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The road back Testaverde eager to return to Pro Bowl form
Posted: Tuesday May 02, 2000 02:26 AM
CLIFTON, N.J (AP) -- For all the hills he runs, the agility drills he does and seemingly endless passes he throws, New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde still has questions about the Achilles' tendon injury that cost him last season. While the tendon in his left leg seemingly has healed properly, Testaverde indicated Monday after playing 16 holes of golf at the Upper Montclair Country Club that he had obstacles to clear before he knows he's back. "It's not going to be the two-a-days, it's going to be the first live game, preseason, when I have to step up, take off and put pressure on that foot to push off and get away," Testaverde said. "That's the next hurdle for me." Testaverde tore the Achilles' tendon in the second quarter of the Jets' opener against New England trying to recover a fumble by halfback Curtis Martin. Testaverde has been running and working out and last month he got together with new offensive Dan Henning and threw passes. Henning taped the sessions and Testaverde said there was no indication he was favoring either foot. "I don't just want to return as a player in the league," Testaverde said. "I want to return as a player who plays on a consistently high level each week, just like I did in 1998." Testaverde led the Jets to the AFC title game in '98 and was picked for the Pro Bowl in his best NFL season. While rehabilitation for the injury takes from eight months to a year, the 34-year-old Testaverde said he could have played on Monday if the Jets had a game. If and when he does return, Testaverde knows he will be playing on a different team. Coach Bill Parcells retired and was replaced by Al Groh. Keyshawn Johnson is also gone, traded to Tampa Bay just before the NFL draft. Even though he wishes Johnson was still with the team, Testaverde said the Jets will get by without him. "With all the changes we've had it will be hard to say how we respond," Testaverde said. "With all we went through last year, this team has gotten mentally tough. I think we'll be pretty good. I think we'll have a chance."
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