Canton and Rodgers

[Little Whiskey]

you guys remember the scores to both Lions games from the 1972 season, so I won't go quite that far...

24-23 packers win
33-7 packers win

[Patler]

I'm not completely convinced it's the death knell to his career, though. I think if he can stay healthy for a season or two, folk'll start to pay attention less to the concussions. I'd say they start to forget, but you guys remember the scores to both Lions games from the 1972 season, so I won't go quite that far...

Not the death knell of his career, but perhaps likely to make his career a shorter career than it otherwise might have been, and perhaps likely to cause him to miss games from time to time.

I read an article once that went into detail about concussions in sports. One of the points it made was that anyone can get one, and it doesn't have to be a concern if the symptoms go away quickly. However, if the symptoms linger, or the athlete gets a second one quite soon after the first, the chances of him getting more increase significantly. Rodgers got a second, and the effect of the second lingered.

Recall that in the championship game Rodgers got hit by Peppers (who was later fined), and was clearly shaken up. Rodgers denies anything from it, but the next couple plays he looked "off". The next week several neurologists (I think) were interviewed and said that his mannerisms and actions immediately after the hit and for several plays after looked concussion-like, but of course they would not commit to anything.

The NFL Head, Neck and Spine Medical Committee insists that their "rigorous" testing before a player is cleared to play again puts a player back at 0, and his likelihood of getting another concussion is no greater than if he had never had previous ones. Others insist that is wrong, and that there is a cumulative effect that can take months and months to get over.

Whether the effect is cumulative or two or more simply show a physical vulnerability to getting concussions, from a practical observation it seems like those who have several often get more with greater frequency and under lesser and lesser impacts. Al Toon's career with the jets ended after 8 seasons because of concussions. Steve Young retired because of repeated concussions. Young had a fairly long career, but in six of the years he really didn't play very much. He really only had 9 seasons in which he started more than just a few games (18 stars in the other 6 seasons). Basically, it amounted to a 10 year career. Aikman insists that his repeated concussions had nothing to do with his retirement, but many around him disagree after Dallas waived him and no one else picked him up. He was getting concussions on simple tackles, and was reported to have had more than 10. Chris Miller "retired" because of concussions, and some say he really only wanted to take a year off so his head could clear. It didn't.

I will not be surprised if Rodgers gets more concussions and misses a game or two when they happen. It will be imperative for the Packers to have a capable backup at QB. I will not be surprised if 6 or 7 years from now he decides to go on to his other business interests. Rodgers is a bright guy. As more and more is learned about the long-term effect of concussions, if Rodgers has sustained more concussions, he very well could decide it just isn't worth the risk anymore. He will be a very wealthy man (or at least should be) and should be able to do whatever he wants to do.

Clearly he had two. Perhaps he had a third. I'm not sure he will ever adjust his game to be able to avoid being tackled as well as Favre did, and I'm not sure I would want him to. I think concussions might always be a factor for him, just as they have been for many other QBs as well as other players.

[mraynrand]

It just makes no sense at all to think McCarthy is going to pull a Holgrem. Im not going to even waste my time arguing about it.

I agree. McCarthy doesn't at all come across like "The Big Show." He's shown absolutely no sign of wanting to run everything. He's said he wants to coach the rest of his life in GB. Dammit, I hope Stubby does, because it'll mean the guy is a long-term consistent winner. Maybe he's a Don Shula, but with a few more rings!

[mraynrand]

Solid post up there Patler. My view is that the Rodger's concussions are (by far) the single greatest concern for the Packers (not to mention Rodgers himself), and the biggest threat to their near-term success (the next five years). I see it being very likely (50-50) that the Packers are looking for their next franchise QB within 4 years. It's a damn shame, but the pattern and history of concussions suggests that Rodgers will not last long.

