Silver and Black Report

The Oakland Raiders struck a deal with the trade happy Cleveland Browns on Sunday, acquiring linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

The 26-year old was the Browns 13^th overall selection in the 2006 draft when then general manager Phil Savage stated, “The very first time I saw Kamerion in person I said, ‘This is the prototype’ — the arm length, the knee bend, the athletic ability, the flexibility.”

When Cleveland selected him, Savage proclaimed, “There’s no reason to think he won’t have an outstanding, Pro Bowl-caliber career.”

As a rookie, Wimbley tallied 11 sacks, but as the team struggled on defense in his second campaign, so did he with a sophomore jinx although he led the team with 5 sacks.

As the 2009 season was winding down, Browns head coach Eric Mangini commented, “Kamerion Wimbley has made a ton of progress from the beginning of the season to where he is now in terms of his approach to the game plan. It’s dramatic.”

Mangini praised his work ethic, study habits and discipline on the football field.

“The amount of mental errors he has made is dramatically different,” said Mangini. “It’s a great thing to see.”

Wimbley had five sacks in the first seven games of the season. He missed a game against the Steelers with the flu and when he got back into the line-up, opponents keyed the linebacker, which freed up other teammates.

“I’ve been doing a lot of positive things as far as growth and development,” Wimbley said. “I’ve put in a lot of hours off the field, learning more about defensive schemes and everybody’s role within our scheme and how it affects me. Just knowing a lot more about the game and the Xs and Os has helped me play faster.”

The Browns moved him around on defense, another reason why he Mangini was happy to see his development.

“It gives opposing teams a different look and made it a little more difficult for them to prepare,” Wimbley said. “It gives us things that we can play around with in the game, bringing other people from different spots and then not knowing where they’re coming from. It just mixes it up a little bit.”

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, as many outlets are reporting Oakland gave up “undisclosed draft compensation.”

At the end of the 2009 season, Wimbley stated, “I think I’ve gotten better every year and I plan on continuing to do that.”

According to Ken Murray of the Baltimore Sun, a good destination for quarterback Troy Smith may be the Oakland Raiders.

Smith, tendered at his original fifth-round level, has stated his desire to bolt Baltimore. His agent went as far as to say that he “would crawl from Baltimore right now to be able to play in Cleveland,” in a report by The (Canton) Repository.

Ralph Cindrich stated, “That’s clearly where his heart is. That’s where his love is. He has a great relationship in Baltimore and with the fans as long as I don’t muck it up too much. He has a great relationship with (Ravens GM) Ozzie Newsome.

“It’s just that this is where home is. In the offseason, he tells me, ‘Get me home.’”

Problem is the Browns already acquired Seneca Wallace and at this moment, may not be looking to add another passer. Unless, reports are true regarding the Browns desire to move Brady Quinn. They already parted ways with Derek Anderson and some league sources have stated that Jake Delhomme was scheduled to visit Cleveland.

Smith could be reunited with Hue Jackson in Oakland, a coach he is familiar with. Jackson will be in charge of the Silver & Black’s offense and could vouch for Smith as a potential competitor against JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski in 2010.

After visiting the bay area, tight end Anthony Becht decided to stay in Arizona, signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals.

California running back Jahvid Best, who posted a 4.35 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine, spoke to reporters and stated that Raider assistants Kelly Skipper (running backs) and Jim Michalczik (offensive line) chatted with him.

“They did interview me,” Best said. “I think I showed them Raiders speed.”

Justin Fargas will be visiting the Cleveland Browns according to a report by KHTK in Sacramento.

The former Oakland Raiders running back was cut recently and was an option for the Kansas City Chiefs before they acquired Thomas Jones.

Three Oakland Raiders were fined by the NFL for their actions last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Tight end Tony Stewart got hit the hardest; penalized $25,000 for “making intentional physical contact with a game official.” Stewart claimed that linebacker Alex Hall punched him on a kickoff return and he was pleading his case to the officials after the play.

“I’d give them one percent chance that they couldn’t have seen the play, seen that happen. I was saying to the refs, ‘You didn’t see that? You didn’t see him punch me in the face? You’re not going to throw a flag?’ And the ref came up to me and put his hand on my chest and started pushing me,” Stewart said. “I just swiped his hand off my chest. Just a natural reaction.”

