The rash of serious injuries: just bad luck or ... ?

JetFan79 said:

Jets cheating = Dumbasses.

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That's the only thing you got right.

You're still a troll.

The Smithsonian called...they want their green homo erectus exhibit back...

Joker said:

The Smithsonian called...they want their green homo erectus exhibit back...

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Is he preparing a goddamn snack?

Imagine if we just had the league average amount of injuries. We'd moonwalk into the Super Bowl.

• We play more than 16 games every year
• We have a (GOAT) coach who (rightly) doesn't allow guys to "take plays off"
• They may miss more time than players on other teams because BB has the job security to not rush them back

aluminum seats said:

Not sure why it would be pointless--there's an extraordinary amount of effort, time and money invested in researching and implementing the optimum training and conditioning regimens for teams.

I think the general tone of this thread is correct--it's a violent game, and random occurrence is the main driver. But the OP acknowledges that, and simply wonders if anyone has input on how team approaches can optimize health.

Nobody seems to yet, and that's OK, but it doesn't make the question ridiculous or pointless.

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I underetand your point if we would have tons of e.g. hamstring injuries I'd say that it is a valid point but I don't see how any "next-gen" training would have prevented the injuries of Solder, Edelman, DMac, Blount or Hightower. Those were contact injuries that were simply accidents that had nothing to do with anything in terms of prep.

The non-contact injuries like Lewis are a big mystery but they are all around the league. So it is definitely not due to something that we do wrong but most probably because the league is pushing the limit of what our bodies can handle into crazy areas. Compare the physical condition of an average practice squad player to any HoF player 20 years ago and prepare to be shocked how far we have come.

Uncle Rico said:

Yup. Meanwhile, haven't heard a whole lot about Ozzie's unmatched team building skills this year ...

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Can't really blame the GM when the team can't withstand the loss of the QB1, RB1, WR1, and best defensive player.

Tunescribe said:

Below is the Pats' current IR list via Wiki (17). By contrast in our division, the Jets have eight on IR, the Bills have 12, the Dolphins have four. Elsewhere, Philly has eight, Carolina has eight, Arizona has 11, Seattle has 11, Denver has five, Indy has eight, Cincy has three ... Baltimore is the only team I've come across so far exceeding the Patriots, with 18 on IR.

• 25 Tarell Brown CB (IR)
• 86 A. J. Derby TE (IR)
• 46 James Develin FB (IR)
• 17 Aaron Dobson WR (IR)
• 99 Dominique Easley DT (IR)
• -- Dane Fletcher MLB (PUP)
• 98 Trey Flowers DE (IR)
• -- Tyler Gaffney RB (IR)
• 13 Brandon Gibson WR (IR)
• 59 Rufus Johnson DE (NF-Ill.)
• 94 Chris Jones DT (PUP)
• 33 Dion Lewis RB (IR)
• -- Darryl Roberts CB (IR)
• 77 Nate Solder T (IR)
• 84 Brian Tyms WR (IR)
• 62 Ryan Wendell G (IR)
• 29 LeGarrette Blount RB (IR)

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As you said in your OP, I couldn't help but think the same thing earlier this week. I was wondering if it was a training issue. But, as others have said, its probably just coincidence. And it is amazing how TB seems to stay pretty healthy. We do know he has a very intense training ritual. Thanks for the list, because I was curious about the Panthers. I was beginning to think, maybe, Cam sold his soul to the Devil. ... And here I was thinking we finally had some great depth this year. Which thankfully we do.

Observer said:

I think other teams play harder against the Pats

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You know, I believe that it's precisely as simple as that.

The OP posed a troubling but excellent Question.

And you have boiled the Answer down perfectly: It doesn't appear to be a lack of Conditioning or of Flexibility Conditioning: Just by consequence of being, far and away, the Alpha Team of the League over the last 15 Years, the Patriots simply bring out more Fire in opposing Gladiators on the Field of Combat.

Mack Herron said:

Damaged Goods: Patriots Have Lost 3rd Most Games to Injury

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Tremendous Find, Brother Herron!! Thanks!!

luuked said:

Compare the physical condition of an average practice squad player to any HoF player 20 years ago and prepare to be shocked how far we have come.

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This is absolutely true. All you have to do is look at these guys--their physical conditioning is unbelievable.

