NFL officials and representatives for the NFL Players Association are far apart on the agreement of a new CBA. It is hypocritical to say in one breath, they want a new deal done, but in another breath along with no action, not aggressively negotiate. On top of an already controversial topic, add to that the article written by John Barr about the misuse of painkillers by NFL players. According to the article, Barr states that retired NFL players misuse pain medications at more than four times that of the general population. I personally would have thought the number would be higher, however I am in agreement with Barr. In relation to the CBA and the possible 18 game schedule the owners are pushing for, I think this is another issue that is going to affect NFL CBA.
If the number is more than four times the general population now, imagine adding two more games on top of that. I am fully aware the general population compared to the NFL is difficult. Dr. Lawrence Brown quotes "It is scientifically flawed to compare the general population with athletes, active or retired. NFL players understandably would be more susceptible to the misuse of painkillers simply due to their increased exposure to the drugs during their playing days.If you don't have the exposure, you're less likely to misuse." While I agree with Dr. Brown to an extent, I think him using that as his reason for why the NFL has failed to take care of retired players is ridiculous. The exposure of drugs of all kinds, to the general population may be the same or even greater than that of a player in the NFL. I also think that Dr. Brown may be upset that the first scientific study of painkiller use and misuse by former NFL players was done by Dr. Linda Cottler and researchers at Washington University in St. Louis of Medicine and not the NFL. Way to go NFL substance abuse program ! Staying ahead of the curve I see.
Dr. Cottler and her research team also found that there were very few men who only took painkillers once or twice. Most used on a regular basis. As to possible solutions, screenings and other methods have been suggested as well. According to Dr. Brown,"The NFL has the most intrusive drug testing of any sport." I am gonna go on record and say that's not entirely accurate. Here's why. While the NFL program tests for PED's, alcohol, etc, street drugs and pain killers normally get overlooked. Furthermore, if you have an injury or have had surgery and experience pain and discomfort, all the player has to do is tell the trainer, trainer tells the team doctor, player gets painkillers. It's really that simple. So even if they are "aggressively" testing for it, it's validated by the prescription from the team doctor, which makes the test invalid from the beginning !
I personally overcame the misuse of alcohol, I have taken painkillers before. I clearly understand what the players both current and retired are going through. I was fortunate enough to overcome it. Studies of this nature should continue in order to show the owners and the NFL, they are not doing enough taking care of players post career, need to do more for the current players, and with concussions now reportedly increasing, issues like health care, revenue sharing and other related topics really need to be compromised on. This study is clearly something the almighty NFL has missed on. I find it insulting that outside sources with no necessary connection to the NFL are taking the time and resources to understand what current and retired NFL players are going through, and what can be done to help prevent further damage to the players in the future, while the NFL and it's owners are only concerned with the almighty dollar as usual.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Damn that Ditch Right Now
I waited, although I knew what the result was going to be, I wanted to see who actually was going to get interviewed for the Defensive Coordinator job of the Houston Texans. Based on Kubiak's words, he mentioned they would interview a few candidates and from there make a final decision. Question ? Who were the other candidates ? Why aren't their names mentioned ? So I can only believe the trend of hiring "my buddies" within the Texans organization continues on. Now don't get me wrong, I like Wade Phillips as the Defensive Coordinator but let's not get all willy nilly jumping into every ditch we see in the Houston area trying to pull out an ox. It's a few ditches out there that have waters with swift and powerful currents. Unless you plan on going downstream without a paddle like this team did this past season, I'd advise you to say he hell with that ox.
In saying that, even though Phillips has had success in the NFL as a defensive minded guy, hiring him is not the only answer. Being the nerd I am I went back and looked at the rosters of the teams that had the best years statistically. Being fair, I pulled the Buffalo Bills roster from the year 2000, and the San Diego Chargers roster from 2006. Respectively the Bills were 15th that year, and the Chargers were 7th. Listed below are the rosters of both teams. Now compare them to the defensive roster of the Texans and as I've stated before, you must have talent in this league to win. Not All Pro's everywhere, but players that are good at being role players and then give you a little extra every now and then. Here is the list.
