Its official: Ben Hamilton to IR

[rovolution]

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/mason/2007/09/28/hamilton-out-for-year-lynch-walker-limited-at-practice/

Hamilton Out for Year; Lynch, Walker Limited at Practice

The answer on Ben Hamilton came Friday … and although it was necessary, it was one neither the guard nor the Broncos wanted — placement on the injured reserve list, summarily ending the starting left guard’s season without as much as a preseason snap.

“I just felt if it was my son, and he was Ben, there’s no way I’d want him to play with what he’s going through,” Head Coach Mike Shanahan said following Friday afternoon’s practice. “Even though Ben didn’t really want to go on I.R. — because he was hoping any week the symptoms would clear up — it would still take him a month to get back in football shape, and I think that he was putting undue pressure on himself to get back too quickly.”

The decision came after a conversation Shanahan had with Hamilton and his wife regarding his situation, which had not improved in the weeks since he suffered the concussion during training camp.

“After talking to both of them for a while, we came to the conclusion that Ben is going to go on IR this season. We thought it was in Ben’s best interest.

“He’s been struggling for the last six or seven weeks and there’s a big question mark if he’d be ready for the remainder of the season. We felt it was not in his best interest to try to come back.”

Shanahan said that he didn’t expect to see Hamilton much at Broncos headquarters over the coming months, mainly because his problems don’t require medical treatment, just rest.

“I just think he needs a little time away for the symptoms to clear up a little bit,” Shanahan said. “Most people when they go on I.R., usually they don’t hang around the facility very much.

“We think it’s in his best interest to stay away and get better.”

Shanahan added that he expects Hamilton to return at “full speed” in 2008.



Very classy move by Shanahan. I hope Belichick reads this blog entry.

[Master___Pain]

"Hamilton is a pussy"

Signed,
http://rebuildingyear.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/bill-belichick.jpg

[Pezman]

Strange injury all-around. The fact that it happened in preseason and just didnt seem to get any better.

I'll say this, I'd rather the guy is 100% rather than force himself back into action and end up like Ted Johnson.

FYI, for those who didnt know about the Ted Johnson (Patriots LB) injury, he had such severe concussions that he had to be reintroduced to his wife and child several times and now suffers pre-alsheimers symptoms. He accused Belicheck of forcing him into action early after suffering a concussion which further aggrivated his injury.

[Rulon Velvet Jones]

Jesus, what the hell happened in his head?

[Bronco LB 59]

It's a huge blow to the Broncos performance wise, but who cares. I don't care if Hamilton never plays another down, I just want him to live a pleasant post-football life where he doesn't have to endure concussion related side effects.

[Hotrod]

I think hes milking it........I kid I kid

Got to love the way the Broncos are run.

[Atwater His Ass]

Made the right move, but ****, that sucks. Hope he's better for next season.

[Kaylore]

It's a huge blow to the Broncos performance wise

I don't think so. His services will be missed, but Myers is doing well and will only get better and Hamilton's life quality is more important. This was the right move.

[theAPAOps5]

Now we also have Mike Bell missing a week because of post concussion symptoms. Makes you wonder how many players went out with these symptoms before the NFL started taking a more serious stance on it. Kudos to the Broncos for not pushing these players back out there and endangering their long time quality of life.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Damn! That a shame. Hope he can recover and have a great life.

[jayman_37]

I know this has been asked before, but why hasn't Kuper been moved to left guard? Are the guard positions that much different?

[Old Dude]

I'd say that this was a huge blow to our postseason hopes this year, but there's no reason to even speculate about a postseason until the shoddy run defense is addressed.

Best of luck to Ben and get well soon.

[bpc]

I think in the interest of our football team, we should move Holland to LG and Myers over to RG during the bye week.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I think in the interest of our football team, we should move Holland to LG and Myers over to RG during the bye week.

why?

