More Irresponsible Injury

[CatMan72]

Having OTAs is not "irresponsible". Neither is letting a player who's trying to recover and has been medically approved take part in them.

As to Smith, how many of you have ever seen somebody get their arm broken in a flag football game?

"Irresponsible" is Brian Griese getting hurt tripping over his dog because he was drunk...

Or Chris Hanson gashing his leg because Jack Del Rio thought putting an axe and a tree stump in the locker room as an object lesson was a good idea...

Or Kellen Winslow II playing a game of "how big an idiot can I be" on his motorcycle.

That's irresponsible.

Davis and Smith? That's accidental.

It's irresponsible because his contract forbids him from doing it and he knows that. His contract forbids him from doing it, because he's exposing himself to unecessary risk.

He admitted on the radio today that it was a mistake and apologized to fans... he knows he was doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.

[Pantherman]

It is only a problem if the Panthers decide to enforce it. Plus since he will lose no games there is really nothing to fine. Players don't get paid for OTA's, training camp, and preseason games. They only get paid for the regular season which is why for every game they get suspended they lose 1/16 of their salary.

Much ado about nothing. If he got hurt falling in the bathtub we wouldn't be having this conversation. Players do things all the time that violate the strict contract limitations if you want to make a case about it. As long as no one gets hurt it isn't a big deal.

You do know he has been playing in this flag football league for years, right??

Umm actully Players do get paid while OTAs and offseason workouts and espically training camp.

[Peppers90 NC]

Me-time during the offeason does not need to involve flag football... it's not a matter of opinion, it's forbidden by his contract.

Wow buddy, you have a lot to say but thankfully you have no say.

[panthers55]

Umm actully Players do get paid while OTAs and offseason workouts and espically training camp.

That is not how it is calculated. Which is why if they get fined they lose a portion of their salary equal to 1/16th of their salary for every missed game. There is no percentage for OTAs and Training camp. Players who are signed and then cut in the preseason only get paid their signing bonus and any guaranteed money. If their contract specifies they get paid by the week or whatever then they do get that but for most players who make the team their salaries are guaranteed after a certain date regardless of whether they play or not.

[Peppers90 NC]

Umm actully Players do get paid while OTAs and offseason workouts and espically training camp.

so our unsigned rookies got paid too? ummm

[unicar15]

The Kemo injury from last year actually pisses me off more than either of these injuries. Having a 350lb linemen running wind sprints is just retarded. Steve will be fine and the LBs will just have to step up in Davis' absence. Our D was still pretty stout last year without him in the lineup.

[CatMan72]

Wow buddy, you have a lot to say but thankfully you have no say.

The feeling is mutual.

[Woodie]

Umm actully Players do get paid while OTAs and offseason workouts and espically training camp.

They only get a stipend for mini-camps, OTA's, and TC. Their actual salary is only calculated for the regular season. They get a bonus for playing in the playoffs.

This is why there has been talk that if they increase the number of regular season games, they also need to increase the salary cap.

[Peppers90 NC]

The Kemo injury from last year actually pisses me off more than either of these injuries. Having a 350lb linemen running wind sprints is just retarded. Steve will be fine and the LBs will just have to step up in Davis' absence. Our D was still pretty stout last year without him in the lineup.

what's the cutoff weight for windsprints?

[Mr. Scot]

Is there actually anything confirming that he has a clause in his contract forbidding him to play flag football?

The closest thing I've seen is this (link)

NFL players have clauses in their contracts that prohibit dangerous activities, and the Panthers could theoretically terminate Smith's contract. That's unlikely, however, given Smith's status as the one proven playmaker in the passing game.

I don't know that flag football can be definitively called a "dangerous activity".

[R0CKnR0LLA]

Yeah, damn those stupid athletes always getting involved in physical activities. They belong at home watching TV and eating cheetos where it's safe.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I mean, you don't ever see JaMarcus Russell get injured...

[Mr. Scot]

I mean, you don't ever see JaMarcus Russell get injured...

[klumme]

Just to close the Steve Smith injury thing...

Dr. Brian Eckenrode, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist:

STEVE SMITH

Injury: Fractured radius in left forearm.

Did the fact that he broke the same arm last year contribute to this break? He didn't break it in the exact same spot because the plate is there to protect it. But maybe it was a little weaker just off of the plate.

Is it a given that he'll be ready for Week 1? Obviously it won't affect his cardio condition or his legs because he'll still be able to run. If it was a leg thing we'd be a little more worried. This is just a matter of if he's hesitant to throw his arm out to stiff arm a guy or brace himself.

Is he more susceptible to breaking it again? Unless you've got some crazy disorder, it's just one of those freak things. He's that unlucky one percent that has done this twice. He's not more susceptible to breaking it again than anyone else.