The Strausburg shutdown was preventative based on an inning count that seemed arbitrary, and was used to shut down a seemingly healthy pitcher in the middle of a pennant race. RGIII on the other hand is the case of a without a doubt injured player, who obviously to anyone who watched, other than his coach and team doctors, suffered further damage to his knee in the first quarter of the game in which he later suffered catastrophic damage.

But they are similar in that you have the option to shutdown a player at the potential risk of ending your season prematurely. The Nats thought they should, Shanny thought they should not. I actually would have been ok with him pulling Griffin in the 4th qtr. I am just as ok with his reasoning as to why he didn’t. I had confidence that Griffin would do enough for us to win.

How did he try to absolve himself from blame? Seems he spoke honestly about how he made the decision he made, and even admitted to some second guessing. Not sure what you mean there.

Team docs have long had veto power in the NFL.

I know I’m splitting hairs here, but is this codified in the league rulebook or is it simply a tradition (or common sense) adhered to by the teams?

I’m not sure. Perhaps Lisk can answer that

Think back to the Nats situation and how our illustrious EIC and coaches and GM’s in baseball were saying how idiotic it was. Seems only the media and blog commenters know what is right and wrong.

The Strausburg shutdown was preventative based on an inning count that seemed arbitrary, and was used to shut down a seemingly healthy pitcher in the middle of a pennant race. RGIII on the other hand is the case of a without a doubt injured player, who obviously to anyone who watched, other than his coach and team doctors, suffered further damage to his knee in the first quarter of the game in which he later suffered catastrophic damage.

I can understand why players agree with Shanny, but why do you think other coaches and GM’s do as well?

because the NFL is insular and might lend itself well to groupthink?

I understand that there would have been backlash if Cousins came in and the Redskins lost, but those people would have been wrong, just as the people who bashed Jay Cutler back in the NFC Championship Game were wrong.

no head coach should be making decisions based on potential fan backlash as opposed to what is best for his team or for the health of his players. I could see Shanahan maybe hearing multiple different things in the sideline — Griffin saying he should stay in, Andrews saying he should come out, and various other assistants and team doctors taking various sides — but as head coach it’s ultimately on him to make the final call. a lot of people watching were saying that Griffin didn’t look right and that he looked far worse than in the prior two weeks, and there had to have been people on the sidelines (hell, maybe even Shanahan himself) who thought the same thing.

he wound up making the wrong decision — the Redskins lost, and the star quarterback needed reconstructive knee surgery — and has tried to absolve himself of all blame.

Because I don’t think he deserves blame. It’s just a tough break and sometimes shit happens. If we had gotten through that game like the previous two, there is no issue. Just didn’t go that way. I can understand why players agree with Shanny, but why do you think other coaches and GM’s do as well?

So a player they mortgaged their future on was kept in the game despite being ineffectual and seriously injured. Now he has major surgery. What in your estimation is a bad coaching decision? Could there be such a thing?

Racists swapped first round picks, trade away 2013 and 2014 First round picks, a later second round pick, revamped their offense around the player and then ruined his knee 8 months later by keeping him in a game in which he was ineffectual.

His knee was not wrenched out, it was so damaged that merely bending down to catch a errant snap ruined it. The fuck are you talking about guy.

Then why don’t any football people agree with you?

If you could post the reaction of every football person and their thoughts on this situation then I may be inclined to believe you.

Then why don’t any football people agree with you?

Not sure who was polled other than people you want to agree with, but coaches don’t usually break rank and question the decisions of the colleagues

Over the past few days, it was fascinating to watch so many retired football players who now sit in network studios as analysts discuss the RGIII situation. Actually the better word is illuminating.

Essentially, they all said the same thing: This is the life we choose and these are the rules of engagement. You don’t quit. You gotta play hurt. In this business, you play despite the dangers. Actually, you play by ignoring the dangers, and then you are celebrated for that courage (and stupidity).

But every time I heard a retired player spout out this stuff, it made me realize even more why this sport needs Commissioner Roger Goodell to keep coming up with more rules to save the players from themselves.

Even if you want to question Goodell’s motives (and I do regularly), someone has to do something.

Like I said, the story never stops, it just keeps getting more complicated.

Retired players are suing the NFL because they say the league lied to them about the occupational hazards of their livelihood. In the end, we will surely find out that there were some dirty little secrets about head injuries that the league systematically withheld from its players.

But who do we blame for this when it’s so clear how many of them knowingly walk into the flames?

That sums it up best for me.

I don’t think it takes a Monday Morning QB to recognize that RGIII was on the verge of serious injury before his knee slipped out of place. Him dragging his leg in the first quarter, and the subsequent bouncing of passes afterwards should have been enough

Then why don’t any football people agree with you?

Think back to the Nats situation and how our illustrious EIC and coaches and GM’s in baseball were saying how idiotic it was. Seems only the media and blog commenters know what is right and wrong.

Do you not remember him running against dallas? Just enough to be effective, and he was getting down like he should have. It was perfect, he took no hits.

I don’t think it takes a Monday Morning QB to recognize that RGIII was on the verge of serious injury before his knee slipped out of place. Him dragging his leg in the first quarter, and the subsequent bouncing of passes afterwards should have been enough

Come on man. If you are going to tell me you would have pulled him right then, I simply do not believe you.

I gave it another series or two because it was painfully obvious that the guy couldn’t play…sorry Coach couldn’t see the same, maybe he’ll send nice flowers to RGIII’s recovery room

Didn’t even take a hit this time to cause him to limp off in the 1st quarter…shoulda been a warning sign to Coach, but here we are

Come on man. If you are going to tell me you would have pulled him right then, I simply do not believe you. At halftime should he have been evaluated? Hell yes. Why Andrews didn’t I don’t know.

I guess I just accept Shanny’s reasoning, and you guys don’t. Dude was in a very tough spot and the choice he made didn’t work.

Do you not remember him running against dallas? Just enough to be effective, and he was getting down like he should have. It was perfect, he took no hits.

he was still running on a bad knee. you don’t have to get hit to harm your knee.

yes, if perfect means ‘not skipping’

People are blaming voters because a bunch of underachievers had to pore some pharmaceuticals down their veins? Fuck these players. Fuck those pussies looking away in the lockerroom. This is on them. The voters have to clean up their fucking mess.

fuck the people who enabled and profited from it.