In Walt I Trust

by Brock Huard

Now, I am officially concerned, are you? Back spasms are one thing, arthroscopic surgery to a knee that underwent micro-fracture surgery in the off-season, well that is a very different issue. I don’t want to be an alarmist but here is how I see this playing out:

Best Case Scenario: This morning’s arthroscopic surgery clips some cartilage and some other loose scar tissue that is floating around in the knee and causing discomfort and swelling. The surgery itself produces little swelling and in two weeks, or the Friday after the final preseason game, Walt is re-evaluated, passes a battery of tests on the knee, and is ready to get back on the practice field in preparation for St. Louis and Week One of the regular season.

Worst Case Scenario: The arthroscopic surgery clearly reveals some major issues stemming from the micro-fracture surgery. The doctors find incomplete healing, further complications, and an inability of the doctors to remedy a knee that has endured more than a dozen NFL seasons. Walt is left staring retirement directly in the face.

More Than Likely Scenario: The surgery is a success and the doctors cleaned out the joint and appear to have corrected the problem. The following weeks will be a very delicate dance of more rehab and treatment, more mental reps, and a belief if Walt can practice the Wednesday and Thursday before the St. Louis game he will be ready for the opener. And maybe, physically he will be able, but my concern at that point goes beyond the knee and the back. What kind of continuity can be expected from a group that will not have worked together as a collective unit for the entire Training Camp? How will Rob Sims and Big Walt mesh on the left side within this new scheme? Walt sat out training camp after training camp as a franchise player without a contract, but that was playing in the same system, same scheme, same calls and many of the same faces around him. This could be Sims and Wrotto at Guard, or Max Unger, or….

I like to think of myself as a glass half-full, eternal optimist kind of guy. I am, however, very much struggling with the reality of this offensive line without it’s best player, best leader, and best hope for stability and success. We’ll just have to wait and see how Big Walt’s very big body handles this very delicate situation. Thoughts?