Richard Seymour, who was recently selected as a Pro Bowl alternate, was fined $10,000. He got flagged for a personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct against the Browns.

In total, Oakland was penalized 13 times for 126 yards last weekend. The game became volatile with scuffles and referees appeared to take control of the game by tossing flags around.

“That’s how I felt. I’ve never seen flags thrown like that,” Seymour said. “Obviously we have to understand how the game is being played and how the game is being called and play accordingly. We didn’t do a good job of that after we understood that they were going to throw it if you looked the wrong way.”

Stewart was ejected from that contest, along with cornerback Stanford Routt who was also docked $5,000 this week. He was booted off the field due to a head-butting an opponent.

“They said I head-butted him. That was it,” Routt said Thursday. “That happened four days ago. That might as well have happened four years ago, in my opinion. Know what I mean? What’s done is done.”

SECONDARY AILING

Cornerback Chris Johnson has been slowed this week in practice with a strained hamstring and starting strong safety Tyvon Branch in hindered by a ailing hip flexor.

The third longest kick in league history now belongs to Sebastian Janikowski.

“I thought it was short at first,” said the hefty left-footed place-kicker after the Raiders 23-9 defeat in Cleveland in which he had a 61-yard conversion. “Then it just barely cleared it.”

He ranks with Tony Dempsey and Jason Elam now – both booted 63-yarders – and Matt Bryant who just recently nailed a 62-yard field goal, on the all-time list of longest field goals in NFL history.

For Raider fans, it has become a goal for them to see their former first round choice get the record. Janikowski attempted a 64-yarder in November of 2007, right before halftime against the Houston Texans, and it notoriously bounced off the upright. He then nailed a 56-yard field goal versus the Chiefs in 2008 before Oakland rolled him out there for a 76-yard attempt that did not sniff a chance at the record books a few weeks earlier. But just last year, he had his defining moment when he split the upright with a 57-yard kick that won a game for the Silver & Black in overtime against the New York Jets.

“That’s one of the best kicks I’ve ever had,” Janikowski commented. “In these conditions with the snow and wind, I’m proud of it. In warm-ups, we kicked it 60 yards going in that direction. I hit it hard. I thought it was short at first and it barely got in there.”

His potent leg has always been admired since his college days. And since Oakland drafted him in the first round in 2000, Janikowski fans felt like he was destined to be the record holder for the longest field goal.

It was good to see him finally convert on one from very deep. It just has continued his best season to date, as he now has converted 24-of-27 attempts with an amazing 14-of-18 from 40-50+ yards out.

I just hope he gets a few more attempts throughout his career, because I for one marvel at his ability every time he attempts one of these kicks and truly believe that he will be the owner of this record once his career is over.

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

QUARTERBACK: D

Charlie Frye dropped to 7-15 as a starter. He put the Raiders behind the eight ball early in the contest with his first pass of the game. David Bowens intercepted Frye as the passer tried to get the ball to Darren McFadden on a slant. The linebacker drifted into the area Frye was locked in on and set the Browns up at Oakland’s 17-yard line before Jerome Harrison drove it in for a score to give Cleveland a 7-0 lead. His next two passes were deep balls to Chaz Schilens that were off the mark. At times Frye was decisive and handled the offense smartly. He hit Schilens on a 16-yard gain on 3^rd and 3 in the first quarter, combined with Zach Miller for a 5-yard completion on 3^rd and 3 right before the half and he used his feet to extend plays. But the turnovers thwarted too many drives and his miscues crippled the offense when they needed big plays. He ended 26/45 for 333 yards, no scores and 3 interceptions.

RUNNING BACKS & FULLBACKS: C

Michael Bush had 9 carries for 50 yards at halftime. Oakland only fed him the ball on the ground one other time in the second half for 2-yards. Bush had a decent start running for 14-yards on the Raiders third drive and gaining 12 on a 2^nd and 8 in the 2^nd quarter. But for some reason, the Raiders abandoned the rushing game and made life easier for the Cleveland defense. Darren McFadden tallied 23-yards on the ground and 55-yards receiving. Against a team that allowed 149.6 yards per game on the ground and the opponent within reach, Oakland failed to establish a run game and give Frye a more balanced attack. Gary Russell added 2 catches for 14-yards, the key one being an 11 yard toss out of the backfield when Oakland started a drive backed up against their own goal line. But the fullback blew a block at the start of the 4^th quarter that led to a Matt Roth sack.

