AJ Long medically disqualified due to multiple concussions..transferring

[jekelish]

Can't blame this on the coaches (not sure if you are or not). The players get "thudded" way worse during games.

Also, the QB's aren't fair game for a big "thud" during practice. It just doesn't work like that. He could've been looking the other way and got his head snapped back or to the side really quick on an inconspicuous play. There are several different ways this could've happened.

He must have a history of concussions, whether or not they were diagnosed properly, for him to get so screwed up so easily.

Heartbreaker.

No, he's not blaming coaches. He's noting that since AJ was in thud drills, and QBs don't typically participate in those...well, I think you can guess what conclusion should be drawn there. AJ wasn't practicing at QB. And therefore, all of the "how can a QB get a concussion in practice" talk, at least for this most recent concussion, can be thrown out the window.

 

[cuseguy]

My guess it was just a matter of time before this happened in a real game situation. Too bad.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[leftytg]

While I wish you were right...I'm not sure. I mean look what happened to Bernard Pierce this weekend.

I said "moving", and not "moved" for a reason - we're in the midst of a transition. Certainly not all the way there, but with situations like Chris Borland's retirement, players are starting to take seriously the notion that head injuries can/will severely impact the length and health of their lives. Combined with the lingering liabilities issues that aren't going to go away, we're seeing the trend toward limiting savage head hits in the rules (targeting, kickoff, etc) and concussion protocols.

For sure, some schools will differ in who holds ultimately authority for the player's well being. There is still an intense pressure to win, players want to play, and there is a huge financial incentive for coaches to get their best players on the field. The strength/authority of the team doctor and their ability to declare a player fit to play (or not) over the pressures/objections of the coach will certainly differ. I can say with absolute certainty that at Texas, for one, the doctor is above the coaches and his is the final word, no questions asked. I don't imagine it is that way everywhere.

 

[Shenexon]

For those that are wondering, he should be able to stay on scholarship that does not count against fball's 85.

Here's a primer on how SEC schools gamed that system:

Alabama's Unhappy Castoffs

Thanks...I was wondering what happens to his scholarship. I hope the athletic department can find a place for him. He seems like a great kid to have around.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[DMDMD]

Very concerning he was concussed to the point of not remembering practice so easily. Certainly the right decision to keep him from playing.

 

[Cuseregular]

I assure you. This line of thought will go no where. There is no need for mystery here.

Things to keep in mind are

1. Concussions are cumulative in nature and specific to severity regardless of when they happened (HS, College)
2. Football is a contact sport and not all contact happens between heads - such as landing on the ground.
3. Less contact is required after each subsequent concussion.

of course I just saw jek posted the same basic info.

you guys are spot on with this information. And this is why I'm concerned re ED now as well as the concussion clock has started on him too. Like AJ who knows if he had any history of this in HS and we can only hope not.

And with respect to your #1 and #2 these are the concerning variables at play too when you see a play like the one where he got knocked wildly out of bounds in a high velocity twisting contorted manner where if you looked close we saw what I call a microcollapse where he stayed down for just a second flat out before he popped back up. On such a play your head is thrown around quite a bit and that's enough to cause potential damage (think whiplash injuries which are often not just injuries to the neck).

And all this is why they NEED to stop exposing him so much with options, etc. Drop him back, roll him out if theres's concerns re the OL this to minimize exposure as much as possible to keep the kid healthy. Not to mention from a selfish fan perspective he is the only chance we have to have a decent season.

 

[rocklloyd]

I'll never forget a hit that shamarko took a few years back, it had to be a concussion. He went limp in the air and was down on the turf for 5 minutes. If memory serves he was back in the game a short time after.

 

[Millhouse]

I'll never forget a hit that shamarko took a few years back, it had to be a concussion. He went limp in the air and was down on the turf for 5 minutes. If memory serves he was back in the game a short time after.

it was disgusting

 

[HeaterCuse22]

you guys are spot on with this information. And this is why I'm concerned re ED now as well as the concussion clock has started on him too. Like AJ who knows if he had any history of this in HS and we can only hope not.

And with respect to your #1 and #2 these are the concerning variables at play too when you see a play like the one where he got knocked wildly out of bounds in a high velocity twisting contorted manner where if you looked close we saw what I call a microcollapse where he stayed down for just a second flat out before he popped back up. On such a play your head is thrown around quite a bit and that's enough to cause potential damage (think whiplash injuries which are often not just injuries to the neck).

And all this is why they NEED to stop exposing him so much with options, etc. Drop him back, roll him out if theres's concerns re the OL this to minimize exposure as much as possible to keep the kid healthy. Not to mention from a selfish fan perspective he is the only chance we have to have a decent season.

