WaitingForNextYear

There is no denying the impact of the absence of wide receiver Joe Jurevicius.  Sure, he was only supposed to be the third receiver thanks to the “huge” addition of Donte Stallworth.  But with said receiver battling a bevy of injuries on his own, Jurevicius would have been quite a difference-maker in a spot that ultimately was filled by the ever popular Steptoe-Sanders combination.

And while most of us cannot wait to turn the page to 2009, one player that I think we can all look forward to seeing again is the same guy who will be undergoing his seventh procedure on his knee.

Seven procedures on what should have only been one, minor operation.  After multiple bouts of staph infection and the necessary “debridements”, I’m holding out hope that the veteran receiver can even step foot on the practice field.  I caution myself as I thought the same for LeCharles Bentley and Gary Baxter before this season.

And while Bentley and Baxter are no longer with the team, Jurevicius is.  A player who was supposed to retire after this season and is truly one of the good guys in the league.  While unable to practice or play, Joe has been doing the hospital circuit to assist in various campaigns ranging from Breast Cancer Awareness to the March of Dimes.  It comes as no surprise that he was given the 2008 Ed Block Courage award for his passion for the game and his compassion for the city of Cleveland.

Here’s to hoping that this visit to Dr. James Andrews is Joe J’s last and that #84 gets back on the field for 2009.  Wishful thinking?  Only time will tell…