WP Email: Barrow Frustrated By Injury

Middle linebacker Mike Barrow is tired of the queries about a right knee that has kept him from his Redskins debut after signing in the off season as a key part of a revamped defense. Barrow has seen so many specialists -- soft-tissue therapists are the latest -- that they disagree on the exact medical wording for the injury. Most call it a small tear of his tendon. Some, including the Redskins trainers, describe the injury as acute tendinitis.

But acute tendinitis is essentially a small tear, so Barrow considers the medical term semantics. The 12-year veteran just wants to know when he will be able to play. (javascript:OpenWin('http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=87550f8d0b368d7d21cbdb4373d2a903&lat=1100120785&hm___action=http%253a%252f%252fletters%252ewashing tonpost%252ecom%252fWARH04778C2550875E17F3F6587380 ');) Barrow, 34, had been such a sturdy player in his NFL career that coming into this season he had missed only five games.

"I'm frustrated. Like I said a million times before, I want to get out there and play," said Barrow, who doesn't have full strength in the knee and suffers pain when he cuts. "I get tired of every time I sit in the meeting and Joe Gibbs is commending people who sucked it up, and played with this injury or that injury.

"And inside, it's eating me up because I'm thinking, Lord, why didn't you give me an injury that I can play with. I've played with broken hands, a lot of different things. This is something that has paralyzed me in a sense. It's hard for me before the games. I'm almost to the point of crying. Sometimes I just want to hide."

Barrow developed the knee injury just before training camp and hasn't been healthy enough to fully participate in a practice. The experience has been so frustrating that Barrow has dreamed about being healthy only to awaken to the harsh reality.

Barrow has watched as Antonio Pierce has filled in superbly at middle linebacker to help the Redskins become the top-ranked defense in the NFL. At one point a few weeks ago, Gibbs indicated that Barrow would be placed on the injured reserve to make room on the roster. But Gibbs changed his mind, perhaps with some input from Gregg Williams, the assistant head coach-defense.

With the season at the midway point, Barrow still hasn't given up hope.

"I've been knocked in the stomach, I've been knocked down," Barrow said, "but I haven't been KO-ed."

-- Nunyo Demasio.

I remember seeing a training camp interview of Barrow in which he became angry at a question that asked whether or not he was gonna play in the upcoming preseason game. He was very beligerent and really showed an attitude. I know he was probably upset by the injury and that it probably wasn't the first time he had been asked that, but it really didn't help to create a good image of himself in anyone who saw it. I know it changed my perception of him.

The injury was "developed before training camp".....I've never hear how it was "developed"?? Don't these guys have to go through a physical before the team pulls the trigger on a deal for them? If so, I'm amazed that there was no inkling of such a severe problem.

I'm sure he passed a physical (otherwise he wouldn't be here at all).

Could have happened in mini camp or in the weight room or...

or jumping into Ade Jimoh's arms after a spectacular interception in practice!

I know there's still 8 games to go, but he doesn't seem to be making much progress.

Hopefully they'll toss him on IR soon and let him start working towards next season.

I am sorry but Barrow needs to be put on IR if he can't play by week 10.And if he hasn't been showing improvment they should just pull the trigger now! Give someone that can contribute to the team his spot.

I am sorry but Barrow needs to be put on IR if he can't play by week 10.And if he hasn't been showing improvment they should just pull the trigger now! Give someone that can contribute to the team his spot.

Yes!! Put him on IR. So someone else can play.

Where's Kevin Mitchell. Oh, yeah we cut him for Barrow. How dissapointing, the man was a good solid player in the middle. We just kicked him to the curb.

Where's Kevin Mitchell. Oh, yeah we cut him for Barrow. How dissapointing, the man was a good solid player in the middle. We just kicked him to the curb.
Seems like Gregg Williams has a good eye for those that could excel in his defense though, don't ya think?