WIDE RECEIVERS & TIGHT ENDS: C-

Zach Miller was stellar, compiling 9 receptions for 110 yards. His taunting infraction was sketchy after a remarkable 27-yard grab in the 4^th quarter. Chaz Schilens ended with 64-yards on 4 grabs. Johnnie Lee Higgins victimized Frye with two key drops and was out of sync in the passing game. His lone haul was a 33-yard pass on a double move, beating cornerback Eric Wright on Oakland’s first play of the final quarter. Louis Murphy had a key catch negated by a penalty that could’ve set Oakland with a 1^st down at Cleveland’s 2-yard line. His 3^rd and 1 reception late in the game for 6-yards was a nice snatch on a high toss.

OFFENSIVE LINE: F

This group allowed four sacks and offered very little support to the ball carries, as the Raiders ended with a feeble 88-yards rushing. Cornell Green’s holding infraction on 3rd and 4 wiped away Murphy’s 14-yard reception at the Browns 2-yard line in the 1^st quarter.  Once Langston Walker left the game, the Raiders lost their toughness. He was replaced by Chris Morris who quickly picked up a false start flag on a 3^rd and 3 and the Browns overloaded the left side of the formation on the ensuing play to rush Frye and facilitate an incompletion. Morris was later penalized for a hold and on the next play; Roth mauled him on a blitz that put the Raiders in a 2^nd and 26. Mario Henderson faced a lot of blitzes on his side of the formation and was flagged for a false start as the game wound down.

DEFENSIVE LINE: D

Harrison had a strong outing with 39-carries for 148-yards and a touchdown. For some stretches, the Raiders held up at the line of scrimmage and battled against an offense that wanted to stay on the ground most of the day. But Harrison pounded away and a few times, his offensive line was able to open up some gaping holes. Matt Shaughnessy gave a solid effort today with two tackles for losses – displaying strong backside help on one 8-yard loss. Gerard Warren continued his solid play and tallied a sack versus his old club. Richard Seymour single-handedly gave the Browns seven points with his personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct infractions late in the 1^st half when the contest became tense. “A little light just started the whole thing,” Seymour commented. “Everybody just jumped on. Obviously, we have to keep our composure. You never want to have personal fouls on a drive, especially on a play that didn’t even happen and you get another one.”

LINEBACKERS: D

Kirk Morrison was out of position on many of Harrison’s key runs; getting caught in traffic or getting late to a meeting point with the ball carrier around the line of scrimmage. Thomas Howard had one stand out play in coverage against Evan Moore. Otherwise, it was a quiet game from this group, including Trevor Scott who was sold at times versus the run, but did not provide the rush he has in recent weeks.

SECONDARY: C

Stanford Routt was ejected for a head-butt in the 2^nd quarter and was seen pushing Eric Steinbach a few plays before Mohamed Massaquoi’s 19-yard touchdown reception versus Chris Johnson. Johnson again had a tough time being the focal point of the opponent, beaten by Massaquoi for a 28-yard gain and getting flagged for pass interference on a 3^rd and 16 for 18-yards. Tyvon Branch was active again against the run, but he continues to have lapses in space allowing a 24-yard completion to Michael Gaines. Derek Anderson only had 17-pass attempts, but he completed eight of them for 121 yards.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B+

Sebastian Janikowski nailed a career long 61-yard field goal as time expired in the 2^nd quarter. He also booted both of his other two attempts through the uprights from 44 and 34-yards out to give the Raiders their only scores of the game. Oakland had directional kick-offs to avoid Joshua Cribbs, but it hurt them on one instance when Harrison recovered the football and went 39-yards to the Oakland 43-yard line. That field position led to a Phil Dawson 33-yard field goal, which gave the Browns a 20-9 lead. Slade Norris and Isaiah Ekejiuba had a nice stuff on Cribbs, as well as Gary Russell, who helped corral the explosive returner for 60 total yards on the day on 5 touches. The return units for Oakland continue to be abysmal and to compound the misery today, Tony Stewart was ejected after Russell’s horrific 11-yard kickoff return in the 4^th quarter.

