Ex-Raven Boulware: Harness would restrict Suggs
Former Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker/defensive end Peter Boulware said if current Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs wears a shoulder harness similar to the one Boulware wore when he had shoulder problems, he will have some restrictions Sunday when he steps on the field against the Steelers in the AFC championship game.
Boulware, the top pass rusher in Ravens history with 70 career sacks, wore a harness or brace in his final two years as a Raven after dislocating his shoulder. The Ravens said that Suggs has a sprain. Suggs first injured the shoulder in the game against the Titans Saturday while tackling quarterback Kerry Collins.
Soon after the game, Suggs said he would play against the Steelers. But after an MRI on Monday, Suggs wasn't as optimistic, and said that if he played, he would have to wear a brace on his shoulder, possibly similar to the one worn by Boulware.
"At first, it's very difficult to play in," Boulware said this morning. "It's restricts your movement with that one arm. It takes time to adjust. It took me about three or four games to figure out what I can, and what I can't do. If you tighten the harness down tight, the less movement you have.
"Because my shoulder was really in bad shape, I had to tie it down tight to keep my shoulder from popping out. It's difficult to use your hands, difficult to push off. When you drop back in pass coverage, you can't get your arms fully extended to know down passes.
"With all of that said, and with pass rushers like Suggs, mostly everything comes from your legs anyway," Boulware said. "As long as he can get up the field and around the corner, he can still be effective as a pass rusher. The only problem is that when you get there and try to tackle the quarterback, it can be difficult to grab him."
Boulware played two seasons with the bad shoulder and harness. There were times when the shoulder would pop out of place, and Boulware would go to the sideline screaming in pain. Trainer Bill Tessendorf would pop it back in place while kicker Matt Stover would talk to Boulware trying to distract him from the pain.
"There were times when I felt absolutely miserable," said Boulware, who played nine seasons for the Ravens before he retired in 2005. "It still hurts a little bit now, I'm not going to lie to you. After my last season, I had surgery and it hasn't popped out since then. It still hurts, and it will probably hurt for the rest of my life. But hey, it's something I can live with."
Comments
I would love to get the transcripts of those Stover-Boulware conversations. Bet those were some good conversations. Yet, another reason why Stover is an asset to the roster and a consummate team player.
Posted by: B A S H | January 15, 2009 10:53 AM
why is this the only injury we are getting information about? i know it is significant, but so are the injuries to rolle and mcclain. i guess that washington's shoulder must be fine since he is not on the injury report.
Posted by: myron | January 15, 2009 11:49 AM
What a pointless article.
Posted by: SteveC | January 15, 2009 12:32 PM
Suggs is one of the few who actually get Big Ben down when he gets to him. With 1 arm, has to be a concern.
Posted by: Matt | January 15, 2009 12:33 PM
Suggs is a stud, but he's no Peter Bouleware. I'd rather see a 100% Jameel McClain in there on Sunday. He's a very capable pass-rusher, and this looks like his time to shine.
More importantly, J-Mac is an unknown entity to the Steelers, they won't double-team him like they would with Sizzle.
Terrell can root from the sidelines and heal that shoulder. If surgery is needed - don't wait till July (like some Ravens)- do it now!
Posted by: Aman | January 15, 2009 12:37 PM
Great, insightful entry Mr. Preston. Thanks!
Posted by: McLovin | January 15, 2009 1:16 PM
Mike - Thanks for actually posting something relevant and interesting. This should actually be an article as PB definitely has some insight on what issues Sizzle may have Sunday. We need him out there.
Posted by: frox | January 15, 2009 2:13 PM
where is ANTWAN BARNES?? that guy is gonna be awesome if he ever gets to play
Posted by: ravensman0809 | January 15, 2009 2:59 PM
Antwan Barnes is injured.
Posted by: kevin | January 15, 2009 3:28 PM
Suggs should sit out and wait for the SB to play, if he goes the steelers are going to T off on him and he will get hurt more than what he already is.
Posted by: Rodney | January 15, 2009 4:57 PM
I agree with Rodney;sit the man down for this game.Any o coordinator is going to exploit that weakness until a change is made,anyway.
Posted by: Dan R. | January 15, 2009 7:19 PM
any rumblings on what this does to Suggs chances in the free agency market. after all, boulware only lasted 2years after his shoulder injury.
Posted by: Will A | January 15, 2009 10:10 PM
They're saying it's a sprain, not a dislocated shoulder like Boulware had which would keep popping out.
Posted by: Clyde | January 16, 2009 9:28 AM
Hey Mike,
Thanks for your articule on Ozzie. I was one of 'em screaming for Ozzie's head last year. It was Billick I was after and Oz was loyal to him to a fault. But already this year about 2 months ago I wrote that Oz will go down in Baltimore sports history with the like of Johnny, Brooks, Frank etc. As you know there is no honor greater than that here in Baltimore. Oz deserves it.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 16, 2009 9:53 AM
It will be very hard to keep Suggs off the field in what will be the biggest game of his career, but this injury sounds really nasty and it maybe better if he sat aside. Jameel McClain really showed potential this season, he had 2.5 sacks and 2 safeties, he could fill Suggs spot. Suggs is a great pass rusher but against Big Ben with only one arm is not going to cut it, he is a tough SOB to bring down and we need a healthy Suggs to do it. They've likely lost Rolle for Sunday so they need a healthy pass rusher, McClain could do a respectable job in his place.
Posted by: Marcus | January 16, 2009 11:30 AM