Ex-McKinley players battling NFL misery
Sunday, September 19, 2004 By TODD PORTER
It is not a good time to be an NFL player from Stark County, particularly McKinley High School.
All three Bulldog graduates were dealt setbacks during the season’s first week. Green Bay defensive tackle Kenny Peterson was inactive for the Packers opener with knee and ankle injuries. Indianapolis safety Mike Doss started well in the first quarter of the Colts’ Thursday night game against New England but missed the second half with a hamstring injury.
Jamar Martin, a former starting fullback in Dallas, was released in preseason, but signed with Miami the next day. Martin was inactive in the opener.
“How ironic is that?” Peterson said. “That’s weird. We all got an injury or something happened to us within a week of each other. We might have to make some big things happen so we’re not forgotten about.”
That is unlikely to happen.
Peterson is listed as doubtful for today’s game against Chicago. In the final preseason game, a teammate fell on his right leg, stretching his knee and spraining the ankle.
“When it first happened, I thought it was a whole lot worse,” Peterson said. “It hurt like a son of a gun. The way itI looked (on replays) I’m surprised something wasn’t torn. The good part about it is the knee was just bent back, and it didn’t tear any ligaments.
“I feel fine. The soreness in my ankle is keeping me from playing. The pain is back where the Achilles tendon is.”
The injury could not have come at a worse time. Peterson got off to a slow start as a rookie. When he reported to camp this year, he weighed less and gained speed. Green Bay Head Coach Mike Sherman often mentioned his play.
“It is frustrating because I was having a great preseason,” Peterson said. “I was looking forward to playing in the regular season and getting the playing time like I know I should.
“I thought I’d be back this week,” Peterson said. “The doctor wants to wait another week. I’m going to test it again. But the doctor gets paid to tell people like me when I’m a no go.”
The battle is more mental than physical. Peterson has to recapture the momentum he had leading up to the season.
“What I have to do is keep on smacking folks in the mouth and taking names,” the 6-foot-3, 295-pounder said.
Doss’ injury may be more serious. He suffered a second-degree tear of the hamstring and will miss at least three weeks. Hamstring injuries for skill-position players can linger.
Martin could be on the field today when Miami plays Cincinnati. Rob Konrad, the starting fullback, has an infection in his thigh and will miss the game.
Miami Head Coach Dave Wannstedt said either Martin or rookie Doug Easlick will start in Konrad’s place. Starting running back Travis Minor is out and Lamar Gordon, just acquired last week in a trade with St. Louis, will start.
