I watched a video of the Eagles-Packers game and still can’t explain the Eagles medical staff letting both Kevin Kolb and middle linebacker Stewart Bradley re-enter the game after sustaining concussions.
Head coach Andy Reid tried to explain it in his Monday morning news conference. “Listen, I know I have full confidence in [Head Athletic Trainer] Rick [Burkholder], and most of you guys know him and know how good he is, and the players surely know that on how he takes care of them”, Reid told a gathering of the local media. “We’ve been issued certain criteria, obviously, and Rick’s gone over that with you before the league submitted it and we stuck to the criteria there, and then followed up on it. So, I think as we look at this, that’s the most important thing.”
This all sounds good but in function it didn’t work. Still Reid stuck by his guns. “We didn’t just stick him out there without having followed the protocol”, Reid explained. “We also made sure that we stayed on top of it when they came back off the field and made the decision when symptoms were there. And so, I have full trust in the trainers and the doctors and the procedure they admit through. But again, we evaluate everything.”
Word has it that the Eagles trainers were busy with a dizzy Kevin Kolb while middle linebacker Stewart Bradley was staggering on the field. I can understand them not seeing Bradley when he was staggering and eventually fell, but didn’t any of the rest of the staff tell them.
They’re were supposed to be erroring on the side of caution. After all the talk about carefully monitoring concussions, they’re going to let two players who were questionable go back into a game.
Both of the injuries took place just minutes before the half, so they had a chance to take in the lockerroom and examine them. There was no reason to take that type of chance with the health of these players.
I guess none of the Eagles personnel in the booth let the trainers and coaches on the field know that Bradley had gotten up staggering.
I remember Birds trainer Rick Burkholder giving a comprehensive presentation on the dangers of concussions. He’s one of the leaders amongst NFL trainers regarding concussions. Still somehow he allowed both Kolb and Bradley to go back into games after sustaining concussions.
I don’t think he would risk the health of any of these players. Still a player is going to do everything he can to get back in a game. A trainer has to stand up to the players for the player’s health.
Burkholder and the Eagles medical staff have got some major explaining to do. How did this happen with all of the emphasis on concussion prevention and concussion treatment? This is a public relations disaster.
They had two of their most important players, the starting quarterback and middle linebacker sent back into games after sustaining concussions. I don’t know that there’s a legitimate explanation for it.
G- I agree 200%. Bradley going back into the game was crazy. If he had sustained an greater injury when he returned and was involved in a tackle, the entire Eagles organization should have been sued by Bradley.
We need to fix this “G”. Let’s give the “26” years old kid time to get his head staright by sitting him down for the rest of the season. Call up Jeff Garcia to back up Kolb and make a run for it this year.
With the offensive line the way it presently stands Kolb will not last another game behind center with his happy feet and weak arm, throwing the ball up for grabs getting his receivers smashed. This defense along with Vick gives me hope for the season. I also lked how Vick got Celek and DJax involved in the game when it seemed all was lost. I’m starting to see some real leadership qualities I didn’t think Kolb had while in Atlanta. He stood tall when he had time and hit receivers in sride but I would advise him to take the opportunity to run in the end zone when all fails. He can’t listen to these whack outsiders defining what a so called true QB is. Mcnabb starting listening and started second guessing whether to run or throw…Vick use what the great Lord have blessed you with..Stong athleticism, speed, and strong legs. I noticed Vick made better decisions than Kolb so I don’t want to hear ever again that Kolb is smarter than Vick…If he understands X’s and O’s let him become a coach like his father….He must have the mental capacity as well as the athletic ability to play in this league. Mcnabb, Vick, Aaaron Rogers al have the “IT” factor. Kolb have not shown one reason we should beleive he’ll become afrancise QB…We ddn’t get rid of Mcnabb to have a servicable player. We want a Leader..A player that can single handedly inject life into the team. We want Vick
*Vick had in Atlanta..correction
It’s inexcusable and to be honest, just another example of the lack of leadership from the Head Coach AR,and his ability (or lack there of) to see and interpret what’s happening on the field of play during a game.. He has always done a poor job of adjusting, time management, etc,etc..
Here is an example of possibly putting players back in who could sustain worse or even permanent
damage… Both Kolb and Bradley will miss the next 2 weeks and AR and the Eagles should be fined
at the minimum
Forgot to add,
There will be some issues and negative feeleing with some players (especially Veteran players) who will not like what went on with Coaches/Medical Staff and will lose some trust in their judgements
This could get ugly…
songs, this was an article about concussions
How could they not see Bradley stagger and fall to the ground? It was replayed on the jumbotron several times. Didn’t Reid even challenge the stagger? Perhaps called for a TV timeout to review a pizza?
I guess players smart enough to read complicated offenses and defenses aren’t smart enough to check themselves out when they are dizzy or sick after getting hit. Doesn’t each team have player representatives down there on the field?