Wow. Oakland was an experience. It was cool to be in that atmosphere — The Black Hole, rowdy crowd — and then we went out there and played to our ability and got the win. I can’t stress enough what a great experience it was just being out there.
I didn’t catch any batteries to the back of the head, thank goodness, but it was still pretty crazy. I saw a couple fights break out in the crowd, especially when we were walking in for halftime. It was pretty cool. I’m saying, it was really exciting being around that atmosphere, watching the guys make big plays.
The thing I was most excited about was watching Eddie Royal, one of my good friends, being in the same rookie class and all, making plays. I’m just like, “Yeah. That’s what’s up.” It was exciting watching him play. Heck, it was exciting watching EVERYONE play.
Can you tell I’m excited the season is here?
And things are going well with my rehab. The elbow feels good, I’m getting a lot of work done with it, and it’s almost back to full flexibility. I’ve just got to stay on top of it, and I see the doctor next week. He’ll give me some more leeway and some things to do to get my arm stronger. I’m excited — I’m just trying to get back as soon as possible.
I don’t know exactly when I’ll be back. I know I said earlier that Week 6 was the goal, but all I know is it’s probably going to be the full two months. I’m not sure on the exact date when I’m back, just because you never know how fast you cam come back, especially going through this rehab. In a realistic world, I’ll probably go ahead and wait out the full two months and get it as strong as possible and stay on top of things with my treatment.
But just know that when I am back, like I said before, I’m going to be a veteran. I’m not going to be a rookie anymore. I’ve been to all the games and I’ll know all the plays. I’ll jump right back in that rotation and hopefully help us get to where we want to be.
All right, I see you all came through with the questions this time around. So let’s get to it.
As far as whether or not I’m doing any strength training with my arm and elbow — not yet. It’s just flexibility. Until I get back to a full range of motion, and then I’ll be lifting weights.
One of you asked about coming back to practice before I’m back in the games. Most definitely you’ve got to start practice before you play, and you’ve got to get back intot he groove of things. The date when I’ll be back, I’ll certainly be practicing the week leading up to it. Hopefully by me going to all the meetings and staying my playbook, like I said I can get right back into the rotation and try to help the team out.
Now to the question about Coach Shanahan comparing me to Terrell Davis. I use that to fuel me mentally. I’m just trying to get back as soon as possible and do what I can to help this team out. That was huge coming from a coach like him. He’s been in the NFL and he’s a good guy with a great personality. He keeps it real and honest — he would never lie to you — so when he says positive things to me or about me like that, I just take it as a huge compliment and try to help the team out to compliment him back.
One question was about my specific goals in terms of yards and touchdowns when I come back. I’m not really thinking about it like that. I don’t have any goals like that, other than to just come out and make big plays. Whatever I can do to contribute to the team, I just want to help out.
The first thing I thought when I was drafted was: I got my foot in the door. I got my foot in the door. I finally made it. All those years of school and football and hard work and conditioning — it’s paying off. It paid off.
One person asked who I didn’t look forward to seeing in the defense when I was running through a hole during training camp. That’s a good question. Really I didn’t have anyone to fear, because you can’t play this game with fear. But one person that I did FEEL in camp was Nate Webster. Yeah, I felt his facemask in my back a couple times, but you know I had to act like I didn’t feel it and keep pushing. It was a really fun camp. It was good to be back playing football, because you know I got hurt my senior year at Arizona State, so I was just happy to be back on the playing field and making plays.
As far as my closest friends on the team — I’d say one of the closest is Josh Barrett, just because we’ve been with with each other for a couple years now as Sun Devils, but I’m cool with everybody on the team. Me and Quick, us being running backs and we’ve both got a lot of down time, yeah, we’ve been kicking it lately. But really I want to be good friends with everybody on the team. I don’t put a limit on nobody. It’s cool.
Speaking of Quick, he did have the same injury I had my senior year, the Lisfranc, but not as bad. He doesn’t have to have surgery. Because of that I haven’t really coached him through it because it’s different with him not having surgery. I had surgery and I had to be in a cast and I was laid up for two weeks. So Quick is taking what he can do — he’s still lifting weights and staying on top of everything. He’ll be good. I can’t wait till he gets back because he is a big playmaker, and just fun to be around.
For the question about my number, I only had a few choices when I got drafted. I just felt like 42 looked pretty good on me. I can make it work. I almost got 26, my number in college, but Jack Williams snagged it right in front of me. One phone call away. But it’s cool, I’ll make do with what I got, and really just be happy I’m in the league, pretty much.
Last question, one of you asked what I like to do in my spare time. I like to listen to music, watch movies, hang out with my boys and just relax. I don’t like to be out in the open too much. I like down time.
Thanks for asking so many questions, I love it when I see all these comments on here. Glad you all are keeping up with how things are going, I’m just trying to keep everyone involved while I make my way back onto that gridiron. Glad the team’s headed in the right direction, and I’m excited for the Chargers game this week. Check in with you all next Thursday.
Tags: Questions, Regular Season, Rehab, Ryan Torain
Good to see things are going well still with the rehab. A coworker of mine has gone to a Bronco/Raider game in the Black Hole, I hear its quite the experience! I’ll stick with Mile High
Thanks for all the answers to the questions!
