Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

[snarky]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

I don't know what is worse...PFT's position regarding "concussion-like" symptoms, or DeeDub's position regarding "flu-like" symptoms.

You just made the league softer than a zillion cotton balls by posting that.

[sd steel]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

Report: Polamalu will play despite more “concussion-like” symptoms

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 28, 2011



In mid-October, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu suffered “concussion-like” symptoms after a “head” injury.

That’s just how the Steelers like to classify concussions. Polamalu was knocked out of Sunday night’s game with a similar problem, which caused some speculation Monday that Polamalu could miss an extended period of time.

Polamalu has a history of concussions dating back to college, so it would seemingly make sense for the Steelers to play it safe things safe. They could sit Polamalu with the playoffs still six weeks away.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that’s not going to happen.

“Troy Polamalu is fine and will play versus Bengals. He was clear and lucid by halftime but kept out because of league rules,” Dulac writes.

Perhaps Polamalu’s history of concussions helps explain why the Steelers love using the phrase “concussion-like symptoms” instead of just admitting Polamalu has suffered two concussions in the last six weeks. They want the flexibility to keep playing him.

We just hope Polamalu doesn’t suffer any “concussion-like symptoms” that he can’t recover from.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/28/report-polamalu-will-play-despite-another-head-injury/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ad-injury/[/url]

A major reason why the league is even cracking down harder is because they are afraid of lawsuits occurring later on. A Charger lineman, had concussion like systems a couple of weeks ago, and they put him back in the game, and when he got on the plane ride home he had a grand mal seizure. Many in the media are attacking the Chargers coaches and medical staff for allowing the player to even get on the plane and for not knowing the severity of the concussion....although the seizure might have had nothing to do with the concussion.

[steelblood]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

This is where Florio makes his money and where he is a snake in the grass. He is trying to say that the Steelers broke the rules. But, they didn't. They followed the protocol and he did not return. Yes, he wore a helmet, but he did not play again. Nor did he return the last time he had a concussion. Hines Ward also did not return to the game when he had a concussion. The Steelers have broken no rules even if Florio objects to their semantics.

Florio must constantly manufacture news to fuel his stories. This is where Al Michaels and Gregg Rosnethal get their information. Florio doesn't report stories, he twists them and mines their details to prove his long held beliefs and grudges. Most NFL teams, like most NHL and NBA teams, keep their injury reports as vague as possible so they do not tip their hat as far as lineups go and so other teams can't get an advantage with specific injury knowledge. It is a little silly, but this is just the way it is. Bellichick, Parcells, and Jimmy Johnson have all been vague even slightly deceptive when it comes to injuries. Florio is a tabloid journalist masquerading as a football insider. There is no story here, just Florio's fairy tales.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

Updated: November 29, 2011

Tomlin optimistic Troy Polamalu will play

By Jamison Hensley
ESPN.com


Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is cautiously optimistic that Troy Polamalu will play Sunday just days after the Pro Bowl safety suffered "concussion-like symptoms."

Polamalu took a blow to the head in the opening drive of Sunday night's game at Kansas City and didn't return. Tomlin said Polamalu was asymptomatic "relatively quickly" on Sunday night and hasn't had any concussion symptoms since the team returned to Pittsburgh.

"We anticipate it being a non-issue moving forward this week," Tomlin told reporters Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Tomlin expects Polamalu will pass the series of tests in order to practice this week.

"All things are positive in terms of his potential participation this week," Tomlin said. "Obviously, we'll continue to err on the side of caution."

The Steelers (8-3) host the Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) on Sunday in a key AFC North matchup.

Polamalu has had a long history with concussions. He suffered two in high school and three at USC. It was only seven games ago when Polamalu left a game after taking a blow to the head.

When asked if Polamalu runs the risk of more concussions after sustaining one already this year, Tomlin said, "I don't have the answer to that. I'm not a medical expert. I think maybe those guys don't have the definitive answer to that. Obviously, we're sensitive to his concussion history. We're always going to exercise the necessary precaution when dealing with it."

