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Two scars — one six inches, the other two inches — decorate the outside of Chris Perry's right ankle, courtesy of a fracture and dislocation suffered at Cleveland on Nov. 26, 2006. But the Bengals tailback sports another scar, too. It's branded on his psyche. It's Ohio State's recent domination of his beloved Michigan Wolverines. Perry is in his second week of practice with the Bengals on a roster exemption, but remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list. When his three-week practice window ends, the club has to make a move — activate him to the 53-man roster, place him on Injured Reserve or release him. Perry addressed his rehab, his Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State coach Jim Tressel in a question and answer session: Q. How often have you heard about Appalachian State this year? A. I've heard it a lot. Last time I checked, I wasn't there when they lost that game. But they've bounced back. Most teams couldn't do what they did.
Q. How's your ankle? A. It's coming along. It's just something that's going to take a little bit of patience so I can get my timing back and everything like that. I'm just looking forward to getting back out there. I feel better than last week. I look forward to trying to do more. Q. How about a comeback the day after Michigan beats OSU:? A. That would be fitting. so we can hope. Let's hope for the best. As long as I'm healthy, I'm not really worried about how long I've been laid off. Q. Will you be the Chris Perry of old with the ability to run, catch and cut? A. That's the plan. If I'm not doing it, then I shouldn't come back (this year). Q. Will Michigan coach Lloyd Carr retire at the end of the season? A. I don't know. Coach Carr should have the freedom to do whatever he wants to do. He's proven himself over and over again. He brought this team back from an 0-2 start when most people counted them out. So to prove himself? No. Would he like to beat Ohio State? I mean heck yeah, Who wouldn't? Q. How do you feel about OSU coach Jim Tressel? A. "Jim Tressel is great for Big Ten football. I like his sweater vest. All I want to know is when is the last time he talked to Maurice Clarett. Maurice Clarett kind of put 'em on the map, didn't he? I wonder: Does he still care about him or is he just writing him off? He had a great year (2002)! Nobody was really paying too much attention until he came around and did what he did, and they won. I just wonder. With all the trouble he's going through now, does the man that brought him to Ohio State still keep in contact with him? That's not a question for me to answer. That's a question you ought to ask him. I doubt he'll answer it. But as a coach, he's a great coach. He's beat us three years in a row. He's got to be a great coach. Growlzone.com Cincinnati Bengals News
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