BEN HAMILTON to see specialist next week ... Concussions are no joke these days.

[BroncoBuff]

According to NFL Network, Ben Hamilton was in Pittsburgh Thursday to consult with a world-renowned concussion neurologist. Hamilton suffered his concussion (apparently seen by nobody, and called a "ding" by coaches) way back on August 2nd, Day 5 of training camp. To date he has made no progress at all. In fact, he became nauseous last week merely running on a treadmill.

To show you how poorly concussions are dealt with (imo), here is Mason's Blog from the next day, and Shanhan's dismissive quote:

… Guard Ben Hamilton “got dinged a little bit” on Thursday and was in uniform Friday, but did not take part in any of the team sessions. “Knowing Ben, he should be ready to go tomorrow,” Shanahan said …

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/mason/category/offense/offensive-linemen/ben-hamilton/

That particular August 3rd 'Mason's Morsel' on Ben was just below an almost as overly-rosy update on the still-hospitalized Warrick Holdman. And this week Karl Paymah. And remember Jay Cutler in last season's finale? That's 4 guys in the last 5 games!! Holdman's career is in jeopardy, and I'll bet if truth be known, so is Ben's. The announcement last week, "Until further notice, Chris Myers will start..." sounds pretty ominous in retrospect.

In the wake of the concussion-related early retirements of HOF QBs Steve Young and Troy Aikman, I recall reading that concussions take their toll - they add up. You gotta believe Cutler had at least ONE concussion starting 45 games at doormat Vanderbilt playing an SEC schedule ... so that's two for him. Yet, when Khan asked Mike Shanahan a question I submitted about Jay wearing a Riddell "Revolution" helmet (apparently the standard for protection - Peyton wears one), it sounded as if Shanahan kinda pooh-poohed the question, saying everything was 'just fine' or something. And now, a month later, the Broncos have lost TWO STARTERS (Holdman was the favorite to start at Sam) - probably for the season and possibly forever. And we don't know definitively yet where Paymah is. Oh, I know they TOLD US how Paymah is, but they also told us Ben was just 'dinged a bit' the day after.

Now I know you can't concussions 100%, but why not the better helmets? Or neck pads like Brian Cox or Jashon Sykes?



Discuss :gossip:

[dragondawg]

the dr he's suppose to see i heard is world renowned

[DB_champ24]

I said something about this on another post..but I was hit in the head with a street light pole and i recieved a concusion...and whenever I would run alittle bit I would get these crazy headaches that lasted for awhile. It lasted like 10 months and it SUCKED. I hope though with his situation it wont last 10 months hopefully only a couple of more days...

[Kaylore]

I said something about this on another post..but I was hit in the head with a street light pole and i recieved a concusion...and whenever I would run alittle bit I would get these crazy headaches that lasted for awhile. It lasted like 10 months and it SUCKED. I hope though with his situation it wont last 10 months hopefully only a couple of more days...

Maybe with the help of this specialist he'll heal faster than ten months.

[BroncoBuff]

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8018/67967497pm2.gif
Riddell Revolution helmet ↑↑↑ Notice the check protection extends a long way forward from the ear ...

Plus the 'flap' is flared out much wider with thick padding for the jawline.





http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7669/72971675wc7.jpg
Old helmet (Cutler wears now) .....................Revolution (new in 2002)

[BroncoBuff]

Maybe with the help of this specialist he'll heal faster than ten months.
Khan, did I characterize your Shanahan interview right?

[DB_champ24]

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8018/67967497pm2.gif
Riddell Revolution helmet ??? Notice the check protection extends a long way forward from the ear ...

Plus the 'flap' is flared out much wider with thick padding for the jawline.





http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7669/72971675wc7.jpg
Old helmet (Cutler wears now) .....................Revolution (new in 2002)

I dont understand at all why they wouldnt wear the revolution helmets...They give better protection and they look much cooler.

[BroncoBuff]

The most obvious difference is the jawline - much further forward, and much wider and padded. But the airholes on top do something too.

