Northwestern University Athletics
Skip Myslenski Presents: A News Update
9/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 23, 2009
By SKIP MYSLENSKI, NUsports.com Special Contributor
The pass was sailed, soared so high that not even a healthy Yao Ming could have skied and snagged it. But here on Wednesday morning Sherrick McManis, the 'Cat corner who has missed NU's last two games, was undaunted and jumped for it with no hesitation, with no inhibitions.
He, of course, did not come close to getting the ball, but that is hardly the point. This is. By going after it so aggressively, and by taking regular reps during this practice, he promised (barring an unseen setback) to be fit for action come Saturday when the 'Cats host Minnesota in their Big Ten opener.
"It felt a lot better today," he would say after that practice ended and here he gently rubbed the front of his leg. That is where he damaged himself earlier this month, and as that injury lingered, he idled impatiently. That was hardly a surprise since, clearly, no corner can operate without wheels that are fully healthy.
"You need that," McManis would say, chuckling at the obviousness of the observation. "Everything you do is footwork and technique. That's why you have to be smart, especially at the tempo we practice at. So to actually do all this, what I did today, is a tremendous improvement."
Was this the most reps you've taken since you were injured?
"Yes. Yes it was."
Does that make you mentally more confident?
"Yeah. Definitely, definitely. Regardless, I knew, God willing, I was going to get back into this game Saturday. I just had to be patient and wait until I could get out there and play."
Was that hard?
"Yeah, you know it is. It's real hard because you want to help your team so badly. But I also knew, to help the team, I had to be healthy."
Have you cut it loose yet?
"Definitely, man. That's what I was saying. Be patient, then when it's time to go, I go. I go all in. That's why you have coaches who're looking out for you sometimes. They want you to slow it down a little bit. But I was feeling great out there."
Which is why you went after that pass that was so far over your head?
"Exactly. That's what I mean by going all in. You've got to do those things to see how healthy you are."
