So with Jay Glazer of FOX recently reporting that the league will require teams to involve an independent neurologist in the assessment of players with concussion issues, we had an obvious question in the wake of Sunday's bell-ringings suffered by last year's Super Bowl starting quarterbacks -- Kurt Warner of the Cardinals and Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers.
Will the neurologist determine when the player can return, and does the policy apply to Warner and Roethlisberger?
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told us via e-mail on Monday night that the new policy is not yet in effect.
"Details of the policy will be communicated to the clubs shortly," Aiello said. "The independent neurologist will be involved in return-to-play decisions of a player who had a concussion."
So even though Roethlisberger says he's fine and that he plans to play Sunday night against the Ravens, there's a chance, based on the details of the policy, that an independent neurologist will be required to give his or her blessing in advance.
New concussion rules not yet in effect
Posted by Mike Florio on November 23, 2009 10:41 PM ET
This sounds like a good idea, though I wonder how much the neurologist's will have to get paid off in order for them to say a player is fine to play....
That was my thought too. Even though they're being described as "independent," if they're being paid by the teams, they're not truly independent. Other than ethics, what's to keep a team from paying a guy $1 million to agree with the team doctors?
To lessen the potential conflict of interest, how about having the NFL hire and assign a neurologist to each team?
I brought this up like 3 times today in the comments while every one of your stories ignored it - suddenly a lightbulb went off in Florio's head though...
RIGGHHHHTTT
I'll send you an invoice PFT
They need a rule on the amount of concussions a player can have before they are removed for their own good.
# lezmaka says: November 23, 2009 11:38 PM
That was my thought too. Even though they're being described as "independent," if they're being paid by the teams, they're not truly independent. Other than ethics, what's to keep a team from paying a guy $1 million to agree with the team doctors?
To lessen the potential conflict of interest, how about having the NFL hire and assign a neurologist to each team?
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Not a bad idea, but gonna be hard to get then assigned quickly. Should come up with some sort of "salary cap" so that all teams pay the same $$. They pay the money directly to the NFL (or some other independent body), then the neurologist is assigned. Could be a diff neurologist, not always the same one. Would help lessen the chances of "tampering".......
@Florio ... In the Alabama game Saturday, Tide wideout Julio Jones was wearing an unusual helmet that's supposedly designed to reduce the likelihood of head injuries. It's difficult to imagine they'd have more advanced equipment in the college ranks than in the pros. How about some info on the helmet and whether there are any plans to redesign NFL helmets in order to reduce head injuries?
As for Roethlisberger, we have yet to receive confirmation that he suffered a concussion, so the concussion policy--if and when it's implemented--might not apply. However, if an NFL player wants a truly independent medical opinion about any injury, he should schedule an appointment with an independent practitioner ... just as any non-NFL person would have to do. Any medical professional being paid by the team will have a conflict of interest.
For once, I have to agree with Goodell on this one.
The rules may not be in effect yet, but I think the league and the teams are going to be careful in this area, especially with topic of concussions facing so much scrutiny. I am sure they don't want to see these players leave immediately with another concussion in the very next game. I won't be shocked if both QB's are held out this week. I expect it.
Westbrook (RB Eagles) took a few weeks off with a concussion, and when he came back, he had a concussion in the very next game.
I heard they were hiring noted neurologist Dr. Yasm U. Kanplay and his assistant Dr. G.T. Bakindagame. You know they'll have the best interests of the players at heart.
So if Peyton Manning and Drew Brees get dinged in their respective conference championship games, the league will make them sit out the Super Bowl?
Let the teams and players make their own decisions. They're big boys and get paid lots of money.
The fact is the league and the teams don't really care about this and all of the actions being taken now are due to public criticism and the recent release of the studies on brain injuries.
You will know this is true when Big Ben trots out on the field this weekend. Notice how reports out of P'burgh went from "we'll take every precaution with Ben" to "hey, Ben says he's feeling pretty good!" as soon as the Batch injury was disclosed and the Steelers were faced with the prospect of Dennis Dixon starting v. the Ravens.