[ThunderDan]

I'm not completely convinced it's the death knell to his career, though. I think if he can stay healthy for a season or two, folk'll start to pay attention less to the concussions. I'd say they start to forget, but you guys remember the scores to both Lions games from the 1972 season, so I won't go quite that far...

Exactly right! Remember when Rodgers first came out he was considered "fragile". Trips to the IR as Favre's backup. I was extremely worried in 2008 that we would have to play a backup QB for some period of time. Then ARod survived the 34 sack season in 2008 and the 51 sack season in 2009. At that point "fragile" was removed from the Arod discussion.

Now he gets 2 concussions and that is what people are focusing on (and rightfully so). ARod changed equipment and is much quicker to get to the ground now. WE will just have to watch 2011 and beyond to see if this issue effects Arod's career.

[RashanGary]

How about this for a catching HOF inducing slogan (assuming AR gets 3 rings ). . . .

#4 x 3 = #12

With a picture of Favre laying on the turf, Rodgers three rings and AR at the SB MVP podium


Maybe even a couple Lambeau Field images, one filled with numbers written in small font, representing Favre's records with one big ring and a lot of empty space. We could have an image of Favre with his head down in narcissistic shame. The other Lambeau Field with three big rings, filling the space completely and Rodgers head above with spiritual light radiating an aura over Lambeau Field.

And then Starr standing above it all with his back turned to Favre, shaking AR's hand with approval and Favre trying to get his head in, looking for attention. A whole group of fans could have their heads turned to Rodgers clapping with a few wearing purple #4's are on the ground, kissing Favre's feet while Favre ignores them

I think it would do great justice for Rodgers steady aura and also great justice for Favre's selfish arrogance mixed with his extreme head hanging shame.

Maybe call it the leader and the malignant narcissist or something like that.

[Patler]

Now he gets 2 concussions and that is what people are focusing on (and rightfully so). ARod changed equipment and is much quicker to get to the ground now. WE will just have to watch 2011 and beyond to see if this issue effects Arod's career.

I agree, 2011 could be a very telling year. The new helmet is an interesting topic. For some reason Rodgers clearly avoids any questions about what makes the helmet different. He avoided them last year, and did again this summer just a few days ago when he was asked about his helmet. Seems strange. I'm not trying to imply anything, but I AM curious about the helmet, and a little befuddled about why Rodgers is so secretive about it.

There was recently a "concussion" helmet that came under scrutiny when tests showed it provided no advantages. I can't remember if it was a football design or a hockey design. I read an engineering study on helmets one time, and they showed one that engineers and doctors agreed would work significantly in reducing some concussion events. Problem was that it was integral with the shoulder pads, included mini-shock absorbers and was very cumbersome.

[mraynrand]

I agree, 2011 could be a very telling year. The new helmet is an interesting topic. For some reason Rodgers clearly avoids any questions about what makes the helmet different. He avoided them last year, and did again this summer just a few days ago when he was asked about his helmet. Seems strange. I'm not trying to imply anything, but I AM curious about the helmet, and a little befuddled about why Rodgers is so secretive about it.

There was recently a "concussion" helmet that came under scrutiny when tests showed it provided no advantages. I can't remember if it was a football design or a hockey design. I read an engineering study on helmets one time, and they showed one that engineers and doctors agreed would work significantly in reducing some concussion events. Problem was that it was integral with the shoulder pads, included mini-shock absorbers and was very cumbersome.

I've been telling you guys, the only he chance he has is to use the Great Gazoo helmet....



You have to have specialized crumple zones to absorb the impact so it isn't all translated to the brain.

[sharpe1027]

He was tackled. How do you prevent him from being tackled? The fact he ran a long way is irrelevant. Besides, the field was wide open and he took off. Yes, he should have taken a dive at the end, but you will never prevent him from being tackled completely. Yes,he was hit in the head at the end, but it wasn't excessively vicious (no penalty). Again, something you can't prevent completely. QBs get hit harder than that in the pocket.

