Al Wilson cleared to play in 2008 (1 Viewer)

[moleculo]

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Ex-Bronco Wilson cleared to continue

By The Denver Post

The question of whether Al Wilson will be able to play in the NFL in 2008 has been answered. Now the only query is where.

The former Broncos middle linebacker was cleared by his physician to start working in an NFL program immediately.

Wilson missed the 2007 season after being released by the Broncos in April. He suffered a neck injury in December 2006.

Wilson has been routinely monitored by Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles, and Wednesday received clearance. Because he is both a free agent and healthy, Wilson can sign with any team.

"Al is training and is ready to play," said his Denver-based agent, Peter Schaffer. "There is no greater risk to his health than normal football risks. He is thrilled to get the chance to play again."

Wilson, 30, was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and should receive a lot of interest on the open market.

Asked if Wilson would be open to returning to the Broncos, Schaffer said, "There are 32 teams and Al will go to the best situation for him and his family."

Man, do the Broncos miss Al.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Man, do the Broncos miss Al.

 

[encaitar]

What kind of interest does he command?

I know he's a pro bowler and was a stud before the injury, but even though he's 100% there will still be questions. Not to mention him being out of football for a year and being 30.

We are looking at a very incentive based contract IMO.

 

[greenf7cat]

Man, do the Broncos miss Al.

So who takes a chance on him?

 

[Rushmore]

wouldn't mind seeing the Bengals give him an incentive-laden contract.

 

[Banger]

Priest was cleared too. Anyone picking him up is taking a chance that they focus their defense around him and he goes down for the rest of his career.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Mr. Wilson? Hi, this is Matt Millen...

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Underappreciated run stuffer. Seems he was always in the 120 to 150 tackle per year range though I have not looked it up. Some guys have a "nose for the ball" is one cliche`. That expression is used by the announcers to indicate a guy that gets a fumble or an interception. Often those guys are hopelessly trailing plays. Well Wilson was a guy with a "nose for the hole." He would meet or beat ballcarriers to the hole, lay the wood to them, and dislodge the ball, a few teeth, and a kidney or two so that those "nose for the ball" guys could come in and clean up for the glory. Me I like the guys that do the dirty work over the glory boys. Wilson can play on my team.

 

[Jason Wood]

I was desperate for the Eagles to take a chance on him before his injury forced him to "retire"; I sure hope they consider it now.

 

[SSOG]

Underappreciated run stuffer. Seems he was always in the 120 to 150 tackle per year range though I have not looked it up. Some guys have a "nose for the ball" is one cliche`. That expression is used by the announcers to indicate a guy that gets a fumble or an interception. Often those guys are hopelessly trailing plays. Well Wilson was a guy with a "nose for the hole." He would meet or beat ballcarriers to the hole, lay the wood to them, and dislodge the ball, a few teeth, and a kidney or two so that those "nose for the ball" guys could come in and clean up for the glory. Me I like the guys that do the dirty work over the glory boys. Wilson can play on my team.

His tackle numbers were actually substantially lower than most of the other elite LBs (Zach Thomas and Ray Lewis, most especially). That's a big reason why he was always so underappreciated. For most of his career, Denver ran a Tampa-2 like scheme, and he played a lot of deep coverages. There were very few LBs in the league as good at it as he was, thanks to that blazing speed and great instincts.

 

[Phlash]

I could see the Pats giving him a shot.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Just looked at his numbers. His tackles and assists are sustantially less then my impression. Still it seemed it was always him with the big stop.

 

[Bri]

He really enjoyed his visit to NYG and was upset he couldn't play there. Shortly thereafter reality hit him that he couldn't play anywhere.

Very very few LBer are invited to visit during FA each year(if any) but they always want to play in NY. Parcells coaching LBs? BB coaching LBs? Lawrence Taylor? Harry Carson? Carl Banks? Pepper? I don't know who they loved growing up but when a LB visits NY there's always a pretty strong interest.

I do recall Briggs, last year, just talking about playing with his buddy Pierce and also said "where 56 played."

Adalius Thomas was mentioned in NY last year and I don't think he ever even came to NY.

I wouldn't be surprised if he and NYG chat. I'm not saying he'll sign there but it seems LT(my guess as to why) gives them an openning to talk with LBers, when they're not pretending they can draft a HOF crew like in the 80s.

 

[Bri]

I could see the Pats giving him a shot.

I wouldn't be surprised if they'll need a couple LBers when all's said and done. Seau and Bruschi retiring seems like a distinct possibility. I'm just hoping they stay and coach like Pepper did. Much like Pepper, there's a respect and understanding of BBs D that is extremely valuable.

 

[SSOG]

Just looked at his numbers. His tackles and assists are sustantially less then my impression. Still it seemed it was always him with the big stop.

Yeah, he was definitely a lot better than his numbers would indicate. The scheme tended to give more action to the OLB than the MLB (which is why Gold looked like such a stud in it), but Wilson was an impact player against the run and one of the best LBs in the league against the pass.

 

[SofaKings]

Mr. Wilson? Hi, this is Matt Millen...

One would think...

 

[SSOG]

Mr. Wilson? Hi, this is Matt Millen...

... tell me something. Have you ever considered making a switch to WR?