Post by TheShadow on Dec 9, 2003 20:00:58 GMT -5
www.oaklandtribune.com
By Jerry McDonald, STAFF WRITER
ALAMEDA -- It was termed a mild concussion, but considering the recipient was Lincoln Kennedy, there is reason to be concerned.
Kennedy suffered a concussion last season that caused him to miss a game and was plagued by severe headaches for much of the season.
"You have to respect this kind of injury more than others," Kennedy said at the time.
Kennedy received his latest concussion Sunday on the the Raiders' final offensive play in a 27-7 loss Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, making the tackle on Brent Alexander after a Rick Mirer interception.
"From the reports that I received it was minor but it was just enough to open up another can of worms so to speak because he's had these concussions throughout his career," coach Bill Callahan said. "He's really committed to finish out these last three weeks on a positive note. He's doing the best he can to keep this team togther, hold everybody together and be exemplary in his role as captain."
Kennedy considered retiring after last season but did not want his career to end after a crushing 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl.
He has started seven of 13 games, surrendering the position to Langston Walker for six games after suffering a torn calf muscle.
The Raiders have lost one player, linebacker Bill Romanowski, to postconcussion symdrome this season.
BCS IS B.S.: USC product Justin Fargas was not happy with the system that left his Trojans out of the NCAA championship game despite being ranked No.1 in the Associated Press poll.
Despite getting blown out in the Big 12 title game against Kansas State, Oklahoma retained the top spot in the Bowl Championship Series standings and will face Louisiana State in the Sugar Bowl.
USC will face Michigan in the Rose Bowl, instead of facing Louisiana State in the Sugar Bowl, "I talked to some of the guys after they (beat Oregon State) and when Oklahoma lost, and they were talking about how they were definitely going to go," Fargas said. "It's ridiculous. I really don't know what to say. Michigan will be a good game, but it shouldn't be like that."
CALLAHAN SALUTES COWHER: Callahan appreciated the fact that Steelers coach Bill Cowher, rather than attempt to score a late touchdown whit his team inside the Oakland 5-yard line, elected to have quarterback Tommy Maddox kneel on the ball to run out the clock.
"They had momentum going. They had chewed off some good runs and some good numbers in that drive,'" Callahan said. "They used up seven minutes on the clock. They were certainly looking forward to scoring. We were vulnerable at that point. To sit down and take a knee just shows the ultimate class on their part."
EXTRA POINTS: DT John Parrella's groin tear is not improving, and Callahan said the Raiders were dicussing roster options, meaning Parrella could be headed to injured reserve for the last three games of the season. ... Callahan said Romanowski, who has been away from the club and will work as a Fox network analyst at the Carolina-Arizona game this weekend, has done so with the team's blessing." He's looking at some other career options," Callahan said. ... Callahan was disappointed in special teams coverage that surrendered 132 yards on five punt returns to Pittsburgh's Antwaan Randle El. When asked whether he had become more involved in the special teams area, Callahan said "Bob (Casullo) has complete autonomy on special teams."
By Jerry McDonald, STAFF WRITER
ALAMEDA -- It was termed a mild concussion, but considering the recipient was Lincoln Kennedy, there is reason to be concerned.
Kennedy suffered a concussion last season that caused him to miss a game and was plagued by severe headaches for much of the season.
"You have to respect this kind of injury more than others," Kennedy said at the time.
Kennedy received his latest concussion Sunday on the the Raiders' final offensive play in a 27-7 loss Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, making the tackle on Brent Alexander after a Rick Mirer interception.
"From the reports that I received it was minor but it was just enough to open up another can of worms so to speak because he's had these concussions throughout his career," coach Bill Callahan said. "He's really committed to finish out these last three weeks on a positive note. He's doing the best he can to keep this team togther, hold everybody together and be exemplary in his role as captain."
Kennedy considered retiring after last season but did not want his career to end after a crushing 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl.
He has started seven of 13 games, surrendering the position to Langston Walker for six games after suffering a torn calf muscle.
The Raiders have lost one player, linebacker Bill Romanowski, to postconcussion symdrome this season.
BCS IS B.S.: USC product Justin Fargas was not happy with the system that left his Trojans out of the NCAA championship game despite being ranked No.1 in the Associated Press poll.
Despite getting blown out in the Big 12 title game against Kansas State, Oklahoma retained the top spot in the Bowl Championship Series standings and will face Louisiana State in the Sugar Bowl.
USC will face Michigan in the Rose Bowl, instead of facing Louisiana State in the Sugar Bowl, "I talked to some of the guys after they (beat Oregon State) and when Oklahoma lost, and they were talking about how they were definitely going to go," Fargas said. "It's ridiculous. I really don't know what to say. Michigan will be a good game, but it shouldn't be like that."
CALLAHAN SALUTES COWHER: Callahan appreciated the fact that Steelers coach Bill Cowher, rather than attempt to score a late touchdown whit his team inside the Oakland 5-yard line, elected to have quarterback Tommy Maddox kneel on the ball to run out the clock.
"They had momentum going. They had chewed off some good runs and some good numbers in that drive,'" Callahan said. "They used up seven minutes on the clock. They were certainly looking forward to scoring. We were vulnerable at that point. To sit down and take a knee just shows the ultimate class on their part."
EXTRA POINTS: DT John Parrella's groin tear is not improving, and Callahan said the Raiders were dicussing roster options, meaning Parrella could be headed to injured reserve for the last three games of the season. ... Callahan said Romanowski, who has been away from the club and will work as a Fox network analyst at the Carolina-Arizona game this weekend, has done so with the team's blessing." He's looking at some other career options," Callahan said. ... Callahan was disappointed in special teams coverage that surrendered 132 yards on five punt returns to Pittsburgh's Antwaan Randle El. When asked whether he had become more involved in the special teams area, Callahan said "Bob (Casullo) has complete autonomy on special teams."