[cutthemdown]

I'd say the damage is probably not going to go away. When it lasts this long it's not a concussion but probably minor brain damage. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he can never play again. Too bad because the gaurds on the Broncos are very crappy right now and Hamilton seemed like a really good guy. I doubt either Meyers or Holland would start anywhere else in the NFL. Seems like Broncos been having alot of injuries the last few years, here's hoping to having seen the last of them.

[Bronco LB 59]

I don't think so. His services will be missed, but Myers is doing well and will only get better

I agree Myers has done a solid job, but it hurts the Broncos performance wise in terms of depth. This is not the magnitude of losing Nalen in 02 or Lepsis last year, but it still hurts.

[Xenos]

Such a shame really. I suppose that's why players want so much money upfront because once they get injured from these types of trauma, they won't be able to function in the same normal manner as before.

[WABronco]

What's the corresponding move, I wonder.

Keiwan Ratfliff wouldn't look bad. Maybe Peterson's gonna stay? Maybe they save the spot for Rod?

[cutthemdown]

I don't think so. His services will be missed, but Myers is doing well and will only get better and Hamilton's life quality is more important. This was the right move.

I'm not seeing it like you do then. Meyers doesn't seem to get much push in the running game. If he can get loose to second level he is pretty good, but often it seems like bigger dlineman just lock him up and he can't get loose. I've seen him pushed back fairly easily in pass protection. For sure he's not near the player Hamilton is at this point.

[62Olinesdad]

I don't think so. His services will be missed, but Myers is doing well and will only get better and Hamilton's life quality is more important. This was the right move.

Thanks Kaylore I agree with you. I think Chris has had fairly solid games for his first starts. He will improve each game he is a hard worker is harder on himself then the coaches are.
Hopefully Ben can come back from this injury with no lasting effects. Chris and our family have had Ben in our thoughts since he was injured. We sure do wish him a fast recovery.

[Paladin]

D'ya think Myers can get better with experience?


I happen to think so.....

[Requiem]

All that matters here is that Ben get's better, and that his life after football isn't jeopardized with a bad decision letting him play. Best of luck to him, and here is the opportunity (rest of the year) Chris Myers has been waiting three years for. Step it up, buddy.

[62Olinesdad]

:~ohyah!: D'ya think Myers can get better with experience?


I happen to think so.....


I happen to know so.:yayaya:

[Natedogg]

:~ohyah!:


I happen to know so.:yayaya:

This is awesome. Great to have an insider on the mane!;D

[TotallyScrewed]

I'll tell you why, because Lepsis is not doing well and needs heavy wieght pass support to help him. Lepsis has either lost it or he's playing hurt. He doesn't seem to have the strength to hold the edge. He doesn't have the quickness against the true speed rush.

And Pears must be doing better, because his name is not called out.

The offensive line seems to be in chaos. They don't need a 100% healthy Hamilton. They need more Holland types.

I wish Hamilton well. If he's played his last down, he had a preety good career. He needs to think about the after football future and make smart decisions.

[Drek]

It honestly wouldn't surprise me if this is it for Ben in a Broncos uni. Myers is playing solid football, and he's younger, bigger, and stronger than Hamilton. Given time he could develop into a very good starter for us. Ben on other hand is now on the wrong side of 30 and looking at a full year with no meaningful football activity. Not the best situation to try coming back from when you were already an undersized technician.

This will hurt us this year though. Not because Myers is a significant downgrade over Hamilton but because we're now looking at three new starters in our system out of only five jobs. When we first came into the season we were worried about Pears and Kuper, with an outside veteran as the insurance plan if the later wasn't ready to go and Meadows as the backup RT if Pears wasn't capable.

Now Meadows has washed out, Holland took the starting RG job, and Hamilton is lost for the season as well. We have only three guys who had a single start in our system prior to this season throughout the entire OL depth chart, and one of those guys, Pears, only got 10 starts last year and they were at a different position than what he's now playing.

Whole lot of 20 somethings learning on the job. They got to learn quick or we aren't going to make much noise this season.