Why not a neck pad ↓↓↓ like Jashon? Maybe not this pronounced, but geez - something! It's practically epidemic right now, and I don't hear anybody talking about it.

http://www.houstonprofootball.com/draft/2002/prospects/images/PICTURE_jsykes.gif

[Kaylore]

I dont understand at all why they wouldnt wear the revolution helmets...They give better protection and they look much cooler.

The revolution helmet's biggest advantage is protection of the jaw. The majority of concussions are a result of blows to the jaw, not the crown of the head. The reason players don't like them is partly they aren't used to it and also that they limit your peripheral vision. Manning is the only QB I know that wears a revolution helmet. Honestly I think Broncobuff is way too worried about this. It's not like Cutler has a history of head injuries.

I will say that the NFL has been too lax about this kind of thing, so precaution is better for the long term health of each player.

[BroncoBuff]

That's correct ... about the jawline anyway. 49 TD passes and a Super Bowl ring sounds like pretty good peripheral vision to me ... ::) Uhh

But I don't think you read the whole post (or the followup?), but if you did - and you think it's 'worrying too much' after losing 2 starters probably for the season plus whatever happens with Paymah - then you have a far higher tolerance for pain and injury than I.

/

[Kaylore]

I saw both Hamilton and Paymah's injuries. Both were blows to the head and not jaw. I don't think the revolution helmet would have helped either players situation.

As for it not hurting Peyton Manning's ability to play, you're right but I'm just telling you what guys have told me about the helmets and why they and quarterbacks don't like them. You can still get a concussion in a riddell revolution helmet, it just cuts the chance of that down significantly.

BB, Maybe you should be like those anti land mine people where you go to all the major teams (instead of countries) and convince them to make a complete switch.Ha!

[BroncoBuff]

Hey ... land mines are no joke either sir.

[cutthemdown]

If Cutler wanted to where the revolution helmet I'm sure he could. These guys are men and can make their own decisions about what equipment they choose to use. As far as Hamilton goes I'm starting to think he is done. Were going to find out really quick whether or not Meyers can get it done.

[broncs2bowl]

i wear a revolution for my high school and it is amazingly comfortable and great

[skpac1001]

I am with BroncoBuff on this one. Assuming Cutler keeps developing, I want him playing with us as long as possible, and concussions have retired quite a few qb's (and that was before the rule change). Not to mention that I wouldn't be happy about Cutler missing a month or more like Hamilton. The helmet wont protect all concussions, but if it protects one from happening its worth it.

[chrisp]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it an athelete's own choice what kind of equipment they wear? Last time I looked players make their own decisions abotu what kind of cleats, whether to wear gloves or not or what kind of helmet to wear etc etc.

Obviously the coaches may be able to consult on this stuff but I seriously doubt that the coaches are stopping anybody - its up to the athelete.

ALL of these guys risk serious injury every day. They all have to balance out the risk/reward of any choice about this stuff and frankly I'm all for better technology being made available but ultimately its up to the guys themselves to choose what works for them.

[azbroncfan]

Revolution helmets are ugly.

[Florida_Bronco]

Revolution helmets are ugly.

Amen. And Kaylore is not kidding about your periphrial (sp?) vision being cut down rather badly. My freshman year in high school they started giving those things out, I wore it for 1 week before I gave it back and bought my own helmet so they could paint it in team colors.

[HEAV]

Dan Morgan (MLB Panthers) has worn the revo helmet for a few years and still gets concussions. He's missed all of 06 with a concussion, not to mention parts of other seasons. He's at around 5 or 6 concussions now... and I beleave that's teh NFL total. No telling what the NCAA or High school numbers have been.

Concussion syndrome ruins players. Some players are just more prone to them. No matter what they do regarding protection and treatment.

Hamilton may be done for the year with this issue.

[Los Broncos]

Hey ... land mines are no joke either sir.

:rofl:

[rugbythug]

Buff- Don't you think each athlete should make their own decisions on what to wear for helmets? Plus I believe Warick Holdmans problem was a concussion in his spinal cord not brain.