COACHING: F

Tom Cable’s bunch again failed to notch back-to-back victories. They abandoned the run and came out with Frye firing against a team that has struggled all season stopping consistent ground attacks. The play-calling was lackluster, especially late when they attempted to run fade routes to Murphy on back-to-back plays – one which ended on a interception by Eric Wright that was overturned another on a busted play that Frye was not able to get off after penetration disrupted his short drop in the pocket. The Browns have an anemic offense as well, ranking 31^st in total yards per game entering the contest. But allowed too many big plays to help them move the chains and sustain drives. What also helped was how undisciplined the defense was, losing their composure and imploding in certain spots. Oakland tallied 13-penalties for 126-yards. Add the three turnovers, and this just proves that it does not matter who the opponent is, the Raiders are not ready to build on their recent success and go on the road and take care of business. “Some it is uncalled for stuff,” Cable said. “We’ve got to see what’s going on, but that’s 130 yards and that’s disappointing.” And that falls directly on the coaching staff, their preparation and inability to challenge these players. Another defeat next week extends their already agonizing 11 losses or more streak.

GAME NOTES:

• Inactives included: Bruce Gradkowski, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Justin Fargas, Khalif Barnes, Brandon Myers, Javon Walker and Nick Miller.
• “I didn’t give our team a very good chance to win. Turnovers trump everything,” said Frye after the game, who sustained a concussion last week and faced his former team today.
• “We’ve shown flashes of being a championship-caliber team. We’ve shown flashes of being one of those cellar-dweller type teams,” Nnamdi Asomugha said. “It’s kind of like we haven’t been able to figure out who we wanted to be. If you want to be a contender in this league, you have to have an identity.”

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

Fullback Luke Lawton was banned four games by the NFL yesterday after reportedly violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy.

The 29-year old will not be available for the Silver & Black’s next two games and the first two games of the 2010 regular season. Lawton signed as a free agent with the Raiders on 2008 and has been a member of the Bills, Jets and Colts in his 5-year career.

Lawton will be a free-agent once the season ends, so any teams that decides to sign him will have to wait for his services till at least week-three of next year.

He will lose nearly $63,000 in salary.

Reserve Marcel Reece could be activated from the practice squad, but it is more likely that Gary Russell will get most of the reps at that position.

OTHER NOTES

• Zach Miller has been cleared to practice, but Brandon Myers has not, as both tight ends have sustained concussions in recent weeks. Miller has felt better as the week ended and feels that he could see action soon once he passes some final tests. “I think it’s called a post-accident concussion test,” Miller said. “It’s the same test I’ve taken four times already. I’m really close. I’ve been practicing, feeling fine practicing, so everything looks good.”
• If neither could go, that leaves Tony Stewart as the lone tight end. Erik Pears could be used again as an extra blocker on the edges to assist Stewart and added some bulk to a ground game that will look to pound the ball with Michael Bush and Darren McFadden.
• The Browns got an extension till 1 p.m. Saturday to try to avoid their first local blackout since 1995. Browns’ officials would not state how many more tickets needed to be sold to prevent the game to be seen within a 75-mile radius of downtown Cleveland.
• Since 2003, Cleveland has a record of 36-74. The Raiders are 29-81 during that same span.

On Sunday, the Oakland Raiders (5-9) face the Cleveland Browns (3-11). It will mark the 18^th meeting between both clubs with the Silver & Black leading 10-7. In their last meeting, Oakland blocked a late field goal to capture a 26-24 victory. The Browns are on a two game winning streak, something the Raiders will try to achieve with a road win – a feat that has been highly elusive in the short Tom Cable era.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

What to Expect on Offense:

The Raiders are moving forward with Charlie Frye. The passer cleared all tests after his concussion and has been practicing with the squad. Bruce Gradkowski has improved per Cable, but there is very little chance for him to see any action.

