LTS

The exam performed during the game does not involve imaging. It's a question and answer test that is scored. I linked it above but you can look up SCAT Version 5 As a doctor I would think you could just get someone to prescribe you uppers if you wanted them. 😉

Perhaps this article will help: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/30/dr-allen-sills-tua-tagovailoa-was-checked-every-day-leading-up-to-thursdays-game/ I'm not sure what else I can say. Bottom line, if you don't want to believe the CMO of the NFL then you are insinuating he's lying. No one seems to be calling him out on his statements about how the NFL handles things. I would expect the CMO to be very aware and involved with an event of this magnitude. And I would also say there are two protocols to be discussed. The first is the protocol to detect a concussion, the second is the one to be followed when a concussion has been diagnosed. So, as far as I can tell, they are following their protocol to diagnose a concussion. They might have even gone further than normal because of the controversy surrounding his return to play. You are asking why they are testing a guy if he doesn't have the injury and I am saying, they are doing it to determine if he has the injury. Not all concussions are detected immediately. It is possible to take hours/days. https://nyulangone.org/conditions/concussion/diagnosis In game procedure: https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/resources/fact-sheets/nfl-head-neck-and-spine-committee-s-concussion-diagnosis-and-management-protocol More on SCAT: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/early/2017/04/26/bjsports-2017-097506SCAT5.full.pdf Including this warning: As a matter of practice I think it's safe to say that Tagovailoa should not have been allowed to re-enter the game. The NFL clearly does not take concussions seriously and never has. This should not come as a surprise to anyone. Tackle football has one of the highest concussion rates (https://completeconcussions.com/concussion-research/concussion-rates-what-sport-most-concussions/) and football is already seeing a decline in participation because of head injuries, among other things: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerpielke/2020/01/28/the-decline-of-football-is-real-and-its-accelerating/?sh=16682f022f37. They have to figure out how to protect their lucrative business (for both owners and players) while balancing health. As outsiders to the sport it's easy for us to say what should happen. However, for those making millions of dollars or hoping to, football is all they've known. They've dedicated their lives to it and they don't want it taken away. We talk about the toughness of hockey players who get stitched up and return to play. It's the same mentality that dismisses a brain injury, right, wrong, or indifferent.

Perhaps I am misreading things. But it seems you are optimistic? The optimism for me is that this team is different than other teams. It's not built on free agents. It's built on solid drafting, development, and what appears to be very good coaching. The team looks more composed. They play more as a team. They might lack the talent across the board to take it to the playoff level. I'm okay with that because rather than talking about 26-30 year olds who lack the talent we're talking about 21-24 year olds. They are the ones who grow, and so I remain optimistic that they will continue to grow. We've seen it from a few players so far and there's nothing to suggest the next batch of young players won't follow suit. That's my optimism. Also.. I am just sick of being negative about the team. 🙂 It's draining constantly looking for reasons they won't succeed and nit-picking every decision. If they lose, they lose. If they absolutely stink I'll find other things to do. If they win.. excellent. If that makes me less of a fan I am okay with that because I'd rather be a happy person than a miserable fan.

What exactly are they supposed to figure out? I get your list of complaints, are you saying there shouldn't be track limit rules? The cost cap and engine penalties are related.. it's a salary cap, we're used to those. Track limits is a lot easier, don't go over the white line with all 4 wheels.. anywhere. If they didn't tell you about the investigations you'd likely not be complaining. Most of them result in no further action. It's the broadcast making you aware of them. Now, coincidentally and quite interestingly.. I came across this: https://www.si.com/nascar/2022/09/27/kevin-harvick-aspects-f1-that-nascar-needs-cameras-under-investigation-shorter-races

I explained it.. or thought I had. They tested him to reconfirm the decision to put him back in the game. Farce or not, lies or not. That's the whole point. Everyone claims he had a concussion... except. The independent neuro examiner (who clearly screwed up but would still have the job if Tua had not been knocked out against the Bengals) The team, coach, all of them. And to reinforce their point they said he was tested every day and passed every day. I'm not sure why you are getting all heated over it. The protocol is a joke, I don't think anyone is arguing that. You only need to look at the comments of John Harbaugh and his decision on Duvernay in week 2 against the Dolphins to get a good understanding of how it should have been handled. And perhaps he did pass the exam. I'm not saying its probable, but perhaps he did. You can believe whatever you want, but until some proof indicates otherwise, that's what we have to go on.

Well, then you can chime in on who you think are worse. My initial argument was that Dunleavy was not necessarily the worst and even then the phrase "and it's not even close" was used which was wholly inaccurate. I was asked which announcers I think are worse but I could not name them because I don't keep track of that. I am glad you do. But I still think Dunleavy is bottom tier. Razor is... a class of his own.

If you read the quote it said the Independent Neuro Expert had to clear him. I'm not sure why, not sure it matters. However, just because he passed the test doesn't mean they wouldn't perform additional tests to confirm. You don't have to be in the concussion protocol to get tested. Perhaps they were doing it as a CYA to him re-entering the game?

