Where Should the Buck Stop on Cutler Concussion?

econprof · Post #1 » by **econprof** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:14 pm

It is clear that Jay Cutler suffered his concussion on the play when he crossed the line of scrimmage throwing to Hester. The hit to the head could be felt at home. It took the refs a few minutes to sort out the penalties and the challenge before another play was run. Yet during this delay, it seems that the Bears made no serious attempt to determine whether Cutler had suffered a concussion. Cutler is on the field for several more plans, including a scramble and an interception.

On a day when two other quarterbacks were concussed, not to mention another Bear (McClellan), when the NFL began running advertisements for its "safety" campaign, when everyone is aware of the dangers of head trauma, the failure of the Bears to take Cutler off the field is unconscionable. Someone needs to be held accountable but I am afraid that no one will.

Those with access to Lovie Smith and the Bears' medical staff need to find out why Cutler was not pulled. And if Lovie was responsible, he should be suspended or fired. This goes beyond X's and O's. This cavalier regard for an athlete's health is barbarian.

sopclod · Post #2 » by **sopclod** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:53 pm

The problems are many. Concussions can be difficult to detect. No two are the same. Players don't want to come out of games. Most teams don't divulge much in the way of medical information, and the Bears are particularly prone to doing this. I'm surprised Lovie didn't call it an upper-body injury.

I don't know what Jay did while they were reviewing the play (I always dvr the games so I can fastfoward through that stuff) but if he said he's fine and passed some rudimentary test(s), then I don't think they really did anything wrong. Presumably they did a more thorough evaluation during the half when they had more time.

econprof · Post #3 » by **econprof** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 6:12 pm

We are beyond the days of doing rudimentary tests and taking the players word for it. That way led to the horrible problems we are seeing today with retired athletes. (Jim McMahon being prime evidence.) There are sophisticated tests and anyone who saw the play should have known that Cutler was a good candidate for them. Waiting until halftime was irresponsible.

sopclod · Post #4 » by **sopclod** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:23 pm

If there were sophisticated tests that could be administered on the sidelines they would be doing it. I saw a pbs special on concussions a few months ago where they talked about some possible solutions but as far as I know there isn't anything you can do on a sideline and/or in a few minutes.

Indomitable · Post #5 » by **Indomitable** » Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:59 pm

I blame the Bears coaching staff. It their jobs.

Oh and the guy who hit Cutler enjoy the fine Ahole.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #6 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:35 am

Alex Smith also received a concussion yesterday & the 49ers left him in the game. They took him out later & put in the backup.

Their coaching staff did the exact same thing that our coaching staff did.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #7 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 3:58 pm

Jeff Dickerson @ESPNChiBears
#Bears expected to finalize deal with veteran QB Josh McCown today, per a league source.
4 minutes ago

This signals to me that Cutler is probably not playing in the next game.

Post #8 » by **fleet** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:02 am

One of these years Cutler is going to experience a cumulative effect from all these hits he has been taking the last few years. This stuff adds up.

sopclod · Post #9 » by **sopclod** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:10 am

BIGGIEsmalls 23 wrote:
Jeff Dickerson @ESPNChiBears
#Bears expected to finalize deal with veteran QB Josh McCown today, per a league source.
4 minutes ago

This signals to me that Cutler is probably not playing in the next game.

That's disappointing but they need to do the right thing for Jay.

bearadonisdna · Post #10 » by **bearadonisdna** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 4:17 am

The Nfl investigated how the Bears handled the situation and found no one at fault.
Just one of those things i guess.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 · Post #11 » by **BIGGIEsmalls 23** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 4:24 am

bearadonisdna wrote:The Nfl investigated how the Bears handled the situation and found no one at fault.
Just one of those things i guess.

They should have investigated the 49ers also, considering they handled their QB the same way on Sunday.

Post #12 » by **Jake0890** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 7:34 pm

Dobbins has been fined $30,000 for the hit on Cutler. Dobbins claims Cutler ran into him.

Per Adam Schefter.