Collie just got clobbered

[EuropeanFootballMale]

Helmet to helmet hit. He was out before he hit the ground.

[LiveCoug]

Man, not a malicious hit at all, but Collie got knocked good. Still on the ground. Not good.

[EuropeanFootballMale]

Putting him on the back board. He's not moving.

[SteelBlue]

Just reported he has a concussion. Moving all extremities. Probably had his career shortened today.

[EuropeanFootballMale]

He's in the locker room sitting up and talking. They're saying it's just a concussion. Phew.

[DrumNFeather]

Boomer and Cower and the guys at half time were talking about the over-officiating and how that hit should not have been a penalty. Now, if the penalty was called on the first hitter, that's fine, but the second guy came in with his helmet which, IMO definitely was worthy of a penalty.

[ERCougar]

I really wonder how the NFL is going to deal with issue of concussions (and their long-term effects). They either have to 1) adjust the rules, which the players hate, would change the game, and probably just lead to more lower extremity injuries; 2) cut back on hard hits completely, which would obviously hurt its popularity; or 3) ignore the issue, and face a huge PR and potentially legal nightmare in the future.

I think this is already its biggest issue and this will only get bigger.

[woot]

I really wonder how the NFL is going to deal with issue of concussions (and their long-term effects). They either have to 1) adjust the rules, which the players hate, would change the game, and probably just lead to more lower extremity injuries; 2) cut back on hard hits completely, which would obviously hurt its popularity; or 3) ignore the issue, and face a huge PR and potentially legal nightmare in the future.

I think this is already its biggest issue and this will only get bigger.

Agreed. Football seems to have passed the point where the largest and most athletic men can safely use their bodies as projectiles. Bodybuilding techniques and nutrition have advanced tremendously, so unless protective equipment can somehow keep up, the problems will only get worse.

At the same time, I think it's already pretty ridiculous how involved the refs have become in the game. It's beginning to rival basketball. I don't think there's a decent solution short of better protective equipment.

[cougjunkie]

They need to go back to the single bar face masks.

[Flystripper]

They need to go back to the single bar face masks.

yep. No way a defender leads with the head if they had old school face masks. I agree 100% with this.

[Donuthole]

I really wonder how the NFL is going to deal with issue of concussions (and their long-term effects). They either have to 1) adjust the rules, which the players hate, would change the game, and probably just lead to more lower extremity injuries; 2) cut back on hard hits completely, which would obviously hurt its popularity; or 3) ignore the issue, and face a huge PR and potentially legal nightmare in the future.

I think this is already its biggest issue and this will only get bigger.

TMQ wrote a column a couple weeks ago about using softer helmets (made from the same material as the helmet pad worn by some players in the 90's) and how, as soon as the helmet doesn't feel like a weapon, it will stop being used as a weapon. I found myself nodding the entire time I was reading it.

[old_gregg]

TMQ wrote a column a couple weeks ago about using softer helmets (made from the same material as the helmet pad worn by some players in the 90's) and how, as soon as the helmet doesn't feel like a weapon, it will stop being used as a weapon. I found myself nodding the entire time I was reading it.

ESPNTM addressed this in the newest issue. It has to do with distribution of impact. Hard helmets allow glancing blows, while helmets with soft/exterior padding transfer the force down the spinal column. It sounds to me like it's an issue of concussion vs. spinal damage.

[Surfah]

Paterno has been arguing for no facemasks. I doubt that would ever happen. The NFL has created a monster though right now with this and I am not sure what the solution is. The penalty called for hitting Peyton in the head with the hand last night was absurd.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Just saw this play and that was a dirty play. I hope that Collie is fine.

[cougjunkie]

Just saw this play and that was a dirty play. I hope that Collie is fine.

I watched it live and about 10 times afterward. I am still not sure it was dirty but the safety from the back (Coleman) clearly dropped his head and hit Collie right in the back of the head with his helmet. Some people are saying the first guy knocked Collie in to Coleman. But it is clear that Coleman dropped his head and lead with his helmet.

Either way glad Collie is alright. Let me add also that it was clearly a catch. He caught it had two feet down. Should have been a catch and fumble. Fumble recovered by Philly but negated because of the penalty.

Also people talk about how good Peyton is and I am not disputing that he is the best QB in the NFL by far. However even Peyton is not good enough to beat a solid NFL team on the road without Collie, Clark, Addai, Mike Hart, Brody Eldredge, and Anthony Gonzalez. His 2nd and 3rd receivers, his top two backs and his top 2 tight ends going in to the season are all out.