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View Full Version : Hamilton applauds new concussion rules



Lonestar
12-05-2009, 05:58 PM
Posted: 12/05/2009 01:00:00 AM MST


Broncos guard Ben Hamilton, who missed the 2007 season because of the aftereffects of a concussion he suffered in training camp, said Friday he's glad the NFL has tightened the guidelines on when a player can return to the field after suffering a concussion.

"I think it's a very good idea. People have got to think about life after football," Hamilton said. "And messing with your brain is not a good idea. Nobody wants to come out of a game, and rules or guidelines that force the player to come out and protect the player's safety are a very good idea."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo to all 32 teams this week, saying a player who suffers a concussion in a game should not return to the game if he exhibits symptoms such as the inability to remember plays or assignments, dizziness and headaches.

The former standard had been that a player should not return to a game if he had lost consciousness. Goodell's memo also encouraged players to "be candid" with team medical staffs after suffering blows to the head.

"A lot of guys in this league will try to go back in. That's just how football players are," said Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley, who missed a month of the '03 season with a concussion. "It's a good step."

High praise.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley spent two years as Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator, watching über-receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Asked this week about the Broncos' Brandon Marshall, Haley let the compliments flow.

"I've always been real impressed with Brandon. He is a big-timer. He is big, he's fast, deceptively fast I should say, and just an explosive player overall that can make phenomenal catches on a consistent basis."

A warning.

The NFL has fined Broncos linebacker Darrell Reid $10,000 for using his elbow to strike a Giants player "in the head area" in the Broncos' 26-6 win Thanksgiving night. The foul was classified as "flagrant" by the league.

Footnotes.

Safety Brian Dawkins (ankle) took part in Friday's light practice after being held out Wednesday and Thursday. He was listed as questionable for Sunday's game. . . . McDaniels said right tackle Ryan Harris (toe), who has missed four games, appears on track to return as well. "He looks good," the coach said.

Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13931247