Randy Thomas Risked it All!

this is insanity at its highest. i love sports, and love to compete. but i love life, just alittle bit more

No. The decision on who steps on the field is the coaches. A majority of the players will play if they can physically get on the field.

A herniated disk in the neck is pretty serious. I draw the line at putting a player on the field when you're looking at a chance of potential paralysis from the neck down.

Right, and the guy was obviously healthy enough to play.

Personally I'd like to know what the % risk of serious injury was. Was it 1%, 10%, 90%?

If it was something very high I doubt the team would have let him play. But if it was something on the low end I think it's got to be left up to the player.

The things these guys put their bodies through is nothing short of amazing.

Yeah it's pretty ridiculous. Many of the former players I see walking around here look like they're in constant agony

Man we must be used to having nothing to talk about, we're arguing whether the coaching staff should have let him play.

Isn't the more important and interesting thing that the guy is healthy. I'd rather discuss whether he can return to form and pave the way for Portis than discuss whether he should have played last year.

I mean he played, he didn't get hurt, it's over. Let's talk about this year.

Personally I'd like to know what the % risk of serious injury was. Was it 1%, 10%, 90%?

If it was something very high I doubt the team would have let him play. But if it was something on the low end I think it's got to be left up to the player.
And if you're the coach, and the chance is say 10-15%, and you let him get on the field, and his number comes up, what did you take that risk for? Was it worth it? What about the SF game, why risk it? We were already out of the playoffs.

And if you're the coach, and the chance is say 10-15%, and you let him get on the field, and his number comes up, what did you take that risk for? Was it worth it? What about the SF game, why risk it? We were already out of the playoffs.

Ya, that one didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I can see doing it for the team, but if we were already out, why do that?

Still...more people should be cheering Thomas! Dumb or not, he did it for the team...wish others had that dedication to the team.

Right, and the guy was obviously healthy enough to play.

Personally I'd like to know what the % risk of serious injury was. Was it 1%, 10%, 90%?

If it was something very high I doubt the team would have let him play. But if it was something on the low end I think it's got to be left up to the player.

That's my thought. I don't think the article had the proper context and quite honestly was a little alarmist. I just don't believe teh team would allow someone to realistically risk paralysis in an ongoing fashion.

After Shawne Merriman don't underestimate the stupidity of these guys.

The decision is ultimately on the player.

Every time these guys step on the field they risk serious injury. Where do you draw the line?
There is a difference in them going on the field risking injury and going on the field with a risk of paralysis. I respect the fact that he wanted to play with hopes at making the playoffs but at some point the coaching staff and meds. have to step in. To make it even worse they let him play in a meanless game at the end of the season. What would we have thought about the coaches and trainers if something bad did happen and if it then happened in our last meanless game at that.

Damn, I didn't know that it was that bad. You gotta love the effort and just be thankful that nothing overly serious came of it. Hopefully he can get out there with a renewed drive this year.