Tomlin also said outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) could return this week. "He's moving toward game-readiness," Tomlin said. "We like where he is."

[url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7294476/pittsburgh-steelers-cautiously-optimistic-troy-polamalu-play"]http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/72944 ... amalu-play[/url]

[fordfixer]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

I don't know what is worse...PFT's position regarding "concussion-like" symptoms, or DeeDub's position regarding "flu-like" symptoms.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

The next obvious move is to regulate against any hits where the players helmet contacts any portion of another player.

[DukieBoy]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

This is where Florio makes his money and where he is a snake in the grass. He is trying to say that the Steelers broke the rules. But, they didn't. They followed the protocol and he did not return. Yes, he wore a helmet, but he did not play again. Nor did he return the last time he had a concussion. Hines Ward also did not return to the game when he had a concussion. The Steelers have broken no rules even if Florio objects to their semantics.

Florio must constantly manufacture news to fuel his stories. This is where Al Michaels and Gregg Rosnethal get their information. Florio doesn't report stories, he twists them and mines their details to prove his long held beliefs and grudges. Most NFL teams, like most NHL and NBA teams, keep their injury reports as vague as possible so they do not tip their hat as far as lineups go and so other teams can't get an advantage with specific injury knowledge. It is a little silly, but this is just the way it is. Bellichick, Parcells, and Jimmy Johnson have all been vague even slightly deceptive when it comes to injuries. Florio is a tabloid journalist masquerading as a football insider. There is no story here, just Florio's fairy tales.

Right on. Excellent!

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

Beaver County Times

Bires: Troy & pain

Posted: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
By Mike Bires



Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor (24), left, and free safety Ryan Clark (25), right, check on teammate Troy Polamalu (43) after he was dazed on a tackle in the first quarter against the Chiefs on Sunday.

PITTSBURGH -- Theodora Polamalu didn't receive any phone calls from the Steelers' sideline Sunday night. That doesn't mean she wasn't worried about her husband's latest brush with a concussion.

That's two times in the past six weeks that a blow to the head has left the star safety with what the Steelers call "concussion-like symptoms."

You might recall that costly call Polamalu made to his wife on Oct. 16. In Week 6,
Polamlau was knocked out of the game after a hard hit on Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew in the fourth quarter.

Because of his rather extensive history with brain injuries, Polamalu borrowed a cell from a trainer so he could tell his wife that he was OK. But a week later, Polamalu was back on the field, playing his normal tenacious style of football in Arizona.

Will that be the case Sunday when the Steelers (8-3) host Cincinnati (7-4) in a game of huge importance in the AFC North? Will Polamalu, injured while tackling Steve Maneri after the K.C. tackle caught a short pass, be cleared to play?

The company line Tuesday at Mike Tomlin's press conference was that Polamalu no longer has concussion symptoms.

"All things are positive in terms of his potential participation this week," Tomlin said.

On one hand, there doesn't seem any reason to doubt the Steelers' medical staff. One of their physicians is Dr. Joseph Maroon, a highly-respected neurosurgeon regarded as one of the country's leading authorities when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of concussions.

However, someone within the Steelers' organization told a Pittsburgh sports writer Monday that it's a coincidence and not a pattern that Polamalu has had "concussion-like symptoms" for the second time in six weeks.

Hmm?

Is it really a coincidence that this keeps happening to Polamalu?

According to media reports over the years, Polamalu has had seven confirmed concussions while playing football -- three in high school, two in college while attending Southern Cal, and two with the Steelers (one in 2006, one in 200.

"I don't have the answer to that," Tomlin said when asked if these two recent head blows will make Polamalu susceptible to another concussion. "I am no medical expert. I think that maybe those guys don't have a definitive answer to that. Obviously, we are sensitive to his concussion history, and we are always going to exercise the necessary precaution when dealing with it."

Even though there's optimism that Polamalu will play Sunday, he won't be officially cleared until he passes more concussion tests later in the week.