[BroncoBuff]

Buff- Don't you think each athlete should make their own decisions on what to wear for helmets? Plus I believe Warick Holdmans problem was a concussion in his spinal cord not brain.
Geez rugby, who cares what part of him was injured by the concussion? It was a head blow that affected the spinal cord mostly (even worse if you ask me) ... either way you cut it, it's a head blow that ended the season/career of a probable Bronco starter. Isn't that enough to examine the gear?? This is the 21st Century! Sure, they make their own decisions from the gear that's available, but I think the league should mandate minimal standards (especially when the biggest complaint is "it doesn't look cool." :oyvey:).

No two ways about it - head and neck protective gear is absolutely stone-age in the league, as are the attitudes of macho 'play hurt' coaches. And sorry to say, Shanahan is the worst. He tried very hard to pressure Steve Young to disregard medical advice and sign with the Broncos in '99. He greatly minimized Ben Hamilton's injury (see above). He humiliated Al Wilson by trying to foist off his damaged goods on any takers, only to have a 2nd-day pick trade immediately voided by the Giants within hours of Al landing in New York. Finally, he signed Chris Miller when no other team would, after he'd been diagnosed a "wetbrain" (no joke), and proceeded to play him against medical advice. In fact, Shanahan was quoted that year minimizing the problem after a game, "Chris sounded punchy - we couldn't understand what he was talking about" (paraphrase).


Sorry Khan and the rest, but anyone who poo-poos this issue is really not seeing the bigger picture imo. I can't believe I forgot this next point last night ... but I have another guy to add to the list of Chris Miller, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, TWO STARTERS just this past month (Holdman and Hamilton), plus Karl Paymah, a season-ending playoff-squelching loss after Cutler came out with a concussion to the 49ers ... add to all that: Al Wilson.

You guys can minimize this all you want, but we've lost 3 starters for seasons/careers in the last 10 or so games to concussions, and guys still fail all the time to strap their chin-straps (there's a new NFL rule on that this year thank God), and the head-neck protection has changed very little in the last 30 years - until the new helmet. It should be mandatory, as should some form of neck pad.

[BroncoBuff]

PAST 9 MONTHS ALONE - DENVER BRONCOS:
AL WILSON - Perennial All-Pro and Team Captain suffered serious concussion vs. Seattle, taken off the field on a stretcher to the hospital. Was told/permitted to suit up the very next week. Played so poorly though, he was benched for the remainder of the season after the next game. Shanahan embarrassed him (it seemed to me – I actually thought it was a private discipline) by making him active at game-time, but keeping him on the bench for the whole game. In the offseason, Shanahan tried to foist off these 'damaged goods' to any takers for a 2nd-day pick. The Giants bit, but immediately voided the deal upon EEG results. 2nd day pick? Voided? Seems a humiliation for the All-Pro, who is out of football now. ONE Bronco starter season/career ended by concussion last 9 months.


JAY CUTLER - Present and Future of the Franchise - Playing with older helmet, Jay suffered an in-game concussion vs. SF (thanks George Foster). Missed part of the game, but re-entered and immediately threw a very strange pick-six. Game lost - playoffs gone. Lifetime concussion count: 2 minimum. "Franchise Jay" still wears the older helmet design, and when SoCal (not Khan, sorry) asked Shanahan the question I submitted about Jay's helmet a month ago, it sounded like Shanny minimized the whole thing.


WARRICK HOLDMAN - The likely starter at strongside LB, Holdman suffered a serious blow to the head that 'bruised his spinal column' on the first or second day of camp. He was taken off the field on a stretcher to the hospital where he remained overnight. Season over, career in jeopardy, TWO Bronco starters season/career ended in last 9 months ...



BEN HAMILTON - Two days after Holdman was airlifted to the hospital from Dove Valley, Ben Hamilton was hit on the head in practice. Shanahan first pooh-poohed it, called it a “little ding,” but Hamilton could not return to practice. He tried several times over the next month to no avail. Last week he became nauseous merely running on a treadmill. The team then issued an ominous "Until further notice, Chris Myers will start at LG...", but kept Ben on the final 53 active roster. This week he'll go see a top concussion specialist and we'll know more. THREE Bronco starters season/career possibly ended by concussion in past 9 months ...


