DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Another concussion for Pool . . .

I'm thinking Pool's had about enough. I thought that 'fro he was sporting might provide a little more cushion.

Regardless of whether or not Pool returns next season I know who I'd draft in the first . . . .

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2009/11/as_concussions_mount_concerns.html

As concussions mount, concerns grow for Brodney Pool: Browns Insider

By Mary Kay Cabot
November 30, 2009, 8:59PM

BEREA, Ohio -- Brodney Pool suffered at least his fourth concussion in five seasons during Sunday's 16-7 loss to the Bengals, and will undoubtedly give serious thought to continuing his career.

Pool also suffered a head injury in a preseason game, but coach Eric Mangini didn't think it was diagnosed as a concussion.

Mangini said the Browns will wait and see with Pool, but it wouldn't be surprising if he's shut down for the season given the NFL's renewed emphasis on concussions.

"We've tried to be very aggressive with that in New York and here as well," said Mangini. "You do everything you can to make sure that you're not putting the player at any greater risk and that you have the best information available when you're making those decisions. It's important to us organizationally. It's something we take very seriously."

Mangini said the Browns will do everything they can to keep Pool safe, including looking into a special helmet.

"I'm sure we've researched all those things," he said. "We'll take the steps we need to take. In terms of the specific helmet, I'm not sure. But I know anything that is out there that could possibly be preventative or after someone has had one, give them more protection, we're all for it."

The Browns have several options for replacing Pool. Mike Adams, who's been starting at cornerback in place of Brandon McDonald, can move back to safety, with McDonald going back to corner. If Adams stays at corner, Hank Poteat or Mike Furrey could start at safety.

"With any of the playing time, it's got to be earned," said Mangini. "It will depend on as we look at San Diego, where we're going to have Mike Adams, whether he'll work back at safety or work at corner. We've had different combinations of people working at those different spots. Some of it's going to be a function of what we see that they're doing."

Mangini said rookie cornerback Coye Francies still needs to prove he deserves playing time.

"He needs to keep working and establishing a role," he said. "Not that he hasn't, but he has to make even more of a case for himself."

Adams admitted he's concerned about Pool.

"Me and Brodney are great friends," said Adams. "He's a great player and an even better person. It worries me. I wish him all the best and hopefully he makes the right decision on him and evaluating himself."

Adams said he hasn't spoken to Pool since he suffered the concussion in the third quarter of the Bengals game.

"He wasn't in meetings [Monday]," said Adams. "I haven't even seen him. When I heard about it [Sunday] I wasn't sure whether it was a concussion or not."

Would Adams consider retiring if he had at least four concussions?

"I don't know," said Adams. "Ronnie Lott cut off his pinky to play. We love this game. I don't know. I can't put myself in his situation because that's him going through it and I don't really know how it feels because I only had one in my career that I remember."

He said trainers have hidden helmets on the sidelines to keep concussed players from returning to the game.

"As competitors, I don't care if you've had 20 concussions," said Adams. "You'll always say, 'Oh, I'm good, I'm good.' I think the trainers do a good job of making sure everything is OK before they let you back in."

The league issued new guidelines last week for concussion protocol, which reportedly includes having players seen by independent doctors. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was held out of Sunday's game against the Ravens, in part because of the more stringent rules.

In recent weeks, other big-name players missing games because of concussions include the Eagles' Brian Westbrook and Redskins' Clinton Portis. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner also left a recent game with a concussion.

Pool's first concussion came on his first pro play, when he was busting the wedge on the opening kickoff of his first preseason game. In what proved to be his worst concussion of the four, he was knocked out cold.

Brodney Pool suffered at least his fourth concussion in five seasons during Sunday's 16-7 loss to the Bengals, and will undoubtedly give serious thought to continuing his career.


I said prior to the draft I was concerned about this..and it happens again..he needs to be shut down.


The Browns have several options for replacing Pool. Mike Adams, who's been starting at cornerback in place of Brandon McDonald, can move back to safety, with McDonald going back to corner. If Adams stays at corner, Hank Poteat or Mike Furrey could start at safety.


That whole cast needs to be shut down for the season..


Mangini said rookie cornerback Coye Francies still needs to prove he deserves playing time.

"He needs to keep working and establishing a role," he said. "Not that he hasn't, but he has to make even more of a case for himself."





Manpolen needs to be shut down himself..or create more of a role..not that he hasn't...just not the right one..

Someone in here said something the other day about Pool,, that he's just one hard hit from forgetting his name............ forever! Sometimes, it's just better to walk away. This might be his time.

Fork,...stick it.

Brodney is a great guy and a fan favorite at camp. He will sign autographs for hours until everyone is gone. I think he plays at 100% all the time. Seeing him leave now would suck, but if the decision was mine, I would force his retirement. Life is too short, and he is too young. Please Brodney for the fans that are always in your corner, and mostly for your family and yourself, walk away. Your time here will be appreciated, and fans like my son who sports your jersey will always remember you. Your health is more important than anything, just look at your family, they are what matters most...they need you.

I agree with MyDoggs...it's gotta be hard to walk away especially as young as Brodney is. But like eryze said, you gotta look at your family. Pool is a great, great guy. Having met him at camp I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I just hope he has been financially smart and does need to keep on playing out of need of means to support his family.

Pool, the player. I think he has really, really good ball skills for a safety. He just is not a very good tackler at all. I think this may be why he has such trouble with the numerous concusions. He plays the game hard and he throws his body head first into the play often. If he would just wrap up he may be able to avoid some of these, but who knows, its a fast paced game.

As others have said, Pool is a great guy. He is far and away the best player on the Browns when it comes to interacting with fans. It is easy to see that he loves being out there with the fans.

With that said, it's time for him to give it up. He needs to think about his life after football.

What are you talking about?

Rub some dirt on it and get back out there!

Oh wait, this is 2009. Not 2008.

He's always tackled with his head. I don't understand why no one ever told him to tackle with his head up instead of using it as a battering ram. You'd think the fact that he got a concussion on his first play of his career...

I read an article somewhere that suggested turning Pool into a cornerback and drafting Eric Berry. Are Pool's coverage skills anywhere close to being good enough for corner? He would certainly take less of a beating.

In his rookie year Pool played some corner. He would only fit well against a larger slower possession type reciever.

He got schooled by Meshawn and he was not what you would call a burner at that point. He does play the TE well when matched up on him. Pool has been one of the best athletes to play for these new Browns.

Too bad on the head injuries. He was having one of his best seasons this year.

Well this ups are chances of looking at a Safety in the draft or FA. Heck we once took a S in the top 2 draft picks and look how that turned out. Maybe we should try again.

In all seriousness Eric Turner still maybe my favorite Browns player of all time.