|
Published: May 31, 2009 11:51 pm
BILLS: Road back for Bowen nearly complete
By Tim Schmitt
Niagara Gazette
ORCHARD PARK —
The road has always been long for Alvin Bowen. Originally, Bowen’s football odyssey took him from New Jersey to a Kansas junior college, then later to Iowa State — a long way from a New York City suburb.
But the most recent stretch of pavement’s been the toughest — an uphill climb from the injured reserve.
After an ACL injury suffered during last year’s training camp at St. John Fisher, the Buffalo Bills’ fifth-round draft choice in the 2008 draft has been working diligently to get back on the field.
The knee is rested and rehabbed, and he’s had a chance to do just that during the team’s organized team activities in Orchard Park.
“I’m feeling good. I’m feeling ready to get back in there and tear some stuff up,” Bowen said.
His participation is a significant marker on Bowen’s road, but it’s not the end by any means.
With plenty of competition at linebacker, he still has to make the roster, which will be no small task. Listed as the third-string strong side linebacker behind Kawika Mitchell and Orchard Park native Jon Corto, Bowen isn’t worried about the numbers crunch for now.
“You make your own opportunities. You just got to get out there and work hard,” Bowen said. “We brought in some good linebackers, you’ve just got to compete and work hard. The end of the day, that’ll all sort itself out.”
Linebackers coach Matt Sheldon said watching a young player like Bowen go down before getting a chance to prove himself is difficult, but he’s been impressed with the resolve he’s shown since the injury occurred.
“I know it’s a pretty big shock to a young player, especially if he’s been healthy in earlier parts of his career," Sheldon said. “And then it’s a big challenge. It’s a challenge to work at the rehab, as if he was working on game development. He’s done that. That’s exciting. He’s come all the way back to where he’s moving pretty well.
“That’s a serious injury and there’s different rates of recovery for different people. He’s moving in the direction of getting his complete set of movement skills back.”
Bowen was a two-time first team All-Big 12 linebacker at Iowa State and was making an impression on teammates and coaches early in training camp before succumbing to the injury.
“He’s got a good body frame and he showed some toughness on his college film. And he has good movement,” Sheldon said. “He needs to work on continuing to be efficient with his techniques, making sure there’s no wasted moments. And coming all the way back with his speed and quickness. That’s important.”
Bowen said spending an entire year watching was a painful, but it offered some perspective that young players don’t necessarily often get.
“It fine tunes things. That this game doesn’t last long sometimes. It could have been worse. I could have never played again. It makes you realize you have to play every down like it’s your last down,” Bowen said. “I think I had that in focus before, but you never want to pay attention to injuries. You just want to play the game.
“Now, more than ever, I’m fine tuned.”
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Adult Residential Services Administrator
HUMAN SERVICES Progressive Niagara County Agency serving adults with psychiatric disabilties seeks an Adult Reside...>MORE
Cook
COOK full time. Apply in person only, Augie’s Diner, 2470 Military Rd. ...>MORE
Used Car Lot Helper
USED CAR Lot Helper misc. duties, valid driver’s license, great work environment. For details 731-2319 ask for Mr. Dan...>MORE
EEO Compliance & Workforce Diversity Coordinator
Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance & Workforce Diversity Coordinator City of Niagara Falls Immediate...>MORE
PHONE SALES
PHONE sales, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. +, Pete or Mike, 694-1251...>MORE
Driver
DRIVERS – CDL A TEAM DRIVERS NEEDED FOR DEDICATED RUNS No touch freight............Good miles ...>MORE
Nurse Practitioner
NURSE PRACTITIONER-CARDIOLOGY. Full time. NYS license with one year of recent coronary care or cardiovacular care experi...>MORE
Dietitian
Dietitian with duties to incl. cooking & ability to give direction in a health facility's dietary dept. Benefits incl. 4...>MORE
Warehouse
Warehouse, Assembly Production & Cleaning 1st, 2nd & 3rd shifts Sanborn, Grand Island Amherst & Tona...>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
See all ads |
1996 Saturn Sport Coup
SATURN 1996 Sport coup, 4 cyl, auto, exc cond in & out, loaded, CD, no rust, 97k orig. mi, $2195. 523-7102....>MORE
Chevy 1995 Pickup
CHEVY 1995 Pickup truck, 4WD, 5 speed, must see, never had plow on it, $2800 bo, 804-5579...>MORE
Ford 1999 Windstar
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
1984 Cadillac Eldorado
CADILLAC Eldorado 1984, runs, inspected, $500. 283-3552....>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
Dodge 1993 Dakota 4x4
FORD 1999 WIndstar, LX, fully loaded, 38k miles, $3850. Excellent condition 860-4747...>MORE
Chevy 1994 High Topper Van
CHEVY 1994 High topper van, high road miles, mechanically sound, $900 or bo, 716-510-8105...>MORE
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|