COS JUST WANTS TO PLAY BALL; REDSHIRT WANTS TO JOIN PLAYOFFS.Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer The player's physique physique /phy·sique/ (fi-zek´) the body organization, development, and structure. phy·sique n. The body considered with reference to its proportions, muscular development, and appearance. and mannerisms suggested his identity, but his presence on the practice field confounded most people. ``Earl,'' he said. ``Today, I'm Earl.'' Earl? It looked like Cos Abercrombie, Cal State Northridge's middle linebacker sidelined since the second week of the season with a broken jaw. Indeed, it was Abercrombie - back at practice for a day but without contact, awaiting doctor's clearance for contact. He expects that to come, after which Abercrombie and CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge coach Ron Ponciano will have a difficult decision to make. After saying Abercrombie, a sophomore, would redshirt red·shirt tr.v. red·shirt·ed, red·shirt·ing, red·shirts To keep (a college or school athlete) out of varsity competition for one year in order to extend the athlete's period of eligibility. this season, Ponciano might bring his best linebacker to Southwest Missouri Missouri, state, United States Missouri (mĭz  r`ē, –ə), one of the midwestern states of the United States. State as
the 24th-ranked Matadors make a postseason run.
``When you're sitting (in my office), and he comes in (and says), `Coach, I have to play, I need to play,' you see what the doctors say and it becomes an option,'' Ponciano said. ``The only thing that matters is if Cos can go without being a high-risk high-risk adjective Referring to an ↑ risk of suffering from a particular condition Infectious disease Referring to an ↑ risk for exposure to blood-borne pathogens, which occurs with blood bank technicians, dental professionals, dialysis unit guy. . . . But we'd definitely get better the second he steps onto the field. If he can't go this week, he's going to get the medical redshirt.'' Before a decision is reached, though, Abercrombie must weigh the options. CSUN could win the Big Sky Conference, grab a playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. berth and make this the most memorable season in the program's history. However, the Matadors (6-3) could lose at Southwest Missouri State or Idaho State and not make the postseason. Thus, Abercrombie would give up his redshirt season for two meaningless games. ``Basically, the only thing I can say about me coming back is that I love it. I love it,'' Abercrombie said. ``I know it's a big move and I might not be 100 percent for two games, but I love it. I feel if I come back and I'm not the person they put in there, then it doesn't make sense. But playoffs, that's something most people never see.'' Health is the issue. At 209 pounds, Abercrombie is 11 pounds lighter than he was Sept. 19, when he broke his jaw at Northern Arizona Northern Arizona is dominated by the Colorado Plateau, the southern border of which in Arizona is called the Mogollon Rim. In the West lies the Grand Canyon, which was cut by the flow of the Colorado River while the land slowly rose around it. . Although doctors cleared him medically to return, Ponciano is concerned about the bullet lodged in Abercrombie's jaw - an inch from the break - from a drive-by shooting drive-by shooting Public health A phenomenon in which one or more persons–commonly members of street gangs, open fire à la Al Capone from moving vehicles, often in retaliation for an alleged wrong-doing by a rival gang that kept him out of the 1996 season. Abercrombie's path from Verbum Dei High, where he was the El Camino Real El Camino Real (Spanish for The Royal Road or The King's Highway) was the name of a series of pre-automobile highways linking the various New World colonies of Spain:
``Even if he gets cleared, there's some common sense a coach has to use,'' Ponciano said. ``What if he makes three great plays and gets his jaw broken again? That would be pretty sad to see. This guy is a high-collision guy playing a high-collision position. But if his body is sound, we'll let him go.'' Notes: CSUN wide receiver Anthony Ramos isn't expected to practice much this week because of sore legs but is expected to make the trip. . . . Wide receiver Mike Ogas (elbow) and defensive back Donnell Day (hand) returned to practice. . . . Ponciano said he'll decide today whether place-kicker Manny Manny may refer to: In nobility:
ABERCROMBIE PROFILE Position: Linebacker Year: Sophomore Career highlights: Made 17 tackles in two games before breaking his jaw at Northern Arizona. . . . Played in six games, mostly on special teams, and made eight tackles in 1997 while playing behind All-American Marc Goodson. . . . Sat out 1996 after being shot in a drive-by. Has bullet lodged in his jaw. CAPTION(S): Box BOX: ABERCROMBIE PROFILE (see text) |
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