http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14290809p-15124182c.html
49ers' Newberry doesn't have a leg to stand on
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, August 8, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- A week ago, he was fighting to be the 49ers' starting center. Now Jeremy Newberry is struggling just to make it through training camp.
Already playing on a right knee devoid of cartilage, a discouraged Newberry said Monday that the same thing is happening in the left knee.
The condition has deteriorated to the point where he can't practice or even drive to work without pain. And after 10 surgeries over an eight-year career, Newberry now admits his rickety knees may no longer allow him to play the game he loves.
"That's definitely a possibility," he told a group of reporters while seated in front of his locker. "I felt great coming in (to training camp) and felt real good the first day. Then the more work I did on them, I started getting more sore. The left one started getting sore right away, then my right one started getting sore after four or five days of it. I don't know what that is."
Suffering from bone-on-bone discomfort in his right knee last season, the two-time Pro Bowler toughed it out through 10 games before undergoing microfracture surgery in December. The procedure involves punching holes into the kneecap and allowing the bone marrow inside to seep to the surface, harden and provide a replacement for the missing cartilage.
The operation went smoothly, and when he arrived at training camp two weeks ago, Newberry reported the knee was as good as it had ever been, allowing him to ride a stationary bicycle and elliptical trainer without any discomfort.
But when he began consistently putting weight on the joint during practice, the pain returned. To make matters worse, Newberry said his left knee, which bore of the brunt of his offseason rehabilitation, is now no better than the right knee.
"During rehab when I was in a straight leg brace and was doing everything on my left leg -- up and down stairs, standing up," he said. "I've been doing everything on my left leg. That might have helped put pressure on it."
He said that microfracture surgery -- usually a last resort for professional athletes -- is now an offseason possibility for his left knee. If he goes through with it, it will be the sixth surgery on his knees alone.
Newberry said he was trying not to think of retirement, and will try to keep off his feet and ice his knees in the hope they will bounce back later in training camp. As it stands now, however, he finds it difficult to even watch practice without his legs locking up.
"Even when I'm driving, I have to put it on cruise control and keep changing positions because they ache all the time," he said.
Despite the state of Newberry's knees, coach Mike Nolan said he thinks the center still could be a valuable backup. Heading into training camp, the plan was for Eric Heitmann to practice with the first-team offense and for Newberry to work with the second team.
"As I told him, that's what I think he's capable of," Nolan said of the backup role. "But at the same time … I'm hopeful he can do more than that."
Asked if he would advise Newberry to retire if he thought he couldn't contribute anymore, Nolan said those scenarios already have been discussed.
"I would say I advise him on some things," Nolan said. "But J is mature enough and smart enough to know where he's at. And as your body changes so does, sometimes, your plans."
Though he mostly has played guard for the 49ers, Heitmann got extensive work at center last training camp and started six games at the position in 2005 after Newberry went down. Ben Sobieski and Tony Wragge also can step in at center.
"As far as Jeremy goes, I have tons of respect for the guy," Heitmann said. "I've had a chance to learn so much from the guy. He's a warrior. He's a physical specimen on the field."
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49ers camp report
Quote of the day: "I thought we were going to have a sleepover last night. I was about to get my duffel bag." -- Antonio Bryant on the lengthy film sessions conducted by position coach Jerry Sullivan.
Player watch: With Bryant Young practicing sparingly with a sore groin, second-year player Ronald Fields has been playing left defensive end with the first-team defense. A fifth-round draft pick, Fields appeared in only four games last season but is being prepared for a bigger role this year. The 310-pounder can play both end and nose tackle.
Play of the day: Rookie receiver Brandon Williams caught a shoestring pass from Shaun Hill and was off to the races … until the ball was poked out from behind by safety Chad Williams. The ball tumbled into the end zone, at which point Brandon Williams pounced on it for the score.
Injuries: Left tackle Jonas Jennings was held out of the morning practice with a sore ankle but returned in the afternoon. He was replaced by Adam Snyder, who started seven games at left tackle last season. Cornerback B.J. Tucker tweaked his left ankle during the afternoon session.
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@ sacbee.com.