Meanwhile, we can only wonder what's going through his head.

He and his wife have two young sons, Paisios, 3, and 1-year-old Ephraim. He's 30 now and in his ninth season of pro football. He's one of the game's most exciting and distinguishable players. He's a multi-millionaire who got a $10.5 million bonus when he signed his new contract in September and he's making $6.4 million in base salary this year.

Considering his history with concussions and these two "concussion-like" injuries the past six weeks, you have to wonder if he'll still be playing in 2014, the last year of his existing contract.

Most importantly, Polamalu can only hope that these latest "concussion-like" head blows don't lead to anything more serious in the future.

[url="http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/bires-troy-pain/article_6ea8f126-3465-56e4-b880-f43761424e9f.html"]http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steel ... 24e9f.html[/url]

[fezziwig]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

That's a shame for Troy or anyone to endure those type of injuries. I'd rather see him sit out, retire if need be than cause any additional harm. He has all the money I could hope for, he should sit back and enjoy it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

Beaver County Times

Bires: Troy & pain

Posted: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
By Mike Bires

Did Bires really just make an outdated Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock pun?

He's trying to be cool by showing how relevant he is when it comes to hip-hop culture, without realizing that there are people born after that song came out who are now above legal drinking age.

[snarky]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

Beaver County Times

Bires: Troy & pain

Posted: Tuesday, November 29, 2011
By Mike Bires

Did Bires really just make an outdated Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock pun?

He's trying to be cool by showing how relevant he is when it comes to hip-hop culture, without realizing that there are people born after that song came out who are now above legal drinking age.

If Mike Wallace's case of the dropsies continues, his next article will be called "Don't Sweed the Technique"

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Merrill Hoge says Troy might sit out several weeks

Polamalu refuses to say whether he suffered a concussion

Posted by Mike Florio on December 3, 2011



Congratulations, Steelers. Your use of a term other than “concussion” has officially given the condition the same stigma as herpes, HIV, and leprosy.

Why else would safety Troy Polamalu refuse to say on Friday whether he suffered a concussion five nights earlier against the Chiefs? Andrew Stockey of WTAE asked the question, and Polamalu took the fifth on whether he has sustained his eighth known concussion.

Regardless of the reason, it’s bizarre that a team and a player would be so defiant when it comes to acknowledging what anyone who has had fewer than 50 concussions realizes: Against the Chiefs, Troy Polamalu sustained a concussion.

The mere fact that he refused to answer the question confirms it.

Perhaps the Steelers have avoided the “C” word in order to keep a truly independent neurologist out of the team’s and the player’s business. Or maybe the goal is to subtly influence players to try to conceal their “concussion-like symptoms” whenever and wherever possible, as part of facing down the demons inherent to the sport.

“That’s the fear, I think, that any player faces, and that’s the fear that anybody, any individual faces — overcoming any certain fears of being a coward, you know, or letting your teammates down or turning down a hit,” Polamalu said regarding whether he’s concerned about a hit to the head that could cause long-term damage. “That’s the beautiful thing about sports, is these fears are right in your face and it’s pretty obvious if you turn them down or not. I have the fear. No question about it. But I’m willing to fight it, for sure.”

I continue to believe that football players who are lucid and capable of making informed decisions should be permitted to assume all risks associated with playing football, even if they are still suffering from concussion-like (or concussion-actual) symptoms. For now, the issue is whether the Steelers will fully embrace and respect the league’s current rules, which contemplate a full tearing down of the wall that resides between “rubbing dirt on it” and acknowledging that serious, long-term damage could be done to a fairly vital organ.

Those rules entail encouraging players to be candid, not secretive, about the condition of their brains. Polamalu’s simple refusal to admit the obvious shows conclusively that, within the Steelers organization, there’s an implicit understanding that confronting the fear of serious injury includes shrugging off the blows to the head that don’t create serious problems in the short term.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/03/polamalu-refuses-to-say-whether-he-suffered-a-concussion/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... oncussion/[/url]