Scott Robinson
Coming across the play was LB Isaiah Bowens, just recently lining up with the one’s due to the barrage of injuries befalling upon the line-backing core. One second before the tackle, the RB rolled to the ground with his helmet directly impacting Bowens’ knee.
The sound of helmets and pads cracking was next, quickly followed by a handful of trainers jogging in concern towards the player lying on the field. Bowens’ hands clutched his knee, while he rolled on the ground.
It was a rough play, with a rough ending: Bowens’ injury looks like it may be one that will put him on the sideline for a while. He required two helpers to get off the field. When Coach Mora was asked about him after practice, he said:
“I don’t, obviously, know the severity of it yet, but it’s a knee sprain… They took him in, and we’ll see where he is…”
Just a few plays before, Bowens laid a powerful hit on RB Malcolm Jones—sending Jones to the ground with an audible thud, heard even fifty yards away.
But that’s football; Physical, painful and costly. An MRI is expected to determine Bowens’ extent of injury.
Good thing Coach Mora has a few players in the fold coming this summer to shore up the LB depth issues, because as of today, the following are out: Jordan Zumwalt, Patrick Larimore, Anthony Barr, Aaron Wallace and now, Isaiah Bowens.
Seeing Bowens’ spot, after his injury, was both Ryan Hoffmeister and Jared Koster. Already in the mix was LB Aramide Olaniyan, who followed up a strong Tuesday with another great practice.
Olaniyan picked up a fumbled ball by RB Jordan James; A difficult play considering he was in the midst of tackling only to adjust for a scoop of the ball.
But beyond Olaniyan is nothing but a question mark. Hoffmeister and Koster might have trouble seeing the light of day once the new crop comes to town.
The 2012 recruiting class is looking ever more important as the injuries pile up. From the class, expected to compete for some field time at LB are: Aaron Porter (6’2 / 230), Kenny Orjioke (6’4 / 225), Jeremy Castro (6’3 / 245) and Nate Iese (6’4 / 235).
Wise decision, not conceding the year of 2012.
Feels Good…
Coach Mora was at it again at practice, this time delivering a few choice words to OG Alberto Cid. During the 11-on-11’s LB Eric Kendricks got into it with OT Brett Downey, pushing and shoving—And just when it appeared to be sewing up, Cid came in tow and then the “gassers” began.
Heard from the bleachers was Mora, again in the trending Johnny Cash get-up:
“You’re killing your football team!”
