Etheridge cleared
Hey everyone. Safety Zaccheus Etheridge, often referred to simply as "Zac," has been deemed fit by physicians in Birmingham. He is expected to play this season.
The Troy native missed Auburn's final three regular-season games, the Outback Bowl and spring practice after suffering a serious neck injury against Ole Miss. He was forced to wear an invasive neck brace for three months.
Still, those days appear over. Etheridge said he'll play this fall.
``This is certainly quite a boost for all of us," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. ``He was so tough about it -- he never sulked, never had that poor me attitude. He knows what he wants to do and he did everything possible to make that happen. It's inspiring it what it is."
The Troy native missed Auburn's final three regular-season games, the Outback Bowl and spring practice after suffering a serious neck injury against Ole Miss. He was forced to wear an invasive neck brace for three months.
Still, those days appear over. Etheridge said he'll play this fall.
``This is certainly quite a boost for all of us," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. ``He was so tough about it -- he never sulked, never had that poor me attitude. He knows what he wants to do and he did everything possible to make that happen. It's inspiring it what it is."
posted by Jay G. Tate at
1:18 PM
39 Comments:
clear substance
from t-town no less
Thanks Jay. The Roof quote makes it clear that Etheridge will be playing. If this defense is to improve we need leaders like Etheridge out there.
Roof was just speaking in general. I want to make that clear. He was speaking to the Montgomery Kiwanis Club at lunchtime and hadn't yet spoken with Zac.
It does make it clear Roof respects Etheridge and how he handled the situation. Etheridge was a leader out there on defense, so I am sure we will see him playing.
I hope he is his old self, but that remains to be seen. That injury had to be a pretty big shock and it would be easy for a player to become hesitant after going through it.
I was about to say, it's almost August, where's DL?
DL is da man! And so is Zac!!!
DL - are yo over there slipping some money in Hightower's pocket?
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i <3 HABOTN tweets.
Best news of the off-season. Very glad for he young man.
It was somewhat comforting (I don't know if "comforting" is the right word, but i think you know what I mean) to see that, in his high school days, Thigpen had a similar injury to Etheridge and was able to come back from it and play 4 years at UNC.
Great news for Etheridge. Happy for the kid.
Anyone see Peter lately? Hope all is well in mudville.
Glad to see Etheridge has been cleared, I just hope the risk is worth the reward.
I'm with you, WERK. I hope he can play if he wants to, but I want him to be healthy more than that.
Frankly, I was just happy to see Etheridge was going to be okay. I didn't really think we would see him on the football field again. It is a testament to his hard work.
PF showed up really late last night and SteveFC gave him "The Past 5 Days of HABOTN: Cliff Notes"
Was Etheridege the DB that took the wrong angle many times during the game?
i think PF has had phone issues or lost his phone.
Meyer loves Kiffikin.
WTC, on Etheridge's effectiveness...
From Andy Bitter's article,
http://wareagleextra.blogspot.com/2010/07/most-integral-player-no-7-zac-etheridge.html
"He was second on the team in tackles as a freshman and first as a sophomore with 75 stops."
He had some misses, but those numbers Bitter quotes above indicate solid production at his position.
I'm OK with the pre season ranking of players except for the Hightower thing. Dude missed most of the season. Beter to name him lower and let him earn it than give it to him now.
I am not hatin' but how do you lose 9 starters on defense and get picked to defend the MNC? Wish Au was in the those shoes, but I just don't get it.
WDE!!!!
CONGRATS to Zac for all his hard work....it paid off to stick to the DWWD!!!!!
wtc,
Yes, he had some issues with that and covering crossing routes.
That is awesome......nervous at the same time.
WTC- Agree completely. Been saying the same things.
Zac's back!!! Woo hoo!!!
Way to go ZAC very good news.
wtc...only a hand full of shools can lose half there team and still get preseason picks as number 1. I won't name them but I bet you know who they are.
Good news on Zac, but I'll probably be holding my breath every time he hits someone for a while.
Hey Mobilz!!
I'm concerned we may see a more dedicated approach to the game from Whoooooooolio. I'd be willing to bet he doesn't want to have to attend class after December.
I love this game, but I hate to see some of the injuries players have to endure to play it. It is great to see when all the hard work pays off.
As for Etheridge, I consider him a very solid safety, a team leader, and a hard hitting player that isn't afraid to deliver a lick in run support.
That being said, yes, I can remember him getting burned on crossing routes, although I think part of that was simply a speed and endurance thing. The West Virginia game comes to mind.
Will Herring also comes to mind. He was a great player, but I can remember him getting caught out of position at times when he played safety.
Yeah, the 2005 Sugar Bowl comes to mind. And were in Cover 4 no less. How did that happen?
well, Will and Zac weren't the first DBs to take bad angles. Remember Euclid and Pythagoras? Man, those dudes couldn't get an angle right if you drew it on the field.
I mean, sure, they could theorize about the correct angle of attack, but trying to put it into practice they'd get burned every time.
THT, you just made me think of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8
blocked at work, I'll have to check it out when I get home tonight.
Great news on Zac. Its starting to feel like football season.
I propose a BTO theme for the season. Taking Care of Business works for me.
That video was brilliant ChocoScott.
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