The art of recovery

Sporting News, The, Nov 29, 1999 by Joe Menzer

When you've recovered more fumbles in the NFL than all but two players, there's more to it than just blind luck. Panthers linebacker Kevin Greene can confirm that.

When Greene recovered a fumble against the Eagles on November 7, it was the 26th recovery of his 15-year career. It broke a tie with Dick Butkus and moved Greene into third place on the all-time list behind Jim Marshall (29) and Rickey Jackson (28).

"All those guys are warriors," Greene says. "I think it's kind of neat, actually, to be up in the mix with those guys."

What those guys have in common is that, like Greene, they were big, strong tacklers who had a nose for being around the ball that was honed by experience. Greene never has had the quickest lateral movement, and some believe he is a liability defending against the run and dropping into pass coverage. But he always has been a relentless pass rusher and often displays an uncanny ability to know where a play is headed even before the ball is snapped.

If Greene isn't the one wrapping up a quarterback for a sack or stopping a ball carrier with a bone-jarring tackle, he usually is in the vicinity. That enables him to be around the ball more than most when it pops free.

"If you hustle to the ball, it stands to reason that you're going to be around the ball if it comes loose," Panthers coach George Seifert says. "It's the intensity of his play that put him in position to make those fumble recoveries. For 15 years, he's been trying to get to the ball."

Greene, 37, still is trying. He admits there is an art not only to recovering fumbles, but also to what a player does afterward.

"There are only two ways you can recover them," he says. "You either fall on your side and cradle it in the fetal position with your knees up, or scoop, lock it away and try to run with it.

"A couple of things come to mind when you see the football. You glance around in your peripheral vision and try to see if the other-colored jerseys are dose. If they are, the book says you should fall on it and don't roll over."

If you fall on it but roll over, you expose yourself to getting the ball jarred loose by the next guy diving on the pile. And if you try to run with it when you should have covered it up, you risk never getting your hands on it.

"If the ball is in a mass of humanity, you just have to fire in there and try to get it," Greene says. And once you're in there with the mass of humanity, be strong. Some of the stuff going on in those piles after a fumble could get players arrested off the field.

Greene is adept not only at getting to the loose ball, but locking it away as well. He has done it so often, he could own the all-time record for fumble recoveries before he's through playing.

RELATED ARTICLE: Draft watch

GUARDS

This is a poor crop, both in terms of talent and depth. In fact, there might not be a guard selected until the third round. Some of the best prospects, such as Leander Jordan and Terrance Beadles, are from small schools.

1. Leander Jordan, Indiana (Pa.), 6-5, 325. Has been called a poor man's Larry Allen. Massive prospect who can run. Quick feet. Has tackle experience. Questionable instincts.

2. Travis Claridge, Southern Cal, 6-6, 310. A battler/mauler type with good punch. He's a good position blocker who is not overpowering. Just OK athletically. Plays tackle, but likely will move to guard.

3. Terrance Beadles, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6-3, 300. Raw prospect who dominates against inferior competition. Athletic. Can move and pull. Plays tackle, but is considered a guard prospect.

4. Al Jackson, Louisiana State, 6-3, 313. Has come on this year after being an underachiever previously. Powerful and athletic. Good feet. Has experience at tackle.

5. Semisi Heimuli, Texas A&M, 6-2, 303. Tough guy whose strength is run blocking. Has short, squat flame with short arms. Might eventually be starter.

6. Brad Bedell, Colorado, 6-5, 310. Mauler who likes to mix it up. Gets his guy blocked, but isn't always pretty. Heavy-footed. Limited athletically.

7. Matt Johnson, Brigham Young, 6-4, 310. Big and thick. A technician in pass protection. Average athletically. Better run blocker than most from BYU.

8. Andy Vincent, Texas A&M, 6-3, 301. Another tackle who is expected to play inside. Smart player with good foot quickness. Isn't real explosive. Can't keep up with speed rushers.

9. Manuia Savea, Arizona, 6-2, 296. Has good upper-body strength. Will convert to guard from tackle. Needs to play with more consistent effort.

10. Steve Herndon, Georgia, 6-4, 288. Quick player with a strong upper body but thin lower body. A fighter who goes all out. Plays with leverage. Has trouble changing directions.

11. Roger Roesler, Texas, 6-5, 300. Big and athletic, but hasn't lived up to his billing. Doesn't play as strong as he should. Has a good upside, but has to show more intensity. --D.P.