Husker_Power
Starter
By: Jonathan Crowl
Issue date: 8/27/07
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On his official recruiting visit to Nebraska in 2004, Zackary Bowman watched NU true freshman Cortney Grixby jump into the game against Southern Miss after starting cornerback Lornell McPherson pulled up injured.
At the time, Bowman envisioned being in the same situation, imagining himself in Grixby's shoes - not McPherson's. But for much of his career at Nebraska, the latter has better resembled Bowman's reality.
No one has seen the former five-star recruit since 2005, when Bowman assisted in the game-saving tackle of Michigan's near-miracle touchdown in the Alamo Bowl. In the time since, Bowman's world has been challenging and frustrating.
He missed the entire 2006 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee in fall camp. After rehabbing and joining the team for practice this spring, Bowman ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in March.
The injury placed several more months of rehab in front of Bowman, a would-be defensive star who has spent more time on the injury report than the active roster. Playing on two surgically repaired knees in his final season of eligibility, Bowman's return to the playing field has been gradual and with care.
"I think he's done a nice job," Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. "I think we're being smart with him, and we continue to evaluate him on a daily basis."
Days have become the operative time frame both Bowman and his coaches prefer to use. There is no deadline set for his full return, no guarantees for how much he will play in the season opener against Nevada and no promise that he will even appear in the Cornhuskers' first game.
Bowman said his knee is about 90 percent healed, but his particular kind of patellar tendon injury can be difficult to return from. He has yet to fully recover his speed or sharp footwork.
"I'm just gonna take it on a day-by-day basis," Bowman said after his first full practice last week. "I felt really good today, and we're just gonna come out here and give it a go again.
"I'm not making any plans for Nevada or Wake (Forest), I'm just gonna take my time, play the course out."
The return of Bowman adds depth and strength to a position that suffered criticism as being the Blackshirts' weakest link last season. Grixby and fellow cornerback Andre Jones filled in during Bowman's absence, playing in a spotlight that has shined harshly on both of them.
When Bowman returns, he'll at least provide another option for Nebraska in a unit that was banged up much of last season. When he regains his form on the field, Bowman's NFL potential will be featured in premier matchups with the opponents' best receivers.
Grixby and Jones both have significant experience in starting roles and ample talent to complement Bowman, and the Huskers have several young players to work into the system.
True freshman Prince Amukamara was slated to play cornerback by Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan at the fall camp press conference. Anthony Blue and Shawn Sullivan are two other freshman talents lined up behind their senior leaders at the position.
"We're going to start all those guys at corner and see what they can do on the edge and see what their skills are like," Callahan said. "If need be, we'll move them inside (to safety). It's important for us to get the evaluation of their corner skills first before we make any declaration of a move or an adjustment to a slot."
Bowman's status won't be certain until he steps onto the field to test his rehabilitated body.
If all goes well, he'll get the chance to step off.
Issue date: 8/27/07
LINK
On his official recruiting visit to Nebraska in 2004, Zackary Bowman watched NU true freshman Cortney Grixby jump into the game against Southern Miss after starting cornerback Lornell McPherson pulled up injured.
At the time, Bowman envisioned being in the same situation, imagining himself in Grixby's shoes - not McPherson's. But for much of his career at Nebraska, the latter has better resembled Bowman's reality.
No one has seen the former five-star recruit since 2005, when Bowman assisted in the game-saving tackle of Michigan's near-miracle touchdown in the Alamo Bowl. In the time since, Bowman's world has been challenging and frustrating.
He missed the entire 2006 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee in fall camp. After rehabbing and joining the team for practice this spring, Bowman ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in March.
The injury placed several more months of rehab in front of Bowman, a would-be defensive star who has spent more time on the injury report than the active roster. Playing on two surgically repaired knees in his final season of eligibility, Bowman's return to the playing field has been gradual and with care.
"I think he's done a nice job," Nebraska defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. "I think we're being smart with him, and we continue to evaluate him on a daily basis."
Days have become the operative time frame both Bowman and his coaches prefer to use. There is no deadline set for his full return, no guarantees for how much he will play in the season opener against Nevada and no promise that he will even appear in the Cornhuskers' first game.
Bowman said his knee is about 90 percent healed, but his particular kind of patellar tendon injury can be difficult to return from. He has yet to fully recover his speed or sharp footwork.
"I'm just gonna take it on a day-by-day basis," Bowman said after his first full practice last week. "I felt really good today, and we're just gonna come out here and give it a go again.
"I'm not making any plans for Nevada or Wake (Forest), I'm just gonna take my time, play the course out."
The return of Bowman adds depth and strength to a position that suffered criticism as being the Blackshirts' weakest link last season. Grixby and fellow cornerback Andre Jones filled in during Bowman's absence, playing in a spotlight that has shined harshly on both of them.
When Bowman returns, he'll at least provide another option for Nebraska in a unit that was banged up much of last season. When he regains his form on the field, Bowman's NFL potential will be featured in premier matchups with the opponents' best receivers.
Grixby and Jones both have significant experience in starting roles and ample talent to complement Bowman, and the Huskers have several young players to work into the system.
True freshman Prince Amukamara was slated to play cornerback by Nebraska Coach Bill Callahan at the fall camp press conference. Anthony Blue and Shawn Sullivan are two other freshman talents lined up behind their senior leaders at the position.
"We're going to start all those guys at corner and see what they can do on the edge and see what their skills are like," Callahan said. "If need be, we'll move them inside (to safety). It's important for us to get the evaluation of their corner skills first before we make any declaration of a move or an adjustment to a slot."
Bowman's status won't be certain until he steps onto the field to test his rehabilitated body.
If all goes well, he'll get the chance to step off.
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