Justin Fargas is expected to miss the game on Sunday, which means more of the tandem of Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. Zach Miller has been limited during the week. There is a chance he may play, especially with Brandon Myers (concussion) looking like he may be inactive. Rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey will be sidelined once again and will probably not see action again this season.

With Cleveland allowing 149.6 yards per game on the ground, expect Oakland to support Frye with a heavy load of Bush and McFadden sprinkled in all over in varying formations.

What to Expect on Defense:

“We love that guy from when he was here,“ stated Thomas Howard about his former coordinator, Rob Ryan. “You always have a place in your heart for a guy like that. He drafted me and was my coordinator. But, hey, we’re on opposite sides of the field this Sunday and we’re getting after him. Like he said, it’s bedlam.”

This is a different defense than what Ryan last saw when he was their leader.

One key has been their ability to rough the passer, and Greg Ellis has been a huge part of that.  He was limited in practice again this week, but as I stated a few weeks ago, the Raiders will take it easy on him during the week and unleash the veteran on game day.

Don’t expect the Raiders to let up on their pass rush. They’ll continue to bring the heat with extra defenders in hopes of facilitating mistakes out of Derek Anderson.

What to Expect on Special Teams:

Shane Lechler sounded very confident this week when talking about his squad’s ability to lock down the dangerous Joshua Cribbs.

“We’re going to do exactly what we did to [Devin] Hester, what we did to Dante Hall four years ago when he was at Kansas City,” Lechler reported this week. “ When you do (try to avoid the returner) it goes to show that you don’t trust your guys. I’m willing to put my guys up against anybody. I like my guys. My punt team is outstanding, they play their butt off every Sunday.”

CLEVELAND BROWNS

What to Expect on Offense:

Jerome Harrison’s 286-yard three-touchdown performance against the Kansas City Chiefs was epic. He broke Jim Brown’s team record and now faces a 30^th ranked rush defense that can allow big chunks on the ground and big games from unknown rushers.

Derek Anderson will start for Brady Quinn, but some his thoughts this week were with the looming change atop the organization, as Mike Holmgren agreed to take over as team president recently.

“I think it’s an audition for everybody,” said Anderson, who will try to impress his new boss now that Quinn is out with a foot injury. “We’ve all got to continue to do good things and make plays and just play and do the things we’ve been doing the last few weeks.”

What to Expect on Defense:

The Browns utilize a 3-4 scheme under Ryan and head coach Eric Mangini. And they have been wildly inconsistent, playing stellar against the Steelers once week and then looking like a sieve versus a feeble Chiefs attack.

Linebacker Matt Roth has been a pleasant surprise lately. He recovered a fumble and recorded a key sack last weekend. “Matt’s been great. I think he’s done an excellent job in terms of fitting in with the group. The guys seem to really enjoy having him here. He’s tough,” stated his head coach.

What to Expect on Special Teams:

Cribbs versus the special teams of the Raiders – it doesn’t get better than that. “Every single time I touch the football I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m going to go. Not just good field position, but this is going back to the house,’” Cribbs said. “My eyes light up, it’s like a kid on Christmas Day every time I get the ball.”

He now holds the NFL record for 8 kickoff returns for touchdowns. He may be able to add more scores in a different role, as a defender, per Mangini in the near future.

“He is a physical tackler. He is very aggressive. He has good ball skills in terms of his ability to locate the ball, pluck the ball. He’d be great with interceptions. He’d be a dangerous returner if he got a pick. I don’t think it’s going to happen short term, it could be something that evolves.”

GAME NOTES

• The Browns have won six of the last eight meetings versus Oakland.
• In Oakland’s five-wins, their margin of victory is an average of 2.8 points.
• “He was one of the only coaches that stuck by me when I was in the beginning of my career trying to learn the new position,” Nnamdi Asomugha said of Rob Ryan. “The amount of confidence he had in me was huge and it did a lot for my development as far as growth with the cornerback position. I owe a lot to him and he knows that already so it’s going to be great seeing him. He’s a favorite of mine.”

KEY MATCH-UPS

Cribbs vs. Oakland’s cover teams

Every time the ball is kicked to Cribbs, there is excitement and anticipation he will do something special.

Which Run Defense implodes?

