Kevin Kolb's Concussion Issues Could Make Him Susceptible To More Head Injuries

by Tyler Nickel on Jan 30, 2012 7:01 AM MST in General Arizona Cardinals News

Many people were disappointed in Kevin Kolb's first season with the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did he not play as well as expected, but he was out much of the year with injuries including turf toe and a concussion that he sustained while playing the division foe 49ers.

After becoming concussed, Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt stated that he didn't expect the head traumas to be a recurring issue and that Kolb would be able to come back without having to worry about becoming concussed again. According to Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona, that might not exactly be the case.

In an interview with a neurosurgeon, Morgan discovered that a person who receives a concussion becomes more susceptible to getting one again. So far in his NFL career, Kolb has had two concussions and if the doctor that Morgan spoke with is correct, Cardinals fans might start becoming a little uneasy.

Entire careers have been destroyed because of multiple blows to the head. If you are an Arizona sports fan, (specifically, college sports), then you know the story behind former Arizona State quarterback, Steven Threet. Threet retired from the football team due to his concussion issues. Who's to say Kolb doesn't go down that same path?

The Cards relinquished quite a bit to obtain Kolb in the hopes that he could be the team's newest franchise QB. If he were rendered incapable of playing because of ongoing concussion issues, it would be a huge blow to not only the Cardinals franchise, but also to the entire NFL community.

So while we want to see Kolb on the field succeeding at what he was hired to do, we also know that he needs to take every precaution in making sure that he is healthy and truly ready to step back onto the field again. Concussions are a very serious condition and they need to be treated as such. Let's hope they don't become overwhelmingly serious for our favorite team's starting signal caller.

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I know its not fool-proof

but Kurt Warner used a mouth guard. At QB it is harder because they have to shout out at the LOS. I wonder if Kolb has used one.

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by Jess Root on Jan 30, 2012 9:44 AM MST reply actions

That screams we need to improve the Oline...

I’d still prefer Sketlon starting over Kolb; we gave up too much for a QB who played well in a different system, but was nothing special. Kolb is making too much for a back-up QB, so he should take a pay cut IMO. Sorry, let me hop of this soap box…

by RamsFan1979 on Jan 30, 2012 10:05 AM MST reply actions

Fast decision making at QB can help marginalize a bad line.
The nice thing about the NFL is that no team is truly set at one position.
Then minute they think they are, there’s always a rash of injuries or someone not hauling the load and balance is restored.
And if Murphy’s law doesn’t fix it, Free Agency will.

QBs are going to take shots, even with great lines.
If the Cardinals (not the NFL, the Cardinals) and Kolb are serious about concussions they’re look at everything, including at custom mouth guards, like a number of athletes do.

http://www.mahercorlabs.com/articles.htm

But education doesn’t mean putting knowledge to practice.

by superpsck on Jan 30, 2012 4:18 PM MST up reply actions

When kolb was in Philly.

Jason Peters was his left tackle. Levi Brown is his left tackle in Arizona.

Best left tackle in the league to worst left tackle in the league. Get the guy a decent O-line an an offseason, possibly a #2 receiver that’s a better compliment to Fitz.

by bitterlyhonest on Jan 30, 2012 9:18 PM MST up reply actions

In an interview with a neurosurgeon, Morgan discovered that a person who receives a concussion becomes more susceptible to getting one again.

I thought this was already known as fact….? I have definitely heard of that in the past and thought it was just common knowledge now haha.

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by Airwave on Jan 30, 2012 4:32 PM MST reply actions

Comments made by Whisenhunt gave a contrary impression.

I’m not sure I entirely believe that having had one necessarily makes you more susceptible to having another. People who suffer repeated concussions are usually performing activities that are inherently dangerous to begin with. Their odds are increased to begin with.

by hadrarius on Jan 31, 2012 4:16 PM MST up reply actions

Time to call up Kolb's agent,

and rework his contract, I’m thinking really low salary with bonuses, like finishing a full 16 games

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by INSOMAN1ATIC on Jan 30, 2012 7:29 PM MST reply actions

It's not Kolb's fault he had to play behind the 4th worst O-line in the league

Talk about putting your qb in a position to succeed.

Levi Brown protecting his blind side?! Come on now. You paid the man. He’s got the rb and the #1 receiver. Get him an O-line and a #2 receiver. Fix the defensive trenches. 10+ wins.

by bitterlyhonest on Jan 30, 2012 9:15 PM MST reply actions