Grant feeling more pain

TallySaint · 08-15-2005, 07:05 AM

Grant feeling more pain

Linebacker's history of injuries continues with left knee ailment

Monday, August 15, 2005. Mike Triplett - Times Picayune

The unfortunate saga of Saints linebacker Cie Grant took another turn for the worse in Friday night's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks when he re-injured the patellar tendon in his left knee at the Superdome.

The same injury landed Grant on injured reserve last preseason. It's too early to tell if that will be the case again this year. But clearly, the third-year linebacker's career is in jeopardy.

"I would say he is out for a while, just based on what the trainers tell me," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "But as far as long term, I really don't know.

"He was doing well, and I thought he was playing pretty well. Hopefully he can recover from this sooner than he did before, because I think he's at the crossroads right now."

Grant couldn't be reached for comment after Haslett relayed the diagnosis. But it might be a devastating blow for the 2003 third-round draft choice out of Ohio State, whose rookie season also was cut short by injuries to his other knee and to his calf.

Doctors described Grant's left knee injury last year as a chronic condition -- a recurring inflammation of the patellar tendon that could be treated without surgery, but Grant would have to live with the pain.

Grant, 25, was having a solid training camp and a healthy offseason. But just last week, he was very open in describing the difficulty he has undergone and the importance his faith played in guiding him through.

"I got through this with a lot of hard work, a lot of support from family and friends and a lot of prayer," Grant said. "When you hit rock bottom like I did, faith is all that can bring you back."

Grant's was the latest in a series of injuries to the Saints' linebacking corps during this training camp. But the group seems to be getting healthier. Roger Knight (knee) and Terrence Melton (calf) were back at practice Sunday after missing Friday night's game.

Starting strongside linebacker James Allen (knee) was in uniform but did not participate in any drills Sunday. Haslett said he is not sure of Allen's timetable.

INJURY REPORT: Tight end Ernie Conwell (groin) also returned to practice Sunday.

So did receiver Devery Henderson (shoulder) and cornerback Fred Booker (hamstring), who were injured during Friday's game.

Haslett said he is hoping receiver Az-Zahir Hakim (hamstring), tight end Shad Meier (knee) and offensive lineman Spencer Folau (shoulder) will return next week.

FURTHER REVIEW: After watching film of Friday's 34-15 loss to the Seahawks, Haslett said he still was pleased with the performance of the first-team defense and disappointed in the second- and third-team defenses.

"We made them punt four out of the five times," Haslett said of the starting unit. "We got them in third-and-long, we had pretty good situations. Then it kind of went downhill after that."

The biggest area of disappointment was the turnovers on offense -- three in the first 26 plays. Haslett also said the passing game was a little rushed and needs to be improved.

Haslett said starting quarterback Aaron Brooks and the first-string offensive line played pretty well. He said rookie offensive tackle Jammal Brown was "outstanding" in his extended playing time.

Haslett also was pleased with the team's energy in practice Sunday.

"That was them," he said. "That was something where no one said anything, but they just came out and practiced well. They were into it, so I commend them. I hate to lose games like we did, turning the ball over. But our guys came out and worked hard today. That says something about your team."

ETC.: The Saints still are looking into the possibility of signing a free agent offensive tackle in the wake of Jon Stinchcomb's season-ending knee injury last week. But they have not found the right fit yet.

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...6637283230.xml

8)

TallySaint · 08-15-2005, 07:09 AM

After watching film of Friday's 34-15 loss to the Seahawks, Haslett said he still was pleased with the performance of the first-team defense and disappointed in the second- and third-team defenses.

The defense looked like the Keystone Cops on Seahawks FB Weaver's touchdown run in the fourth quarter. It was pretty funny, actually.

8)

08-15-2005, 07:05 AM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Grant feeling more pain Grant feeling more pain Linebacker's history of injuries continues with left knee ailment Monday, August 15, 2005. Mike Triplett - Times Picayune The unfortunate saga of Saints linebacker Cie Grant took another turn for the worse in Friday night's preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks when he re-injured the patellar tendon in his left knee at the Superdome. The same injury landed Grant on injured reserve last preseason. It's too early to tell if that will be the case again this year. But clearly, the third-year linebacker's career is in jeopardy. "I would say he is out for a while, just based on what the trainers tell me," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "But as far as long term, I really don't know. "He was doing well, and I thought he was playing pretty well. Hopefully he can recover from this sooner than he did before, because I think he's at the crossroads right now." Grant couldn't be reached for comment after Haslett relayed the diagnosis. But it might be a devastating blow for the 2003 third-round draft choice out of Ohio State, whose rookie season also was cut short by injuries to his other knee and to his calf. Doctors described Grant's left knee injury last year as a chronic condition -- a recurring inflammation of the patellar tendon that could be treated without surgery, but Grant would have to live with the pain. Grant, 25, was having a solid training camp and a healthy offseason. But just last week, he was very open in describing the difficulty he has undergone and the importance his faith played in guiding him through. "I got through this with a lot of hard work, a lot of support from family and friends and a lot of prayer," Grant said. "When you hit rock bottom like I did, faith is all that can bring you back." Grant's was the latest in a series of injuries to the Saints' linebacking corps during this training camp. But the group seems to be getting healthier. Roger Knight (knee) and Terrence Melton (calf) were back at practice Sunday after missing Friday night's game. Starting strongside linebacker James Allen (knee) was in uniform but did not participate in any drills Sunday. Haslett said he is not sure of Allen's timetable. INJURY REPORT: Tight end Ernie Conwell (groin) also returned to practice Sunday. So did receiver Devery Henderson (shoulder) and cornerback Fred Booker (hamstring), who were injured during Friday's game. Haslett said he is hoping receiver Az-Zahir Hakim (hamstring), tight end Shad Meier (knee) and offensive lineman Spencer Folau (shoulder) will return next week. FURTHER REVIEW: After watching film of Friday's 34-15 loss to the Seahawks, Haslett said he still was pleased with the performance of the first-team defense and disappointed in the second- and third-team defenses. "We made them punt four out of the five times," Haslett said of the starting unit. "We got them in third-and-long, we had pretty good situations. Then it kind of went downhill after that." The biggest area of disappointment was the turnovers on offense -- three in the first 26 plays. Haslett also said the passing game was a little rushed and needs to be improved. Haslett said starting quarterback Aaron Brooks and the first-string offensive line played pretty well. He said rookie offensive tackle Jammal Brown was "outstanding" in his extended playing time. Haslett also was pleased with the team's energy in practice Sunday. "That was them," he said. "That was something where no one said anything, but they just came out and practiced well. They were into it, so I commend them. I hate to lose games like we did, turning the ball over. But our guys came out and worked hard today. That says something about your team." ETC.: The Saints still are looking into the possibility of signing a free agent offensive tackle in the wake of Jon Stinchcomb's season-ending knee injury last week. But they have not found the right fit yet. http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...6637283230.xml 8)

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08-15-2005, 07:09 AM	#2
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	After watching film of Friday's 34-15 loss to the Seahawks, Haslett said he still was pleased with the performance of the first-team defense and disappointed in the second- and third-team defenses. The defense looked like the Keystone Cops on Seahawks FB Weaver's touchdown run in the fourth quarter. It was pretty funny, actually. 8)