So... what do the Penguins do now?

[pixburgher66]

Dropping this in here since it's Penguin related:

Pens fired their medical staff (not the entire staff, but the big guys), and assumption is that Sid may be behind it. More power to him if that's true...and hopefully other team MDs man/woman up and do the right thing in making these decisions.

 

[DChero]

Dropping this in here since it's Penguin related:

Pens fired their medical staff (not the entire staff, but the big guys), and assumption is that Sid may be behind it. More power to him if that's true...and hopefully other team MDs man/woman up and do the right thing in making these decisions.

Sid Crosby: "The Next One" and "The Puppet Master"

 

[pixburgher66]

Sid Crosby: "The Next One" and "The Puppet Master"

I think there were a few other injuries situations that they weren't very happy about...just their handling.

 

[elocomotive]

Dropping this in here since it's Penguin related:

Pens fired their medical staff (not the entire staff, but the big guys), and assumption is that Sid may be behind it. More power to him if that's true...and hopefully other team MDs man/woman up and do the right thing in making these decisions.

Just a point... Is it fair to assume the medical staff was at fault? Maybe they are, but it seems like in the past with a lot of these should he play/should he not situations it is the TEAM (i.e. - ownership/management) putting pressure on the doctors to allow someone to play, not the other way around. Oh if only those 24/7 cameras had stayed for a few more weeks... the things we would have learned.

 

[JustAsking]

obviously i'm heavily biased, but that defense looks atrocious to me.. letang, orpik, and niskanen are alright, even good, martin might be ok but not if he played like he did last year.. from what i've seen the only thing engelland does well is fight, and i'll admit i haven't seen much of strait

It's not the strongest D core, but if they play to their potential, they will fit into the Pens puck retrieval, quick outlet pass system.... Engelland is a quality defender in his role, his fighting is a bonus. With so much depth, I kind of like having the open spot to rotate guys in and out and see what we have... It's a regular season unit, I wouldn't expect that unit to lead us to a cup, unless the stars align and everyone plays perfectly... My concern is Letang and Orpik. Letang still makes some stupid plays and Orpik's play dropped off immensely last year (back to back off season surges will do that) Martin is good defender, just not worth his contract... Nisky, he actually has a friendly moveable contract, with that said, nisky has a friendly contract for what he brings.. good value.

But I agree, not a strong d unit, but don't expect to see that lineup in a 7 game series...

 

[DChero]

I think there were a few other injuries situations that they weren't very happy about...just their handling.

I'm sure that was the case. I don't think Crosby actually had anything to do with it. A lot of the time it's not based on one particular incident but more on the body of work.

Did this staff work on Geno's knee (rehab) or was that all done by a Russian staff?

 

[JustAsking]

Pens are moving to a Cranberry practice facility that operates with UPMC.. Pens will be using UPMC medical staff from now on. Pens will be only the 2nd team to have a DR travel to all away games.

 

[awaz]

It's not the strongest D core, but if they play to their potential, they will fit into the Pens puck retrieval, quick outlet pass system.... Engelland is a quality defender in his role, his fighting is a bonus. With so much depth, I kind of like having the open spot to rotate guys in and out and see what we have... It's a regular season unit, I wouldn't expect that unit to lead us to a cup, unless the stars align and everyone plays perfectly... My concern is Letang and Orpik. Letang still makes some stupid plays and Orpik's play dropped off immensely last year (back to back off season surges will do that) Martin is good defender, just not worth his contract... Nisky, he actually has a friendly moveable contract, with that said, nisky has a friendly contract for what he brings.. good value.

But I agree, not a strong d unit, but don't expect to see that lineup in a 7 game series...

fair enough.. i could see the pens going after enstrom at some point next year.. he kinda fits their attack to play defense style too

 

[awaz]

Pens are moving to a Cranberry practice facility that operates with UPMC.. Pens will be using UPMC medical staff from now on. Pens will be only the 2nd team to have a DR travel to all away games.

where in cranberry? bladerunners? (if its still called that?)

 

[pixburgher66]

Just a point... Is it fair to assume the medical staff was at fault? Maybe they are, but it seems like in the past with a lot of these should he play/should he not situations it is the TEAM (i.e. - ownership/management) putting pressure on the doctors to allow someone to play, not the other way around. Oh if only those 24/7 cameras had stayed for a few more weeks... the things we would have learned.

