Denney back on solid footing
Was sorely missed in defensive rotation
Ryan Denney is not a player who shows a lot of emotion, but the big smile on the veteran defensive end’s face tells you everything you need to know about how he feels these days.
Denney wore a different facial expression at this time last year when a broken left foot in the Buffalo Bills’ second preseason game sidelined him for the first seven games of the regular season.
Two surgeries and several months of rehabilitation later, Denney is healthy and happy with the knowledge that he’ll be on the field when the Bills open the season on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
“I’m really pleased with my foot, the way it’s come back after my second surgery,” Denney said. “I have been able to be 100 percent and not have any issues with it. Being able to look forward to this regular season is real exciting.”
The Bills sorely missed Denney last season. His ability to play both end positions kept starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay fresher for the latter stages of games. Denney’s absence meant a shorter rotation and more minutes for Schobel and Kelsay, which may have limited their effectiveness because both players’ numbers were down from the previous year.
The Bills added some depth in the draft in Chris Ellis, but a healthy Denney was a bigger addition as far as Schobel and Kelsay are concerned.
“To have Ryan back is a huge asset,” Kelsay said. “With the way we play, you almost have to have a rotation, so its going to be so much better because it allows us to go 100 percent on every play.”
Denney has looked good in training camp, playing with the quickness and assertiveness that helped him set career highs in tackles (72) and sacks (six) in 2006.
He felt like his fifth season would be even better. But that was before he “felt something pop” in his left foot during the Bills’ preseason game. His injury set the tone for what would be a number of physical ailments the team endured last season.
Denney recovered from surgery in time to return midway through the 2007 campaign, but playing in pain he wasn’t as effective. He still managed to have 37 tackles, one sack and six quarterback pressures before re-injuring the foot in a Game 14 loss at Cleveland. The Bills put him on injured reserve, ending a frustrating season.
“It was tough,” Denney said. “You work so hard to get ready for a season and then it’s taken away. The only thing I could do is focus on getting healthy.”
Denney admitted that maybe he rushed back too soon after the first surgery. He wasn’t going to make that mistake after the second procedure, which included replacement screws and a bone graft.
He was off his feet for 10 weeks and it was another four weeks before he put any stress on it. All he really was able to do during that period was lift weights.
“We just took it really slow to make sure the foot healed properly,” Denney said.
“By April, I was able to start training. I was a little bit behind the curve then, but through OTAs (organized team activities) and offseason conditioning I was able to get back. I came into training camp healthy, strong and in great shape.”
It showed. According to teammates and coaches, Denney was one of the best players in training camp.
“He looked great out there,” Kelsay said. “You would never know he missed any time last year. I’m glad he’s back because we’re going to need him.”
So Denney is once again an integral part of the Bills’ defense. He has no concerns about his foot, putting the injury behind him while looking ahead to a season of heightened expectations.
“It’s been a long year to get to this point,” Denney said. “We have a chance to be really good this season, and I definitely want to be a part of it.”
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