DD and Pierce injury updates??

[David]

Highlights of DD's call on TEAM1040 this morning.

* Not great news, mostly DD trying to put a brave face on things and stay positive.

* Said he's definitely feeling "better" (trying to draw on the positive) but would not elaborate on the symptoms. Did not go into the Surrey facility yet, just tried to relax and not get stressed (which makes things worse). I think we can call a spade a spade here: it's a concussion. Whether it's mild or fairly severe we don't know yet, but I think we can safely rule out that it was "just a whiplash."

* Just tried to minimize effects over the weekend (i.e. not watching television which can bring on headaches).

* Did not try to be the hero by staying in the game. Took himself out knowing the symptoms were the same as when he had concussions in the past.

* Thought that he should have drawn a 15-yarder (but stopped short of saying Perry should be suspended or fined). He doesn't think he gets those calls like other QBs, because he doesn't whine to the refs.

* As SammyGreene pointed out, he said he's used to taking those kinds of hits, but bounced back up in the past (recall the hellacious hit last year when Antonio Warren didn't up his block, Lions fans?!?)

* Thought Sask fans went over the line Friday night. It got quite nasty in the 4th quarter - people tried to come onto the field, and when they started hurling projectiles (bottles and mini-footballs) it was suggested he put on his helmet!

* While he did sound a bit despondent, he did crack a joke (they're always teasing him on the station about not being able to talk smack, so he said one thing he won't be able to do when he retires is talk smack, which drew laughs).

DH 8)

[David]

Injury update on Otis Floyd. More trouble with his groin. Definitely out this week. Could be a sports hernia.

DH 8)

[SammyGreene]

Injury update on Otis Floyd. More trouble with his groin. Definitely out this week. Could be a sports hernia.

DH 8)

I heard Pottinger will start in his place which from a bright side means some quality playing time for a promising Canadian. I wonder if Ritchie will consider moving Johnson over to Floyd's spot which would keep him on the field way more compared to be constantly replaced by Washington. I would like to see it but it would mean two positional changes instead of one.

[No Ordinary Joe]

Man, I love DD, but it just seems like bad luck seems to follow the guy. For once I'd like to see him play a full season without any injuries. I'm worried that he's going to miss a month now. Get well soon Dave!!

[Rammer]

Injury update on Otis Floyd. More trouble with his groin. Definitely out this week. Could be a sports hernia.

DH 8)

I heard Pottinger will start in his place which from a bright side means some quality playing time for a promising Canadian. I wonder if Ritchie will consider moving Johnson over to Floyd's spot which would keep him on the field way more compared to be constantly replaced by Washington. I would like to see it but it would mean two positional changes instead of one.

Exactly as I see it. You can't have JJ be the odd guy out when Pottinger is the 4th guy in the rotation. Unless the flip JJ for the plays that Pottinger is out.

[Sharpo]

Dave, I love ya and all but you have had too many concussions. Start thinking about your family post quarterback. You risk brain damage amongst other things.

I assume you have a neurologist DD. if not. GET ONE NOW. Too many concussions = bad for health..

[FiveforFighting]

Head coach Wally Buono said he wants the CFL to review the latest incident in which (Roughriders Fred) Perry, in the process of being partially blocked, lowered his helmet and drove it into Dickenson's torso as he unleashed a pass. The quarterback fell backward after being speared and banged the back of his helmet violently against the turf. "He got hit right in the face," Buono said. "In today's world, if you hit the quarterback right in the face, it's a penalty. I'm going to send the tape in and get an opinion on it."
Of his two injured quarterbacks, Buono expects Pierce to be ready for Thursday's game against Hamilton at BC Place. He has no intention of bringing in Shawn Bell, a rookie from Baylor who attended the team's training camp. With only two full days of practice time available -- the Lions had the weekend off - there simply isn't time to get another quarterback up to speed. "Buck's hand looks good," said Lions' medical trainer Bill Reichelt. "It was just swollen, bruised but no break. Dicky's neck is a little bit sore. He's got some kind of concussion symptoms, but not near what he's had before. After the touchdown [Dickenson's throw to Smith], he felt a little nauseous coming off." Dickenson won't be cleared to play until his symptoms have cleared for 24 hours and his neurophysical test scores return to baseline. - Vancouver Sun

[No Ordinary Joe]

Happy to hear that Wally is sending in the tape. If the officials on the field won't make the right call, hopefully the ones in the board room will and lay down some kind of punishment.

[Blitz]

Right now I'm less concerned with Perry's potential punishment and more concerned with DD's health. Dickenson is out indefinitely with post-concussion syndrome. He's wearing sunglasses because he is sensitive to light...always a strong sign of serious post concussion syndrome.

DD is also going to consider his future omce he gets better. He already had considered, in the off-season what decision he might make if he suffered another head injury.

