Coaches remain optimistic
of cornerback’s injury
By Keith Thomas
Editor
in Chief
It has been just more than a week since senior
cornerback Ashante Woodyard underwent knee surgery to repair a torn
anterior cruciate ligament. Coach Joe Tiller is being cautious about
what to expect from him and, more importantly, when to expect it.
Tiller said that most of the things he has been
told by medical and athletic training personnel has been optimistic.
"I don't think there is any such thing as a good
ACL (injury) and a bad ACL (injury), but apparently, his was a good
one," said Tiller.
For now, Tiller is treating Woodyard's injury —
which was suffered only days after the spring football game while playing
in a pick-up basketball game — like a three-month rehabilitation
process. Tiller said he hopes to reevaluate the speedy corner's status
again in early August.
Purdue defensive backs coach Ken Greene said he
would not be amazed to see significant progress by late summer for a
couple of reasons.
"With Ashante's attitude and his work ethic, nothing
will surprise me," said Greene.
And, although Greene said that each individual
heals at a different pace, he said someone with Woodyard's athleticism
certainly could convince people that he looks fine.
"He's an unbelievable athlete," said Greene.
As strong physically as Woodyard is, Tiller said
the senior from LaGrange, Ga., is just as tough mentally. This is why
Tiller said Woodyard isn't planning on missing a lot of the upcoming
season, which sees the defending Big Ten Tri-Champions open the season
on Sept. 2 in Cincinnati.
"He's convinced that this is not going to be a
devastating injury," Tiller said.
But Tiller must remain careful based on what he's
seen recently.
He compares how similar injuries can not only affect
when a player will be ready to play again but how their ability might
be altered, which Tiller likens to linebacker Jason Loerzel and safety
Ben Smith. Both had similar injuries in 1999 and battled staying healthy
all season long.
What Tiller doesn't want to see is a slow recovery
by the athletic Woodyard. If that's the case, Tiller might find himself,
along with Woodyard, considering a tough decision.
"If this guy can't go 100 percent and we never
get him on the field, then I would talk to Ashante and discuss the possibility
of gaining a sixth year of eligibility in the form of a medical redshirt,"
Tiller said.
Obviously, that's looking a bit far down the road
for Tiller, who wouldn't mind seeing Woodyard make a speedy recovery,
but he said he and his coaching staff have to make sure other members
of the Purdue secondary are ready to play if Woodyard is unable to go.
Fighting for Woodyard's vacancy are Deaunte Ferrell
and Jacques Reeves, both of whom Greene said need to get some field
time.
"They're young and they've got some experience
issues that we have to deal with, but they're both smart and they’re
both good athletes," said Greene.
Tiller also said that, although Woodyard's athleticism
would be hard to replace, it's nice having a couple of young guys that
might be able to step in and fill the void.
"If we had to play a game tomorrow then I feel
we'd go with (Ferrell)," said Tiller. "And I would feel confident with
him being in there."
Woodyard really impressed Big Ten football coaches
and players last season once he got comfortable at his position. After
recording a career-high 10 tackles at the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl against Washington,
Woodyard had his own coaches excited to see what he would be able to
accomplish this year.
"He's got everything ahead of him and he's a tremendous
football player I feel like the sky's the limit for him," Greene said.
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