Needle

Don't be naive....physicians aren't batting a thousand in this world. You can find research and opinions that contradict each other in every form of medicine. Anyone who clears Jordan Reed for football should have their medical competency questioned. He would probably be better off getting examined by most of the posters here.

You are correct that CTE isn't a function of the number of concussions one suffers. You are also correct that it is a function of repetitive blows to the head. However a concussion occurs when a more severe blow to the head occurs. The big thing is that the damage sustained with each concussion goes up and the recovery period lengthens. The force needed for future concussions also goes down. So yes you can destroy your brain without suffering concussions but numerous concussions can also tell you a lot about ones brain damage. I don't have a lot of faith in the third party MDs that would clear a guy in Reed's shoes. It doesn't take very much research to see that their are a ton of differing opinions on CTE and brain trauma. It's not as simple as saying the protocol is based on "current science". The UFC refused the last Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz fight because Liddell had been ko'd too many times. Scumbag Oscar De La Hoya picked up the card and Chuck got ko'd again under Golden Boys boxing promotions. I give the UFC credit for identifying the danger and protecting their figther.

I agree with most of this but I don't think you can assume it "doesn't matter much anyway". If this latest concussion kept him out for 6 months, why wouldn't another bad one further damage him? I think boxing is a great example of how athletes can't be trusted to protect themselves. Ali passed all of his "tests" before he climbed into the ring with early stages of Parkinsons and took a meaningless beating from Holmes. There are many examples of guys fighting way too long and getting rocked multiple times. The list of fighters who were permanently damaged in these types of fights is long. I don't think football is much different. All I am saying is that the NFL could learn from boxing's mistakes. Jordan Reed passing the tests in place reminds me of some of those disturbing fights that didn't need to happen.

I don't think you need to have a medical degree to understand that Reed shouldn't play football again. If the testing says otherwise than the entire program needs to be re evaluated.

Shouldn't the NFL step in and protect this man? When does a players history supercede the testing requirements?

I have reclined and have had others recline in front of me. It never bothered me and I never would have thought it was being rude to others. I don't fully understand the complaint of losing a couple inches of dead space. It seems like plenty of people agree that it's rude, so that's enough for me to ditch it.

I can't argue with this. I think I'm a little bias because I liked Tyrod. I hope he can do enough next year to grab another contract. Although I don't see him as an opening day starter.

This is not a fair assessment IMO. He wasnt a dumb player and your recollection is inaccurate. Short on some arm talent and vision sure but not stupid.

As long as it's not the Patsies, I love watching these parades. It makes me painfully jealous but it's still great.

I think that we would be best served to target guys that fit Buffalo. I'm not going to bash Cooper for his preferences because I can understand his point of view. He wants to be somewhere warm and that is fine. Hopefully they stay the course with guys who have something to prove and are looking for opportunity. I don't think overpaying to convince someone to come to Buffalo makes sense. Pivotal off-season coming and I'm a little concerned because I don't love too many options.

This is the dumbest point that people try to make. I hear it all the time when someone is arguing on the side of anthem protesting. Obviously no one is standing up in their living room and putting their hand over their heart. What does that have to do with standing with fellow citizens and showing respect to a flag at a live event when the nation's anthem is being played? Anyone who doesn't stand is a dolt looking for attention and lacks the gumption to put any real work in. They say it's about starting a conversation but who starts a conversation with an act that many find deplorable? That's counterproductive to a cause they supposedly care so much about. The truth is that they aren't interested in a conversation and kneeling/sitting is only about insulting. For the record I don't think people should feel insulted. This lazy form of protest means nothing and is a statement that only simpletons hear.

"The Best That Never Was" and "Nature Boy" I like all of them but some are better than others. These two are my favorite. The story of Marcus Dupree is something I wasn't very familiar with and I thought it was really well done. "Nature Boy" was great too and Ric Flair was the man when I was a kid.

I like Lynn and I'm glad he is getting more time. Teams are too quick to fire a coach IMO.

A few days before the biggest game of his career he is talking about taking next season off to "chill". What a gamer!

Football is year round. Sammy working with Tyrod in the off-season is kind of his job no? I dont think that proves anything. He is a good player but not a great player and he didn't want to be here. You can wish for it all you want but the truth is it he wasn't going to ever work out here.

Sammy Watkins isn't a great player. I don't even think he loves playing football. He never wanted to come to Buffalo and has said as much. The mistake was drafting him and getting rid of him was the right move. Thurman and Sammy should never be compared to each other. I also think it was telling that no players seemed to gripe about him being shown the door 1 game into the pre season. If he was highly respected, his veteran teammates would have had issue with it.

The guy didn't want to be in Buffalo. Its not worth second guessing Beane or anyone else.

Feel bad for Shady but saw this coming. He just isn't that good anymore. I always think of really good players who just missed this opportunity. Eric Berry Kareem Hunt Shady Kelvin Benjamin (joke) Tamba Hali

I like the 49ers to come out strong. I think the team with the better ground game and defense tends to get out of the gate better in the SB. The game will be close though and the Chiefs will put points up. This could be decided by who ever has the ball last.

No way this gets done. It's was a great show and Saul is getting the last gasps of air out of it.

Just because the money is incredible doesn't mean that a person loves the job. If you don't love being in the NFL, I would imagine it could be difficult doing the job.

I haven't played Madden in a long time (10 years or more). My kids are starting to get into sports and video games now. I have no idea what the game looks like now but I look forward to getting back into it with them.

Watkins has given off that vibe many times and this quote about taking a year off just solidifies that in my opinion. I agree with the decision not to pay a guy that isn't all in. I agree with you and I don't really fault Sammy. In many ways alot of these athletes have lost the opportunity to do something different.

All the talent you could possibly put in a player with zero intangibles. I don't think he enjoys pro football and maybe he should walk away from it.

Well said