Incognito nears return to lineup

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Sep. 22 2007

The frustration has passed for Richie Incognito. Now, he’s feeling antsy.

“There’s finally something to look forward to,” he said Friday. “It’s getting
close.”

Incognito, the Rams’ first-team right guard, has been sidelined since spraining
his left ankle Aug. 18 in an exhibition game vs. San Diego. He hasn’t
practiced, other than assorted individual work, since then.

The injury occurred high on the ankle, which extends the recovery period. Then
Incognito reaggravated the injury as he pushed to get ready for the
season-opener, further delaying his return.

“There’s really not a time frame for it,” Incognito explained. “You’re going to
progress, you’re going to get better, and then one day you’re going to feel
fine. I’m waiting for that day.”

It could come next week. “Hopefully,” he said. “We’re taking it day by day and
then we’ll re-evaluate where I am.”

The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Incognito, 24, sat out his first NFL season with a knee
injury. That experience has helped him deal with his current hiatus.

“You learn the value of patience and picking up as much as you can, getting
mental reps, staying with it,” he said. “Because if you get out of it, the
mental part of the game goes down, too. You’ve just got to ride the highs and
lows, and get better.”

[Kane]

Hopefully as part of learning patience, Richie has also learned how to avoid giving up 15 yard penalties for losing his rag.