theProf Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Joe Hawley won't let knee soreness deter his season plansVaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons center Joe Hawley knew before training camp started his surgically repaired right knee wouldn't be back to full strength anytime soon.With camp now complete, Hawley stopped short of saying his knee feels closer to normal. He went through a full day of work Wednesday during a pad-less practice."Yes, it's sore," Hawley said. "It hurts every day coming out. It's structurally stable; strong. It's more of the fatigue I get in the atrophy I had in trying to build the muscle up. So, just trying to get in the weight room and continue to strengthen it. I'm doing like leg press and different rehab stuff. Just keeping the muscle strong is the important thing."The knee is stable itself. It's just kind of nicks and pains here and there. It's something I'm going to have to deal with the whole year, probably."Hawley tore the anterior crucial ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in the knee last September at Minnesota. He had surgery Oct. 9 of last year, then was limited during the offseason. Hawley didn't participate much in 11-on-11 drills at the start of camp. Then he gradually saw his workload increase, although the coaches also increased center reps for Mike Person as added insurance.James Stone, who started at center in place of Hawley last season, emerged as the best option at left guard over Person.Now, the Falcons head into their second preseason game against the New York Jets Friday with a first-team line of tackle Jake Matthews, left guard Stone, right guard Chris Chester, and right tackle Ryan Schraeder, and Hawley. This appears to be the group set to start the Sept. 14 season opener against Philadelphia. The only question mark might be if Hawley's knee can hold up through an entire game."Oh yeah it can," Hawley said. "Like I said, it's not structural. It's just a fatigue thing. It's staying on top of it; making sure it doesn't get too swollen. Has it gotten swollen? Not really."Falcons coach Dan Quinn was asked if Hawley's knee is something the coaches will monitor."Not necessarily monitor for us," Quinn said. "We have monitored all of the guys. But with Joe, the strength is there. For him to continue to battle, I think that's part of the rehab process of him getting back. We're anxious for him to keep developing and keeping pushing with that confident like, 'OK, I've got it.' "Hawley, even if not 100 percent, will be a key figure for the Falcons as they adjust to an outside zone blocking scheme. Former Falcons offensive line coach Mike Tice often praised Hawley for having the athleticism to get out and pull from the center spot. Such good movement and lateral quickness are essential in the new scheme as the Falcons look to establish the running game.A few quick-hit items from the 15th and final practice of training camp on Wednesday:Quinn singled out second-year outside linebacker Tyler Starr, who made some nice tackles in last Friday's preseason opener against Tennessee and also had an interception near the end of Wednesday's practice. "We're training him at Sam and also some at Leo," Quinn said. "We're trying to look at him as the nickel pass-rusher. We like the length. We like the strength that he's playing with. So, yeah, he's in there battling for it." Starr entered this season coming off major shoulder surgery.Robert Alford got a little more work at nickel back with Phillip Adams and Jalen Collins playing outside at cornerback. Quinn loves the versatility Alford has and still likes Alford outside opposite Desmond Trufant. (Trufant remained sidelined with a shoulder strain.)Although they've had very strong camps, both wide receiver Leonard Hankerson and tight end Levine Toilolo had noticeable drops Wednesday.The music playlist included Run DMC ("It's Tricky") and Fetty Wap ("Trap Queen"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 This is a nice look into the reality of NFL football. Though people "come back" from these sorts of injuries, I think we lose sight of the practical implications of them. Muscle atrophy, weakness, residual pain ,etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Well..as long as its structurally stable and strong...we couldn't ask for more at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 This is a nice look into the reality of NFL football. Though people "come back" from these sorts of injuries, I think we lose sight of the practical implications of them. Muscle atrophy, weakness, residual pain ,etc. etc....like......excuses for sucking when you never were very good in the first place... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbabygrady Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Sounds like he'll be somewhat limited to start the season and will just continue to wear down over the course of the season. The continual strain put on his knee week in and week out is not gonna allow his knee to get any better, it'll just get worse. By mid-season he won't be the full-time starter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoYouSeeWhatHappensLarry Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 etc....like......excuses for sucking when you never were very good in the first place...Why do say ignorant **** like this? I didnt even ******* say anything about Hawley's ability on the field. I said very plainly that we don't see the difficulties that NFL players experience coming back from major injuries. So I guess thanks for proving my point....from your computer chair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Why do say ignorant **** like this? I didnt even ******* say anything about Hawley's ability on the field. I said very plainly that we don't see the difficulties that NFL players experience coming back from major injuries. So I guess thanks for proving my point....from your computer chair.Hawley sucks. he has always sucked and has always been overrated by you and others on TATF - worrying that he is not 100% and dealing w/ injury is not the same as worrying about Jake Matthews not being 100% - because Jake is actually good.I would just shelf Hawley's whining excuse-making azz until he's 100% - then he can fight for the job - and if he is good enough, fine. If not, then that is fine as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest facelessman07 Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 R has possessed g-dawg's computer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollo lawson Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I don't like the tone of this article. Doesn't sound super confident! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I don't like the tone of this article. Doesn't sound super confident!Hawley has been laying the foundation all off-season for his expected poor performance. About a month ago he was touting his injury on 92.9 the game and how he would not be more than about 80% healthy all year. Winners don't make excuses in the media, but Hawley does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Hawley has been laying the foundation all off-season for his expected poor performance. About a month ago he was touting his injury on 92.9 the game and how he would not be more than about 80% healthy all year. Winners don't make excuses in the media, but Hawley does.Dude, you are so off base on this one it's unreal. I've heard the interviews and it's nothing like what you are portraying it as. He was asked a direct question and answered it--the end. You don't like the guy, that's great but don't let that cloud your objectivity on it. Is Hawley a pro-bowler? Not at this point. Is he solid when healthy? Absolutely he is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 As much as people want to think otherwise, Hawley is still the best Center on our team, and clearly the coaches thus far agree, whether he's 90 or 100%. Personally I like Hawley's frankness on this subject so far. He's repeatedly been honest in saying the injury isn't just going away, but then follows it up with 'I'll win the job anyway'. I like the confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Harvey Oswald Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Hawley, Konz, Holmes, Jackson, Johnson, Baker, Matthews........and thats the best Dimitroff could do, folks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Hawley has been laying the foundation all off-season for his expected poor performance. About a month ago he was touting his injury on 92.9 the game and how he would not be more than about 80% healthy all year. Winners don't make excuses in the media, but Hawley does.It's quite amazing how much sense that you actually think that you're making. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Dude, you are so off base on this one it's unreal. I've heard the interviews and it's nothing like what you are portraying it as. He was asked a direct question and answered it--the end. You don't like the guy, that's great but don't let that cloud your objectivity on it. Is Hawley a pro-bowler? Not at this point. Is he solid when healthy? Absolutely he is...He's not solid but I am not going to waste a half a day arguing about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 As much as people want to think otherwise, Hawley is still the best Center on our team, and clearly the coaches thus far agree, whether he's 90 or 100%. Personally I like Hawley's frankness on this subject so far. He's repeatedly been honest in saying the injury isn't just going away, but then follows it up with 'I'll win the job anyway'. I like the confidence. I don't give a daym about confidence if its false bravado - get the job done on the field or shut-the-f-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Why is Joe Hawley so polarizing?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I don't give a daym about confidence if its false bravado - get the job done on the field or shut-the-f-up.Um, he has Hawley has been, at worst, mediocre out there. I mean, I'm not a huge Hawley guy, but he's not terrible by any stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff_Man Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Here we ******* go again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjerry Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Why is Joe Hawley so polarizing?? I don't really get it either to be honest. He was hardly talked about before last offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungHeezy Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Why is Joe Hawley so polarizing?? Because of posters like the one above you making a much bigger deal about what Hawley is saying than he probably should be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 I don't give a daym about confidence if its false bravado - get the job done on the field or shut-the-f-up.Again, he's the starting Center for a reason. He's "gotten the job done" better than anybody else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Why is Joe Hawley so polarizing?? because he is so overrated by TATF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-dawg Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 Again, he's the starting Center for a reason. He's "gotten the job done" better than anybody else.that praise is like being the tallest midget in the room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted August 20, 2015 Share Posted August 20, 2015 that praise is like being the tallest midget in the room.So what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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