KARL PAYMAH – Carted off the field five days ago with a concussion. The medical reports are good so far, but that’s what they said about Al Wilson and Ben Hamilton, so … I wouldn’t go to the bank on Karl just yet.


All this in just the past 9 months! For the Broncos alone! Obviously this post and thread are in the usual BroncoBuff dramatic style ::), but this time it's appropriate. I can’t see how this litany can be minimized by anybody. At least the NFL is starting to take things seriously: This past off-season they finally made a rule that chin-straps must be buckled on every play. But I gotta believe the better helmets and some type of neck brace could/should be made mandatory …

BTW - think about it: Shanahan traded Wilson to the Giants, who immediately diagnosed him unfit to play. Then ..... we release him?! Deductive reasoning permits only two options here: 1) Shanny was trying to foist damaged goods, or 2) Our medical staff sucks.

I bleed orange as much as anybody here, but Mike Shanahan needs to be educated on these points.




CUE: Macho Enablers … Uhh

[BroncoBuff]

That ↑↑↑ is some of my best pontificating in weeks!


You're welcome :thanku:

[Bob]

Geez rugby, who cares what part of him was injured by the concussion? It was a head blow that affected the spinal cord mostly (even worse if you ask me) ... either way you cut it, it's a head blow that ended the season/career of a probable Bronco starter. Isn't that enough to examine the gear?? This is the 21st Century! Sure, they make their own decisions from the gear that's available, but I think the league should mandate minimal standards (especially when the biggest complaint is "it doesn't look cool." :oyvey:).

No two ways about it - head and neck protective gear is absolutely stone-age in the league, as are the attitudes of macho 'play hurt' coaches. And sorry to say, Shanahan is the worst. He tried very hard to pressure Steve Young to disregard medical advice and sign with the Broncos in '99. He greatly minimized Ben Hamilton's injury (see above). He humiliated Al Wilson by trying to foist off his damaged goods on any takers, only to have a 2nd-day pick trade immediately voided by the Giants within hours of Al landing in New York. Finally, he signed Chris Miller when no other team would, after he'd been diagnosed a "wetbrain" (no joke), and proceeded to play him against medical advice. In fact, Shanahan was quoted that year minimizing the problem after a game, "Chris sounded punchy - we couldn't understand what he was talking about" (paraphrase).


Sorry Khan and the rest, but anyone who poo-poos this issue is really not seeing the bigger picture imo. I can't believe I forgot this next point last night ... but I have another guy to add to the list of Chris Miller, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, TWO STARTERS just this past month (Holdman and Hamilton), plus Karl Paymah, a season-ending playoff-squelching loss after Cutler came out with a concussion to the 49ers ... add to all that: Al Wilson.

You guys can minimize this all you want, but we've lost 3 starters for seasons/careers in the last 10 or so games to concussions, and guys still fail all the time to strap their chin-straps (there's a new NFL rule on that this year thank God), and the head-neck protection has changed very little in the last 30 years - until the new helmet. It should be mandatory, as should some form of neck pad.

Thanks for your intelligent response on this subject.

I work with people with brain injuries every day. I have worked with those who have been hurt while playing sports – and brain injuries are hard to understand if you have not experienced it or seen it first hand. If Hamilton is dealing with the symptoms of his "concussion" he was not "dinged" he has sustained a “mild” brain injury. Heck, concussion is really just a euphemism for mild brain injury in my opinion. The good news is that the brain has an incredible capacity to heal, Hamilton is a very bright guy, from what I have read, and he is young -- but the timetable is sometimes longer than fans (and athletes want.) The brain after an injury is organically healing for up to five years (although most change is seen in 6-8 months.) Statistically speaking most concussions are not “felt” by the person after a few days – but if he is still nauseous, and is having other cognitive problems and he is seeing a specialist -- it might be a few months. He needs to slow down now to get the care he needs so he can return to not only football, but other stuff as well – it would be a damn shame to rush him back too early. Its not worth it for fans or to him. If you look at Steve Young’s behavior/personality now vs. before his multiple “dings” (according to people that I know who have known him – there is a change.) He is still a smart, smart guy, but there is a change in his personality.