San Diego Chargers:
Luis Castillo, Jacques Cesaire, Jamal Williams, Igor Olshansky, Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips, Randall Godfrey, Donnie Edwards, Quentin Jammer, Drayton Florence, Terrence Kiel, Marlon McCree.
Buffalo Bills:
Phil Hansen, Shawn Price, Ted Washington, Marcellus Wiley, Keith Newman, John Holecek, Sam Cowart, Sam Rogers, Antoine Winfield, Ken Irvin, Henry Jones, Keion Carpenter.
Taking a look at these rosters and comparing them to the Texans roster, the talent level on these teams related to the Texans isn't even close. It's also obvious the amount of moves the Texans need to make to get to the level of what these teams did. My point is, only one piece of the puzzle is in place, Wade. I'm not going to discount Mario, Demeco, Smith, Quinn, or even Cush, but all the other pieces need to be decided on and installed. This will not be an easy task.
The free agent period and the draft are very important for the Texans this year. I wonder if they realize this or if they think the hiring of Wade fixes all of their problems. In my opinion, no. Mr.McNair needs to watch over this very carefully and needs to open up his wallet a bit more. I will be observing this like the eye of Sauron,(for you Lord Of The Ring Fans) and everyone else should also. No getting in the ditch for me people, I'm gonna stay high and dry, at least for now. I'll get in, but only if given the tools that will allow me to get the ox out and walking on level ground . I also need to be able to see that the ox knows better next time it faces going down into that ditch again. Hopefully the Texans will understand the same thing. If the Texans get this together then their ox will plow a straight furrow.
In saying that, even though Phillips has had success in the NFL as a defensive minded guy, hiring him is not the only answer. Being the nerd I am I went back and looked at the rosters of the teams that had the best years statistically. Being fair, I pulled the Buffalo Bills roster from the year 2000, and the San Diego Chargers roster from 2006. Respectively the Bills were 15th that year, and the Chargers were 7th. Listed below are the rosters of both teams. Now compare them to the defensive roster of the Texans and as I've stated before, you must have talent in this league to win. Not All Pro's everywhere, but players that are good at being role players and then give you a little extra every now and then. Here is the list.
San Diego Chargers:
Luis Castillo, Jacques Cesaire, Jamal Williams, Igor Olshansky, Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips, Randall Godfrey, Donnie Edwards, Quentin Jammer, Drayton Florence, Terrence Kiel, Marlon McCree.
Buffalo Bills:
Phil Hansen, Shawn Price, Ted Washington, Marcellus Wiley, Keith Newman, John Holecek, Sam Cowart, Sam Rogers, Antoine Winfield, Ken Irvin, Henry Jones, Keion Carpenter.
Taking a look at these rosters and comparing them to the Texans roster, the talent level on these teams related to the Texans isn't even close. It's also obvious the amount of moves the Texans need to make to get to the level of what these teams did. My point is, only one piece of the puzzle is in place, Wade. I'm not going to discount Mario, Demeco, Smith, Quinn, or even Cush, but all the other pieces need to be decided on and installed. This will not be an easy task.
The free agent period and the draft are very important for the Texans this year. I wonder if they realize this or if they think the hiring of Wade fixes all of their problems. In my opinion, no. Mr.McNair needs to watch over this very carefully and needs to open up his wallet a bit more. I will be observing this like the eye of Sauron,(for you Lord Of The Ring Fans) and everyone else should also. No getting in the ditch for me people, I'm gonna stay high and dry, at least for now. I'll get in, but only if given the tools that will allow me to get the ox out and walking on level ground . I also need to be able to see that the ox knows better next time it faces going down into that ditch again. Hopefully the Texans will understand the same thing. If the Texans get this together then their ox will plow a straight furrow.
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