“When You Get Injured”
June 24th, 2014
Martin says he learned two years ago that injuries are about “when,” not “if.”
Now’s the time of year when NFL rookies gather to learn all about saying no to weed, using a limo while drunk and craving Taco Bell, and how to avoid flushing away all their riches and ending up as a used boat salesman at 30 years old.
The NFL calls it the “Rookie Symposium.” It’s the event where Aqib Talib got into a fist fight in 2008.
During a chat with good guy running back Doug Martin about his comeback from shoulder surgery, Martin shared with Joe a impactful memory of his rookie symposium that and helped him prepare for a rough fall and winter last season.
“They said when you get, when you get injured,” Martin explained of what the mindset drilled into rookies. “So going into [your career] you know about the risk and not worry about that because that will slow you down.”
Martin said it was a message that stuck and really prepared him for the painful shoulder tear he suffered against the Falcons in Week 6 last season.
The message is rather poignant given that the Bucs’ top two draft picks this year, manbeasts Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, are not 100 percent right now. Evans tweaked a hamstring 10 yards in front of Joe during spring practice, and Seferian-Jenkins is rehabbing a surgically repaired foot fracture.
Perhaps the “when you get injured line” is, in part, why the Bucs pounced on rookie Charles Sims in the third round. Both Martin and Mike James landed under the knife last season. You just can’t label those guys as durable. Remember, Martin also has had concussion issues during his brief career.
June 24th, 2014 at 9:29 am
Luke seems to survive all his injuries….he should speak at the symposium!!!
June 24th, 2014 at 9:38 am
I love the change in tone over the Charles Sims pick over the last few weeks. No such thing as too much depth!
June 24th, 2014 at 9:48 am
RB is going to be the most exciting preseason battle this year. So much talent. Whose the odd man out?
June 24th, 2014 at 9:56 am
I truly hope we don’t have another Bowers like situation with ASJ. Hobbled on arrival at OBP. The dreaded 2nd round curse.
Evans injury reminds me of the Stocker situation. A rookie who is always behind the curve due to nagging problems.
It’s frightful that our first two picks might not be a go if camp were to start next week.
June 24th, 2014 at 9:57 am
I think there have been more Bigfoot sightings in the last few years than Luke Stocker has been on a football field on Sundays.
June 24th, 2014 at 10:26 am
biff barker Says
“Evans injury reminds me of the Stocker situation. A rookie who is always behind the curve due to nagging problems.”
While I understand having concerns about injury, I think the Evans situation is different. In all likelihood, he was a little sore and they decided to take it easy on him. Maybe had him watch film and study some.
We’ll see the same thing happen with various starters during training camp amd preseason.
I would be more concerned with the Austin Seferian-Jenkins injury.
June 24th, 2014 at 10:44 am
“ending up as a used boat salesman at 30 years old.”
What’s wrong with selling boats for a living?
A lot less traumatic brain injuries.
June 24th, 2014 at 10:58 am
selling boats is a dream job for many, as would be selling for any of the major equipment mfg’s.
a lot more fun than say running a websit. 🙂
Joe specified “used boats,” and Joe hardly believes selling used boats is a “dream job” for many 30 year olds who once earned a 500K a year in the NFL. –Joe
June 24th, 2014 at 12:13 pm
I can’t agree with the Evans/Stocker bit. Athletes tweak a hammy all the time. I did when I played football, and many people I know did as well. Nothing like Stocker who’s been on IR all 3 of his pro seasons. If he tore it, then I’d be a worried. A tweak is gonna happen every now and again. I’ll agree with Bonzai that they just sat him out to study from being sore. Why press an issue if the pads aren’t on?
June 24th, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Mike, my comparison of Evans and Stocker was simply pointing out, as rookies, both weren’t on the field for a week before getting tweaked…you can’t get ready from the sidelines. Also, hammies and groin issues can be nagging.
As far as ASJ, like Bowers, he enters the league on rehab status.
June 24th, 2014 at 7:04 pm
I saw an interview with ASJ and noticed he wasn’t wearing a cast or a walking boot on his injured foot, so hopefully his rehab is well advanced. Of course, you can’t be sure until you see him running around in pads at full speed giving and taking hits.
June 25th, 2014 at 8:31 am
Beware the injured foot among big men.