[ro_50]

I wish Ben all the well away from the field this season. Good move by Shanny. You don't want to take chances. Football is just a game, those concussions can effect his life forever.

[wabbit]

'Concussion' sounds like such an innocuous term.

'Brain injury' is more to the point.

A serious concussion is a serious brain injury, and it makes no sense to take any chances with that.

I'll miss Bens' presence, but this had to be done, and I'm actually relieved.

Cheers to the medical staff who, I'm sure, were under some subtle pressure to view this in some possible way that would include a return to the field.

[SoCalBronco]

NostraBroncoBuff.


Not good news. I hope Ben can get better. Concussions and such are pretty scary.

[Bronco Yoda]

I wonder if it's time that the Broncos initiate a mandatory switch to the Revolution helmets for all their players? Every little bit helps.

[BroncoBuff]

I wonder if it's time that the Broncos initiate a mandatory switch to the Revolution helmets for all their players? Every little bit helps.
EXACTLY!

And SoCal, I HATE to be right about that. I think we lose a lot more than it seems with Ben out. Especially in the running game. That left side Nalen/Hamilton/Lepsis zone blocking wave has churned out 3 or 4 1000 yard backs.

[BroncoBuff]

Now we also have Mike Bell missing a week because of post concussion symptoms. Makes you wonder how many players went out with these symptoms before the NFL started taking a more serious stance on it. Kudos to the Broncos for not pushing these players back out there and endangering their long time quality of life.
:oyvey: This is one topic where the words "kudos to the Broncos" are definitely NOT in order. Shanahan is the worst coach in the league on this issue - that's just fact. He signed Chris Miller when no other team would. He sold out 100% to coax Steve Young to ignore his doctor's advice and play for Denver in 1999. That's like the 5th time I've pointed this out in the past month. Acknowledging Shanny's fault here (a fault borne from the near preternatural competitive drive we all love) does not make you any less of a fan.

LAST 10 MONTHS:
Broncos have lost THREE STARTERS to head/neck injuries: Al Wilson, Warrick Holdman, Ben Hamilton. Karl Paymah and Mike Bell are still recovering from them, and I can make a persuasive argument that Cutler's concussion agaisnt SF caused us to miss the playoffs. The Bills Kevin Everett will never play again, and who knows the true tally of 70s, 80s, 90s players who are/will end up like Ted Johnson? At what point does the NFL take head and neck protective gear seriously? At what point do they mandate 21st century helmets and neck protectors with the same brownshirt fervor they employ to police the rule "the height of the lowermost edge of the white portion of player's socks shall not exceed eight inches above player's ankle, nor fall below the mid-calfline, nor shall the height of this edge differ more than two inches between the player's left and right socks."

[Vegas_Bronco]

from Wikipedia - just a rare case for Hammy (too bad):

Second Impact Syndrome
If a patient receives a second blow days or weeks after a concussion, before concussion symptoms have gone away, they are at risk of developing Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) or recurrent traumatic brain injury (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traumatic_brain_injury). In this rare condition, the brain swells dangerously after a minor blow. No one is certain of the cause of this often fatal complication, but some think the swelling is due to the brain's arterioles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arteriole)' loss of ability to regulate their diameter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diameter), and therefore a loss of control over cerebral blood flow (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_blood_flow).<SUP class=reference id=_ref-tolias_1>[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion#_note-tolias)</SUP>
In this dangerous condition, intracranial pressure rapidly rises, the brain can herniate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_herniation), and brainstem failure can occur within five minutes.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-drake_1>[14] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion#_note-drake)</SUP> When this condition occurs, surgery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgery) does not help and there is little hope for recovery.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-tolias_2>[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion#_note-tolias)</SUP> When it is not fatal, the patient can experience persistent muscle spasms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_spasm) and tenseness, emotional instability, hallucinations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination), and cognitive problems.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-baiusa_1>[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion#_note-baiusa)</SUP> The condition is fairly rare, with only 35 recorded cases in a 13 year period from football injuries (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Football_Injuries&action=edit), not all of which were confirmed to be due to SIS.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-drake_2>[14] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion#_note-drake)</SUP>

