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**RoyWilliams** · 07-30-2007, 08:56 PM

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...t/5010054.html

Quote:

With the sun scorching the earth around Reliant Park, Samkon Gado limped off the field near the end of a grueling day of practice Sunday morning to deal with an injury.

Turned out to be minor; no doctor required.

In time, when medical service is needed, Gado expects to be on the business side of the stethoscope.

The third-year running back, who joined the Texans in a trade for Vernand Morency last September, hopes to soon become a doctor. His long-range goal is to return to his native Nigeria to offer aid in a health care capacity.

Gado, 24, even adjusted his offseason schedule — missing some team workouts — to allow for more time to prepare for the MCAT exam. He took the test two weeks ago and feels good about the outcome, though he has not received his score.

Keeps on his toes
"It was pretty tough actually, trying to juggle both conditioning and studying for that test," he said. "It's a very difficult test; it doesn't really matter how much you prepare for it. They are very good at throwing stuff at you that kind of makes you think. I'm glad that's over with."

With the effort it takes to make it in the NFL, one isn't allowed the luxury of shutting off football during the offseason to pursue other dreams, even one as noble as Gado's. Similarly, becoming a doctor is generally a singular pursuit. Gado says his two dreams aren't in separate boxes.

"I think they complement each other so well because I don't think I can compartmentalize one and say that 'this is one part of my life' and 'this is another part of my life,' " Gado, 5-10 and 226 pounds, said. "Medicine and football are both passions and interests of mine. I think they help each other.

"Being out here motivates me to be a better doctor. It motivates (me) to play well enough to put myself in a good situation to be a doctor. Doing this motivates me or kind of trains me for that time when it's going to be tough. I don't know if there is any other sport that better prepares you for life than football. Especially during this time.

"I think they piggyback off of each other in many, many ways. I'm just trying to reap the benefits of both."

We can ignore the fact Gado, who averaged 4.0 yards per carry in eight games for the Texans last year, was excused from some offseason work. He says knowing his situation, he trained harder than he might have, losing 10 pounds and coming into camp in the best shape of his career.

Texans offensive coordinator Mike Sherman gives Gado's offseason a rave review.

"He had great OTAs (organized team activities) and minicamp; he was as good as anybody," said Sherman, who coached Gado as a rookie in Green Bay. "He was less tentative, and he made fewer mental mistakes. He's more comfortable in what we've been doing. And he caught the ball better. He just has a better understanding of what we're trying to do."

Eye on the depth chart
Gado points to experience as the key to his comfort level. Though he entered camp on the bubble as far as earning a roster spot, an injury to Chris Taylor (knee surgery Sunday) might change things. Gado is No. 3 on the tailback depth chart and hopes to pressure Ron Dayne and even starter Ahman Green.

"There are countless stories of guys who have been seventh or eighth on the depth chart coming (into camp) and starting the rest of the season and doing very well," said Gado, who started one game last year for the Texans. "I think regardless of the circumstance and where you are on the depth chart, you always have to be prepared for that, because guys drop like flies.

"I want to get better. I don't want to just play this game. I want to be the guy. I say that with the most respect for Ahman, but the bottom line is I'm not here — none of us are here — to back somebody up. We're trying to start. Where we fall on the depth chart after that is in God's and the coaches' hands. You just do your part the best you can and really don't worry about it."

**Serrated Shadow** · 07-30-2007, 10:58 PM

I don't see this guy making much noise this year honestly..

**Professor** · 07-30-2007, 11:39 PM

if he has the prescription then he better make sure that he doesn't have a placebo because his medicine isn't working

**stormdriver** · 08-01-2007, 03:55 AM

Gado is a very talented RB who had a bad year due to the infamous Houston line, who were also in the process of learning a new blocking scheme. No one except DD/DW has put up any yards at all behind that joke of a line, and he almost killed himself doing it.
The line has improved to a college level now though, and I expect, once Green gets injured, that Gado will have a fairly respectable season. I would even bet that he gets more yards on the ground than Morency this year, further proving what a moronic trade that was. Start yelling if you disagree.