You think of a sport like baseball, where it's not unreasonable to talk about/compare guys from different eras. In football it just seems ridiculous.

aluminum seats said:

This is absolutely true. All you have to do is look at these guys--their physical conditioning is unbelievable.

You think of a sport like baseball, where it's not unreasonable to talk about/compare guys from different eras. In football it just seems ridiculous.

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I think one aspect of this, however, is the extra stress placed on joints and connective tissues by use of PEDs and other regimens leading to unnaturally overdeveloped muscle mass/body weight. This isn't addressed enough in the context of NFL injuries. A lot of these guys shouldn't be as big as they are but are under pressure to artificially bulk up to compete. They don't get that way from training alone.

Heard this rumor from an inside source, but he/she said that the team is looking into new forms of equipment for next season. This is a prototype of what they are looking into:

luuked said:

So what? Again there is no sign whatsoever of any pattern that could be attributed to issues at practice or conditioning.

Injuries happen, sometimes you are lucky (as we were last year) other times you are not (2013 or this year). I understand that the human brain is biased to search for connections even when there are none but this is really a pointless discussion. Might as well go to a fortune teller.

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I don't understand why you are arguing with me about something that I never brought up.

I blame global warming and the fact that the ball don't lose pressure like they once did....

either that, or they just ain't stretchin' with judy anymore

Regarding non-contact injuries, interesting article on some reasons on why they may occur and some thoughts on prevention..

Why Minimal or Non-Contact Injuries Occur in NFL Workouts

This stood out:

"Interestingly, in 2010, Dr. Barry P. Boden and colleagues published a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery that may relate to Lee's injury. In the study, the authors suggest landing on either a flat foot or the back of the foot may predispose to ACL injury—as may a flexed hip at the time of impact—along with several other factors. Indeed, Lee landed on his heel with his thigh bent upward."

Non-contact ACL Injuries: Mechanisms and Risk Factors

Most of that study's a bit beyond me, but it does suggest that while there's no avoiding plenty of injuries, there may be strategies or approaches that could mitigate others.

aluminum seats said:

Regarding non-contact injuries, interesting article on some reasons on why they may occur and some thoughts on prevention..

Why Minimal or Non-Contact Injuries Occur in NFL Workouts

This stood out:

"Interestingly, in 2010, Dr. Barry P. Boden and colleagues published a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery that may relate to Lee's injury. In the study, the authors suggest landing on either a flat foot or the back of the foot may predispose to ACL injury—as may a flexed hip at the time of impact—along with several other factors. Indeed, Lee landed on his heel with his thigh bent upward."

Non-contact ACL Injuries: Mechanisms and Risk Factors

Most of that study's a bit beyond me, but it does suggest that while there's no avoiding plenty of injuries, there may be strategies or approaches that could mitigate others.

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That's what looked like happened to Dion Lewis, only in the middle of a game.

Tunescribe said:

Below is the Pats' current IR list via Wiki (17). By contrast in our division, the Jets have eight on IR, the Bills have 12, the Dolphins have four. Elsewhere, Philly has eight, Carolina has eight, Arizona has 11, Seattle has 11, Denver has five, Indy has eight, Cincy has three ... Baltimore is the only team I've come across so far exceeding the Patriots, with 18 on IR.

• 25 Tarell Brown CB (IR)
• 86 A. J. Derby TE (IR)
• 46 James Develin FB (IR)
• 17 Aaron Dobson WR (IR)
• 99 Dominique Easley DT (IR)
• -- Dane Fletcher MLB (PUP)
• 98 Trey Flowers DE (IR)
• -- Tyler Gaffney RB (IR)
• 13 Brandon Gibson WR (IR)
• 59 Rufus Johnson DE (NF-Ill.)
• 94 Chris Jones DT (PUP)
• 33 Dion Lewis RB (IR)
• -- Darryl Roberts CB (IR)
• 77 Nate Solder T (IR)
• 84 Brian Tyms WR (IR)
• 62 Ryan Wendell G (IR)
• 29 LeGarrette Blount RB (IR)

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I think Trey Flowes and Rufus Johnson IR's was kinda questionable if you know what I mean.

aluminum seats said:

This is absolutely true. All you have to do is look at these guys--their physical conditioning is unbelievable.

You think of a sport like baseball, where it's not unreasonable to talk about/compare guys from different eras. In football it just seems ridiculous.

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oh think it's still pretty ridiculous in other sports. Not many guys were throwing in the upper 90s and now every team has three or more guys who can do it.