Syracuse Football: What's With All The Concussions?

by Sean Keeley on Aug 12, 2011 1:03 PM EDT

Syracuse fans are used to watching their football players drop like flies in August. Whether it's because of infractions or injuries, there's just something about this time of year that makes the Football Gods take out their frustration on us.

This year the injury bug is back and biting about as often as I've ever seen. In particular, the bug seems to aiming for the skulls of our football players, attempting to rattle the delicate brains inside.

Multiple Syracuse football players are currently off the field indefinitely as they recover from the effects of a concussion. Offensive linemen Nick Lepak and Ian Allport are both out due to them and now they've even gotten to #SHAMARKO. Apparently there's a lot more SU players with "symptoms" of a concussion that we haven't even heard about, according to Dave Rahme.

Is it over-exertion? Too much hitting? Not enough protection? Just dumb luck (or lack thereof?). Rahme has been on the scene since Day 1 and he's downright puzzled...

From my perspective the head injuries are puzzling. Camp has been high-paced and intense, but not anymore than other camps I have attended over the last two-plus decades. I have heard no ringing collisions suggestive of serious head-banging, nor have I witnessed any blatant helmet-to-helmet strikes. Yet, the number of players lining up to see the trainers with concussive symptoms seems to grow daily. It makes me wonder if there is some kind of equipment issue.

Whatever the issue, I'm sure Coach Marrone and his staff are looking into it. From a player safety standpoint, it's paramount. But also...we can't afford to lose too many more guys, especially if they're going to be out indefinitely.

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Or staff is much more sensitive to concussion symptoms than past years??

by lemonysnicket9 on Aug 12, 2011 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Here is a scary/reassuring thought:

What if all the NFL’s concussion issues have actually made younger (aka college) players pay closer attention to concussion symptoms? Perhaps there isn’t some epidemic, but rather the players are finally getting themselves checked out when in years past they simply “manned-up” and kept going?

by NOLACuse on Aug 12, 2011 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

G-Rob never would have let this happen!

After all, it’s hard to cause a concussion with a halfhearted arm tackle.

by Skortchaser on Aug 12, 2011 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

maybe that was his plan

no tackles = no injuries. Then we just wait for all the other teams to beat themselves up so bad we are the only BCS qualifying school who can field a roster.

May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.

by ryanwk628 on Aug 14, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions

There is a lot more awareness

Schools, coaches, players are learning to see the symptoms earlier and they look for them. Plus new guidelines have guys sitting when for a week or so, when in the past the coach would say “He got his bell rung today” and then you’d see the guy back out in the next practice.

by jimmiejones on Aug 12, 2011 3:34 PM EDT reply actions