Wes Welker suffers concussion in preseason game

mayoclinic said:

That's the thing. It's scary to me how Welker ended up with a concussion on that play. It wasn't anything particularly egregious - just a solid hit that would have been perfectly legal in the past, and not that much direct contact to the head. As Peachhead notes, it was probably the deceleration impact more than anything that resulted in the concussion. If that hit gives Welker a concussion, I really question whether he should be taking NFL contact.

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Yeah, I definitely agree with you there.

Even though I see the same vector of motion that the ref saw with that arm moving through the hit (let me be clear that I don't think the hit was dirty but I do think his head got hit enough to draw penalty given the current rule), even I can't imagine how Welker could be concussed either by the hit or by the ground. This is a scary situation for Welker and I hope he does the right thing.

Luxusdk said:

Have to Wonder if its random, that slot wrs playing with Manning getting concussions?

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Some of us predicted that Manning would get Welker killed with concussions, sadly we appear to have been correct.

Uncle Rico said:

But if you watch the video — and see the moment-of-impact pic I posted above — he did not lead with his forearm. The picture Broncs' fans are citing is follow-through after the hit, Swearinger's elbow swinging out in a natural manner. But the hit was all shoulder/bicep.

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Broncos fans are all baked on Ghost Train Haze (A few of our favorite strains: 25 ranked reviews from our critics | The Cannabist), so I wouldn't put too much stock in what they thought they saw on TV. Most of 'em are only watching the Broncos game to catch the Twizzler ads.

Once again the refs throw in a rule to grease the Manning roll to a Lombardi.

But here's the thing. Its no use complaining about the S leading with his shoulder. There's no use complaining about Welker ducking his head right into the blow. There is no use complaining that it was a clean hit, and there was NOTHING that the S could do other than what happened.

The NFL has declared that ANY hit to the head is to draw a flag regardless of intent or proper technique. So now we have a league where pass defenders can't touch the receivers. Where pass rushers can't knock the OLman's hands for fear of brushing his helmet. Where you can't hit a QB too high....or too low, and even inadvertent hits to the head will be flagged.

Want a betting suggestion from a long time football observer. Take the OVER.

patfanken said:

Once again the refs throw in a rule to grease the Manning roll to a Lombardi.

But here's the thing. Its no use complaining about the S leading with his shoulder. There's no use complaining about Welker ducking his head right into the blow. There is no use complaining that it was a clean hit, and there was NOTHING that the S could do other than what happened.

The NFL has declared that ANY hit to the head is to draw a flag regardless of intent or proper technique. So now we have a league where pass defenders can't touch the receivers. Where pass rushers can't knock the OLman's hands for fear of brushing his helmet. Where you can't hit a QB too high....or too low, and even inadvertent hits to the head will be flagged.

Somehow I think ti I'm taking the OVER most of the time this year.

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You are so much better at saying what I've been trying to say. Thank you.

If this is really the new rule, I can see why the flag came out. It is going to be such a flag happy year.

DarrylS said:

Do not want to rain on anyone's parade, but pretty confident that most NFL players by the time they hit the bright lights have had at least three concussions on their football journey...

Sometimes I think Welker has more b's than brains...

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3 in 10 games, Darryl. He's had some in the past also.

But 3 in 10 games..........

Nothing Swearinger could do except get out of Welker's way and not tackle him. Manning just hangs his receivers out to dry like many of us predicted he would Welker. Manning should be giving himself a talk for what happened. I hope Welker doesn't have any long lasting effects in his post football life. I hope he retires. He won't get a ring playing with Choker.

Matt ChathamVerified account‏@chatham58
Odds that Swearinger DOESN'T hit the head w/WR in that position are puny. Hope the best 4 Wes, but NFL rule-makers simply don't get football

Peachhead said:

That looked like a totally legit hit to me. And I'm a little surprised (and troubled) that Welker got a concussion on such a routine hit. Some people, after a while, become much more prone to concussions from any type of hit. I fear this is what has happened to Welker.

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Yes, after watching the video that was the first thing I thought. The hit looked routine to me. He's certainly taken far worse in his career. I wonder how many concussions he has truly had. Honestly, at this point, he probably figures he's in trouble health wise whether he leaves football for good or not.

patfanken said:

Want a betting suggestion from a long time football observer. Take the OVER.

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Understanding that this was said tongue in cheek, this will work for the first couple/few weeks until the bookmakers start to adjust the totals.

My guess is that they are more than aware that they'll have to raise the totals a couple of points per game to make up for the rule changes.

I do agree that one may be able to take advantage of this aspect in the very beginning of the season; or of course, if they prove not to be able to adjust properly.

