Inside The Pylon works to deliver quality football content to our readers. This Week in Football Writing collects some of our favorite pieces from friends and colleagues last week and shares them with you.
Don’t Let Kids Play Football
Dr. Bennet Omalu wrote this op-ed that is as simple as it’s title – children should not play tackle football because of the risk of traumatic brain injury.
When It Comes To Diagnosing An NFL play, Observers Have Limitations
Danny O’Neil got it wrong – like we all do – but instead of ignoring it he instead holds himself accountable and, in the process, writes one of the most important pieces the ITP editors have recommended all season.
‘Paid to Give Concussions’
Emily Kaplan of MMQB was on hand when the NFLPA screened Concussion – the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu and how the NFL covered up its concussion problem – for retired players in Atlanta recently. Some viewers limped away in tears, and for some, it was a “panic-inducing horror film”.
Draft Review of the New Orleans Saints in the Payton-Loomis era, 2006-2014
Nath of ZoneReads.com is a terrific follow on twitter and a great writer whose latest is a thorough review of the Mickey Loomis–Sean Payton era drafts for the New Orleans Saints.
Former NFL LB Andra Davis Discusses Contemplating Suicide, Depression and More
Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report spoke with former NFL linebacker Andra Davis, another ex-NFL player struggling with post-career injuries and depression.
How Undrafted Free Agents Have Been Key To Seahawks’ Success
Sheil Kapadia of ESPN looks at how the Seattle Seahawks – who keep trading their first round pick – are so successful in the undrafted free agent market every year.
Blood Test Could Make Identifying Concussions A Lot Easier
Dr. Mallika Marshall reports (video & text) on Boston-area company Quanterix, who is developing a blood test to identify the presence of certain proteins released into the bloodstream when someone is concussed.
College Football’s Ugly Hot Wife Theory, And How To End It
Andy Hutchins of SB Nation on college football coaches using their “hot wife” as a prop at press conferences to demonstrate their “recruiting prowess” is sexist, stupid, and unacceptable.
How Will NFL Improve Concussion Problem Over The Next 50 Years?
Tom Taylor of Sports Illustrated explores the future of football, first by looking at football’s history, and then at the emerging technologies and ideas aimed at ameliorating the dangers of traumatic brain injury.
The Must Follow List: @ITPylon’s Favorite Twits
https://twitter.com/alexander1great/status/675867091631755266
How a book on stoicism swept through the world of sports, read by Patriots and Seahawks (and LL, and Arnold): https://t.co/VLLLxcfTbm
— Greg Bishop (@GregBishopSI) December 8, 2015
Lining up in/neutral zone is mind numbingly stupid – especially by linemen. I was always tempted to run on the field/yell back the f*** up.
— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) December 8, 2015
Muschamp asked his wife to stand up: "Gamecock Nation, if you don't think I can recruit, look at her and then look at me."
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/scATX/status/673904993255079936
Inside the Pylon’s Football Fan Holiday Shopping Guide
Mike Freeman’s new book, “Two Minute Warning”
Alex Kirby‘s New England vs Seattle (Every Play Revealed)
Matt Waldman‘s 2015 Rookie Scouting Portfolio – An amazing resource of player evaluation. Good for the hardcore fan, or fantasy guru in your life. Plus, ten percent of each purchase is donated to the Darkness to Light charity.
And for the true football obsessive in your life, consider the spring semester of The Scouting Academy.
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