Oh, certainly, I threw this out on twitter after hearing it yesterday...
@ErinLeaver
Hey, if Crosby forcing out a few team docs shows other team docs it's time to man/woman up and do the right thing with concussions? *claps*
@ErinLeaver
As a future sports med professional I'm intrigued to know just how much power team MDs have at the pro level. I think it's less than assumed

Those were really my points. I think the responsibility largely lies with the players...they have to be honest with docs and with themselves.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm sure that was the case. I don't think Crosby actually had anything to do with it. A lot of the time it's not based on one particular incident but more on the body of work.

Did this staff work on Geno's knee (rehab) or was that all done by a Russian staff?

Let's distinguish a bit here...and this is my educated guess, but it's based on what I see, so it's not certain it's run the same way at this level.
Team docs aren't there every day, athletic trainers are. So when it comes to day to day rehab that's on the ATCs and SCCs. Team MDs come to games and guys will go to them if they need checked up on. I mean, these guys have practices elsewhere. ATCs are not authorized to release players after concussions at nearly every level. Most protocols are you have to pass your ImPACT test, exertional test, as well as contact testing.

 

[pixburgher66]

where in cranberry? bladerunners? (if its still called that?)

Yeah, my ears just started burning. I WANT A JOB HERE! I've heard rumblings of this, any articles anyone? Man, that's a lot closer to me than SouthPointe...but jeez, all the players live south.

 

[4thstreet]

suck next season

well put

no need to elaborate any further.

 

[JustAsking]

where in cranberry? bladerunners? (if its still called that?)

I really have no idea... wait... i think perhaps it's new, opening in 2014...

 

[loki604]

obviously i'm heavily biased, but that defense looks atrocious to me.. letang, orpik, and niskanen are alright, even good, martin might be ok but not if he played like he did last year.. from what i've seen the only thing engelland does well is fight, and i'll admit i haven't seen much of strait

We were middle of the pack all year with practically the same unit. Yeah we don't have Michalek, but he had a shitty season last year too (he received less flak because his salary was less). We basically had Michalek, Orpik, and Martin playing the worst hockey of their careers and our best d-man by a country mile missed 30+ games and we still finished 15th in GA. Depres will step in and there will probably be some defense by committee to start off with, but I'm not worried. If we can grab a vet for a reasonable price, I'm all for it (and then packaging some prospects away for an offensive need), but the D as it stands looks to be middle-of-the-pack once again. And unless they all duplicate their shitty seasons and Depres takes a giant step back, I can even see improvement as a possibility.

And while I do want a shiny new winger for Sid like everyone else, we were the highest scoring team in the NHL last year WITHOUT Sid.

I know we are all eager for new pieces because of the cap room and "the opportunity to win now", but this team is playoff bound even if we stand pat. Obviously, you don't just stand around because your team will make the playoffs, but I wouldn't judge Shero for waiting until the deadline if all he sees now are second-rate stopgaps, overpaid FA's, and unrealistic trade demands.

 

[JustAsking]

Those were really my points. I think the responsibility largely lies with the players...they have to be honest with docs and with themselves.

Just the other day:

Troy Polamalu confesses he has lied about the severity of a head injury to remain in a game.

Polamalu, who has a long history of concussions, also told “The Dan Patrick Show” on Wednesday he has remained on the field even after the Steelers’ medical staff told him to leave.

The four-time All-Pro safety considers an injury to the head to be like that to a knee — if he can tolerate the discomfort, he’s playing.

“It may be kind of messed up, but you just kind of push yourself to be out there with your brothers,” Polamalu said. “I wouldn’t say there are any major lies where I totally lied my way out of concussions. In fact, during concussions, if it’s serious enough, you can’t even be conscious enough to lie.”

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher also said after last season he would lie about a concussion to stay on the field. To Polamalu, a player’s view of a concussion differs from the medical definition.

“I’ve had, I believe, eight or nine recorded concussions,” Polamalu told the radio show. “When you get your bell rung, they consider that a concussion. I wouldn’t. ... If that is considered a concussion, I’d say any football player at least records 50 to 100 concussions a year.”

 

[JustAsking]

Yeah, my ears just started burning. I WANT A JOB HERE! I've heard rumblings of this, any articles anyone? Man, that's a lot closer to me than SouthPointe...but jeez, all the players live south.

The Penguins are replacing their medical team as part of a proposed move by 2014 to a hockey facility in Cranberry that will be in conjunction with UPMC, the team confirmed in a statement Friday.

Three UPMC specialists will oversee medical treatment of personnel next season, led by Dr. Christopher Harner, president of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. Harner is one of the founders of the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine.

 

[elocomotive]

Those were really my points. I think the responsibility largely lies with the players...they have to be honest with docs and with themselves.

Yeah, but it's not just the players. Teams put pressure on players to get out there, "suck it up," "be a man," etc. And there may be situations where that is appropriate.

I just listened to an interview with former Redskins' running back Stephen Davis this morning. He can't lift his arms over his shoulder, he sees white spots in his vision, and he hears buzzing sounds at times so loud he has to turn the TV on and up to drown them out. He's 38.

He said he would get a concussion in a game sometimes and he knew he wasn't right, but he also knew if he went out, someone else might take his job. And said the team wasn't paying him to be on the sidelines and that was made clear.

Now that was a slightly different era of sports. I think things have changed significantly in the last 5 years, ESPECIALLY in regards to head injuries. But you are contending with not only the player's ego, but the teams sometimes put pressure (both said and unsaid) on these guys as well. It's a very thin line to walk for sure. I think you are probably right though, that the players are probably the ones who have to look out for themselves first. It's not just your career, it can be a serious threat to your future well being. (not that I have to tell you that, Pix )

 

[pixburgher66]

Yeah, but it's not just the players. Teams put pressure on players to get out there, "suck it up," "be a man," etc. And there may be situations where that is appropriate.

I just listened to an interview with former Redskins' running back Stephen Davis this morning. He can't lift his arms over his shoulder, he sees white spots in his vision, and he hears buzzing sounds at times so loud he has to turn the TV on and up to drown them out. He's 38.

He said he would get a concussion in a game sometimes and he knew he wasn't right, but he also knew if he went out, someone else might take his job. And said the team wasn't paying him to be on the sidelines and that was made clear.

Now that was a slightly different era of sports. I think things have changed significantly in the last 5 years, ESPECIALLY in regards to head injuries. But you are contending with not only the player's ego, but the teams sometimes put pressure (both said and unsaid) on these guys as well. It's a very thin line to walk for sure. I think you are probably right though, that the players are probably the ones who have to look out for themselves first. It's not just your career, it can be a serious threat to your future well being. (not that I have to tell you that, Pix )

All great points, rep owed. Gotta spread the love a bit.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yeah, but it's not just the players. Teams put pressure on players to get out there, "suck it up," "be a man," etc. And there may be situations where that is appropriate.

I just listened to an interview with former Redskins' running back Stephen Davis this morning. He can't lift his arms over his shoulder, he sees white spots in his vision, and he hears buzzing sounds at times so loud he has to turn the TV on and up to drown them out. He's 38.

He said he would get a concussion in a game sometimes and he knew he wasn't right, but he also knew if he went out, someone else might take his job. And said the team wasn't paying him to be on the sidelines and that was made clear.

Now that was a slightly different era of sports. I think things have changed significantly in the last 5 years, ESPECIALLY in regards to head injuries. But you are contending with not only the player's ego, but the teams sometimes put pressure (both said and unsaid) on these guys as well. It's a very thin line to walk for sure. I think you are probably right though, that the players are probably the ones who have to look out for themselves first. It's not just your career, it can be a serious threat to your future well being. (not that I have to tell you that, Pix )

Things haven't changed at all. The Browns put Colt McCoy back in after he had a concussion. Chris Dielman went back in after he suffered a concussion & he had a seizure on the airplane back to San Diego. Troy Palomalu said he lied to get back into many games. It's completely up to the players at this point. If they continue to talk their way back on to the field instead of taking a head injury seriously nothing will change. The NFL stands for Not For Long. Every player knows there's someone waiting on the sidelines to take their spot in the lineup & on the roster.