The brain after even after a “mild” injuries like this (I say the word “mild” but the labels used for “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” brain injuries really do not often capture the long term impact of how that injury might be felt by the person. The mild, moderate, and severe label is usually based on the length of time a person was unconscious, the duration of amnesiac symptoms pre-post injury, and Glascow coma scale shortly after the injury –in other words how “out of it” the patient was just after the injury.) But there many people who cant hold down a job 1 year after a “mild” injury, and get divorced because they are a different person.

I think that eventually the NFL will make real progress in this area -- as although this issue is loaded with ethical considerations, it is also about money. As folks get bigger and faster and injuries like this mount to star players, and as older ex-players with disabilities are able to demonstrate that the NFL was not proactive in dealing with these issues -- it may just come down to dollars and cents that kick the NFL in the right direction. I get that the NFL is violent, and players take risk in strapping on the helmet when they play the game -- but players should have the best equipment available, the best testing, and the best rehab when hurt.

I have heard the NFL is looking into (or researching a new helmet that actually measures the impacts of each hit, and based on measurements will know by the impact of the hit, if a player has probably sustained a concussion -- the logistics are interesting/problematic -- and hope the NFL, players and fans can get what they bargained for uninterrupted (as safe as you can-make-it) play.

[Bob]

Geez rugby, who cares what part of him was injured by the concussion? It was a head blow that affected the spinal cord mostly (even worse if you ask me) ... either way you cut it, it's a head blow that ended the season/career of a probable Bronco starter. Isn't that enough to examine the gear?? This is the 21st Century! Sure, they make their own decisions from the gear that's available, but I think the league should mandate minimal standards (especially when the biggest complaint is "it doesn't look cool." :oyvey:).

No two ways about it - head and neck protective gear is absolutely stone-age in the league, as are the attitudes of macho 'play hurt' coaches. And sorry to say, Shanahan is the worst. He tried very hard to pressure Steve Young to disregard medical advice and sign with the Broncos in '99. He greatly minimized Ben Hamilton's injury (see above). He humiliated Al Wilson by trying to foist off his damaged goods on any takers, only to have a 2nd-day pick trade immediately voided by the Giants within hours of Al landing in New York. Finally, he signed Chris Miller when no other team would, after he'd been diagnosed a "wetbrain" (no joke), and proceeded to play him against medical advice. In fact, Shanahan was quoted that year minimizing the problem after a game, "Chris sounded punchy - we couldn't understand what he was talking about" (paraphrase).


Sorry Khan and the rest, but anyone who poo-poos this issue is really not seeing the bigger picture imo. I can't believe I forgot this next point last night ... but I have another guy to add to the list of Chris Miller, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, TWO STARTERS just this past month (Holdman and Hamilton), plus Karl Paymah, a season-ending playoff-squelching loss after Cutler came out with a concussion to the 49ers ... add to all that: Al Wilson.

You guys can minimize this all you want, but we've lost 3 starters for seasons/careers in the last 10 or so games to concussions, and guys still fail all the time to strap their chin-straps (there's a new NFL rule on that this year thank God), and the head-neck protection has changed very little in the last 30 years - until the new helmet. It should be mandatory, as should some form of neck pad.

Thanks for your intelligent response on this subject.

I work with people with brain injuries every day. I have worked with those who have been hurt while playing sports – and brain injuries are hard to understand if you have not experienced it or seen it first hand. If Hamilton is dealing with the symptoms of his "concussion" he was not "dinged" he has sustained a “mild” brain injury. Heck, concussion is really just a euphemism for mild brain injury in my opinion. The good news is that the brain has an incredible capacity to heal, Hamilton is a very bright guy, from what I have read, and he is young -- but the time timetable is sometimes longer than fans (and athletes want.) The brain after an injury is organically healing for up to five years (and most change though is seen in 6-8 months.) Statistically speaking most concussions are not “felt” by the person after a few days – but if he is still nauseous, and is having other cognitive problems and he is seeing a specialist it might be a few months. He needs to slow down now to get the care he needs so he can return to not only football, but other stuff as well – it would be a damn shame to rush him back too early. If you look at Steve Young’s behavior/personality now vs. before his multiple “dings” (according to people that I know who have known him – there is a change.) He is still a smart, smart guy, but there is a change in his personality.

