Back in the Big Three v2.0 era, I sat behind the Celts bench one game. I could not believe how big Ray Allen's calves were. Like, they were bigger than my thighs. It was crazy.
Defense takes the field.
Yes! I’ve posted about this before — I sat courtside one time and just stared at Ray’s calves in fucking disbelief during warmups right in front of me. I used to describe it to people as “picture 6 inch ankles with a youth soccer ball inserted into where the calves are”. They were fucking insane.Back in the Big Three v2.0 era, I sat behind the Celts bench one game. I could not believe how big Ray Allen's calves were. Like, they were bigger than my thighs. It was crazy.
I mean, can this be at all on the up-and-up with respect to no performance enhancment etc. ? A 43 year old man coming back from an achilles tear in like 3 months?Not at all surprised to see Rodgers trying to give it a go this year, it was always a possibility with him and El Attrache involved. Both like to push the envelope.
Given the Jets position in the standings, I do think it's a silly risk to take if he really does start going full speed/plays in games.
More likely than not he will end the season alright, but this is still unchartered territory here. You'd like at least a small successful trial with a handful of "regular" athletes on a similar timeline (I assume hasn't been done?) before trying this on a franchise NFL QB. No real reason, aside from ego, for Rodgers to come back this year if it's a lost cause for the Jets.
A repeat tear would be more difficult to fix and at age 40 his career would be even more in jeopardy.
He is 39, not 43.I mean, can this be at all on the up-and-up with respect to no performance enhancment etc. ? A 43 year old man coming back from an achilles tear in like 3 months?
This is interesting because I’ve always just accepted surgical recovery times as limitations imposed by the human body. What’s changed on the surgical front that’s allowed the faster recoveries - I assume less surgical trauma? - and are there more limiting factors we could hope to remove going forward?He is 39, not 43.
Return to play from some of these previous "out for the season" tendon repairs (Achilles, biceps, etc) has been trending down over the last few years.
This is at least a month early even for the recent envelope pushers...and like I said would make me a bit nervous. Don't see the risk/reward here for Rodgers or the Jets.
But in general, while a return to practice in 3 months (and maybe game action in 4 months) is SUPER fast, it doesn't shock me like it would have 5 years ago. Surgical technique and rehab has definitely improved, especially in the high end athletes seeing the top docs with unlimited resources.
What is the risk? Re-tearing the achilles? If he tears it again, would that be a worse injury than the previous? Earnest question because it seems almost without risk - if he gets injured again, they won't need him for nine months anyway. Why not give it a go if he feels up to it?This is at least a month early even for the recent envelope pushers...and like I said would make me a bit nervous. Don't see the risk/reward here for Rodgers or the Jets.
He might also compensate for his achilles injury and hurt something else; this just strikes me as very I'll advised. If I were Rodgers I'd be focused entirely on 2024. Gear up for one more run.What is the risk? Re-tearing the achilles? If he tears it again, would that be a worse injury than the previous? Earnest question because it seems almost without risk - if he gets injured again, they won't need him for nine months anyway. Why not give it a go if he feels up to it?
Yeah, I hear you, but is that injury more likely to be worse than this one?He might also compensate for his achilles injury and hurt something else; this just strikes me as very I'll advised. If I were Rodgers I'd be focused entirely on 2024. Gear up for one more run.
Who knows but on a 40 year old body with this many miles (and that O line), I'd avoid the risk and start fresh next year.Yeah, I hear you, but is that injury more likely to be worse than this one?
If there's a chance he can help them make the playoffs then I think you really consider it: he doesn't have many kicks at the can left and the league is very open.Who knows but on a 40 year old body with this many miles (and that O line), I'd avoid the risk and start fresh next year.
This is the most likely outcome. And many media appearances detailing how great he'll be next year.Rodgers is trying to return for the same reason he does everything... attention. He's not doing it because he has few shots and thinks the Jets can win the SB, he's doing it so people will talk about him. My guess is he milks the full 21 days then doesn't get activated and says the team made the decision but his amazing body was ready.
It's worse in that he'd (1) have to physically rehab again, (2) would have to mentally go through the process again and basically be rehabbing for a full year, and (3) wouldn't be able to workout with the rest of the team in the offseason. That said, he's a pro athlete and pro athletes generally like to play their profession so I understand where he's coming from.Yeah, I hear you, but is that injury more likely to be worse than this one?
I think this is Bingo. And he gets the chance to more directly talk to his teammates about medicine and suntan lotion before they all end up like that loser, Travis Kelce.Rodgers is trying to return for the same reason he does everything... attention. He's not doing it because he has few shots and thinks the Jets can win the SB, he's doing it so people will talk about him. My guess is he milks the full 21 days then doesn't get activated and says the team made the decision but his amazing body was ready.
Surgical techniques have improved mainly.This is interesting because I’ve always just accepted surgical recovery times as limitations imposed by the human body. What’s changed on the surgical front that’s allowed the faster recoveries - I assume less surgical trauma? - and are there more limiting factors we could hope to remove going forward?
But it's because his team is hopeless without him and they're not in contention, not because he couldn't play if he wanted to!The walk back begins on Aaron Rodgers. But the window is open so there's a chance! Cue the media attention he's starved for:
View attachment 74571
That reporting better be correct otherwise that's horribly wreckless of Russini. Also left unsaid whether he doesn't want to play at all or just not for the Jets.Well this is wild. Dianna Russini reporting that the Jets want to move back to Zach Wilson at QB, but he doesn't want to start again. I don't know that I've ever seen something like that before.
The way it's being phrased makes it seem like he doesn't want to play for the Jets. But it's unclear. There's no real detail, just a single paragraph saying he is reluctant to step back into the starting role and that the organization is discussing next steps.That reporting better be correct otherwise that's horribly wreckless of Russini. Also left unsaid whether he doesn't want to play at all or just not for the Jets.
