"I want to get back to where I was, or even better," said Herzlich, who led the Eagles in tackles (110) and interceptions (six) and finished second in tackles for loss (13) in 2008. "Mentally, I guess the drive is more than where it was before. And I guess there are a lot of people who are doubting I can get there." His voice became more urgent.

"When you have people who are doubters, people who think you can't do it, it pushes you even more. You see what people write online, or, you [hear], 'We hope you can make it back.'" Herzlich doesn't like the word "hope."

"It's always good to have hope," he said. "At the same time, it's not like it's just going to happen. I've got to make it happen."

McGovern, the defensive coordinator, takes the long view of a 47-year-old, a husband and father of three daughters.

"It's fun just to see his face in the meetings," he said.

Herzlich, with the myopia of youth, or perhaps merely stubbornness, refuses to see how far he has come. He expects to be at full physical strength by midsummer. And he expects to be on the field when the Eagles open the 2010 season against Weber State on Sept. 4.

"Never bet against that kid," McGovern said.