[rovolution]

:oyvey: This is one topic where the words "kudos to the Broncos" are definitely NOT in order. Shanahan is the worst coach in the league on this issue - that's just fact. He signed Chris Miller when no other team would. He sold out 100% to coax Steve Young to ignore his doctor's advice and play for Denver in 1999. That's like the 5th time I've pointed this out in the past month. Acknowledging Shanny's fault here (a fault borne from the near preternatural competitive drive we all love) does not make you any less of a fan.

LAST 10 MONTHS:
Broncos have lost THREE STARTERS to head/neck injuries: Al Wilson, Warrick Holdman, Ben Hamilton. Karl Paymah and Mike Bell are still recovering from them, and I can make a persuasive argument that Cutler's concussion agaisnt SF caused us to miss the playoffs. The Bills Kevin Everett will never play again, and who knows the true tally of 70s, 80s, 90s players who are/will end up like Ted Johnson? At what point does the NFL take head and neck protective gear seriously? At what point do they mandate 21st century helmets and neck protectors with the same brownshirt fervor they employ to police the rule "the height of the lowermost edge of the white portion of player's socks shall not exceed eight inches above player's ankle, nor fall below the mid-calfline, nor shall the height of this edge differ more than two inches between the player's left and right socks."



the steve young thing was 2000, but imagine that offense w/ young, emac, rod, mike anderson, d.clark.... would have beaten the ratbirds in the playoffs and gotten us a 3rd world championship

[broncofan2438]

Wow, two pages of stuff that does not matter because he is not playing any more

[TallyBronco]

Acknowledging Shanny's fault here (a fault borne from the near preternatural competitive drive we all love) does not make you any less of a fan.


And using a simple count of concussive injuries does not make you an intelligent analyst. Take a basic course in probability before you make knee-jerk assumptions from raw data, and especially before you expect everyone else to join your little crusade.

[Ratboy]

I think Shanahan sees potential in Myers and this is an open door to get him more experience for the long run. If Hamilton came back and Shanahan was still starting Chris, then Hamilton, His Agent, and Fans would all question him.

Conspiracy!

[missingnumber7]

Hasn't Hamilton had injury problems prior to this. Not just this season. I think that he's a great OL, He was originally drafted to be Nalen's replacement because of Nalens injury issues. Is there a roster spot that is opened because of the placement on IR?

[BearBroncoilly]

I hate to hear that Ben is still unable to come back, but I know Chris Myers will exceed in showing how capable he is.

[Kaylore]

I think Shanahan sees potential in Myers and this is an open door to get him more experience for the long run. If Hamilton came back and Shanahan was still starting Chris, then Hamilton, His Agent, and Fans would all question him.

Conspiracy!

Maybe not so diabolical, but I do wonder if Chris' play at left guard helped make the decision easier for the staff. Obviously Hamilton's health was a priority, but if Meyers was woeful at the position they might have dragged their feet on the whole thing. As it sits, it looks like we'll be ok.

[Natedogg]

Maybe not so diabolical, but I do wonder if Chris' play at left guard helped make the decision easier for the staff. Obviously Hamilton's health was a priority, but if Meyers was woeful at the position they might have dragged their feet on the whole thing. As it sits, it looks like we'll be ok.

That was Meyers that got pancaked by G.Warren for the week two saftey, right?

[400HZ]

It seems like with a zone blocking system you can just plug in anybody at any spot and still have a productive run game. I don't have my figures in front of me, but weren't all your starting O linemen UDFAs or low rounders? There's a lot of advantages there.

[BroncoBuff]

And using a simple count of concussive injuries does not make you an intelligent analyst. Take a basic course in probability before you make knee-jerk assumptions from raw data, and especially before you expect everyone else to join your little crusade.
Yeah Doc Tally, let's NOT use safer helmets! You say BroncoBuff didn't count right, so we can stay with the same old stuff!