49ers' Newberry doesn't have a leg to stand on
By Matthew Barrows -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Tuesday, August 8, 2006
SANTA CLARA -- A week ago, he was fighting to be the 49ers' starting center. Now Jeremy Newberry is struggling just to make it through training camp.
Already playing on a right knee devoid of cartilage, a discouraged Newberry said Monday that the same thing is happening in the left knee.
The condition has deteriorated to the point where he can't practice or even drive to work without pain. And after 10 surgeries over an eight-year career, Newberry now admits his rickety knees may no longer allow him to play the game he loves.
"That's definitely a possibility," he told a group of reporters while seated in front of his locker. "I felt great coming in (to training camp) and felt real good the first day. Then the more work I did on them, I started getting more sore. The left one started getting sore right away, then my right one started getting sore after four or five days of it. I don't know what that is."
Suffering from bone-on-bone discomfort in his right knee last season, the two-time Pro Bowler toughed it out through 10 games before undergoing microfracture surgery in December. The procedure involves punching holes into the kneecap and allowing the bone marrow inside to seep to the surface, harden and provide a replacement for the missing cartilage.
The operation went smoothly, and when he arrived at training camp two weeks ago, Newberry reported the knee was as good as it had ever been, allowing him to ride a stationary bicycle and elliptical trainer without any discomfort.
But when he began consistently putting weight on the joint during practice, the pain returned. To make matters worse, Newberry said his left knee, which bore of the brunt of his offseason rehabilitation, is now no better than the right knee.
"During rehab when I was in a straight leg brace and was doing everything on my left leg -- up and down stairs, standing up," he said. "I've been doing everything on my left leg. That might have helped put pressure on it."
He said that microfracture surgery -- usually a last resort for professional athletes -- is now an offseason possibility for his left knee. If he goes through with it, it will be the sixth surgery on his knees alone.
Newberry said he was trying not to think of retirement, and will try to keep off his feet and ice his knees in the hope they will bounce back later in training camp. As it stands now, however, he finds it difficult to even watch practice without his legs locking up.
"Even when I'm driving, I have to put it on cruise control and keep changing positions because they ache all the time," he said.
Despite the state of Newberry's knees, coach Mike Nolan said he thinks the center still could be a valuable backup. Heading into training camp, the plan was for Eric Heitmann to practice with the first-team offense and for Newberry to work with the second team.
"As I told him, that's what I think he's capable of," Nolan said of the backup role. "But at the same time … I'm hopeful he can do more than that."
Asked if he would advise Newberry to retire if he thought he couldn't contribute anymore, Nolan said those scenarios already have been discussed.
"I would say I advise him on some things," Nolan said. "But J is mature enough and smart enough to know where he's at. And as your body changes so does, sometimes, your plans."
Though he mostly has played guard for the 49ers, Heitmann got extensive work at center last training camp and started six games at the position in 2005 after Newberry went down. Ben Sobieski and Tony Wragge also can step in at center.
"As far as Jeremy goes, I have tons of respect for the guy," Heitmann said. "I've had a chance to learn so much from the guy. He's a warrior. He's a physical specimen on the field."
------------------------------------------------------------------
49ers camp report
Quote of the day: "I thought we were going to have a sleepover last night. I was about to get my duffel bag." -- Antonio Bryant on the lengthy film sessions conducted by position coach Jerry Sullivan.
Player watch: With Bryant Young practicing sparingly with a sore groin, second-year player Ronald Fields has been playing left defensive end with the first-team defense. A fifth-round draft pick, Fields appeared in only four games last season but is being prepared for a bigger role this year. The 310-pounder can play both end and nose tackle.
Play of the day: Rookie receiver Brandon Williams caught a shoestring pass from Shaun Hill and was off to the races … until the ball was poked out from behind by safety Chad Williams. The ball tumbled into the end zone, at which point Brandon Williams pounced on it for the score.
Injuries: Left tackle Jonas Jennings was held out of the morning practice with a sore ankle but returned in the afternoon. He was replaced by Adam Snyder, who started seven games at left tackle last season. Cornerback B.J. Tucker tweaked his left ankle during the afternoon session.
About the writer: The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@ sacbee.com.