So the prevailing assumption is that now, in 5 days, two doctors in Miami, and a medical staff in Cincinnati have both basically covered up a concussion or multiple concussions? There's a lot of presumption here. I don't see what benefit the medical staff at a hospital have in covering anything up. Their reputation is on the line and they know this. They are not in Miami, they are in the opposing city. I get the emotion of what we've seen. But there has to be a point where the conspiracy theory falls apart right? I could understand the theories behind the Bills game. I think that's a process that's prone to being sidestepped. However to insinuate that a hospital would take that kind of risk on something so public is a stretch. I want to underscore, passing the concussion test doesn't mean there isn't something else going on. I have not followed up on any released medical statements (although they are private, so we might not know). However, I don't see the hospital staff releasing him unless they found nothing of concern on the tests they performed. That said, I think Tagovailoa should be getting some additional tests done. Clearly something is going on with both hits in the past 5 days. The physical response to both indicates that clearly.

I can't at the moment. I don't actually make a note and keep a list of things that suck. I prefer not to keep that kind of knowledge in my long term memory. I will however take note as I come across them this season. Interesting question, with sat radio I assume you are getting the radio broadcast of the hockey game versus the TV coverage broadcast? Not sure how many have different teams for both, etc. I want to say nearly all ESPN announcers last year were awful, as in truly terrible. I think only Buccigross was tolerable, perhaps one other person. Jack Edwards is an absolute tool, but he calls the game. It's when he injects his opinions that it goes off the rails. Just to reiterate, I don't like DD.. not even a bit. He's in the bottom of tier of announcing.

Of course it's fine to not like DD. I don't like DD. But that's not what my reply was about... more below. Agreed. The only reason I responded was you said he was the worst "and it's not even close." Which.. is clearly not the case you indicated above. But DD is bad.. real bad. I'd prefer lots of others.. but I also remember John Gurtler. So.. I'm not as concerned about DD... yet.

I'm not sure if you've actually sampled all the play by play around the league, including some of the national networks. At worst it's very close, but I wouldn't consider him the worst, probably not even the second worst. There are some really bad play by play announcers out there.

I picked your comment, but it really applies to the whole debate. The fundamental issue that I see is that the playing conditions are NOT equal for the teams in Miami. The broadcast crew immediately alluded to the renovations on Hard Rock stadium that put the Dolphins in the shade for the whole game and the Bills in the sun. Playing in the heat it a thing, but it should at least be an equal thing. With snow and cold, both teams play in it. Imagine if the visiting team did not get a heated bench, heaters, etc. That would be almost the equivalent. Overall, you deal with the weather, but I do think there's some level of shenanigans with the roof at Hard Rock. Yes. They had pressure all game with their front 4 and decided instead to drop off and allow Miami's talented receivers to find holes in Buffalo's inexperienced secondary. It was a very, very bad play call.

How many of those people in the rich history were UFAs during the season they were named captain? Why do you think they would not, nay ABSOLUTELY would not retain half his salary? Seems a rather odd point to be absolute on. And yes.. KO is a leader, but the conversation wasn't about him being a leader.

Well, I did say so. The question is, was the my reading of your position on this accurate? Do you believe that someone just sitting there observing is interfering with the job someone is performing? I can live with that.

I don't know who they choose. I would suspect they will lean heavily on the players themselves as this year presents an interesting situation. Okposo is a UFA. Naming him "C" presents an interesting look at the trade deadline. Will Okposo want to be moved to a cup contender? There's no doubt someone in the playoffs will take him, especially when the Sabres retain 50% of his salary. Do you trade your "C"? Does he come back next season, at a lower cap hit, anyway? I think all of that plays into who the "C" is. If they name Okposo "C" then I believe there's a good chance he's told the Sabres that either he doesn't want to be moved OR he's coming back next year, no matter what. Otherwise it seems like a silly move to name an interim "C" which is effectively what Okposo would be. Now, if the Sabres are making the playoffs that changes the discussion.

The top lines of those teams featured far more established players than what the Sabres have. We have to hope the Sabres top lines gets to a few players that are near a PPG. The Blues were an exception in my book. They basically rode the new coach (Berube) and a hot goalie (Binnington). They've not even come close to sniffing the same success since then. The Lightning are 100% how you want your team to be built.. as were the Penguins. You have to get the right players to produce. The hope is the Sabres get that out of their drafting. My point though, they built the top lines.. and then they still played players like Girgensons. The Blues would be more like the Sabres are at this point, but they had the hot goalie (Comrie?) and potentially the perfect timing in the league.. who knows. They still had players like Girgensons. I don't buy into Hockey Canada.. all-star games are a completely different beast. You don't need a hard-checking 4th line because you are icing an all-star D squad and all-star goaltending. Most hockey teams don't have that and so need a line that can shutdown players. It's improbable tthat a team has 4 scoring line depth that will be effective against another team when that talent will have usually jumped to another team (so as to not be on the 4th line).

Was reading stuff this morning all over the Internet and wanted to drop in and add to the well wishes. Brutal storm.