The brain after even after a “mild” injuries like this (I say the word “mild” but the labels used for “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” brain injuries really do not often capture the long term impact of how that injury might be felt by the person. The mild, moderate, and severe label is usually based on the length of time a person was unconscious, the duration of amnesiac symptoms pre-post injury, and Glascow coma scale shortly after the injury –in other words how “out of it” the patient was after the injury.) But there many people who cant hold down a job 1 year after a “mild” injury, and get divorced because they are a different person.

I think that eventually the NFL will make real progress in this area -- as although this issue is loaded with ethical considerations, it is also about money. As folks get bigger and faster and injuries like this mount to star players, and as older ex-players with disabilities are able to demonstrate that the NFL was not proactive in dealing with these issues -- it may just come down to dollars and cents that kick the NFL in the right direction. I get that the NFL is violent, and players take some risk in strapping on the helmet when they play the game -- but players should have the best equipment available, the best testing, and the best rehab when hurt.

I have heard the NFL is looking into (or researching a new helmet that actually measures the impacts of each hit, and based on measurements will know by the impact of the hit, if a player has probably sustained a concussion -- the logistics are interesting/problematic -- and hope the NFL, players and fans can get what they bargained for uninterrupted (as safe as you can-make-it) play.

[Kaylore]

I would also like to point out that Wilson, and Holdman took shots to their neck and not their heads. Paymah and Hamilton took hits to the top of their heads. I don't know where cutler was hit. I do know that in all four of those a revolution helmet wouldn't have changed anything as the shots weren't to the jaw which is the main advantage in protection to wearing a revolution helmet. Bottom line is that this is a rough sport and the Revolution helmet is not some magical panacea to all concussion injuries.

[DB-Freak]

Concussion is not a ding.

That's all I know.

I know there is permanent damage after a concussion.

[BroncoBuff]

If you look at Steve Young’s behavior/personality now vs. before his multiple “dings” (according to people that I know who have known him – there is a change.) He is still a smart, smart guy, but there is a change in his personality. ... But there many people who cant hold down a job 1 year after a “mild” injury, and get divorced because they are a different person.
That is really fascinating ...I have read that kind of thing, how personalities change markedly after even minor head traumas. I did not know Steve Young was perceived to be different personality wise after his traumas. I once saw a Science/Discovery channel documentary about how even very minor brain trauma can completely change a person's approach to life. One example was a guy in England involved in a very minor fender-bender, but he struck his head against the dashboard. His intelligence was fine (like Young apparently), but according to his wife, his personality was 180 degrees different. He showed no interest at all in her or their children any longer, became crazy-selfish, and even started to get in trouble for grabbing strange womens' private parts in public. I recall they emphasized that the trauma was very minor - but affected the frontal lobe (?), where much of our interactive, communicative skills are.


I think that eventually the NFL will make real progress in this area -- as although this issue is loaded with ethical considerations, it is also about money. As folks get bigger and faster and injuries like this mount to star players, and as older ex-players with disabilities are able to demonstrate that the NFL was not proactive in dealing with these issues -- it may just come down to dollars and cents that kick the NFL in the right direction. I get that the NFL is violent, and players take some risk in strapping on the helmet when they play the game -- but players should have the best equipment available, the best testing, and the best rehab when hurt.
This quote from your post is the best capsule of where I was trying to go with this thread. Players are getting exponentially bigger and stronger, but the league and its coaches are not responding to that increased danger, by developing and mandating better, safer and more modern equipment and protection.

I recall reading years ago that sociologosts thought the increasing height and weight of Americans would mostly level off after the baby-boomers (the first generation comprehensively nourished as children) grew older. But in fact, the generations after the boomers keep getting bigger, and the league has not caught up. Mandating chin straps be fastened this year is a modest start, but there's much more to be done I think.

It's past time that the league do some serious R&D on equipment that makes players safer - the way all the other sports do.