At least each time he slides it is one less tackle, even if in the pocket is the same thing.

I wonder if the injury data correlated to the amount of times a QB gets hit in the pocket vs. running down field would suggest that one is more dangerous of if they are the same. The distance of how far he ran may not be important, but the fact that both himself and a defender could get a head of steam going seems to bring in different dynamics than a QB standing in the pocket with lineman trying to slow down the rushers. IDK.

[RashanGary]

Decent football player

[ThunderDan]

I've been telling you guys, the only he chance he has is to use the Great Gazoo helmet....



You have to have specialized crumple zones to absorb the impact so it isn't all translated to the brain.

Hey look it's ..... Eli Manning and his goofy helmet!

[Bossman641]

I agree, 2011 could be a very telling year. The new helmet is an interesting topic. For some reason Rodgers clearly avoids any questions about what makes the helmet different. He avoided them last year, and did again this summer just a few days ago when he was asked about his helmet. Seems strange. I'm not trying to imply anything, but I AM curious about the helmet, and a little befuddled about why Rodgers is so secretive about it.

There was recently a "concussion" helmet that came under scrutiny when tests showed it provided no advantages. I can't remember if it was a football design or a hockey design. I read an engineering study on helmets one time, and they showed one that engineers and doctors agreed would work significantly in reducing some concussion events. Problem was that it was integral with the shoulder pads, included mini-shock absorbers and was very cumbersome.

It's not just Rodgers keeping quiet, the Packers have been in general. I have no idea why, it's quite strange.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/110201_tuesday_morning_quarterback&sportCat=nfl

Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, who will start at quarterback in the upcoming Super Bowl, just switched to a helmet he thinks offers superior protection. Rodgers says the helmet prevented a concussion when he took a brutal blow to the head from Julius Peppers of the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game.

So a Super Bowl quarterback has found a helmet that might reduce the concussion plague, protecting huge numbers of football players at the college, high school and youth levels. Good news?

Here's the catch -- Rodgers won't tell you what kind of helmet he switched to. Neither will the Green Bay Packers. A Super Bowl quarterback and his team have information that might increase neurological safety -- and won't share it.

During the regular season, Rodgers suffered two concussions. When he returned to the field late in the year, Rodgers said he had switched to a helmet that reduces concussion risk. But he wouldn't be specific, leaving college and high school coaches and players in the dark. A month ago, Tuesday Morning Quarterback asked the Packers to reveal the type of helmet on Rodgers' head, and a Packers spokesman said the team would not.

After the NFC title game, Rodgers told Peter King of NBC he thought his new helmet prevented the vicious hit by Peppers -- whom the league fined $10,000 for unnecessary roughness -- from causing another concussion. "As much as the new helmet feels uncomfortable and I'm still getting used to it, I'm really happy I was wearing it on that hit,'' Rodgers said to King. But King's report did not include the critical item of information that all other football players, and the parents of young players, need -- namely, what kind of helmet.

So I asked the Packers again. Jeff Blumb, the team's director of public relations, told me, "I did check again on your behalf, and that's still not information we're comfortable sharing outside of our building."

[Guiness]

Bossman, dollars to donuts it has something to do with the helmet not being the 'Official NFL helmet' by Riddell(tm), hence the label, etc must be covered up...

[Patler]

Bossman, dollars to donuts it has something to do with the helmet not being the 'Official NFL helmet' by Riddell(tm), hence the label, etc must be covered up...

Excellent deduction! That would explain why they won't mention what helmet it is. I wonder if they had to get special permission from the league if it is not "official" equipment?

[Patler]

I've been telling you guys, the only he chance he has is to use the Great Gazoo helmet....



You have to have specialized crumple zones to absorb the impact so it isn't all translated to the brain.

Hey look it's ..... Eli Manning and his goofy helmet!

Doesn't Rodgers now wear the same helmet as Manning? I thought he mentioned that when he first used it.