I wrote on Lionbackers early last season that I hoped Dickenson would retire earlier than planned and go into coaching if that was an interest. He will likely already deal later on in lifer, with aches, pains, and potential arthristis from the injuries he's sustained in his career outside of the hits to the head.

Dave Dickenson's head has always been his great asset. He's undersized for a pro quarterback, doesn't have the strongest arm, nor is he an 'athletic quarterback. His sucess has always been based upon his ability to read a defence, to get the football to the right reciever accurately, and when he runs successfully it's because he is a smart runner, not a fast one.

I'm not so sure most fans realize the serious beating Dickenson took in 2005. In fact both he and Printers both took a bad beating but Dickenson played more and endured more. The six pack recieiver set, with an empty backfield was a recipe for every defence to tee off on him. Some of the hits he took almost made me ill in the stomach and I've been around football for a long time.With no hot rrecievers to throw too and Dickenson wanting to make completions it was one of the worst beatings I've ever seen quarterback's take in a single season.

Dickenson's smarts were complimented by his tremendous mental toughness and competitiveness. To play at the level that he has played at has required all three. Dickenson rebounded from taking those hits last year with a season in which we won a Grey Cup but the 2005 season had to take a toll... and the concussions have only added to that toll. Dickenson hasn't seemed right this season but he started 4/5 against the Riders. It's hard to say whether it was his usual slow start or something else but he's always been an accurate underneath passer and he uncharteristically has missed some of those throws. He also made early comments about his new coordinators which was also uncharacteristic of him.

The posiitve this year was that Dickenson was releasing the footballl sooner and avoiding sacks but the quarterback position can't avoid taking serious hits. Sooner or later Dickenson was going to take a hit to the head again, either directly or having it hit the turf.

It's only speculation but it's quite possible that Dickenson will be out fo rthe remainder of the season and then assess things. It's at least his third concusiion and they are easier to get each time and the symptons last longer in most cases.

Dickenson's greatest asset has always been his head. It will also be for the remainder of his life. While I have always had high expectations of him they wouldn't likely come close to the expectations he's always had for himself. I just hope he gets better as quickly as possible and gets top notch medical assessments with the best specialists out there.

[Shi Zi Mi]

Sadly, the writing may be on the wall for DD and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he's played his last down of professional football.

The last 2 concussions have been caused by his falling backwards and banging the back of his head/helmet on the turf........and the concussion seems to happen far too easily for such a common occurrence for football players.

I value a player's well being much greater than what he can contribute to the team I love......and it's for that reason that I hope he can reconcile that his future life needs to take precedence over his competitive spirit.

[Rammer]

Sadly, the writing may be on the wall for DD and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he's played his last down of professional football.

The last 2 concussions have been caused by his falling backwards and banging the back of his head/helmet on the turf........and the concussion seems to happen far too easily for such a common occurrence for football players.

I value a player's well being much greater than what he can contribute to the team I love......and it's for that reason that I hope he can reconcile that his future life needs to take precedence over his competitive spirit.

I agree the more I have put thought into this, his next concussion is only a when not if. What "if" it is a major concussion, his family has to come first at this point.....sigh.

[CatsEyes]

I value a player's well being much greater than what he can contribute to the team I love......and it's for that reason that I hope he can reconcile that his future life needs to take precedence over his competitive spirit.

Wow, Lloyd. I think that's the best way that could have been said. Bravo.

[Shi Zi Mi]

I value a player's well being much greater than what he can contribute to the team I love......and it's for that reason that I hope he can reconcile that his future life needs to take precedence over his competitive spirit.

Wow, Lloyd. I think that's the best way that could have been said. Bravo.

Thanks......with DD trying to throw me a football at the last 2 Damon Allen QB challenges, I was hoping that I would get at least one more chance to pull it off.......but, unfortunately, I'll probably have to just buy a ball and get him to autograph it sometime down the road.

What a shame......you always want to see your heroes go out on their own terms and not be forced out because of injury or diminished abilities.

I'm sure glad DD got the GC ring as the Lions' starter in 2006 and topped it off with a GC MVP award.........if he does choose to retire, he should retire knowing that he's accomplished everything in football that he could accomplish and can leave the game with head held high.

Here's to DD.....

[TheLionKing]

Glad to hear that Buck Pierce is cleared to play Thursday. As to Dickenson, he should seriously consider retirement if he hasn't already. One's health is far more paramount than a pay cheque. As to Otis Floyd, how long could be out if it is a sports hernia ?

[Blitz]

Glad to hear that Buck Pierce is cleared to play Thursday. As to Dickenson, he should seriously consider retirement if he hasn't already. One's health is far more paramount than a pay cheque. As to Otis Floyd, how long could be out if it is a sports hernia ?

Diagnosis today is that Floyd does not have a sports hernia and could be back for the next game...good news for Otis and us Leo fans!