Man, I'm really pulling for this kid. Such a great attitude and such great potential. Prove 'em wrong, Charles. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Injury fuels fire for Texans' Spencer Negativity steels tackle's resolve to get back on field By CHRIS ELLIOTT Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle May 17, 2007, 12:51AM Charles Spencer has made quite an impression on his Texans coaches and teammates in the last year, and he vows to have the same effect on anyone who doubts his ability to bounce back from a serious injury. The second-year left tackle's attitude toward football and life has not wavered in the nine months since he broke his leg in the Texans' second game last season. Although a team physician referred to it as the kind of injury that "threatens a guy's career," Spencer remained optimistic. "I've read a lot of articles about myself not returning back to football," Spencer said. "And that bothered me. That bothered my family, and it's been a huge motivation for me. I'm here to prove people wrong. I'm going to do that every day. I'm going to come to work and prove people wrong. "I expect a full recovery. I feel good right now. I don't believe in getting into what other people think about this because only I can determine that." Proving people wrong is only the beginning. Releasing nearly a year's worth of aggravation on the field will be the ultimate payoff for the rehabbing lineman. "I read everything, and I use it every day for gas in my system," Spencer said. "I cut everything out, and it's sitting in my office in my house. As long as they keep writing them, I'll keep putting them up. I've got a lot of anger. It's been awhile, so I'm a little excited to get back." Spencer fractured his tibial plateau, which caused serious damage to the cartilage near his knee. The fracture has healed, but the Texans are not sure how the cartilage will react when Spencer starts practicing on it. Coach Gary Kubiak has said recently there is a slightly better than 50-50 chance Spencer will be able to start in the season opener. Veteran tackle Ephraim Salaam, who was Spencer's mentor last season, said he believes a comeback is a feasible goal for his teammate and that Spencer still has a chance to be a successful player in the NFL. Spencer was a spectator Wednesday, the first day of organized team activities. He is not expected to be cleared for workouts until training camp. "Even though he's not on the field, he's taking mental reps," Salaam said. "He's doing film study and all of that. He understands that he has a long road of rehab — not only physically, but mentally — ahead of him, and as long as he understands that and doesn't get down about it, he can have a successful year." In case Spencer isn't back on the field for the season opener, Kubiak will have other options in place. Salaam started the final 14 games at left tackle after Spencer's injury, and free-agent signee Jordan Black started 15 games for a Chiefs team that reached the playoffs last season. "If Charles is 100 percent, I believe that Charles is there every down," Kubiak said. "He proved that last year, but the key is he's not there yet. So we have to operate like that's not going to happen, and that's hard to do. "It's hard to find that rock-solid left tackle, but we're searching, and we sure hope Charles makes his way back." LINK
yeah, but yao didn't have cartilage damage associated with it. Seems like it must've been a worse break for spencer..
I think Spencer will be back, but not fully in the starting rotation for another year. Then with Black as a backup, the left tackle position should be a strength.