Doc Tally ... I read where guys like you were opposed to facemasks in the early 50s. "They impede vision," you said.

[Drek]

It seems like with a zone blocking system you can just plug in anybody at any spot and still have a productive run game. I don't have my figures in front of me, but weren't all your starting O linemen UDFAs or low rounders? There's a lot of advantages there.

It does require more than just "plug in anybody at any spot", but what it requires isn't often targeted by other franchises for their OLs. It stresses a need for mobility, especially laterally, and a generally more intelligent mind than most linemen offer (much more complex blocking assignments that need to go off in sync with one another for it to work right).

That said, yes, it does give a decided advantage in draft pick and financial investment. I'm pretty sure Hamilton, a 4th round pick, was our earliest drafted starter. Ryan Harris is the earliest drafted lineman on the roster, he was a late 3rd. Outside of that the players either weren't drafted by the Broncos (FA or UDFA), or were 6th and 7th round selections.

Of course, the big problem there is that linemen do come out who would be ideal fits for our system and would also make us a more capable team between the 0-20 range where zone blocking historically struggles, they just go really high. Joe Thomas is an example of one such player. If Ryan Harris hadn't dropped over 20 pounds and saw a dramatic drop in play his senior year, or if he'd simply left as a junior, he'd have been a 1st or 2nd round player who also would've also looked like a great fit for our system. Now we're left wondering if Harris' back injury is going to keep him from every reaching the 300-310 pound range he should be playing at, and if his mobility will return to pre-injury levels.

There are high end players who can do great in a zone system. I hope we target one soon if Harris can't bounce back and Lepsis doesn't return to his once upper tier form.

[BroncoBuff]

Maybe not so diabolical, but I do wonder if Chris' play at left guard helped make the decision easier for the staff. Obviously Hamilton's health was a priority, but if Meyers was woeful at the position they might have dragged their feet on the whole thing. As it sits, it looks like we'll be ok.
:oyvey:

That's sad, Khan. Myers is nowhere near Ben Hamilton, and there was never a whisp of a hint that Hamilton's position was up for competition. FACT: Ben Hamilton is/was a Top 5 run blocking guard in the NFL. Period. He's been on every "shouldda made the Pro Bowl" list for several years now. If it weren't for the pervasive Broncos O-Line hating, he wouldda been in Hawaii by now.

I'm sorry, but your attitude here - suddenly pretending a thusfar utility O-Lineman like Myers compares favorably with a borderline-elite player - is everything that's wrong with the league and it's fans attitudes towards old-timers and injured players - out of sight, out of mind.

Sad.

[Kaylore]

:oyvey:

That's sad, Khan. Myers is nowhere near Ben Hamilton, and there was never a whisp of a hint that Hamilton's position was up for competition. FACT: Ben Hamilton is/was a Top 5 run blocking guard in the NFL. Period. He's been on every "shouldda made the Pro Bowl" list for several years now. If it weren't for the pervasive Broncos O-Line hating, he wouldda been in Hawaii by now.

I'm sorry, but your attitude here - suddenly pretending a thusfar utility O-Lineman like Myers compares favorably with a borderline-elite player - is everything that's wrong with the league and it's fans attitudes towards old-timers and injured players - out of sight, out of mind.

Sad.

Woah! Are you Hamilton's dad BB? All I'm saying is the staff seeing Chris isn't a disaster at left guard probably helped make this move a little easier. He's been above average especially considering he didn't really practice the spot much.

As for Hamilton, he's not elite. Maybe in the run game, but the bull rush move has owned him the better part of his career. Meyers has at least shown the ability to not get blown off the ball during a bull rush. That part of the game is an upgrade. There's no question he's had some struggles, and there will be more. But if he was George Foster bad, I think they might consider waiting for Ben to get well and come back. With the position looking a little better it allows them the luxury of putting Hamilton on IR and moving on.

[Doggcow]

Time to draft some O-Line.