Bolden getting closer to return?

Earlier this season, Arizona State head coach Dennis
Erickson said we may see injured cornerback Omar Bolden,
who suffered a torn ACL in spring practice, back after
ASU’s bye week.

Well, the bye week has come and gone, and the 21st-ranked
Sun Devils are beginning preparations for the Colorado
Buffaloes on Saturday afternoon. Does that mean Bolden
will make his return against CU? Or maybe a little later?

“Actually he was on the scout team (Sunday) some,” said
Erickson. “He’s moving around pretty good. I don’t know
if or when he will play. It’s up to him and the doctors. I
know he wouldn’t play this week.”

Erickson’s comments don’t inspire confidence for this
week, but what does Bolden have to say on the issue?

The senior sent out the following to his Twitter flock
earlier Monday:

Cleared by my doctor from a medical
standpoint….. Now I gotta get my #Swagger back!!!

Then, about four minutes later, Bolden tweeted this:

I won’t play unless I’m just as effective as I
was 6 months ago…. Refuse to damage stock!

You have certainly have to understand Bolden’s stance. As
an All-Pac-10 selection a year ago, Bolden could have
bolted for the glitz and glamour of the NFL, but he chose
to come back for his senior season.

A healthy Bolden would be a big shot in the arm for the
ASU defense, but only, like he said, if he’s effective.

Let’s face it, the ASU defense has been pretty good
without him in 2011.

Follow @Vincemarotta