Rivera LB Remarks 12-20-11

[ed bell]

"....couple that with who we're going to get back, you know, with Thomas and Jon, we can take the next step...."

http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/videos/Riveras-Remarks-Continuity/e0551c6a-e455-4afc-9161-5f213593645f

Of course Jon Beason is expected to return, but how about hearing Thomas Davis' name prominently mentioned? I've heard all the reasons why Thomas Davis is finished, and I can't make a medical argument to the contrary (not a doctor), but it sure as hell sounded like Rivera is expecting at the very least to have a serious look at Thomas Davis again next year as a member of the 2012 roster....contract talk notwithstanding....

Thoughts?

[joemac]

For the league minimum, why the hell not?

[teeray]

He will have to restructure his contract. But I hope he does come back. He is a good locker room guy and a great player when healthy. But 3 knee injuries in 2 years :eek:. No way he keeps his current contract IMO.

[ed bell]

For the league minimum, why the hell not?

I'm in agreement, but I doubt many know what the league minimum is for a 7th year vet.....

$825,000....

[Guest Irv]

If he does his rehab correctly and isn't rushed there's no reason why TD can't return.

[savage]

If he does his rehab correctly and isn't rushed there's no reason why TD can't return.

really? after that many knee injuries? isn't his knee pretty much perma-screwed up now? i don't know much about knees , but i'd think its done for.

[Lumps]

If he wants to take a chance then let's let him but let's not bet on him not getting injured again. As great a player he is and as much as one would love to believe he won't get hurt again he is obviously prone to this injury. Wouldn't be the first time a great player has had to call it quite due to fuging up their leg for life. You don't need to be a doctor to realize that.

[ed bell]

I'd think it would be pretty easy for the team doctors to make that call before anything is decided. Other than that part, I think he's one of the best Panthers to take the field in the past 5 years. If he could manage to return, no question I'd want him back...go TD....

[ed bell]

If he wants to take a chance then let's let him but let's not bet on him not getting injured again. As great a player he is and as much as one would love to believe he won't get hurt again he is obviously prone to this injury. Wouldn't be the first time a great player has had to call it quite due to fuging up their leg for life. You don't need to be a doctor to realize that.

Agreed, but from everything I've read he's not only taking the chance, he's approaching it like it's just another knee surgery. If he makes the 2012 roster (no way I'd bet against it), I'm sure the staff would have a contingency plan in place.

[jtnc]

In other news, Beason tweeted earlier that he's ahead of schedule on recovery, and should be ready for mini camp.

[Guest Irv]

really? after that many knee injuries? isn't his knee pretty much perma-screwed up now? i don't know much about knees , but i'd think its done for.

TD is not perma-screwed nor is his career over. Mark fields came back after fighting cancer and made the freaking pro-bowl. Give TD a chance before you write him off.

[Lumps]

At this point TD is at risk for losing his leg or having serious complications from it. You can't keep injuring it over and over like this and get away with it. It's just the way it is. I know a tennis player who literally breaks down every time he sees a court but if he plays he could lose his shoulder. I know another person just like this except with golf. So really the risk is going to be personal. TD just falls in the 10%.

"Many patients with an ACL tear start to feel better within a few weeks of the injury. These individuals may feel as though their knee is normal again, but the problems with instability may persist.

The usual surgery for an ACL tear is called an ACL reconstruction. A repair of the ligament is rarely a possibility, and thus the ligament is reconstructed using another tendon or ligament to substitute for the torn ligament.

The are several options for how to perform ACL surgery. The most significant choice is the type of graft used to reconstruct the torn ACL. There are also variations in the procedure, such as the new 'double-bundle' ACL reconstruction.

Risks of ACL surgery include infection, persistent instability and pain, stiffness, and difficulty returning to your previous level of activity. The good news is that better than 90% of patients have no complications with ACL surgery."

[Marguide]

In other news, Beason tweeted earlier that he's ahead of schedule on recovery, and should be ready for mini camp.

Not directed specifically at Beason, but has there ever been a player reported as "behind schedule" coming off an injury?

I read nothing into this report, positive or negative.

[JawnyBlaze]

Rivera's not going to go out and say "yea, we're giving up on TD. We woulda liked to have him next year, but he's done." A good coach and a good guy is going to be supportive of him (at least in terms of saying the right things) until proven otherwise. I sure hope TD does come back and is able to play well, but I equally hope they aren't counting on it and have plans in place in the event he isn't able to recover - financial plans (restructure) AND personnel plans (replacement).