September 10, 2009
My knee feels great. I’m going to have to wear a brace but I took every rep in practice today.
I am absolutely, definitely playing on Sunday against the Eagles.
I knew I would be a fast healer. I think a lot has to do with your mindset and what you do when you leave the trainer’s room. Some guys would go home and do nothing, but there are a lot of things you can do at home to help you get over an injury faster. I used an Accelerated Recovery Performance Trainer, or an ARP trainer. It activates your muscle and stimulates it, makes sure the weakened muscle is firing. It also brings blood flow to the area and speeds up the recovery process.
I’m excited. It’s the start of a new season, which is always big, and we have high expectations with a lot of guys back. We were obviously disappointed with how our season ended last year and we definitely want to step up and make it right. I think we were good enough to win it all last year, we just have to focus a little more, put in a little more effort, get a little more preparation, that can make a difference.
The Eagles don’t do much on offense but what they do, they do it well. Donovan McNabb is a veteran, he can get it done with his legs or his arm. When he looks to pass he makes a lot of quick gains, then takes a shot. The guy he likes to go to is Brian Westbrook, he’s a running back but was second on that team in receptions, so you have to know where he is at all times. The second-year receiver DeSean Jackson has really come on as a deep threat, he has great speed. Those three guys make that offense work.
We have to do our best to eliminate those three guys, and we have to keep pressure on McNabb while making sure he doesn’t run on us too much. It’s hard to stop good players, but swarming to the ball and gang tackling are always the best antidote to a good offense.
I have extra motivation for this game because I missed one. I don’t like to miss any, I don’t care if it’s preseason or whatever. It was tough to sit out. But now I’m back and the games really count. I’ll be wearing a knee brace and going up against a good back in Westbrook, so I’m excited about the challenge.
We’re playing at home against a good team. We’re going to turn it loose. This is the start of a new beginning.
Also, I will be starting up my radio show again tomorrow, same as last year, on Thursdays starting around 4 or 4:30 p.m. on 610 AM. I’m usually on-air for an hour or hour and a half.
Carolina Panthers All-Pro middle linebacker Jon Beason writes a blog for www.playerpress.com at www.jonbeason.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonbeason.
June 14, 2009
We have two more days of OTAs left and then we’re off until August 2, when we report for training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.
My shoulder feels great. I have no limitations as far as being in the weight room. Right now I’m just getting strong and I’m looking forward to getting down to Fort Lauderdale to work with my trainer Pete Bommarito. Dante Rosario is going to come with me and train, we’re just getting ready to do it all over again.
The next month and a half is vital for me in getting back into “Beast” mode, getting bigger, faster and meaner.
I heard a great quote that I’m a big fan of. It was from one of our assistant strength and conditioning coaches named John. “We don’t rise to the occasion, we fall to our training.” That really hit home because people think we get caught up in the moment on the field and come on strong based on the situation, like we’re “in the zone.” The reality is, everything we do is based on our training. If you train to do something, your body will respond. If you condition your mind to react a certain way, the pressure won’t affect you because you are prepared for it. You train your mind and your body to handle all situations and rely on that training when it comes down to it.
Preparation has always been a big part of my game, working harder and longer than anybody else. It allows me to be more consistent.
Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
Our defense is playing a lot faster now with an emphasis on chasing the ball and stripping it. Making tackles and swarming to the ball is a big part of our coach’s philosophy. I like it and I think we have the personnel to do it.
I’m excited for the season and we had better be ready because the schedule is loaded. We play the AFC East and the NFC East, plus our division, with some big-time games, a Monday nighter, a Thursday nighter.
Those are the games you live for.
Carolina Panthers All-Pro middle linebacker Jon Beason writes a blog for www.playerpress.com at www.jonbeason.com. Follow him on Twitter as jonbeason.