Comments on: Neck strength could be next key measurable for NFL players

By: gerard33

gerard33 — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 03:24:43 +0000

I hope Merton Hanks doesnt let his kids play football

By: fourthandafoot

fourthandafoot — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 06:11:39 +0000

Has Spikes run afoul of the NFL steroid policy? Yes. So lets not pop his picture up as the example of what a NFL player should look like.

By: Ithaca Is Chill

Ithaca Is Chill — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:12:46 +0000

I only half agree with kidfootball–while reducing pads would influence more players to wrap up, it also leaves players defenseless against defenders who play with reckless abandon. Will James Harrison hit any less hard because there are softer pads? I think not.

There is no quick fix to the concussion issue. There not only needs to be scientific improvements made, but also deep psychological adjustments by the players, coaches, and training staff at all levels of the game.

And if you want to look a real mans neck, check out Paul Poslusny. Yoked.

By: treesloth16

treesloth16 — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:53:07 +0000

Jeeeessuz. Neck muscles do not protect you from getting concussions. More spin from the NFL to make sure they won’t get sued in the future. ‘Well, it isn’t our fault your neck muscles are so weak.’

If I run Takeo Spikes into a brick wall at 30mph, he will get a concussion, regardless of how thick his neck is.

By: janvanflac

janvanflac — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 02:29:01 +0000

The primary function of a football helmet is to prevent skull fractures. Which they are extremely good at doing….I can’t remember a football player every suffering a fractured skull.

Motorcycle/racing car and even bicycle helmets are extremely effective at preventing both skull fractures and, within reason, brain injuries. The problem is, they are designed to take ONE impact, after which the helmet is considered to be destroyed. Obviously this doesn’t work for a football helmet. If someone can come up with a liner which has the impact absorption of expanded polystyrene, but re-expands after each impact, it will cut down on concussions a lot.

By: beelicker

beelicker — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:33:23 +0000

I agree with kidfootball.

From playing rugby I know that taking the hard helmet & shells out of full contact means the tackler feels impact as much or more than the tackled, which reduces spearing & launching with the shoulders leading & emphasizes form tackling & wrapping up.

By: marvsleezy

marvsleezy — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:53:19 +0000

SOME concussions are caused by whiplash – I think thats what they are referring to – But most of those whip lash concussions come from hits that guys dont see – And if you are knocked out on your feet, your head will hit the ground no matter how strong your neck is

By: riggz91

riggz91 — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:48:04 +0000

I bet if every stadium was turn and not the field turf there would be less concussions. These guys are flying around 100 mph on the field turf.

By: dl3mk3

dl3mk3 — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:39:08 +0000

This seems backwards to me, concussions are because the brain slams up against the inside of the skull when the head is knocked hard. A stronger neck will just make that impact even worse, like stiff shocks on a car. They should be emphasizing flexibility in the neck so the reaction is as elastic as possible.

By: kidfootball

kidfootball — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:31:17 +0000

Here is my solution to the concussion problem.

1: Reduce, that’s right, REDUCE the level of padding. Make the tackler “feel” the hit as much as the ball carrier.

2: Standardize a shorter cleat length for all players. Make it harder to plant and launch themselves at the opponent.

Minimizing the ability of the player to his body as a weapon is key in solving the concussion epidemic.

eh, but who am I to say…

By: PFTiswhatitis

PFTiswhatitis — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:05:19 +0000

Ted Johnson had enormous neck muscles and suffered a whole lot of concussions. I don’t thin neck muscles have a huge effect on how much the brain crashes into the skull on impact hits.

By: insidej0b

insidej0b — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:03:50 +0000

Roman Harper’s and Takeo Spikes’ necks are in competition for the title of “The Neck”

By: hystoracle

hystoracle — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:03:05 +0000

I Don’t Care how strong your neck is the Brain is still moving in the skull. There are no muscles in the skull to keep it still in there.

By: blackandbluedivision

blackandbluedivision — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 20:02:10 +0000

Even if it makes young men and women throughout the nation look like Takeo Spikes.
______________________________

I would love to meet a woman with the neck strength of Takeo Spikes.

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:57:24 +0000

That premise is stupid. Lineman have the most concussions and I would venture a guess that they also are towards the high end of NFL player “neck strength”. Concussions are caused by blows to the head that can fracture the skull and bruise the brain or by a sudden stop causing the still moving brain to slam into the inside of the skull. Neck strength will hardly prevent concussions.