MassPackersFan
15 years ago
I don't know how many of you are familiar with Mark Herzlich's story. Well before the 2009 season I was already dreaming about him in green and gold. I'm a Boston College alum so I was definitely biased, but in the games I saw in 2008, he was a dominant OLB force. Hard tackles, sacks, interceptions, you name it, he did it. He ended up being named ACC defensive player of the year.


Then the unthinkable happened, as a mass was found on his femur and he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma.

He missed out on the 2009 season, but - unsurprisingly to anyone who has played with him, coached him, knew him, or even just watched him on the field - he battled with everything he had and triumphed over his cancer.



He's practicing with the team this spring in preparation for the fall season, which will be his senior year. There is a titanium rod in his leg.

I would LOVE to have this guy on the Packers. He played at 238 his junior season in 2008, but he has the frame to play at around 250-260 in the NFL.

"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.


UserPostedImage
Pack93z
15 years ago
I remember, I believe GameDay, doing a piece on his story.. I hope the kid triumphs and makes it all the way back to where he was.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Nonstopdrivel
15 years ago
Herzlich . . . what a nice name. It means "heartfelt" in German.
UserPostedImage
PackerTraxx
15 years ago
Best wishes that he gets well and has a chance to live out his dreams.
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
British
15 years ago
Looking at our roster we may well be in the market for an OLB come the 2011 draft, even if Jones starts pulling up trees.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
beast (10h) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (10h) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (10h) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (11h) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (11h) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (11h) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (11h) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (11h) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (12h) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (12h) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (12h) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (12h) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (12h) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (13h) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (13h) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (14h) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (23h) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (23h) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening
Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.
TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : No.Absolutely not
Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
dhazer (25-Apr) : scenario: Our main prospects are off the board when our pick comes around, do we just throw a 2nd round pick at Pittsburgh for Pickens
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Recent Topics
9h / Packers Draft Threads / Mucky Tundra

10h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

11h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

11h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

12h / Around The NFL / bboystyle

13h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

13h / Packers Draft Threads / Mucky Tundra

14h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

21h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.