lamberts-lost-tooth
12-31-2007, 06:36 AM
Feels like home for Haynes
By Chris Harlan , Times Sports Staff
Published: Monday, December 31, 2007 12:08 AM EST
BALTIMORE ? Verron Haynes watched most of this season from the couch in his Georgia home, but his thoughts were with his former Steelers teammates.
Now reunited, Haynes says he feels like he never left.
?These guys in here, they always extend the team love, the courtesy, the camaraderie,? Haynes said after Sunday?s 27-21 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. ?They always do that. ? I?ve been a part of this family for six years. That helped me out because I was able to come back and feel comfortable.?
Haynes had one catch for 12 yards and a first down while playing his first game back with the Steelers since being cut during training camp. The 28-year-old admits he was bitter when the Steelers released him after he?d spend the off-season working his way back from reconstructive knee surgery.
Now, though, he insists it was for the best.
?Initially, yes, I was upset,? Haynes said. ?I?m not going to lie about that. ? I worked extremely hard to come back. But this probably prolonged my career. It gave me ample time to rest.?
Haynes was sitting home watching the Steelers game in St. Louis when he saw running back Willie Parker suffer a season-ending broken leg. Before the team had even left the Edward Jones Dome locker room, Haynes said, the Steelers were calling him to fill Parker?s roster spot.
?It gave me a chance to get my mind set,? he said.
Wednesday he was back at practice.
Used primarily as a third-down back, Haynes rushed for 78 yards in the seven games he played last season before tearing knee ligaments against the Raiders in Oakland. With Najeh Davenport now the starter, Haynes will see playing time on third downs and special teams.
?If I wasn?t here, I?d probably be watching them,? Haynes said, ?so it?s good just getting out there with these guys.?
By Chris Harlan , Times Sports Staff
Published: Monday, December 31, 2007 12:08 AM EST
BALTIMORE ? Verron Haynes watched most of this season from the couch in his Georgia home, but his thoughts were with his former Steelers teammates.
Now reunited, Haynes says he feels like he never left.
?These guys in here, they always extend the team love, the courtesy, the camaraderie,? Haynes said after Sunday?s 27-21 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. ?They always do that. ? I?ve been a part of this family for six years. That helped me out because I was able to come back and feel comfortable.?
Haynes had one catch for 12 yards and a first down while playing his first game back with the Steelers since being cut during training camp. The 28-year-old admits he was bitter when the Steelers released him after he?d spend the off-season working his way back from reconstructive knee surgery.
Now, though, he insists it was for the best.
?Initially, yes, I was upset,? Haynes said. ?I?m not going to lie about that. ? I worked extremely hard to come back. But this probably prolonged my career. It gave me ample time to rest.?
Haynes was sitting home watching the Steelers game in St. Louis when he saw running back Willie Parker suffer a season-ending broken leg. Before the team had even left the Edward Jones Dome locker room, Haynes said, the Steelers were calling him to fill Parker?s roster spot.
?It gave me a chance to get my mind set,? he said.
Wednesday he was back at practice.
Used primarily as a third-down back, Haynes rushed for 78 yards in the seven games he played last season before tearing knee ligaments against the Raiders in Oakland. With Najeh Davenport now the starter, Haynes will see playing time on third downs and special teams.
?If I wasn?t here, I?d probably be watching them,? Haynes said, ?so it?s good just getting out there with these guys.?