part of the problem stems from a new federal law passed a couple years ago that forbids employers from demanding medical condition reports from their employers. It was designed to eliminate some discrimination in the general workplace, but we who live in a sports-drenched world had fears of just this sort of thing happening. Players now are not required to give complete information on their medical conditions and take more liberties with rehabbing on their own. I don't know if this has affected either the Webster or Perry situations, but I'm pretty sure it affected the Warrick injury.