Buckhalter

[PhillyPhanInDC]

From PE.com today:

Welcome to the debut of our off-season Tuesday feature, Complex Workout! In this feature, we catch up with players that are getting an early jump on next season or working their way back from injury. Today we catch up with running back Correll Buckhalter.

Correll Buckhalter has missed three of his five seasons with the Eagles because of knee injuries. Yet he continues to fight his way back. His beaming personality and hard-work ethic help him each and every day.

"It's been unfortunate, but I know as long as I continue to work hard and think positive my day to get back on that field and perform is going to be here," Buckhalter said following a recent workout.

Buckhalter says he's about "75 to 80%" back. He can run, cut and even jump. His area of focus right now is the quad muscle.

"The main component of me getting back is my quad muscle and getting the girth back," Buckhalter explained. "I can pretty much do everything. It's just the strength factor right now."

The 6-foot, 222-pound Buckhalter successfully returned from a torn ACL in 2002 to finish with a career-high nine touchdowns in 2003. He then suffered a torn patellar tendon injury during a preseason game against Baltimore in 2004 and missed the entire season.

He seemed to be making positive strides rehabbing his knee, but then he pulled up in a training camp practice in pain and that was it. The injury was initially announced as a contusion of the knee. But as head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder explained, Buckhalter re-ruptured his patellar tendon. Surgery followed as Dr. James Andrews reinforced Buckhalter's patella femoral complex with a stainless steel wire. From there, it's been rehab, rehab and more rehab.

"My off-season conditioning started after my surgery was over," Buckhalter said. "It's just been a process for me, but it's been coming along real well. I feel great.

"Every year I just feel better and better. I feel I have a lot more football to play."

When healthy, the 6-foot, 222-pound Buckhalter is a perfect complement to the likes of Brian Westbrook and Ryan Moats. He's a big, strong, slashing back with receiving skills, take-it-to-the-house abilities and a knowledge of the West Coast offense. He's had a pair of promising seasons, reflected by his 11 touchdowns and an impressive 4.4 yards per carry average.

There is little question that -- when healthy -- he could help this offense. But there is certainly the question of whether Buckhalter will be more susceptible to knee injuries moving forward.

"I got hurt twice in a row, so obviously people are going to think 'he can't do it no more,'" Buckhalter acknowledged. "I know what I can do and know what I have to get done.

"I've been able to come back before and I know this one won't be no different."

His faith, he says, has guided him through these trials and tribulations. He's also had Burkholder pushing him daily.

Now Buckhalter has a lot of time -- along with yards -- to make up. There are miles to go before he sleeps.

While participating in the June mini-camp remains a possibility, he expects to be full-go in training camp.

"There's so much frustration built up inside me. I just want to let it out on the field," Buckhalter said. "I'm just looking forward to going to training camp and showing the people that I still can run the football.

"It's too early for me to not be able to play football. I'm still young. I can't end my career with injury. I have dreams and I want to reach my dreams."

It's a shame, C-Buck was always one of my favorite (current) Eagles. It's a real long shot the guy ever plays the way he was capable of, but man it would be good to have him in the line-up at 100%.

[ice grillin you]

bucky gets more work on his knees than a hunts point ho

[Wingspan]

He tore his ACL...and it was the most minor of ACL tears. NO damage anywhere else. No meniscus tear, no MCL tear. Simple tear. Healed.

spoken like a true prophet

[phattymatty]

I love that I started this thread almost 3 years ago.

i wanted to see what the very last thread on the board was and this was it.

[phattymatty]

ah, that tampa bay game was a lot of fun.

i watched it at a strip club in utah with a client of mine for work at the time.

[The BIGSTUD]

It's a shame his knees are made of the same materials as Tyrone Hill's face, because the guy has some talent.

Remember the moves he put on I forget who @ Dallas in 2003? Good stuff.

[BobbyT]

It feels like the last time Buck saw action the Eagles were in Kelly green.

[ice grillin you]

Kelly green

[Sgt PSN]

I hope PSN is right and they start feeding him the ball over the next two games...

I'm pretty sure I was.  You can put those concerns to bed now. 

[Sgt PSN]

It's a shame his knees are made of the same materials as Tyrone Hill's face, because the guy has some talent.

Remember the moves he put on I forget who @ Dallas in 2003? Good stuff.

I remember that as well.  His high flying touchdown agianst Miami on Mon Night was pretty spectacular too. 

[Phanatic]

Dr. James Andrews reinforced Buckhalter's patella femoral complex with a stainless steel wire.

So we can't call him glass knees anymore?

[Sgt PSN]

Dr. James Andrews reinforced Buckhalter's patella femoral complex with a stainless steel wire.

So we can't call him glass knees anymore?

He's wirey.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Dr. James Andrews reinforced Buckhalter's patella femoral complex with a stainless steel wire.

So we can't call him glass knees anymore?

He's wirey.

[Sgt PSN]

Bonus points for Phreak. 

[Rome]

I remember that as well.  His high flying touchdown agianst Miami on Mon Night was pretty spectacular too. 

That was Westbrook, Sassy...