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Incognito Recovering Well
Monday, March 20, 2006
By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer
It has been almost three years since Richie Incognito last played in a football game. On Monday, he took an important step toward getting back on the field when he showed up for the beginning of the Rams’ offseason conditioning program.
Although the program is “voluntary” it is well known that participation is strongly encouraged. But Incognito didn’t need much in the way of prodding. His long absence from the field, an absence caused by disciplinary problems and injuries, is coming close to an end.
“The knee is feeling strong, the leg is feeling strong,” Incognito said. “Everything is feeling good. I am getting real close to 100 percent. I am moving around. My main focus when I was down in Arizona training was just to get strong again and gain strength so when I start moving around and getting closer back to 100 percent.”
It’s no wonder that Incognito is getting antsy to put the pads on, get on the field and participate in actual contact drills. Since his final appearance in college way back in 2003, Incognito has had nothing but obstacles keeping him from getting to the field.
After attempting to transfer from Nebraska to Oregon and being unable to fulfill that desire, Incognito ended up declaring for the NFL Draft after sitting out his junior year.
Incognito appeared back on the right track with an impressive workout at the NFL combine, but suffered a serious injury to his right knee just before the draft. That injury on top of the questions about his off the field incidents led to Incognito’s slipping to the third round.
The Rams scooped him up with the 81st pick in the draft and stashed him on the roster while holding out hope that he might be able to make it back to the game at some point during the season.
Incognito spent most of his time working out near his home in Arizona in an effort to rehabilitate and get on the field. Of course, none of it mattered until he signed a contract with the Rams.
A lengthy contract stalemate finally ended on Sept. 29, when Incognito agreed to a contract with the team. He was put on the injured reserve/non-football injury list soon after signing. That move allowed him additional time to recover and still hold out hopes of contributing without having to eat up a roster spot.
Finally, on Oct. 20, Incognito put on the pads and participated in practice. But Incognito pushed a little too far on that day, including a small scuffle with Tyoka Jackson. It was the first and last time he practiced during the season. He was placed on injured reserve in November, ending his season.
The inability to be on the field has been difficult for Incognito while he rehabs.
“It’s hard coming in, especially in your rookie year, first getting here, getting acclimated to the NFL lifestyle and then being hurt and rehabbing and not being out on the field, it’s killer,” Incognito said.
As Incognito nears that full health checkpoint, he has made some important strides. He arrived at Rams Park on Monday noticeably slimmer than he was when he first reported. He has dropped his weight from around 320 pounds down to around 295.
While that weight loss might seem significant, Incognito said he has played anywhere from 270 pounds up to around 325 in the past. He would like to remain in that range when he takes the field and says it should help his knee improve.
“The thought about that was to take some weight off and take pressure off the knee to try to get things moving again a little bit,” Incognito said.
In addition to coming back in good shape, Incognito got his first opportunity to meet with the new coaching staff. Incognito said there were no problems with his decision to work out in Arizona and he enjoyed his meeting with the new staff.
The previous coaching staff had originally slotted Incognito as the heir apparent at center and that still seems like a possibility, but Incognito said the discussion he has had with the new staff indicate he could be looked at as a guard or a center.
Considering the surgeries of right guard Adam Timmerman and center Andy McCollum in the past two offseasons, Incognito’s time could come sooner than later if he shows the same ability and strength on the field that he did three years ago when he last played.
“(My) goals set are to earn a starting spot and if not a starting spot then a lot of playing time,” Incognito said. “Really, at first just learning everything, getting in there and getting in the mix and hopefully contending for a starting spot.”
Incognito said he will be ready to go in time for the April 21-23 mini-camp and expects to pick up from there and never look back.
“It’s all I have been thinking about,” Incognito said. “It’s all I have been thinking about rehabbing, it’s all I have been thinking about all offseason. I am ready to put the pads on and get going and crack some heads.”
Monday, March 20, 2006
By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer
It has been almost three years since Richie Incognito last played in a football game. On Monday, he took an important step toward getting back on the field when he showed up for the beginning of the Rams’ offseason conditioning program.
Although the program is “voluntary” it is well known that participation is strongly encouraged. But Incognito didn’t need much in the way of prodding. His long absence from the field, an absence caused by disciplinary problems and injuries, is coming close to an end.
“The knee is feeling strong, the leg is feeling strong,” Incognito said. “Everything is feeling good. I am getting real close to 100 percent. I am moving around. My main focus when I was down in Arizona training was just to get strong again and gain strength so when I start moving around and getting closer back to 100 percent.”
It’s no wonder that Incognito is getting antsy to put the pads on, get on the field and participate in actual contact drills. Since his final appearance in college way back in 2003, Incognito has had nothing but obstacles keeping him from getting to the field.
After attempting to transfer from Nebraska to Oregon and being unable to fulfill that desire, Incognito ended up declaring for the NFL Draft after sitting out his junior year.
Incognito appeared back on the right track with an impressive workout at the NFL combine, but suffered a serious injury to his right knee just before the draft. That injury on top of the questions about his off the field incidents led to Incognito’s slipping to the third round.
The Rams scooped him up with the 81st pick in the draft and stashed him on the roster while holding out hope that he might be able to make it back to the game at some point during the season.
Incognito spent most of his time working out near his home in Arizona in an effort to rehabilitate and get on the field. Of course, none of it mattered until he signed a contract with the Rams.
A lengthy contract stalemate finally ended on Sept. 29, when Incognito agreed to a contract with the team. He was put on the injured reserve/non-football injury list soon after signing. That move allowed him additional time to recover and still hold out hopes of contributing without having to eat up a roster spot.
Finally, on Oct. 20, Incognito put on the pads and participated in practice. But Incognito pushed a little too far on that day, including a small scuffle with Tyoka Jackson. It was the first and last time he practiced during the season. He was placed on injured reserve in November, ending his season.
The inability to be on the field has been difficult for Incognito while he rehabs.
“It’s hard coming in, especially in your rookie year, first getting here, getting acclimated to the NFL lifestyle and then being hurt and rehabbing and not being out on the field, it’s killer,” Incognito said.
As Incognito nears that full health checkpoint, he has made some important strides. He arrived at Rams Park on Monday noticeably slimmer than he was when he first reported. He has dropped his weight from around 320 pounds down to around 295.
While that weight loss might seem significant, Incognito said he has played anywhere from 270 pounds up to around 325 in the past. He would like to remain in that range when he takes the field and says it should help his knee improve.
“The thought about that was to take some weight off and take pressure off the knee to try to get things moving again a little bit,” Incognito said.
In addition to coming back in good shape, Incognito got his first opportunity to meet with the new coaching staff. Incognito said there were no problems with his decision to work out in Arizona and he enjoyed his meeting with the new staff.
The previous coaching staff had originally slotted Incognito as the heir apparent at center and that still seems like a possibility, but Incognito said the discussion he has had with the new staff indicate he could be looked at as a guard or a center.
Considering the surgeries of right guard Adam Timmerman and center Andy McCollum in the past two offseasons, Incognito’s time could come sooner than later if he shows the same ability and strength on the field that he did three years ago when he last played.
“(My) goals set are to earn a starting spot and if not a starting spot then a lot of playing time,” Incognito said. “Really, at first just learning everything, getting in there and getting in the mix and hopefully contending for a starting spot.”
Incognito said he will be ready to go in time for the April 21-23 mini-camp and expects to pick up from there and never look back.
“It’s all I have been thinking about,” Incognito said. “It’s all I have been thinking about rehabbing, it’s all I have been thinking about all offseason. I am ready to put the pads on and get going and crack some heads.”
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