You are right. The Sabres don't have those players, yet. But the point being that teams win with solid top 9 and a producing 4th line. It's not a situation where all 4 lines are so good that someone like Girgensons doesn't have a place. The Sabres need a jump in offense (and better goaltending). If the likes of Thompson (.87), Skinner (.79), Tuch (.76), Olofsson (.68), Quinn, and Peterka can elevate the offense there's no reason to believe they don't have room on the 4th line. I've outlined the Avs from last year. I'll look at past Champs with forwards contributing higher than 55 GP (or if I can recall a significant trade deadline) who had .40 PPG or less. 2021 - Lightning (interestingly had 0 players at a PPG or higher) Pat Maroon - .33 Mathieu Joseph - .34 Barclay Goodrow - .36 2020 - Lightning (4 players above or about a PPG; Point was .97) Pat Maroon - .36 Cedric Paquette - .30 2019 - Blues (zero players above PPG; O'Reilly was .94; majority of team was .4 - .6 PPG) Pat Maroon - .38 Zach Sanford - .33 2018 - Capitals (2 players PPG) Brett Connolly - .39 Jay Beagle - .28 Devante Smith-Pelly - .21 2017 - Penguins (2 players PPG) Carl Hagelin - .36 Scott Wilson - .33 Tom Kuhnhackl - .29 Again, it's not that Girgensons isn't replaceable, it's just that teams that replace someone like Girgensons will be looking for someone like Girgensons. So if you have him, why replace him?

Your insinuation was that he was in their ears and interfering, much like Buddy the Elf, "What's your favorite color?". My reading of the statement is that he's welcome to sit-in and observe on things. There's a big difference in allowing the owner's kids to observe various aspects of sports management, much like an intern might, as opposed to having someone yapping at you all the time and interfering with your day to day work.

Not just the top line. No. No team is that good. But Girgensons had .32 PPG last year. (58 games played) The Stanley Cup Champs had: Aube-Kubel - .33 (67 GP) Logan O'Connor - .30 (81 GP) Tyson Yost - .24 (59 GP) Darren Helm - .22 (68 GP) The Runner Up had: Pat Maroon - .33 (81 GP) Mathieu Joseph - .31 (58 GP) Bellemare - .25 (80 GP) There's clearly room for players of Girgensons ilk on Stanley Cup winning teams. Sure, most of those players are all FA signings or trades, but again... why would you go get a Girgensons, when you have one.

Well, he provided the Boosh reasons. It's easy enough to look and see who else they would have targeted for that role. Well.. with UPL it's really that he needs to play games. He's been injured quite a bit so far right? So, he's got to get to the rhythm of the game. Sure they need him to win, but you have to play first.

How do you read that from the statement that was made? He can be there. It doesn't mean he's Buddy the Elf.

A suggestion for longevity here. Review all the other responses in this thread and then rethink yours. -------------------- I don't see Girgensons going anywhere. I don't think it's overvaluing our homegrown guy either. Every year teams sign JAGs that fill the role of Girgensons. They look for a veteran forward who plays a responsible game. One you can move around in the lineup and contribute reasonably on offense. When you have the player, you don't get rid of him. There's a reason he's still on this team. At 23-27, if you have already earned JAG status you are not displacing someone like Girgensons. You are expecting a two-way offer at best. At 23-27 you lack the experience (because you probably never earned it) to play in all situations. You don't take a young "budding" star and put them on the 4th line. That's not their role. They go back to the AHL until they can displace people on the first 3 lines.

I'm confused. Having a solid plan is "soft" tanking? Is the better play to blow out your budget for next year AND for the following years? Any UFA that would make a difference is going to demand a top end, long term contract. That's why they are in the position they are in. So, you take one shot and hope like hell it works and destroy everything for the following years? I know you are tired of losing, but that's basically what the first GM did in trying to turn around Buffalo.. and it didn't work out so well. It's generally not worked out for anyone. This team has been a perennial cellar dweller. That makes obtaining talent from the outside, the kind of sure fire, can;t miss (but often does anyway) talent, that much harder to sign. The only way using cap space for this season doesn't have a future impact is if the players you bring in are on 1 year contracts. Not sure which one of those players put this team over the top. And yes.. the term tank, in any form, just needs to go. The media gloms onto terms for the sensationalism and to stir controversy. It's the ignoramus' way of summarizing a complex situation. "Oh, they aren't doing everything to win now? Must be some kind of tank. But it's not a real tank, so let's call it.. a soft tank." Even after all that, it's STILL not what the Sabres are doing. Nothing about their plan indicates any intent to lose or even an attempt to not win as much as they can. Nothing in their strategy says they are trying for the best percentage shot at a Bedard... which is already a meager percentage shot.. something we all know here in Buffalo ALL TOO WELL.

True, but it's also about guaranteed money. Lots of NFL players get BIG contracts but never see the full amount. The way the NHL operates as a whole changes the contract discussion immensely. It makes comparisons very difficult. Is this a good thing? I find MSGs broadcasts to be truly awful. I'd like to see the leagues take over the regional networks and build a comprehensive streaming package as well as offering cable networks the ability to carry the channels as well.