See you all at the Charger game!
Wow. The team looked great on Monday. I’m sure you heard the announcers were talking about the Selvin/Andre tandem but didn’t say anything much about you. But I did see your busted up elbow on the sideline. Nice MNF debut
Thanks again for the blog.
Keep on cheering with us and go tear up San Diego!!
Do you know or hang out with any athletes from the other teams in Denver?
Hey Ryan!
We definately looked good on Monday. For our first game, I was really impressed. On the other hand, Oakland played horrible other than the first drive and the last qtr. I hope we can improve on the mistakes we made Monday and do an even better job against the Chargers.
I hope Jarvis or Elvis take Rivers’ head off! Go get em boys!!!
One question I have for you is do you play Madden? If so, what team do you usually pick? If you’ve played ’09, do you make yourself the starting HB???
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Lance
sevlin/andre? How about some torrain/quick…i’m all about it.
How would you compare dennis erickson to mike shanahan?
Hey Ryan
It sucks we didn’t get to see you in the opener with everybody else. Good to hear you’re still heavily involved with the team…even more glad you didn’t go to I/R and will still play this season. That’ll be something to look forward to.
I’m just curious. What is your opinion of Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall personality and performance wise?
hey ryan thanks for taking the time to answer my questions man its good to hear your still keepin up with your rehab and your excited about the season as all the bronco fans are thats kool your good friends with barrett i was mad that he dident make the roster the guys a freak but quick question is there anyone you really look forward to watching on the opposite team you will face this year like L.T or reggie bush ? thanks man its good to hear from ya keep up the good work we all cant wait to see you out there
Hey Ryan,
I was wondering, is there a specific team on the schedule you really want to beat? Hope to see you on the fild soon. Bowie
Maybe next raider game you will be able to help with the beatdown.
thanks for answering my question =) GO BRONCOS!!!
Great read here. Great insight into your rehab and the team in general. After hearing the rave reviews in print and on radio, i cant wait to see you on the field. Work Hard, Play Hard!
Man…our team is nasty this year. When you get back on the field, its just gunna be unfair for anyone we play.
Keep up the good work and that positive attitude!
Ryan,
I was wondering if and to what extent Rod Smith is still involved in the organization. He was always a fan favorite, as a blue-collar type worker who was a role model for players and fans alike. I remember reading that he’s going to try to help Brandon Marshall toe the line, and I was wondering if he ever shows up at the team facilities.
Ryan,
You have a great attitude about you and i’m glad they gave you a chance to blog. If they didn’t most of us true Denver fans wouldn’t know how dedicated you are to our team. So thank you and i cant wait till your next one
GO Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!
Side ?: Is Quick out for the season?
ryan,
gotta keep checking in with you, dude. keep up that rehab and get back to the field as quickly as possible. and stay in that playbook, watch plenty of film, and keep visualizing those big plays. your team needs you.
i’ve got a question for you, and i need your insight, being a former sun devil. how’s elway the younger doing?
Freight Train Torrain,
Good to hear rehab is progressing nicely. I’m also glad to hear youre not rushing it… we are ALL excited to see you get in there, but not at the expense of your health. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you will be starting soon… I said it. I think you have what it takes to get this run game back to where it has been in the past. We need someone with your size and speed to take over.
How comfortable to you feel with the offensive schemes? Do you think this is a playbook that you can excel with?
i wonder who will get cut or if quick will make the team, we have too many lbs and d linemen i like that group of 5 rbs though. how do you feel about making the 53 man roster even with the injury? that says alot about how good shanny thinks you are.
I hope you are preparing like a psychopath because this could be the year.
Hey Torain, I’m really glad rehab is going great. I must say you have the right attitude coming into this league and to this team. Your goals of ‘whatever you can provide, and whatever it takes to help this team’ is prime thinking and will get you in the mix fast! I am looking forward to springing you and a couple other secrets I have for my fantasy league. I traded A. Gates for Scheffler a week and a half ago. The league thought I was nuts, I said, Just watch!
I love that all the guys are RB are getting in the mix. I also know that when you get back, you will show the rest of the league, We have the best group of runners hands down. That is one thing I Love about Shannahan, from a Broncos fan standpoint. When he gets players he believes in, he gives them playing time. Not like other teams where you got to wait for a break or an injury. As I write this, the game with San Diego is over and the world is shocked that Denver’s offense is FOR REAL!
A couple questions. I have not looked at your stats at AS, but do you like catching the ball out of the backfield? ALso, Do you have a favorite side you like to run to? Its funny you talking about your number, I was noticing the other night during the Chargers game, I have the hardest time telling 14, 15, 19, apart when they are flashing down the field. But I must say, It will be pretty easy to see 42, as everybody is chasing him downfield. Good Luck, MAN I CAN NOT WAIT!
Ryan your the man i cant wait to see you back on the field is there a specific date when youll be back on the field yet? All i know is when you get back its going to be pretty tight to see you back in that orange and blue no. 42 jersey get healthy man
dude?! we need you out on the field soon… especially, after last night!!