JJ Watt apparently to miss extended period of time.

[Wheelman]

Lets hope it help them loose alot... fire BOB only so he can rejoin the staff and become OC when Josh leaves

I don't know man. Seeing BOB trying to run the ball on 3rd and long gave me flashbacks of him doing the same thing in the playoffs and then BB telling him they need to get a move on because time is running out. It wasn't working for them so he should have attacked the cover 2 with the pass.

 

[supafly]

Rapaport was speculating on NYJFL* Network that it was Watt who was pushing for a week 1 return and the team went along with it. Still doesn't absolve the Texans of their part in not holding Watt back.

I could certainly see how a fiery locker room leader would want to return ASAP from an injury, but I feel as though this was a no brainer in terms of PUP. I think it would be that way for most recovery times for surgeries performed right before TC, and that's with even the most average of players.

The fact that the player in question was the most dominating defensive force in the game with a potentially chronic injury makes it even more of a head scratcher.

 

[slash83]

Having back issues and trying to play football just sucks. Hope Watt makes a full and healthy recovery before returning to the game. I wish no ill will on any player or person but have no sympathy for any organization or fan base that sided with the NFL through all the Brady BS.

 

[Gallo]

I'm not sure who's less thrilled by that prospect, them or us.

Definitely us. Then again, on the off-chance of a miracle... I mean, what's the worst that could happen, another spanking? But if for some miracle, we pull it off, that's basically the worst thing for you guys, so bring it on I guess. I doubt we make the playoffs though. Without a defense and an oline? That's usually not a recipe for a playoff team.

 

[AtomicDawg]

Of course he hurt his back. Been carrying his team for years.

 

[The Gr8est]

We've ruined that team so many times over the last few years. It's almost not even fair. Almost.

It occurred to me recently, that as bogus as the whole Defamegate fiasco was, since the Pats performance has not been negatively affected yet by the penalties, and even though the penalties were draconian and unfair, the Pats are so much better than the rest of the NFL*, that it would almost seem unfair if the league gave the Pats their stolen #1 pick back.

 

[The Gr8est]

I think the first objective that season was to find Matt Light's replacement. I had forgotten we had the 17 pick that year (we are so rarely that high in the draft). It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Watt had fallen to 17. My impression is the BB believes that finding that top DLman is harder than finding a top OLman. He probably would have gone that way.....and all things being equal, JJ Watt would have been on the PUP list as a Patriot to start this season.

Agreed. It is frustrating when so many of our best players are inactive due to injury, but the Pats under BB seem to have always used a conservative approach with injuries.

Of course, it helps when your team is so well coached and the team has a goal of having a strong overall roster rather than a handful of highly paid stars and a bunch of JAGs.

I won't say that Watt is finished, but with this injury and how the Texans handled it, I think we have already seen Watt's best.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I could certainly see how a fiery locker room leader would want to return ASAP from an injury, but I feel as though this was a no brainer in terms of PUP. I think it would be that way for most recovery times for surgeries performed right before TC, and that's with even the most average of players.

The fact that the player in question was the most dominating defensive force in the game with a potentially chronic injury makes it even more of a head scratcher.

Yeah, it's borderline expected that Watt would want to come back too early. That's how super-competitive athletes are wired, they'll go out there well before they should. But it's the team's job to protect the player from himself in that situation: regardless of how badly Watt wanted to come back, it's the medical staff's job not to clear him, and to a lesser extent it's the coach's job to ensure the medical staff understands that they're not under pressure to clear him prematurely.

There have been times right in this forum where Gronk's taken some heat from fans for not being fully invested or whatever, since he doesn't take that mentality anymore after it burned him pretty badly with his arm. I'm glad he plays it safe - if he didn't who knows what would've happened by now, but I bet his effective career would be much shorter.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

 

[RobertWeathers]

Gee wiz. Tough blow. Skeptical that 8 weeks will cut it for a herniated disk issue.

 

[PatriotsReign]

yet somehow he doesnt get the **** that other diva players get

Who cares ??....we're not comparing divas and whether there is fair and balanced criticism of them

Who thinks like that?

 

[Patjew]

Uhhh hey JJ...

 

[raduray]

Those who give Gronk a hard time about taking so long to come back should pay attention.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

At least now JJ will have more time to film a few more commericals

 

[chasa]

patriots 'bane'd' all over him

 

[Ivan]

They brought him back too early. I couldn't believe he was back by week 1.

I put that Watt, I think he wanted to play when the season started and the Texans bought that he was healthy enough.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I imagine he must of felt real good after the surgery to play. Too bad, enjoyed watching him play against other teams.(and poorly vs ours.) Very rare to see an athlete that big with such a high end motor. Wish him a quick recovery.

 

[supafly]

Skeptical that 8 weeks will cut it for a herniated disk issue.

As I mentioned earlier, I certainly share your skepticism as well. That said, they had him return from his initial surgery in about 50 days, or approx. 7 weeks, so who the hell knows with that organization?

Whether or not he needs surgery again will be key. Actually, it could be the difference between him continuing to be the dominant force that he is vs. being a former shell of himself.

 

[Bill Lee]

i feel his pain. i had a bad herniated disc after a car accident. i couldn't bend, couldn't run, and even shitting was a pain. it's not something you can't play through. once that hit that nerve spot it feels like lightening has struck on your back

Fixed it for ya...

Seriously, though, it seems like ol' JJ believed his own press and thought he was super-human and came back too soon. Too bad for him. Hopefully he'll learn from this experience.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Dude came back way too soon.