[BroncoBuff]

I would also like to point out that Wilson, and Holdman took shots to their neck and not their heads. Paymah and Hamilton took hits to the top of their heads. I don't know where cutler was hit. I do know that in all four of those a revolution helmet wouldn't have changed anything as the shots weren't to the jaw which is the main advantage in protection to wearing a revolution helmet. Bottom line is that this is a rough sport and the Revolution helmet is not some magical panacea to all concussion injuries.
Maybe it's my fault, Doc (;D), for stressing the Revolution helmet and Jay Cutler so much here, but three starters gone in nine months is ... three starters gone in nine months. The fact that in your opinion the Revo would not have protected these particular players from these particular injuries might be true, but it does not lessen my points at all. I know the Revo is no magic bullet, I would be in favor of other measures, including some form of Sykes/Cox neck brace. If they're good enough for players who've already suffered head/neck injuries, then they're good enough to help prevent those injuries to all players.

Three starters gone in nine months is no joke. I hope and pray Ben will make it back healthy. But if not, that's three starters' careers ended in just nine months.

[BroncoBuff]

More damning examples re: Shanahan's backward thinking on concussions. Now, he might just be uninformed on the cumulative effect of the total number of concussions sustained, and that each concussion leaves a life-long injury imprint on the brain, but it is quite curious how he deals with a serious, old-fashioned KNEE injury: - compared to the more amorphous nature of CONCUSSION injuries:

COURTNEY BROWN - In pre-season 2006, Courtney Brown was told that his unsuccessful microfracture surgery and years of football had left his knee with little or no cushion, and that the joint was rubbing 'bone on bone.' Brown talked to Mike Shanahan about continuing to play, and Mike said, "It's up to Courtney, but I told him that if he was my son, I'd ask him to hang up his cleats for his own good."

Now compare that approach and advice to how Shanahan dealt with the more amorphous nature of CONCUSSION injuries:

CHRIS MILLER - After several concussions, and poor EEG scans, doctors at Loma Linda advised QB Chris Miller to quit the game in 1995. However, in 1999, he decided to try a comeback against medical advice. His previous teams refused to sign him, but Shanahan did. During one of the two or three Broncos games he played in, none of the coaches or players could understand what he was talking about. After the game, Shanahan remarked (paraphrasing), "Chris was punchy ... we couldn't understand the words he was saying." Miller retired for good a week or two later.
STEVE YOUNG - Young's cumulative concussion total was running high, so his neurologists advised he quit football, and he announced his retirement. Against this medical advice, and despite their close relationship, Mike Shanahan made a presentation to Young in early 1999, trying to convince him to sign with the Broncos. Young says Mike's presentation included lots of tapes of Tony Jones. Regardless, Young stayed retired. According to Bob in this thread, Steve Young's closest friends and family have noted a marked change in his personality, which they attribute to head injuries.



I think the mechanical, "macho" nature of knee injuries is something old ball coaches in general understand, and Shanahan's advice to Courtney Brown was probably sound. But "concussions" are less mechanical, less easy to understand. To most "you gotta play hurt" coaches, concussions probably sound a bit too much like a headache.

I sure hope this alarmiong trend can be slowed, and the NFL will attack the problem with technology and equipment advances soon.

[BroncoBuff]

This is getting dangerously close to becoming my own personal rant thread :cuss: ..... but here is just a bit more on the topic ....

From MAXIM Magazine and Virginia Tech University - as quoted here by RhymesayersDU:

A DB weighs an average of 200 pounds and runs a 4.56-second 40. At impact he unleashes 1,600 pounds of force. That's equivalent to having a bowling ball dropped on your head from the 10th floor.


College players take an average of 50 head shots a season, with an average force of 40 Gs -- the force of a boxer's gloved wallop. The big hits came in at around 120 G's -- similar to a serious car crash.


Riddell, who designs NFL helmets, found that 70 percent of the approximately 100 reported NFL concussions annually were caused by blows to the face, jaw, and the side of the head -- not to the front of top, as had been thought.

Khan pointed out that Fact #3 there is not applicable to Warrick Holdman or Al Wilson ... but that does not mean we should throw up our hands. I think the league should get pro-active here (have I mentioned that? :kiddingme)

[SureShot]

Screw the revolution I suggest football..... American Gladiators style.





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