Run Cheryl Ford through her first full practice since undergoing surgery? Check.

Have everyone player on the training camp roster actually in training camp? Check.

By any measure, the Detroit Shock were at full force Wednesday for the lights and cameras of media day.

Shock sign Sheri

The day started with the news that the Shock had signed free agent Sheri Sam, formerly of Indiana. The 6-foot guard/forward gives the Shock added lineup flexibility as she can play the 1, 2 and 3 positions.

“I think it’s real big for us,” said guard Deanna Nolan, who was off the floor only 2.5 minutes per game last season. “Especially having that veteran guard that comes off the bench, (and) to know her capability of scoring, rebounding and playing defense.”

Sam has started 254 of 296 career games in the WNBA, with averages of 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. An All-Star in 2002, Sam averaged a career low in minutes (17.9) and points (5.0) in 2007, her first season with the Fever.

Sam nonetheless figures to be a better fit than last year’s veteran guard signing of 5-foot-7 Pee Wee Johnson, who is now with Houston. The 6-foot Sam has the size that Bill Laimbeer prefers in his backcourt, and gives him an additional option to replace Swin Cash’s production at small forward.

“I think with the departure of Swin I’ll be coming in definitely at that small forward role and help the team,” Sam said. “I’ve been around a lot, have a lot of experience and it’s about championships. I was fortunate enough to win one in Seattle (in 2003). Hopefully I come right in and bring the intensity and knowledge to help the team get back, continue their success.”

A starter in only four regular-season games last year, Sam started five of Indiana’s six postseason contests. She averaged 8.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals for the Fever, who were eliminated by the Shock in the conference finals.

“Oh, it’s a great pickup,” forward Plenette Pierson said. “We get a veteran guard that can do lot of things – shoot the ball, she can post up a smaller guard, even some bigger guards she can post up. I think she’s a great asset, she can play great defense on anybody, so it’s great for us.”

Ford Begins Full Participation

Months of monotonous rehabilitation are nearly over for Cheryl Ford, who has been cleared to participate in all practice activities beginning Wednesday. The Shock coaching staff expects Ford to be in the starting lineup on opening day.

“It’s really been a challenge trying to get in shape. I’ve never been this bad out of shape,” said Ford, the 2007 All-Star Game MVP. “But I’m going to practice today and I hope my knee goes well and don’t hurt and don’t swell up afterward.”

Ford injured her left knee on three occasions last season, including Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. Shortly after the series Ford underwent modified microfracture surgery, which involves creating multiple fractures and tiny holes in the surrounding bones to foster the growth of healthy cartilage around the knee.

The uncertain timetable for recovery bothered Ford, who had previously never suffered such a serious injury.

“It was real frustrating because they’d tell me, ‘You’ll be ready in six weeks,’ and of course when you have cartilage damage and you have microfracture surgery, (there’s) not really a time limit on it,” Ford said. “It just depends on how fast your cartilage grows back.”

Ford spent the winter in the Detroit area working with Shock trainer Laura Ramus on her rehabilitation. Ramus gave Ford an article about the Phoenix Suns’ Amare Stoudemire, perhaps the most well-known microfracture success story. After months of repetitive exercises to strengthen her knee and other conditioning activities, Ford is understandably eager to get back on the floor. Perhaps too eager.

“She strained a quad muscle because she was running too hard the other day,” Laimbeer said with a chuckle. “Set her back a couple days but we’re pretty optimistic right now.”

Laimbeer said the biggest adjustment for Ford will be to trust her knee and “the mental part of getting hit.” Ford realizes it, too. But the former WNBA rebounding leader made her name as a physical player. She’s not about to change now.

“EP (Elaine Powell) keeps playing about putting the red shirt on me, so they can’t touch me,” Ford said. “But I’ve got to be hit at some point in time so it might as well be in practice.”

Whole Again

Nolan, Pierson and center Kara Braxton participated in their first Shock practice Wednesday. The Shock now have all 13 players on the roster in camp. The vets will have have a few days to mesh with their new teammates before Detroit’s only preseason game on Monday. The Shock will fly to Lubbock, Tex., to face the San Antonio Silver Stars.

“The season is starting to close in on us, as far as May 17, the first official game,” said one of the newcomers, rookie guard Alexis Hornbuckle. “Excited all the veterans are back. The intensity level is definitely going to go up, expectations are going to rise. So I’m anxious to get on the court and see how that plays out.”