Nose Guard Webb Should Be Back for Fall Practice

Micah Webb, the starting nose guard lost for the Wisconsin game because of a torn knee ligament suffered against Miami, will undergo surgery a few days after the Rose Bowl that also will cost him spring practice.

But the Bruins plan to have Webb back at full strength in the fall for his junior season.

“Spring ball is out of the question,” trainer Geoff Schaadt said. “But he should be ready for fall--should be. Any time you’re dealing with major knee surgery, you can’t say for sure on a schedule, but we expect him to be back in the fall. It’s probably just one of those things where we might hold him out of one of the practices during double days.”

Such a move is common with players coming off serious injuries. The Bruins did it with several players this August during preseason drills.

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Ricky Williams of Texas won the Heisman Trophy, but the Bruins could make an argument he wasn’t even the best back they played this season, considering Williams did most of his damage in the fourth quarter of a game that was all but over.

He finished with 160 yards.

Edgerrin James had the record-breaking 299 yards for Miami.

Reuben Droughns of Oregon was very impressive in gaining 172 yards, despite apparently playing part of the time on a broken ankle, though he also fumbled three times.

Now comes Ron Dayne of Wisconsin.

“He’s the biggest back we’ve seen,” UCLA Coach Bob Toledo said. “He reminds me of some guards, but not any backs.

“He’s a lot bigger than those guys. He’s like a bigger Droughns. That’s scary, huh? And he doesn’t fumble.”

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Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo expects to be in pads when the Bruins resume practice Saturday after a two-day Christmas break, but only for non-contact work. When he is cleared to go 100% depends on how the sprained ligament in the left knee responds to the increased work. The injury came on the first defensive play of the Miami game. . . . Several Bruins are tentatively scheduled to play in postseason games: quarterback Cade McNown in the East-West Shrine; Ayanbadejo, guard Andy Meyers, center Shawn Stuart and fullback Craig Walendy in the Florida All-Star Classic; tight end Mike Grieb in the Hula Bowl; and safety Larry Atkins, kicker Chris Sailer and McNown in the Senior Bowl. Toledo will be an assistant at the Shrine Game.