By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

Torry Holt’s offseason was unlike many in his recent past. Instead of television appearances and commercial filming, he focused on football and getting his surgically repaired right knee back into playing shape.

That makes this training camp especially important for Holt as he tries to prepare for the season opener against Carolina on Sept. 9. To Holt, that means walking the tightrope between playing it cautious and knowing when to rest and working on his game so he’s his usual, sharp self on game days.

“The difference is we have to get him to the Carolina game 100 percent and not run him into the ground,” coach Scott Linehan said. “It’s hard. It’s hard not to be out here going all the time. It’s hard to feel like you did when you are 27, 28 years old. I understand that part and it’s the great thing about camp. We have four preseason games, we have a lot of practices to get in and we just decide what we are going to get him in and what we are going to rep him and what we are not. It’s smart to do it that way and hopefully by the first game he will be ready to go.”

Holt had surgery on the knee to repair torn meniscus in early February. Along with the surgery, Holt had to skip the Pro Bowl for the first time in four years. He made a vow at that time to go ahead and commit himself to working on his rehabilitation and avoiding the usual off the field distractions that come with the postseason.

Holt worked lightly on his rehab program in the organized team activities, but was cleared to go in time for the June full squad minicamp. At that camp, he worked in many drills, but was admittedly sore afterward.

With that in mind, Linehan and staff set about finding ways to get Holt ready for the season while allowing him to rest the knee and stay fresh.

So, Linehan sent down the edict that a selected group of experienced veterans would be given time and, at times, entire practices off. In a group that includes left tackle Orlando Pace and defensive tackle La’Roi Glover, Holt has picked his spots to rest in this training camp.

“It’s feeling pretty good,” Holt said. “It’s coming on around. I am cutting and doing the things I have done in the past so that’s a good sign. I’m just going to keep building on it and keep stripping it and keep icing it and picking my spots in this training camp so I get to the point where I am ready to roll once we open up against Carolina.”

So far, Holt has participated in some capacity in just about every practice. He will run a few routes and then sit down and then get up and do some more. On Thursday, Holt said he began running some more of the type of routes where he has to plant on the knee and make a cut.
Admittedly, Holt was a little more sore after the practice, but only a couple of hours later, he could be found roaming around the Russell Training Center dribbling a basketball. 

For now, Holt estimates his knee is about 70 percent, but that seems to be a bit on the conservative side. He has looked like his usual self when given the opportunity and has continued to build strength. The biggest part of the rehabilitation is over for now and the idea of playing on completely healthy knees for the first time since 2005 has him excited.

“It feels good to actually get it nipped in the bud,” Holt said. “It’s kind of like starting from scratch again. It’s cool. I don’t mind the work of rehabilitation and getting stronger and allowing me to be able to perform at the level I would like to perform at. I am excited about getting it over with and getting it done and just continuing to keep it strong and play well.”

As usual, Holt is setting his individual goals in just about the same places. He’d like to return to 1,300 yards receiving with 90 or more receptions. But, there is one tweak in the goal set in the form of touchdown catches. Usually, Holt aims for 10 or more touchdown catches, but he says he is shooting for 12 to 15 this season.

More than likely, Holt will battle the knee soreness for the rest of camp, but he is hoping that the pain will subside and he can return to being the play maker he has always been.

“I still have some areas in there that are a little sore, a little tender, but that’s expected,” Holt said. “I am going to pace myself through training camp and try to get myself in the best possible position so once the regular season started I would be feeling good and ready to go. I feel a lot better than what I did last year at the end of the season is concerned, I feel totally different. If I can stay healthy and stay the course and stay positive I think it will be a good season for Holt again.”