Dungey struggled far more after that hit with his back and leg then anywhere else. From what I hear was cleared of any light symptoms prior to protocol being passed. Believe it or not I'm not even sure the "C" word is correct in that instance. Just saying.

 

[Libero2]

I'll never forget a hit that shamarko took a few years back, it had to be a concussion. He went limp in the air and was down on the turf for 5 minutes. If memory serves he was back in the game a short time after.

I was in the student section for that hit. I think it was against Pitt. He was out cold and everybody knew it. I was surprised no board and collar came out. I was pissed he went back in the game.

 

[AZOrange]

No, he's not blaming coaches. He's noting that since AJ was in thud drills, and QBs don't typically participate in those...well, I think you can guess what conclusion should be drawn there. AJ wasn't practicing at QB. And therefore, all of the "how can a QB get a concussion in practice" talk, at least for this most recent concussion, can be thrown out the window.

? How so in light of AJs most recent article? That thing was odd.

 

[AZOrange]

Bizarre...

 

[jekelish]

Just, so that we're all clear now, since it was mentioned in the updated DO article:

"After the second week of the season, still wearing gloves to regain full grip in his throwing hand, Long talked with his parents, Williams, Shafer and offensive coordinator Tim Lester about switching to wide receiver."

AJ had basically been practicing as a "utility" guy. Plug him in where needed. QB, WR, hybrid...from what I understand, he was being used as "football player" lately. Not just QB.

 

[tep624]

Just, so that we're all clear now, since it was mentioned in the updated DO article:

"After the second week of the season, still wearing gloves to regain full grip in his throwing hand, Long talked with his parents, Williams, Shafer and offensive coordinator Tim Lester about switching to wide receiver."

AJ had basically been practicing as a "utility" guy. Plug him in where needed. QB, WR, hybrid...from what I understand, he was being used as "football player" lately. Not just QB.

Sounds a lot like the role that Womack is being trained for. To have guys at receiver that can sling a ball adds another really nice wrinkle to the trick play book. Jarrod West had a TD pass if I remember correctly on an end around option play.

 

[tep624]

Really sad to see this happen to AJ, I absolutely thought he had a future transitioning away from the QB position. I guess this explains the move on 2 QB's in this class now and I truly hope that he becomes a part of the staff here as a coach. Great, positive kid who I feel would be a monster on the recruiting trail.

 

[rrlbees]

Just, so that we're all clear now, since it was mentioned in the updated DO article: "After the second week of the season, still wearing gloves to regain full grip in his throwing hand, Long talked with his parents, Williams, Shafer and offensive coordinator Tim Lester about switching to wide receiver." AJ had basically been practicing as a "utility" guy. Plug him in where needed. QB, WR, hybrid...from what I understand, he was being used as "football player" lately. Not just QB.

And he got the 3rd concussion as a QB on the skout team.

 

[GoSU96]

And he got the 3rd concussion as a QB on the skout team.

Sounds like he was predisposed and it was going to happen eventually.

Either he had more prior to coming to SU that he didn't let on about or this was inevitable.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[AZOrange]

Sounds like he was predisposed and it was going to happen eventually. Either he had more prior to coming to SU that he didn't let on about or this was inevitable.

Maybe he just didn't have the fire to play anymore. It happens

 

[Millhouse]

Maybe he just didn't have the fire to play anymore. It happens

sure doesn't sound that way in any of the articles talking about how hard he went all the time

 

[HeaterCuse22]

Sounds like he was predisposed and it was going to happen eventually.

Either he had more prior to coming to SU that he didn't let on about or this was inevitable.

All football players have more than reported.

 

[SWC75]

Stephen Bailey on AJ Long:

He was just interviewed on Bud and the Manchild and gave this timeline:

- In High school AJ was playing defensive back and got kicked in the head for his first concussion.

- In the summer of 2014 he fell out of bed and hit a table for concussion #2.

- The "Thud" drill involves shoulder pads and helmets but they are wearing shorts. Contact is to be above the waist only and not at all with quarterbacks. AJ was playing QB and had just handed the ball off when he got hit by a DE in the helmet for #3.

Shafer was not happy with the DE.

It got so bad all AJ could do was lie in bed and drink water and he couldn't remember what happened the previous day. Bailey said "You won't know until 20 years alter if you got out soon enough."

 

[GoSU96]

All football players have more than reported.

From the interview with Long,

"I couldn't even tell you how many (concussions) I possibly had in the last three or four years. And I didn't want to bring them forward because I knew my time would be done."