The Chris Conte Injury
September 27th, 2018
Played with bum knee?
Fan favorite Chris Conte could return to the team this season.
Tuesday, Conte was placed on injured reserve, and the Bucs are allowed to return two players from IR reserve later season.
The Bucs’ starting safety blew out his knee Monday night in the thrown-outta-the-club play when he was stiff-armed into Bradenton on a 75-yard touchdown catch-and-run by Steelers tight end Vance McDonald.
Joe would hate to see the guy go out on such an embarrassing play. That stiff-arm by McDonald will be replayed time and again for the ages. Sort of like when Earl Campbell gored Isiah Robertson.
Fast-forward to Wednesday and Adam Schefter twittered out something that was borderline disturbing about Conte and his knee injury.
Bucs’ S Chris Conte, the victim of Vance McDonald’s stiff arm, played with a torn PCL Monday night, per source. Conte “gutted it out and honestly shouldn’t have played.” He now will be sidelined the next six weeks, resting an injury he played with vs. Steelers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 26, 2018
Of course, this invites speculation about the Bucs knowledge of Conte’s injury before the game. And if they knew what is alleged above, why did Conte even dress? That knee injury could end Conte’s career if serious enough.
Yesterday Bucs coach Dirk Koetter was asked about Conte playing and he said Bucs medical staff cleared him to play. Koetter said he knew Conte had a sore knee but if the medical staff clears a player, then it is a total green light for the player to hit the field. In other words, a player is either given a green light or told to stay in street clothes. There is no yellow light or partial clearance.
This story reminds Joe of a famous saying of his good friend the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, “The Big Dog,” Steve Duemig. When something was leaked, he often said, “I smell agent.”
Well, Joe smells agent here. No one representing Conte (or Conte himself) wants that play to be his last in the NFL, certainly not the last thing NFL general managers have stuck in their memory banks of Conte, provided he cannot return.
The news dropped in Schefter’s lap sure smells like an agent going full-blown damage control for Conte, who will be a free agent after this season. Agents are well-aware that every GM and perhaps every NFL owner reads Schefter’s tweets, and they know every suit in NFL team personnel departments saw Conte get freight-trained like that.
On national television no less.
Joe is still curious what exactly the Bucs knew about Conte’s injury prior to the game, or if his agent is exaggerating to create a smokescreen for his client?
September 27th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
yeah he strained somethin that starts with a P….
September 27th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Just stay away man…..enough damage already.
September 27th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Bigger question. Why did we not sign Breeland??? We worked him out two weeks ago and he signed with the Packers 2 days ago.
September 27th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Playing a mediocre (being generous) player with a serious injury on primetime after a 2-0 start??? That’s what I call, “just asking for it” and this front office/coaching staff seems to be asking for it, a lot.
September 27th, 2018 at 12:11 pm
That sounds like Conte making that up so he doesn’t look like what he is a weak at best safety. I’m happy we don’t have to see him dress up for us anymore. Good luck Mr. Conte on your new career!
September 27th, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Can’t blame conte for giving it a go!!!!! He knows that the only thing he has over Whitehead is experience, and if conte sits for a game, thats all it could take to end conte’ bucs career!!!!!!!! The only thing that the “real” fans are curious about, is why the local media keep trying to say that he was good!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 27th, 2018 at 12:14 pm
JAG during his playing career for the Bucs. It wouldn’t hurt just to keep him on IR and let the rookies get their lumps in. Would he want to come back after what happened to him on Monday Night Football?
September 27th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Bucs need a new medical staff lol
September 27th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Chris Conte was our best safety, no matter what some fans may claim. That isn’t to say he is elite or has the most potential.
I believe Jordan Whitehead has the most potential, but Conte was a bridge to him. He allowed us the time to carefully develop Whitehead.
Now Whitehead will have to play more. All this means is that he’s on the fast track, just like Davis and Stewart (and Vita Vea soon probably the way things are going with injuries).
He’s getting his opportunity sooner rather than later. And if he advances as quickly as I think he can, Conte won’t come back to start.
September 27th, 2018 at 12:39 pm
@ Realist….the local media knows he is not good. They are just evil and hype him up to cause arguments among the fan base.
September 27th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
panthers signed Eric Reid…Its like they dont want to improve the defense.
September 27th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
Even Hurt I think Conte is worth an 8th Round pick
September 27th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Listen, I want to play in the NFL, but I am not good enough…Chris, neither are you, not on our team – please get healthy and find another place to suck at, we have seen enough already
He knew he had to play at whatever the cost, once Whitehead got on the field -Conte knew he would never see it again…
September 27th, 2018 at 1:22 pm
Agreed Bonzai. I mean, if he was so bad he would have been gone long ago like **every** free agent signing Licht has made that didn’t pan out.
September 27th, 2018 at 1:30 pm
I still don’t know why that stiff arm wasn’t a hands to the face penalty? When a defender even gets near a facemask the refs are throwing laundry but a ball carrier can put his hands all up in the face mask of a would be tackler and nada. That’s unfair. They should be allowed to stiff arm but not on the face mask.
September 27th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
If Conte face masked the receiver like he was face masked a penalty would have been called.
September 27th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Sometimes it’s called if they grab or twist but usually a push and your fine as a ball carrier.
September 27th, 2018 at 1:41 pm
PCL? Ha!
He went on IR for a broken ego.
September 27th, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Conte and Fitz cost the Bucs a 3-0 record. Conte was afraid of losing his job forever and cost the team. Further fuel for “Conte Hate.”
September 27th, 2018 at 2:05 pm
I got Conte being one of those types who..refuses to stay down. I betcha all a paycheck..Conte comes back even more determined, stronger and a better player.
September 27th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
well I don’t know why some are shocked….this is the same medical staff that “cleared” Winston when everyone knew his shoulder was banged up in the Minnesota game…..
and this is the same coaching staff that hung him out to dry…..dirk admitted that he knew conte had a “sore knee” but decided to roll with him anyway…..just like dirk knew Winston had a “hurt shoulder” and still decided to roll with Winston…..
this medical staff is flat out horrible…..why do all our injuries end up taking double and sometimes triple the recovery time……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
September 27th, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Was Conte on the injury report the week leading up to the game? Not being sarcastic just do not remember seeing him.
September 27th, 2018 at 2:53 pm
The handling of Jameis injury was awful. They should’ve shut him down last year. Conte being hurt should be an excuse for him to get paid. It looks like the Bucs are sending out hurt players and making them play instead of properly treating them. This is all under the watch of Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter. Further fuel to fire them both.
September 27th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Any update on Steve Duemig? I hope he is doing well.
September 27th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
@Joe … “Joe would hate to see the guy go out on such an embarrassing play.” I can’t believe was a group of classless fans (?) our Bucs team has. Chris Conte gave up several inches in height & over 60 lbs to an excellent TE and was trying to take him down from almost behind while running on a bum leg, then gets stiff-armed in the facemask and head & gets thrown off-balance. Conte may not be the best safety in the league (although IMO he’s quite good & tough as nails), but he’s shown more guts than I’ve seen out of a number of other players. Unbelievable! Some of you make-believe fans need to crawl back into your holes and stop tearing down what you pretend is YOUR team. At least Jean Lafitte and Martinii get it.
@Jameis Almighty! … “Conte and Fitz cost the Bucs a 3-0 record. Conte was afraid of losing his job forever and cost the team. Further fuel for “Conte Hate.” You just won the prize for the most ludicrous comment today Jameis A. And the A there doesn’t stand for Almighty, trust me.
September 27th, 2018 at 3:41 pm
JOE SAYS: Fan favorite Chris Conte……………………..
Cant stop laughing
September 27th, 2018 at 3:57 pm
I Think defense rules is Conte’s dad.
September 27th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
Defense Rules- I agree, it’s appalling. What’s lost in the mix because of that play was Zeke Elliot rag-dolling “Mr. Safety” himself, Earl Thomas. Zeke doesn’t outweigh Thomas by 60 lbs!
Do ya think fans in Seattle are calling Thomas “soft” because of that play?! Ready to replace him?!
It’s just funny. The guy beat out and started ahead of EVERY single free agent they brought in to replace him, for those with short memories.
Get well Chris!
September 27th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
I think Grt1 is Rod muncher’s rod
September 27th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Blew and knee is something Conte is very familiar with.
September 27th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
So… a few things here:
1st, everyone in the league plays hurt or sore or in pain or, or, or…. It ain’t like they are out there washing dishes (no offense to the dishwashers out there). If they fielded a team with people who weren’t “injured” they would have to field some of the cheerleaders cause half the roster would be dressed for the after party. So we can stop with the speculating on whether the coaches knew or not. Newsflash: it’s the NFL, everybody hurts sometimes…
2nd, I’m not a Conte fan but he does play hard. Doesn’t mean he plays well but he does play hard. Unfortunately his effort doesn’t create results. He is the last line of defense and he plays that part well, almost too well. Obviously with the exception of the spanking he took at the hands of the human freight train that ran him over like a school bus over a ketchup packet, he usually chases a play down and prevents the big play. That’s my problem with him as a player, he’s not proactive. He’s made a career off of just being there in the end. He doesn’t make the big play or, at times, seem like he could be bothered to make any play. It’s almost like he plays it safe (pun intended) and that, to me, isn’t good enough.
3rd, I already said I’m not a fan of Conte but I don’t hate him. It’s not his fault the coaches wouldn’t put him out to pastor. He’s just doing what they ask him to do, go out there and compete. He got exposed. It happens in football especially when you just skate by on being mediocre for so long in a game played among the titans of mankind. I can’t blame the man for doing what he loves and getting a check for it. I can look at the coaches and ask “is this he best we can do?” The even scarier question is are the coaches asking themselves that?
September 27th, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Fan favorite Chris Conte is as ridiculous as saying Jameis Winston is America’s quarterback
September 27th, 2018 at 10:43 pm
Conte has played his last stiff arm for the Bucs. Whitehead will do so well there won’t be a seat for the Conte.
September 27th, 2018 at 11:18 pm
Everyone wants to trash Conte but if you look at the NFL as a whole, the safety position is looking pretty sorry. Powerhouse defense Minnesota last season are suffering this season and it’s the safeties getting burned. The new QB rules are having a negative effect on pressure on the QB’s, and the QB’s are taking advantage by stepping up and throwing deeper fly patterns.
September 27th, 2018 at 11:24 pm
no sooner I say that Aaron Donald blew up Kirk Cousins 🙂
September 28th, 2018 at 1:25 am
Bucs signed S Andrew Adams
September 28th, 2018 at 1:27 am
And the Panthers finally signed S Eric Reid. Hmmm, Eric Reid or Andrew Adams? Tough one. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
September 28th, 2018 at 7:59 am
Okay Joes, I know you guys need those cyber clicks, baby! Stop insulting the fans on here and Conte by calling him SARCASTICALLY, “fan favorite.” He’s one tough player who has never embarrassed us on or off-field. I’m sorry he’s hurt. You can bet Whitehead doesn’t think he’s a joke. Conte has been mentoring him. Whitehead will probably end up out shining his cousin, Darrell Revis. That ain’t chopped liver. 3-1 Sunday.