Both teams can put out awful efforts stopping the run. With a record breaking rusher that came out of nowhere on one side and a talented duo on the other side, this could be a game decided in the trenches and by rushers.

PREDICTION

Raiders 23 – Browns 20

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on CBS with Don Criqui providing play-by-play and former NFL performer Randy Cross handling color analysis. The game will air locally on KPIX Channel 5. The game will also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13 as well as on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black’s Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores man the booth for the 12th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KSFO’s Rich Walcoff. (Broadcast information cited directly from the official Oakland Raiders web site)

GAME INFO

Sunday, December 27, 2009, 1:00 p.m. ET | Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cle., OH

Home Team: Cleveland Browns (3-11) Home: 1-5 Road: 2-6

Road Team: Oakland Raiders (5-9) Home: 2-5 Road: 3-4

LINE: Raiders are 3-point underdogs

Contact Author:  Victor Cotto – SB Report Columnist

OAKLAND, CA — Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha speaks about former Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan and about playing against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday:
video management, video solution, video streaming

Linebacker Thomas Howard touches on what it took to defeat the Denver Broncos last week and about Rob Ryan’s ‘prank’ phone call:
video management, video solution, video streaming

Always uber-cool, Shane Lechler briefly discusses about kicking to the dangerous Cleveland returner Josh Cribbs (Off camera, the Raider punter said that he will not kick away from Cribbs just before I began recording):
video management, video solution, video streaming

Richard Seymour chatting about the challenges the defense faces against the Cleveland Browns:
video management, video solution, video streaming

Oakland is hoping to have tight end Zach Miller back in time for practice in preparation for their match-up this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.

Miller sustained a concussion against the Redskins. On Monday, he took a battery of tests on a computer to test his mental acuity. The results will then be compared to a similar exam taken prior to the start of the season to see if the results are comparable or whether there is some distress after the head trauma.

“I took it today, I don’t know, I haven’t got the results yet, hopefully it went good today,” Miller commented yesterday.

This season, Miller has tallied 50 receptions for 657 yards and 2 touchdowns. Since his rookie season, the Raiders best weapon has played in 45 contests and compiling a team best 150 receptions during that span.

If he misses any more game action, it can derail his output, as the former 2^nd round pick has improved his catch and yard numbers in every year as a pro, and was headed toward another campaign of enhanced stats.

“I feel like once the symptoms are gone and all that, there’s no reason not to play and I want to get back on the field,” Miller stated. “It sucks not playing.”

DHB ON DHB

Darrius Heyward-Bey is in limbo with his sprained foot. “Same old, same old, day by day, week by week,” Heyward-Bey was quoted. His injury has given Louis Murphy more playing time, and rightfully so, as he has been the better of the two rookies and the Raiders best receiver in 2009. Unfortunately, it took an injury for that to happen and not the ineffectiveness of the speedy first round pick. “Don’t want to rush anything but also want to get back out there, you know? Want to help out my teammates.”

ANALYSIS

Brandon Myers left Sunday’s game with a concussion. Miller is dealing with one. Jon Alston had to be shutdown due to symptoms from head trauma in a span of a few weeks. And Charlie Frye had to leave the contest on Sunday after being dazed with one.

The NFL acknowledges the many concerns related to head trauma. And the league should look into a protocol this off-season on how teams should handle players suffering from concussions and what should it take for them to get back on the field after sustaining one.

“It’s quite obvious from the medical research that’s been done that concussions can lead to long-term problems,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said this month.

Concussion management is vital and these players future lives are in jeopardy whenever they take the field in hopes of performing for their team, a possible contract or other scenarios that they may feel obligated to play through with trauma.

The NFL announced new stringent rules, such as requiring players that exhibit any significant sign of concussion to be removed from a game or practice and be barred from returning the same day. But concussions can linger and there is no definitive way to medically clear a player as concussion symptoms can reoccur hours or days after the initial blow.

It’s time for the league to set a protocol and start avoiding the mass critique on how they handle players after these types of injuries. And with high profile players such as Kurt Warner, DeSean Jackson and Ben Roethlisberger making headlines after the trauma, it will surely be a hot topic during the off-season and league meetings in 2010.