Hobbs talks recovery and his role
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Hobbs talks recovery and his role
Daily New staff
Eagles cornerback Ellis Hobbs did an interview with Scout.com's Adam Caplan in which he addresses his physical status following neck surgery that ended his season and his future with the team.
Hobbs is expected to tendered at the low-level when the Eagles announce their free agency tenders tomorrow. He would have been an unrestricted free agent, but will be a restricted free agent because of the current NFL labor situation. Regardless, it would have been difficult to see a big market for a player coming off a serious neck injury.
Hobbs said he is doing everything he would normally be doing physically as far as running and lifting, but has added more aerobics and stretching to his routine.
He said immediately after the injury, doctors told him that if he got the herniated disc repaired he would be able to return, but that if he opted to let the injury go, it would gradually worsen.
"As of right now, there is no injury anymore," he said. "Pretty much everything is bandaged up.
"On Sunday night football against the Cowboys in November, I took a bad hit, but not too bad. I suffered a herniated disc. Dr. (Alexander) Vaccaro in Philadelphia took the disc out in December. I was in a neck collar for nearly a month and a half.
"Right now, I'm doing fine. I've been working out. I feel good and I don't have any tingling in my fingers. They compared it to a root canal. When the tooth isn't there there's nothing there any more. They replaced it with a minimal amount of bone. If anything, I just lost a little range of motion after the surgery. But it's back now."
Hobbs said he expected to return kicks and play in the secondary when the Eagles acquired him in a draft day trade last April.
"I thought I would have both roles, but they had something else in mind," he said. "But that's out of my control. It didn't work out the way I had planned, plus I got hurt. But I know in my mind I'm a starter and I know I can return kicks. I'm fortunate to have a job and get paid a good amount of money. I did the best that I could. Anytime I go out on the field."
Read more of the interview by clicking here.
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The Chicago Tribune is reporting that a representative of defensive end Julius Peppers met with the Chicago Bears at the scouting combine last week. Of course, since Peppers is not a free agent until Friday, this could be bordering on tampering, depending on the specifics of the conversation.
Last week, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said this about Peppers: "Obviously, just look at what he's done. The big-play ability he has and he plays hard ... he's just one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. Any team he goes to, he's going to help right away."
It would be great to see Hobbs come back to a solid level. Hanson appears to be on the downside of his career, and it was only 3 years ago that Hanson was the best kick returner in the league.- Hanson doesn't return kicks, dopey.— Captain Splendor
- Hanson doesn't return kicks, dopey.— Captain Splendor
- Iv'e had the same surgery. It works wonders BUT if he gets another big hit, it will be easier to reherniate a disc above or below the spot because the back is a little weaker now with a missing disc. So, He really has to watch himself— crohnkiller
- Or, get paralyzed, crohnkiller. He is taking a huge risk by coming back. I've also had the surgery - and rupted five discs since.— Bake McBride
- hope he is okay now...but again, he is not the differece in this teams super bowl goal....but he is cheap so count on Joe keeping him...— nuggett
- "Hobbs said he expected to return kicks and play in the secondary when the Eagles acquired him in a draft day trade last April." I'm confused. Hobbs DID return kick for us last year and Hobbs DID play in the secondary for us last year. What the heck is he talking about? If he's talking about starting, well, everyone else on the planet knew he wouldn't be starting over Sheldon Brown. He played as a nickel and dime back, that's why they got him.— JimG
- Hobbs can't be a significant part of next year's plan.— The Reddgie
- He did a pretty good job returning kicks. I cannot remember any outstanding plays at corner, but I'm guessing he can tackle better the Samuels.— PhillyFanSouth
- Hobbs may not be as good as he thinks he is, but when Brown pulled his hamstring last year, a healthy hobbs would have been better than a hamstrung Brown. He returns kicks, plays hard, and has the confidence corners have to have. He should be on the team unless Macho Harris is considered a better backup corner (which he may be). If they can coach Macho up, he could be both a backup safety and 4th corner, and is probably good enough to push the starters ahead of him.— tacklinjoe
- The Eagles should keep Hobbs. A veteran player with starting experience for a SB winner who is also pretty good at returning kickoffs. Not a bad option to have as your 4th cornerback.— PhillyTru
These guys are too brave for their own good sometimes. I don't want to see him break his neck returning kickoffs. As a 3rd or 4th corner he better be careful, too.- To those who think we should keep Hobbs, please reconsider after adding "recovering from a serious NECK injury that ended his 2009 season." I think we have played enough of the "as long as he stays healthy" game with our recovering veterans over these last few years, ofted to a less than stellar outcome. Shawn Andrews, I am looking in your general direction.— The Reddgie
