Runyan wants to keep playing
Despite the beating that his body has taken and the microfracture surgery that he had on his knee, Jon Runyan is not ready to call it quits just yet.
Runyan wants to keep playing
Daily News staff
"It becomes a thing where I have done it for so long, it is just what I do," Runyan told SI.com's Ross Tucker, a former NFL lineman. "I have been conditioned to do this at this point, and it is like I am in that rut. I am more than prepared to step away from the game, which really makes it easier to continue to play. I love the competition, I love the game and know I could move on but don't want to."
He also makes no bones about what would happen if he returned to the Eagles.
"No matter what they did in free agency or moving guys around, [players] are going to get the opportunity to compete for the starting job," he said. "I know me, and I will win that competition."
Eagles coach Andy Reid had indicated that he does not see Runyan in the Eagles' future, with the Eagles having signed Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews in the offseason. Andrews was presumbly brought in as Runyan's replacement on the right side, but it now appears that Stacy might shift to guard and his brother, Shawn, might play right tackle.
Runyan said his rehab is going well and that he has not suffered any setbacks, although that does not mean football is in his immediate future, either. Runyan probably would not be ready until the late summer and he still needs to find a team.
Runyan said Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery, told him he could still play, but that this will not be the end of orthepedic issues for him.
"Dr. Andrews thinks if I rest it the right way I will be fine and able to play, but he did say I will be back later in life," Runyan said. "I realize that when I turn 40 I am going to feel like I am in my late 50s/early 60s, and I just kind of accept that."
To read our earlier post from Eagles minicamp, click here.
TBear - thanks for your service! I think we should bring John back. I think he is tough enough to recover to be a good insurance policy for our line.— Bobphxville- TBear, thanks for your service especially during an unpopular time to wear the uniform. I, too am a combat vet, DESERT SHIELD/STORM through OIF, and I'm still on active duty serving overseas. I don't have quite the same visceral reaction to Strangler's use of the word "warrior" as you do. I suspect that most folks recognize that Runyan is not a true warrior, and they would never confuse or even compare Jon's efforts with truly heoric actions in combat. I think it's a lot like calling a well-behaved 7-year-old girl an "angel." We all know she's not really an angel, but we understand what is implied. Good luck Jon...hope all goes well for you now and in the future.— CaptMorgan
- I can't blame him, it is what he does and he loves it. But as an outsider, he should retire.— hawk18
- Jon's too proud to sit on the bench, although he would be a perfect emergency player/coach/leader, and get a decent salary without too much impact on his knees. The only problem is that bench warmers still have to practice, the part players hate, and, barring injury, don't get to play, the part they love.— Bazalite
- Yo , 5 is a moron, Runyan rotating door? Do you even watch football or do you just watch dancing withe the stars?— mikeyboy
- Come on, they didn't release Dawkins. They were outbid by a team that offered him an absolutely ridiculous contract. That's not "showing him the door". People really need to get over it.— JimG
- I'd love to see Runyan back, even as a backup. The guy's been a fixture here for 9 years and you can't tell me he'd be a better backup than Winston.— Zaknafein
- He could be a quality backup. Give the man a physical, and sign him if he can play.— p-diddy
"I know me, and I will win that competition." Gotta love that calm confidence!- Warrior...Leader...Worth the roster spot.He deserves it. Never went down even when he was seriously hurt.— MJPD345
- TBear--who cares if you were a combat veteran? The term 'warrior' applies more to some good athletes than to many so called 'combat veterans'— J Ziggy
- runyan would be perfect for monday or sunday night football in the booth. he would eventually be the next madden. great personality and of course knows football.— JACK V
- Micro-fracture surgery. At his age. With the mileage on his body. He's done. I'm sure he feels fine now, but there's no way he's being signed by anyone, let alone the eagles. Hopefully he retires, and takes up coaching or the commentator's booth. He's got quite the personality.— psv
- Don't go far, Jon. AR may find these Andrews brothers back on IR. Will both give a Runyon effort? Probably not. PS: 5isaKin to Monica Lewinski.— ItalianSausage
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