Art Monk vs. NFL

The players keep getting bigger and faster which = bigger collisions, I would guess the # of concussions have risen over the years.

You could put guys out there with no helmets and there's still going to be concussions.

It's not getting at the root of the problem.


Yes it's just this simple ...it's a contact sport,be it contact with another player or the ground,you can try and soften the blow but in the end the only way not to get hit by contact is not to play the game.

You could put guys out there with no helmets and there's still going to be concussions.

It's not getting at the root of the problem.

Yeah. The following article talks about researchers simulating "typical hits" that are not James Harrsion-esque. Neither leather helmets nor modern ones do a really good job protecting against concussions.

Death by a Thousand Cuts - Pulling No Punches - March 2012 - Pittsburgh, PA (http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Best-of-the-Burgh-Blogs/Pulling-No-Punches/March-2012/Death-by-a-Thousand-Cuts/)

You could put guys out there with no helmets and there's still going to be concussions.

It's not getting at the root of the problem.

Well, football is a violent, collusion sport. So, eliminating concussions altogether is not going to happen unless they tie huge pillows to the players' helmets.

With that said, personally, I think the root of the problem is that players have gotten away from the basic fundamentals of tackling, and have migrated more toward the big, highlights showing hit. And, I DO think that is greatly contributed to the modern helmets giving the players a since of being invincible. Not saying they should go back to old technology or leather helmets, just saying I think players have learned to use themselves more as weapons than tackling machines.

For instance, I went back and watched one of the Super Bowls, and it appeared to me that everybody on defense concentrated more on wrapping up the ball carrier rather than the big hit. There were still big hits back then, mind you, but it wasn't how it seems today where the defensive backs were trying to sling themselves at the ball carrier like they do often today. I think that is the biggest issue with the concussions in modern times; players just need to concentrate on the fundamentals of tackling again instead of trying to get on the highlight reel.

Yeah getting back to the fundamentals of tackling would go a long way, and this mentality of going for the kill shot is what I think Goodell is trying to curb. Either way you'll never completely eliminate concussions, but I do think more can be done to reduce them.

Yeah getting back to the fundamentals of tackling would go a long way, and this mentality of going for the kill shot is what I think Goodell is trying to curb. Either way you'll never completely eliminate concussions, but I do think more can be done to reduce them.amen.
i remember in pop warner practice making a wrap-up tackle and the coach making a huge deal out of it. going back to exhibit it again at half speed. i was 10 years old but i was so proud because coach made a big deal, i made sure to try to repeat it as often as possible.

Art Monk just made the College FB Hall of Fame, wonder if they are going to sue the NCAA as well....hm

Ricky Williams dismisses concussion data in favor of ‘mind over matter’ approach | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/ricky-williams-dismisses-concussion-data-favor-mind-over-004846043.html)


The saying.....It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt....comes to mind right about now.

I have heard, through pretty reliable people, that it was not Monk's decision to be the lead plaintiff and he's pretty upset that he's been thrust to the forefront of this lawsuit.

So my question is...how is it decided who the lead plaintiff is?

I have heard, through pretty reliable people, that it was not Monk's decision to be the lead plaintiff and he's pretty upset that he's been thrust to the forefront of this lawsuit.

So my question is...how is it decided who the lead plaintiff is?

Is it because he's the most notable and would garner public support? Much like Tom Brady, Manning, and Brees were on the lawsuits against the NFL during the lockout deal.