banner

Posts Tagged ‘On the Field’

Ready to Step Up

November 6th, 2008 - 11:08am by Ryan TorainOther posts by

We’re here in Cleveland, I’m writing at the hotel. I’m just staying in my playbook right now and getting ready for tongiht.

The backs have had a rough stretch the past couple of days.

First the showing against Miami was inexcusable. The effort was definitely there, we just didn’t get it done.

Then a couple days later we lose both Andre Hall and Mike Pittman. ‘Dre’s been here for a year and Pittman coming in with his experience, being a veteran in the game — it’s definitely been a huge blow to us, losing two backs in the same day and also in a short week. It puts a lot of pressure on the backs, but we’ve been coached up and we’re prepared for the game. We’ve just got to handle adversity.

The rest of the backs are rallying around the situation. Guys have to step up, make big plays and win the game. I’m most definitely ready to be one of those guys. I’ve been waiting for a long time. I feel like I can be a huge contributer to this offense and get this win.

Click to continue reading “Ready to Step Up”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Archives | 51 Comments »

Ready and Waiting

October 30th, 2008 - 8:08pm by Ryan TorainOther posts by

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has (possibly) come.

All I know is I’m most definitely excited to get on the field if Coach calls my name. Like I’ve been saying, I’ve got to be ready if it happens, and right now I know I will be.

Over the bye week, as you all know, I just stayed a couple extra days and conditioned, working out with Coach Tuten. I did some more rehab and studied my playbook — just did a couple of extra things to get right. Get my mind right and my body right. I did have some time to relax though, on Saturday and Sunday, then we were back in here on Monday.

I have noticed one change, though. More and more reporters are coming to my locker during open locker room. It went from having maybe one person come and talk with me to having every camera in the place all gathered around me. It’s not overwhelming or anything like that, though. I’m just answering the questions, telling them what’s going on. The question that’s been asked the most is, “Are you getting playing time?” or “Are you starting?” I can’t answer either of those. Both of those are a game time decision. I don’t know yet, so I’ve just got to stay patient, stay on my Ps and Qs and be ready for everything that could possibly be thrown my way. Then I can go out there and have some fun.

Click to continue reading “Ready and Waiting”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Archives | 40 Comments »

100 Percent After the Bye

October 23rd, 2008 - 9:59am by Ryan TorainOther posts by

It’s the bye week, and it couldn’t come at a better time. We’re all ready to go relax, get our minds off football and come back refreshed.

The bye is always great — it gives guys a rest, a chance to get their mind right, just to focus on the next game and get their mind right.

People are going home, seeing their families, hanging out with friends. Want to know what I’m doing?

I’m staying here. Haha.

I’m going to be conditioning, working out with Coach Tuten. But that’s pretty much been the plan since I’ve been hurt, just try to get back to 100 percent so I’ll be able to help the team when my number’s called. So it’s all good.

Click to continue reading “100 Percent After the Bye”

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Archives | 62 Comments »

I’m Back

October 17th, 2008 - 7:05am by Ryan TorainOther posts by

I’m BACK.

And it feels great. It’s been a looooong time. When you add the couple of months I’ve been out here to the fact that I couldn’t play the end of my senior season, it’s about to be a full year since I’ve been on the field for a game. So being back at practice is great. That’s the only word to describe it. Great. I’m excited, just conversing with the guys, being out there, joking around — just having a great time.

I finally got to do it myself. That’s the difference. When you’re watching practice, you envision it and you wish you could do it. When you’re out there, you get to fulfill what you’ve been doing your whole life. And I didn’t get too winded when I was out there the past two days either, and I credit that to the trainers and how hard Coach Tuten’s been helping me condition since the injury.

Click to continue reading “I’m Back”

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Archives | 35 Comments »

Another Big Step Toward the Field

October 9th, 2008 - 1:18pm by Ryan TorainOther posts by

Another big step this week, everybody. First it was being able to get back to working on my conditioning. Then it was being able to lift weights with my left arm again. Now, it’s something even bigger.

I was at practice yesterday. My first NFL practice, and being a rookie, it felt good, even if I was just watching it go down and not participating yet. I missed practice. It’s been a while since I’ve been in that atmosphere. Watching guys make plays, guys working hard and just playing the game. I just missed that competitiveness. I’m definitely excited to get back, and it’s been great to be back out at practice. Now I’m just kind of taking steps to get back in the flow of things, and hopefully next week I’ll be able to put the cleats on and run around.

Coach Shanahan said there’s a chance I’ll be back out on the practice field making plays on my own starting next week, so I’ve just got to stay working hard with rehab and keep conditioning to make sure it happens. Whenever I get called on, I’ll be ready to go. I can’t wait to get back.

Click to continue reading “Another Big Step Toward the Field”

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Archives | 26 Comments »