Call the exterminator…the injury bug is swarming
September 17, 2008 by Tom Kuhman
Filed under Browns, NFL Football
The Cleveland Browns had a few things go right for them last year. One of those was an absence of the injury bug. The injury bug plagued them from 1999 through 2006. I am not making excuses for their performances in most of those years, but simply saying that they had sustained many injuries.
This year, it looks like more of the same. The latest casualty is DE Robaire Smith. His season is over after suffering an Achilles injury against the Steelers. It’s hard enough to keep your big guys up front fresh during each game.
Santonio Thomas was picked up to spell Shaun Smith, who will replace Robaire Smith. Confused? Don’t be. Just be glad that I didn’t add that Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith are not related like many writers do when discussing OSU running backs, “Beanie” Wells and Maurice Wells. Is it really that surprising that it needs to be mentioned every time someone writes about them. Well, I digress.
The Browns defense is already playing without OLB Antwaan Peek and S Sean Jones. Both of these players were expected to have grown into star players this year. Peek was expected to shore up the run defense and more importantly put some much needed pressure on the QB. Jones was supposed to pick up the defense as a whole with quick strike blitzes, run support, solid tackling, and much needed pass support.
On offense, we’ve lost a big WR in Joe Jurevicius. More likely than not, he would become a situational receiver on third downs and special plays. With the pick up of a stud like Donte Stallworth, uurrrrgggghhhh, uggghhhhh, I think I just puked a little in my mouth. I’ve said it many times, and I’ll say it again, Stallworth is always hurt. Find a guy that can stretch the field for more than one or two games a year. It sickens me to have him on our team, or should I say, in our hot tub.
Message to Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel…FIND OUT WHY YOUR TEAM CANNOT STAY HEALTHY! Do we have poor trainers? Poor training techniques? Do we have a flaw in our talent evaluation? Figure it out! We want wins, not excuses. Stop the insanity! Call an exterminator, before it’s too late.
Go BROWNS!
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September 18th, 2008 at 2:47 am
It seems every team has a lot of injuries, so I don’t think that its in the training for Cleveland.
As for Stallworth, at least you didn’t give him as much money as my Raiders gave Walker.
September 18th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Injuries are a plenty and key injuries at that around this league. This season could very well come down to what team can stick together and remain the most healthy.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I agree that many teams have injury issues, but I have been reviewing the injury reports for the Browns vs. their opponents for years. I have not been compiling the data anywhere but in my head. It seems we tend to have more injuries than the average team and that they are season ending and early quite often. For instance, the injury report this week has 13 Browns and only 8 Ravens. Just one example.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:08 am
The more I watch this team, the more I believe they have no swagger on offense. Is DA a leader? He doesn’t show that general in control attitude when he is in the huddle or under center. Not sold on him at all.
As for the injuries, you would think a team would recognize this and figure it out.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Have they kept the same conditioning coach for the past 5-6 years? Or have they changed the staff.
If they haven’t, then you may be right, and they should try a change at the coaching level and see if that helps.
by the way, Buffalo might be up there with the Browns for injuries.
Philly too.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
After this week, I’ll agree with Lee and Jamie, the Browns are right on par with the rest of the league. How many superstars can sit out a week of practice in the NFL????
September 20th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Ok injury reports come from all angles are the browns injuries all legitimate? I seem to remember a time not saying this is the case but didnt some coaches use to post not so real injury reports to play head games with other opponents?
September 21st, 2008 at 8:49 am
Thanks for the comment crue. It is not the case with the Browns this year. The Browns D, and when I say D, I am also including star WR Donte “Big D” Stallworth, is hurting.
In previous years, the teams that are out of playoff contention sometimes put people on IR to allow them time to view younger players in preparation for the following season. There have been times in the past where rivalries or teams vying for a playoff spot will put a star player as questionable and then play them. Most of the time, the injury reports are accurate in describing a players condition.