I hope that Wes realizes that it's time to hang em up and move on with his life. He's had a great career; now it's time to start thinking about the quality of life after the game.

Curran's on it...

Curran: Manning has to share blame for welker concussion | CSNNE.com

PatFanKen...in days gone by when I was far more reckless, I dabbled in the NFL wagering world. One of the strategies I used that strategically paid off over the course of the season was always bet the over. I forget now the exact numbers but I KNOW it was +60% every season. I think you just passed out some advice that could lead many of today's wagering entrepreneurs to take to heart. Bet the over. The books CAN'T know how much to adjust this season because it's all BRAND NEW TERRITORY.

THIS is the year to load up on overs, I'm convinced of it. Teams like Philly, Denver, Cincy, New Orleans and even Seattle will threaten the over by halftimes of a lot of these contests. Not to mention our Pats. In fact, IF Geee-No can perform adequately for the Jets, the Green Beans MAY be the surest over lock of the season, given the mirage that their defense is top five. They WILL give up lots of points and if they can generate points at an adequate pace, they will OBLITERATE the overs in game played the first half of the season. Of course ,this is MY OPINION. Bet at your own peril.

Uncle Rico said:

Curran's on it...

Curran: Manning has to share blame for welker concussion | CSNNE.com

Manning can be as pissed as he wants to be at Swearinger but he bears some of the burden for throwing over the middle to his 190-pound concussion-prone receiver with a converging mass of three Texans. In a preseason game. When Manning wasn’t under pressure.

Manning threw what is commonly referred to as a hospital ball.​

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The entire premise of this piece is false, since it implies that Peyton Manning has an imperfection. As everyone (the NFL and ESPN in particular) knows, there is no Manning who could ever possibly have an imperfection.

Poor guy. He should retire, but I don't think he will.

Uncle Rico said:

Curran's on it...
Curran: Manning has to share blame for welker concussion | CSNNE.com

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Thanks for sharing the article. Is the following below true? I thought Welker went back to the Patriots before they went after Amendola.

Two days later, Welker was hat-in-hand with the Broncos, trying to get $6M and asking the Patriots to match it. Which they couldn’t, having already agreed to terms with Amendola.

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Wheelman said:

Thanks for sharing the article. Is the following below true? I thought Welker went back to the Patriots before they went after Amendola.

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Long story short---Welker did go back to NE with the opportunity to match the deal that DEN had offered, but they had already long agreed to a deal with Amendola at least 3-4 days prior, at the start of the "legal tampering period" which occurs 72 hrs prior to the start of FA.

I don't believe that would have stopped them from signing Welker as well had he accepted their 2/10m deal, but as we know, he chose to go to DEN instead. As we know, the offer from the Pats was for more year one guaranteed money, but DEN's deal was 6m AAV, while NE's was 5m AAV.

The bottom line is that Belichick definitely could have come up a bit to somewhere between the old offer of 2/10 and DEN's offer of 2/12, had he wanted to keep him. An assumption may be made that another 1 million dollars may have been enough, and also would have allowed Welker to "win" the negotiations. Of course Belichick didn't budge, as that's not how he normally does business. The rumor is that Welker did not want to leave, and was hoping that NE would come up a bit. We don't know if that is definitely true or not.

I feel bad for Welker. He really should retire. After seeing the PBS documentary about concussions, I, as a fan, feel guilty watching the NFL, but in particular I feel guilty watching players like Welker who are almost certain suffer long-term, life changing results due to things that I am watching them do (and paying to watch, I might add.) I am disappointed by all of the chicken sh*t articles that I've read about Welker's concussion and his prospects for playing in Week 1, particularly those I saw in the Denver Post. It is borderline irresponsible to write articles about his injury and status without even mentioning the impact that concussions have on players lives after they retire and even while they are playing.

I realize that it's easy to root for a player to retire, particularly when he plays for your biggest rival, but I would be singing the same tune, albeit in a more bittersweet tone, if Welker was still on the Pats. He is damaging his brain and this condition cannot be reversed. It isn't just concussions either- every time he gets his in the head, even when a defensive back if just hitting his helmet for position, more damage is being done. It is a league wide problem, so it's not like Welker retiring would make the league a much safer place, but in his case, the damage he is suffering is very obvious. He is also in the twilight of his career and likely doesn't have more than a season or two left anyway. Why spend it hopefully wishing that the forehead will not shatter his dreams on the biggest stage?

I hope Wes is put into the Pats Hall of Fame, and he'll always be among my favorite Patriots, but it is time to quit.