Patriots WR Glenn Returns to Foxboro
FOXBORO, MA — New England Patriots receiver Terry Glenn returned to Foxboro on Monday, but it remains to be seen whether or not that means an eventual return to the playing field.
Glenn reported to the stadium on Monday after his suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy ended. He also passed his conditioning run and sat down with head coach Bill Belichick for the first time in over two months. Glenn originally left training camp back on August 3rd after he learned of the suspension, and twelve days later the team suspended him for the season by placing him on the left camp list, but that was later overturned by a league arbitrator.
Belichick said he talked to Glenn Monday morning but didn’t comment on the meeting, only calling it “fine”. For now, he says he’ll wait and decide what to do with the receiver after he sees him on the practice field.
“I talked to Terry about being back with the team and what he would need to do, which is basically to demonstrate where his football level is at this point,” said Belichick on Monday. “He hasn’t been on the field in two months and I don’t think any of us have any idea exactly where he is. The only way we will be able to determine that initially is to see him in practice. That is the way we will approach it with Terry.”
“As [we do] in training camp we always test the athletes to make sure that they are in condition and he did do that, he did run well this morning. So we are ready to go when we start practice again on Wednesday.”
The Patriots received a one-game roster exemption for Glenn but could lift it if they decide he’s ready to play, although it’s doubtful that would happen. Although Glenn did pass his his conditioning run on Monday, in order for him to return to action New England would have to make room on the 53-man roster by letting someone else go. One possible candidate could be Torrance Small who hasn’t been much of a factor so far this season, but it’s likely a decision wouldn’t be made until next week. Either way they will still have to make a roster move involving him before the Oct. 21 game at Indianapolis.
Glenn said publicly last week that he was excited about the possibility of returning to the team, but some of the comments he also made may have started some ill-will between he and team owner Robert Kraft, a situation that obviously won’t be easily resolved.
“You would have to ask to him about the exact nature of the comments he made,” said Belichick. “What I have tried to do with all players is to deal with them directly, not through third and fourth parties. So as much as I can that is what I am going to continue to do. That is the way that I have dealt with Terry other than during times when he wasn’t here when I wasn’t allowed to talk to him and that is the way I will continue to deal with him.”
Belichick wasn’t allowed to deal with Glenn during the suspension as the two weren’t permitted to speak while he was serving the suspension. Now that they have sat down and talked things over the Patriots receiver will have to wait until tomorrow to attempt to show his coach that he’s ready to play football.
PATS DEAL WITH INJURIES
Belichick said on Monday that he wasn’t sure what the extent of offensive lineman’s Joe Andruzzi’s left leg injury was. Said Belichick, “I think it will be a minimum of a couple of weeks, two to three weeks at the minimum.”…..Linebacker Tedy Bruschi also bruised his knee during Sunday’s loss to Miami but Belichick said it didn’t appear that there was any significant damage…..Belichick said that defensive lineman and first round draft choice Richard Seymour showed his best effort so far this season against the Dolphins…..Drew Bledsoe will likely be out for at least a couple more weeks. Belichick said that after the quarterback is evaluated in a couple weeks, he may able begin some physical activity and also some light throwing…..Willie McGinest was inactive on Sunday because he didn’t appear 100% and it didn’t appear he would be effective at the level he was at……Belichick said that he thought that Grey Ruegamer did a decent job while filling in for Andruzzi on Sunday.
Posted Under: 2001 Patriots Season
