Punch Drunk

by mlmintampa on Sep 28, 2009 12:11 AM EDT in Florida Football

Tim Tebow's concussion was bad enough on Saturday. But remember, it followed this hit.

Don't pay attention to Eric Berry flying backwards. Look at Tebow's neck compress as he uses the crown of his helmet to make space between him and Berry. Now, think of how Tebow has played his whole life. Do you really think this was his first concussion? Yes, it may be the first time he's been diagnosed, but anyone who has played football as long as Tebow has had the lights turned out once or twice.

Tebow's reaction to the hit was comparable to a boxer getting hit with a perfect punch, like Roy Jones Jr. getting knocked out by Antonio Tarver. The fall is un-natural, as no defense mechanism kicks in to brace your fall. Jones' hands were bent the same way as Tebow's; 90 degrees and in no position to do anything. At that time, Jones was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer, holding the light heavyweight belt for almost 7 years and winning a share of the heavyweight title by defeating the much bigger John Ruiz. So when Jones faced Glen Johnson four months after the Tarver fight, most expected a better showing from Jones. Then this happened;

I'm not saying that if Tebow gets hit again, he will need people to rush to his side and make sure he didn't swallow his tounge. But, just as Jones was not ready to get hit again, Tebow won't be either. Someone, because you know Urban and Tebow won't do it, has to stop Tebow from playing at LSU and possibly until Georgia. You can make the case that if Tebow has no concussion symptoms, he should play. I'll make the case that someone who gets KO'ed cannot function normally two weeks later.

Jones has gotten better since losing to Johnson, winning five of his last six fights going back to 2006. His lost was against the very good Joe Calzaghe, but wins against the washed up Felix Trinidad and Jeff Lacy. If Jones wins his fight in December, he will fight a soon to be 45-year old Bernard Hopkins, a rematch of their 1993 fight, which is the only way to make PPV sales. Jones has fallen a long way from being the best pound-for-pound fighter.

Tebow is the best pound-for-pound player in college football and there is no shame in keeping him out two or three games. Otherwise, the next hit could knock him out of the season.

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Comments

Lets just leave it up to the doc's

This isnt Boxing, so yea I get your point but I think I will trust the Doctors over the lead blogger on a blog site, as will Urban Meyer.

Nice article though

by Hook85 on Sep 28, 2009 12:45 AM EDT reply actions

i happen to agree with you...

it may not be boxing but a concussion is a concussion…

by AJ12 on Sep 28, 2009 3:35 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah - I'll trust doctors' advice on concussions too

The Berry hit looks like it was mostly absorbed by the right shoulder, but it is also insignificant to this injury. Tebow will be fine – I’m sure there are a lot of doctors and his parents looking after his best interest. Thanks for your concern though.

by skigator93 on Sep 28, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions

Right shoulder? Watch at 38 seconds. Kevin Everett thought it looked bad.

mlmintampa
UF C/O 06

by mlmintampa on Sep 28, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

yep - right shoulder

each player led with his right shoulder and had his head down. Each player’s helmet struck the right shoulder of the other – shoulder pads give. It was a violent collision no doubt, but fortunately, both players led the right way and injury was avoided by both players.

by skigator93 on Sep 28, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

What clip are you watching

Berry leads with his shoulder. Tebow leads with his head. The point of contact is between Berry’s right shoulder and Tebow’s head. This is clear as day.

_______________________________
Eric Berry is better at football than you.

by kidbourbon on Sep 28, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

what is your argument?

Simply that Tebow led with his head, or that you think Tebow has had more concussion then reported. Eithery way why are you so worried about Tebow? This has nothing to do with Tenn?

by Hook85 on Sep 30, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Scot Brantley

I was at the game when Scot Brantley suffered his last “Gator” concussion. He lay on the ground for what seemed like forever. Charlie Pell wouldn’t let him play anymore that season (Scott’s senior season; Scot didn’t agree with Pell). The doctors said he wouldn’t/shouldn’t play football again. He played 8 seasons with the Bucs. Did his sitting out the rest of the season help him? Probably. Who knows? I’m sure Timmy T’s parents will make sure the best decision is made for their son; Timmy’s and Urban’s wishes notwithstanding.

by Razzlegator on Sep 28, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

Keep Tim out

I understand that people want to Tim to return as soon as he can, but I say it’s better to keep him than to have him come back too early and lose him forever.
Honestly, there’s no rush. John Brantley is a perfectly capable quarterback. Even if Tim is out for three or four weeks, out schedule isn’t exactly murderous. Sure, we go on the road to Baton Rouge, but the Tigers look extremely suspect this year, and are probably only a top-5 team right now by virtue of being 4-0 and in the SEC. After that, it’s homecoming against Ar-Kansas and then at Mississippi State (which may be the scariest of all those games).
Still, I think we need to be realistic here and let Tim fully heal. Don’t make him play before he’s absolutely ready. Brantley can take care of things while Tim’s out.

I'm doin the Fish again. (Yeah, yeah, yeah.)

by colombo259 on Sep 28, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

it's not a high ankle sprain

Once he is recovered, he’s recovered. If he’s cleared to play, he’ll play. If he’s better and no longer has any symptoms and passes all the doctors’ tests, it makes no sense to hold him out for a few weeks just because we can beat our competition without him.

Again, UF and the doctors are not going to risk the kid’s health and future for a football game. If he’s cleared to play it means he’s ready to play. This isn’t the 50s.

by skigator93 on Sep 28, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

your right its not a high ankle sprain...

its worse because now hes more prone to concussions…

by AJ12 on Sep 28, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

One thing is for sure

He should defintely start wearing a helmet now when scootering around campus.

by skigator93 on Sep 29, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Dr. Meyer indicates he'll be okay

But, like I said earlier, I’ll wait for the doctors to speak and not Corch Meyers

by skigator93 on Sep 28, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Will the playcalling radically change when he returns?

Even though the injury happened in the pocket it would seem a safer place to be than running downfield hitting linebackers in search of first downs.

Answering my own question…if he’s cleared to play, he’ll probably do whatever the hell he wants to…but there may be a lot more calls for him handing the ball off vs running himself.

by TigerPaw on Sep 28, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

Time will tell

but I don’t think it will change radically. Maybe we’ll see a few more quick pitches on option plays, but I think once he hits/gets hit a time or two, he will revert back to his old style. It is interesting that he got hurt on play he was standing in the pocket while everyone always said he would eventually get hurt because he runs too much.

Apparently the play called for him to roll out to the right and make a quick pass because the end to his left is purposely left unblocked on that particular play if they blitz (which they did). All the linemen did what they were supposed to do, but Tebow didn’t roll, or throw quick.

by skigator93 on Sep 28, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions