Jamel Dean (CB Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

[jwinslow]

I have a real hard time believing that whatever is going on specifically with Dean is a roster manipulation on Ohio State's part. To think that, one has to think that the recruiting staff royally missed on this young man's talent level such that they're recruiting over him before he even puts on a helmet with a black stripe. I doubt that very seriously. Moreover, it seems to me, if you're going to "cut" someone via the injury philosophy of roster management, you get rid of a kid who hasn't seen the field in 3 or 4 years, not a freshman who's potential to develop was sufficient to earn a committable offer in the first place.

Warren Ball, Cam Williams, Jeff G are unlikely to be major contributors. If the goal was to cut weight, they would be at risk.

The reality is the kid suffered a second major Injury after osu signed him with the mid year agreement. He could have decommitted and gone elsewhere but osu was locked into taking him by then. If the injury was career ending (at least at against athletes like osu has), then it's not surprising to see this happen. What is surprising is to see it occur at the beginning of his first year. That is more of an emotional feeling than a rational one.

This entire topic is largely about feelings. We aren't particularly balanced in our perspective nor is his head coach. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle and very complicated.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

Not really trying to comment on this, either way, but damn, how bad could a HS kids knee (if it is the knee) be that he can't be cleared to play football ever again? I mean Braxton has had surgery twice on the same shoulder and I can't imagine him not being cleared.

I guess I'm saying unless they saw an xray that showed he's totally missing a kneecap, you'd think they'd give Jamel all the info he needs to decide on his own whether he wants to take the risk.

Which makes me want to believe it's something more serious than a knee injury.

Kid I know who is a senior right now is on two ACLs and a meniscus. Two years ago he could have played LAX in college... if he plays now, it will be club ball or with his fraternity team. Depending on what happened, he could be really eff'd up. That said, a knee isn't a head. If the legs still go after getting cut on, then let 'em go as far as I'm concerned.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Yeah I agree. I know knee problems can make it hard to walk as you get older, but you can still walk. It just seems to me that with any injury besides a head/spinal one, the decision should be left to the kid. I mean, he may live to regret the decision to play, but as long as tOSU gives him all the info they have to help him make an educated decision, they should let him make it and have a clear conscience.

I mean, if Bosa endures the exact same scenario last season, do they end his tOSU career too? I'm not saying they wouldn't, but it's hard to believe they would.

 

[Mike80]

Yeah I agree. I know knee problems can make it hard to walk as you get older, but you can still walk. It just seems to me that with any injury besides a head/spinal one, the decision should be left to the kid. I mean, he may live to regret the decision to play, but as long as tOSU gives him all the info they have to help him make an educated decision, they should let him make it and have a clear conscience.

I mean, if Bosa endures the exact same scenario last season, do they end his tOSU career too? I'm not saying they wouldn't, but it's hard to believe they would.

You still have to pass a physical. It's probably more intrusive than the physical you get at MEPS to get into the military. I'm beginning to think he failed that physical.

It's not about 20 years from now, at this point it's about how much risk is the school willing to take on for insurance purposes.

 

[jlb1705]

Kid I know who is a senior right now is on two ACLs and a meniscus. Two years ago he could have played LAX in college... if he plays now, it will be club ball or with his fraternity team. Depending on what happened, he could be really eff'd up. That said, a knee isn't a head. If the legs still go after getting cut on, then let 'em go as far as I'm concerned.

The head and spine are the most serious, but they are not the only parts of the body where persistent or serious injury leads to quality of life concerns.

You're right that it should be the player's decision - or the player and his family. The doctors and the team don't necessarily have to be complicit in that decision though.

 

[Saw31]

You still have to pass a physical. It's probably more intrusive than the physical you get at MEPS to get into the military. I'm beginning to think he failed that physical.

It's not about 20 years from now, at this point it's about how much risk is the school willing to take on for insurance purposes.

I think this plays a huge part. Everyone in the sports biz just watched the NFL pay out some serious money. Different injuries, but sooner or later, especially at the college level where the players aren't getting shit from the profits, someone is going to sue and make big time money. Its cya time, in my imo...

 

[maximumblitz]

Call me naive. I don't think it is about money. Just protecting the kid from risk. It will be interesting to see who picks him up.

I know several people who can hardly walk - they cite various sports injuries.

 

[jwinslow]

Yeah I agree. I know knee problems can make it hard to walk as you get older, but you can still walk. It just seems to me that with any injury besides a head/spinal one, the decision should be left to the kid.

That's an admirable sentiment but not how college football is run. Recruiting is not honorable, nor the game, nor the business.

You're approaching this medical thing from what you think would be the classiest approach and that's not how these things are done. Being able to walk is not the bar to clear. Guys retire or are denied medically all of the time despite being capable of playing some. Can they do it at a high level over the grind of a season?

Your Braxton example is a pretty awful one as well considering there's a very real chance he will never be able to throw again at an adequate level. Fortunately for him there are other positions that do not require arm velocity. There are no positions that can get around a bum knee.

I mean, he may live to regret the decision to play, but as long as tOSU gives him all the info they have to help him make an educated decision, they should let him make it and have a clear conscience.

and if they cleared him, let him run around this spring and he shredded his knee a third time, that would be a swell thing to trump up for the bleeding hearts and opposing recruiters. There's also the matter of whether he can still compete here. .

I mean, if Bosa endures the exact same scenario last season, do they end his tOSU career too? I'm not saying they wouldn't, but it's hard to believe they would.

Bosa can also commit a felony and probably stick around. A no name freshman might not. That's life.

 

[matcar]

That's an admirable sentiment but not how college football is run. Recruiting is not honorable, nor the game, nor the business.

You're approaching this medical thing from what you think would be the classiest approach and that's not how these things are done. Being able to walk is not the bar to clear. Guys retire or or denied medically all of the time despite being capable of playing some. Can they do it at a high level over the grind of a season?

Your Braxton example is a pretty awful one as well considering there's a very real chance he will never be able to throw again at an adequate level. Fortunately for him there are other positions that do not require arm velocity. There are no positions that can get around a bum knee.

and if they cleared him, let him run around this spring and he shredded his knee a third time, that would be a swell thing to trump up for the bleeding hearts and opposing recruiters. There's also the matter of whether he can still compete here. .Bosa can also commit a felony and probably stick around. A no name freshman might not. That's life.

this is all true and an ugly side of the business. If this is the way things are here, perhaps we can bear that in mind as we evaluate other programs and coaches where we tend to tear them down.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

These conversations amuse me. The tough spot Jamel is in does not. Good luck Jamel. Thanks for your interest in tOSU. God speed with your recovery. Hope you have a successful college experience.

 

[woofermazing]

I seriously doubt it's the knee unless the prognosis is really bad. I'd guess something that gave the university real pause, like a heart condition, and they only found it by chance. I just don't see how he doesn't get cleared unless there's an underlying condition that could result in severy disabilty or death.

 

[muffler dragon]

Based on what Urban said in the PC yesterday, I'll take his word that this was all handled above board.

 

[AJHawkfan]

Based on what Urban said in the PC yesterday, I'll take his word that this was all handled above board.

Agreed. Hopefully Jamel can get whatever it is that is wrong fixed and go on to have a long, successful & most importantly - healthy career.. Best of luck, young man......

 

[jwinslow]

I seriously doubt it's the knee unless the prognosis is really bad. I'd guess something that gave the university real pause, like a heart condition, and they only found it by chance. I just don't see how he doesn't get cleared unless there's an underlying condition that could result in severy disabilty or death.

The choices aren't simply

A) able to play (to some degree)
B) risk permanent injury, possibly horrific or life threatening

Not every medical waiver is similar to the situation with Bogard or Johnson. Sometimes guys just can't move like they should to keep up in this sport.

Dehabilitating injuries are a staple of sports, particularly those who end their careers.

 

[Mike80]

Call me naive. I don't think it is about money. Just protecting the kid from risk. It will be interesting to see who picks him up.

I know several people who can hardly walk - they cite various sports injuries.

In our overly-litigious society, protection from risk is a two-way street. I hope the school/program is doing this with the best of intentions for Jamel, but as @Saw31 said, there is likely a CYA portion of this situation as well when it comes to the liability of the school itself.