Now looks like it's a nothing-burger of a story. Whoever the leaker was (ahem, Rodgers) looks stupid.The way it's being phrased makes it seem like he doesn't want to play for the Jets. But it's unclear. There's no real detail, just a single paragraph saying he is reluctant to step back into the starting role and that the organization is discussing next steps.
One ex-player recalls McDermott getting upset that the offensive linemen wore Jordans on Saturday walkthroughs because Jordans didn't seem very lineman to him. Didn't seem tough. He preferred the big men on his offensive line walk around the facility in work boots and Carhartt jackets. When players were upset about this edict, center Mitch Morse actually drew a Jordan logo on one of his shark cowboy boots.
Take the “Niagara Falls” speech. In December 2021, locals will recall the news of a woman deliberately driving into the waterway that spills into the falls. She drifted down the Niagara River before her vehicle was lodged against a rock about 50 yards from the brink. McDermott studied up and pieced together a speech. The coach explained how members from the Coast Guard did everything they could to save the woman. He built up the drama. Players held on tight for an inspiring apex, and… nothing. He said the woman died. End of story. The complete absence of a point had some players biting their tongues, trying their hardest not to laugh.
It is well worth suffering through a horrible Pats season to get these quotes about Coach Hardo. WELL WORTH IT.Start with the player who helped him become a head coach: Cam Newton. When the former No. 1 overall pick shapeshifted into molten lava on NFL defenses throughout the 2015 season — an MVP season, a 15-1 season — McDermott was the Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator. One of many individuals to directly benefit from Newton throwing for 3,837 yards, rushing for 636 and scoring 45 touchdowns in leading Carolina to the Super Bowl. In 2016, the Panthers went 6-10. In 2017, McDermott was named the 20th coach in Bills history.
This did not stop McDermott from bashing Newton in staff meetings.
One of the Bills assistants Go Long spoke to for this series said that McDermott’s “frame of reference” as a coach was watching Newton — in his mind — “ruin” the Panthers. “He used to come into offensive staff meetings,” this source said, “and just motherf--k Cam Newton.” Aside from the objective lunacy, this created… awkwardness. Before becoming the Bills’ quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Ken Dorsey served as Newton’s coach from ‘13 to ‘17. Dorsey was the coach most responsible for Newton’s rise, thus Dorsey understandably wondered if McDermott knew he was sitting in the same room.
You've done, maybe, a handful of great things on this site over the last 20 years. But giving Coach Hardo the moniker Coach Hardo is absolutely the greatest thing I've ever seen. It is becoming more true every day.It is well worth suffering through a horrible Pats season to get these quotes about Coach Hardo. WELL WORTH IT.
I don't know whether to be insulted it's only a handful or be flattered that you like the name so much. I'll take it!!You've done, maybe, a handful of great things on this site over the last 20 years. But giving Coach Hardo the moniker Coach Hardo is absolutely the greatest thing I've ever seen. It is becoming more true every day.
Those who’ve worked with the head coach on a day-to-day basis predicted all of this — months in advance — because they’ve seen how McDermott operates on a day-to-day basis. How tangibly nervous he gets in close games. How he has never truly appreciated his gift from the football gods: Josh Allen. How he’s quick to blame everyone but himself in defeat. That’s why one coach — in June — began by asking a simple question: “If they fail again this year? What does ownership do with Sean?”
Three seconds later, he answered his own hypothetical.
“Next year if they fail, you know who’ll be the first person he serves up? Ken Dorsey.”
The coach wasn’t quite sure how McDermott would manage to put Dorsey’s head on a stick. After all, it’s the head coach’s beloved defense that has melted in four straight postseason losses. The honeymoon period with fans ended a long time ago — pointing a finger at his breadwinning quarterback, again, surely wouldn’t work. Yet even back in June, this assistant knew his old boss would find a way to deflect blame.
“Watch,” he said, “if they sputter at all during this year, the narrative’s going to be the offense.”
I was being glib with the maybe, only because I was offering effusive praise. It had to be tempered. Everything in balance.I don't know whether to be insulted it's only a handful or be flattered that you like the name so much. I'll take it!!
"Did they save her?"Ty Dunne has a long three part series on Coach Hardo on Substack for his subscribers, but the excerpts are AMAZING:
Damn he actually went full dril.
Coach Hardo actually gave a speech to his players where he pointed to the 9/11 hijackers as a positive example of people working together.
My Christmas has come early.
Well, remember by "handful," he was using the Mordecai Brown Statistical ModelI don't know whether to be insulted it's only a handful or be flattered that you like the name so much. I'll take it!!
Of course; if I wanted to be mean, I'd say @johnmd20 always depends on the Dravecky ScaleLol right?
I can't stand Cam Newton, but at least I give him credit for having a great season that year.It is well worth suffering through a horrible Pats season to get these quotes about Coach Hardo. WELL WORTH IT.
He’s a coaching relic routinely paralyzed by fear late in games. He never imagines what could go right with 20 seconds left in regulation, instead forever horrified of what could go wrong.
Guess he’s talking about the terrorists on the plane that didn’t hit their target.This is a fun read.
He's Michael Scott on testosterone injections.Ty Dunne has a long three part series on Coach Hardo on Substack for his subscribers, but the excerpts are AMAZING:
It wasn't long ago that some people here were positive he was a better coach than Belichick.He's Michael Scott on testosterone injections.
In his next gig, Hardo could run the MBTA. Many motivational teamwork opportunities about trains running on time.I suck at excerpting quotes on mobile, but Jesus, his explanation might be worse than the initial comments. Non-sensical word salad. What a tool.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/sean-mcdermott-confirms-citing-9-11-attacks-as-proof-of-teamwork