Cassel's secret weapon against concussions

[MoLewisrocks]

Considering his OL's performance and the lack of talent surrounding him, it's nice to know we sent Matty off with more than just Pioli sitting on his hands for backup... Also nice to know we are at the forefront of working with experts to more effectively minimize a scourge we have been predictably unfairly criticized over in the recent past...

The Patriots are believed to have had the fewest concussions of any NFL team last season.

“Dr. Maher’s work with the Patriots is pretty well documented,” Cassel said. “The guys in that locker room trust the protection that his mouthguards provide, and once I tried it, I won’t wear anything else. As quarterback, you want a mouthguard that not only gives a high level of protection, but is also comfortable and still allows you to speak audibly. Dr. Maher’s mouthguard gets an ‘A+’ in all of those respects.”

Cassel’s secret weapon against concussions - KansasCity.com

 

[DarrylS]

Heard this before, too bad Ted Johnson did not use it...

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

This can't be posted enough. Anything rationay feasible that can prevent brain injury is imperative for the league.

Where is the players' union on this? <crickets>

Going forward I can forsee light, flexible yet strong knee braces that allow movement up to a mak point and then with hysterisis prevent further movement that would result in injury. Probably about 20 years away with nanotech 'smart' materials.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Heard this before, too bad Ted Johnson did not use it...

I believe if you watch the Titans game, you can see Edelman using one of those guards.

 

[patchick]

I remember some articles in the past about this. IIRC the evidence is still sketchy at this point, but there's reason to believe that these mouth guards do help protect the brain in certain kinds of collisions, and the only downside is cost. Last I heard, the Pats were the only team routinely ordering them for players.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I remember some articles in the past about this. IIRC the evidence is still sketchy at this point, but there's reason to believe that these mouth guards do help protect the brain in certain kinds of collisions, and the only downside is cost. Last I heard, the Pats were the only team routinely ordering them for players.

When you consider the dollar amount invested in a player any prudent businessman should make the investment. OK, maybe not for Bart Scott or Joey Porter, but...

But back to the players union. They should make this a major issue.

 

[patchick]

When you consider the dollar amount invested in a player any prudent businessman should make the investment.

Oh, absolutely. Humanitarian impulses aside, we're talking about <$10,000 to outfit a team. If one player you count on can play one extra game because of it, it's a sound strategic investment.

OT, the website for the Maher mouth guard features a testimonial from "Assante" (sic) Samuel.

 

[JSn]

Are these the mouth guards they going on about on MNF?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Are these the mouth guards they going on about on MNF?

No, but after listening to the claims they were making if they were even half true maybe we should order those for our receivers...

Monmouth County Dentist Fits New Orleans Saints with Pure Power Mouth Guards | Information-Online

 

[JSn]

No, but after listening to the claims they were making if they were even half true maybe we should order those for our receivers...

Monmouth County Dentist Fits New Orleans Saints with Pure Power Mouth Guards | Information-Online

Seriously, the stuff they were saying about them was borderline "Weekly World News" material.

 

[BradyFTW!]

This can't be posted enough. Anything rationay feasible that can prevent brain injury is imperative for the league.

Where is the players' union on this? <crickets>

Going forward I can forsee light, flexible yet strong knee braces that allow movement up to a mak point and then with hysterisis prevent further movement that would result in injury. Probably about 20 years away with nanotech 'smart' materials.

Seriously though,what does the players' union actually accomplish? I really don't get it- gotta be the most useless union in sports.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I don't think you can mandate that every player must wear this month piece, but all players should have the right to wear one if they so chose.

PS: If the NFL wants to speed up the game and provide protection for the players, they should make wearing a cup mandatory. It could potentially eliminate 1 or 2 injury timeouts a game.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I don't think you can mandate that every player must wear this month piece, but all players should have the right to wear one if they so chose.

PS: If the NFL wants to speed up the game and provide protection for the players, they should make wearing a cup mandatory. It could potentially eliminate 1 or 2 injury timeouts a game.

Anything that allows players to go balls to the wall I'm for.

 

[Tunescribe]

If the NFL wants to speed up the game and provide protection for the players, they should make wearing a cup mandatory.

If you've ever tried to run wearing one of those things you'd realize it's easier said than done.

 

[supafly]

No, but after listening to the claims they were making if they were even half true maybe we should order those for our receivers...

Monmouth County Dentist Fits New Orleans Saints with Pure Power Mouth Guards | Information-Online

Mo, Do you think that maybe the team is choosing safety first by going with the ones they have, rather than these so-called revolutionary 'flexible' ones that teams like the Saints etc are using?

In other words, I'm sure they obviously have been aware of these special mouthguards for some time, but seem more than happy with their safety first, concussion reducing ones instead.

Too bad they couldn't somehow mesh the 2 types together, to have both safety and performance at the same time. At any rate, it's still great to know that they remain on the cutting edge of safety in such a viscous and violent sport.

 

[Synovia]

But back to the players union. They should make this a major issue.

The players union, strangely, are usually the ones standing in the way.


IIRC, a couple of years ago, the NFL tried to force a better helmet on the league, and the players union stopped it. Brady and Peyton Manning are one of a handful of players still wearing the better helmets.

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't think you can mandate that every player must wear this month piece, but all players should have the right to wear one if they so chose.

PS: If the NFL wants to speed up the game and provide protection for the players, they should make wearing a cup mandatory. It could potentially eliminate 1 or 2 injury timeouts a game.

Ochmed - People said that you couldn't make helmets mandatory in the NHL, yet they did. With the NHLPA's full support. There is absolutely no reason why the NFL can't make mouthguards and cups mandatory. Either as "part of the uniform" or as Personal Protective Equipment that is required for you to participate. In the latter, it would fall into the category of safety and they can mandate that.

The NFL's "experts" were the ones saying that there was no proof that Dr. Maher's mouthguards lessened the number or extent of the concussions. Yet, Dr. Maher has provided the proof time and again in his own clients.. Which there are quite a few at all levels, from kids through the Patriots.

 

[DaBruinz]

If you've ever tried to run wearing one of those things you'd realize it's easier said than done.

I've run and skated with a cup. And goalie cups used to be much bulkier than they are now.. It's a matter of getting used to it.. once you have, its a non-issue.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

I remember some articles in the past about this. IIRC the evidence is still sketchy at this point, but there's reason to believe that these mouth guards do help protect the brain in certain kinds of collisions, and the only downside is cost. Last I heard, the Pats were the only team routinely ordering them for players.

And a thread here a few years ago...


http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...152-interesting-article-pats-concussions.html

He might want to update his testimonials. One is from Vincent Brisby who last played for the Pats about a decade ago.....

 

[larryo]

Seriously, the stuff they were saying about them was borderline "Weekly World News" material.

Phewww I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking wtf are they talking about when they said the mouthpiece makes the player more flexible and able to jump higher.