Interesting radio point regarding Cowboys training and overall health

[bounce]

Was listening to San Antonio radio this morning, and every week there's a segment with a physical therapist who does a lot of work for professional athletes (specifically, he's on call for the Spurs - but also works with other pro teams). He was asked about the frequency of injuries with the Cowboys and the therapy regimens these guys have, and whether they're getting the proper treatment.

The response essentially was that the Cowboys have some of the best trainers in the business. However, the problem is that, on most NFL (or professional sports) teams, the training staff has final authority on player treatments and when/how the player should be rehabbing, no questions asked. In Dallas, however, they are undermined by higher powers that either make calls, or defers to the players themselves to decide what treatments they would like to receive.

And in the case of Miles Austin, he was unwilling to put in the work to rehab - specifically because he wasn't willing to go through the initial discomfort that some of the rehab process causes, and in turn he never properly heals.

No agenda here with the post, just an interesting thing to hear. This team is a mess.

 

[slomoxn]

Why am I not surprised that our great higher up would also get involved with player rehab.... This might be why Ratliff had such an issue....

 

[Cowboys22]

If that's true he should have been cut on the spot the first time he said. That type of attitude is exactly why this team is soft and plays with no heart. When you know your teammate isn't all in, its hard to be all in yourself. That's true of any sport but the physical nature of football amplifies it multiple times. So they basically have created an adversarial relationship between the players and the training staff and someone thinks that's a good thing. Its just another example that Jerry has set up a structure in the organization with him at the top, the players under him, and everyone else under them. Not going to work. Not yesterday, not today, not ever!

 

[pjtoadie]

It all starts with Jerry!

 

[Chocolate Lab]

And in the case of Miles Austin, he was unwilling to put in the work to rehab - specifically because he wasn't willing to go through the initial discomfort that some of the rehab process causes, and in turn he never properly heals.

So he knows this for sure, through the grapevine or whatever? It isn't speculation?

 

[texbumthelife]

This is really not surprising at all. It sheds some like on the Ratliff situation and makes it all that much more confusing.

 

[Direwolf63]

What he says may be true, but I'd like to know how he knows whats going on with Miles Austin? He has read his medical files? Is somebody telling him private information?

I'm not questioning him, but I would like to know how he found out about Austin rejecting recommended rehab for his hamstrings. As far as I'm concerned, that should be grounds for cancelling his contract.

 

[Direwolf63]

So he knows this for sure, through the grapevine or whatever? It isn't speculation?

That's my question as well.

 

[bounce]

So he knows this for sure, through the grapevine or whatever? It isn't speculation?

The way it sounded is that he knows it for sure. Austin constantly rejected treatments that would cause initial pain but be better in the long term. I'm sure it's through the grapevine to some extent with his connections, but he's pretty in-the-know.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

So he knows this for sure, through the grapevine or whatever? It isn't speculation?

Here is what we know. Adrian Peterson is playing every week with a strained hamstring. We also heard the Adrian Peterson is going through rolfing. I researched it. Every piece I read talked about how painful it is. But how much you feel after a couple of sessions. So it is not hard to SPECULATE that Miles chose to take the traditional methods of rest, ice, heat etc....which takes long and is much more comfortable. I mean...it's not like he is NOT getting paid while he sits out!

 

[Rockport]

Was listening to San Antonio radio this morning, and every week there's a segment with a physical therapist who does a lot of work for professional athletes (specifically, he's on call for the Spurs - but also works with other pro teams). He was asked about the frequency of injuries with the Cowboys and the therapy regimens these guys have, and whether they're getting the proper treatment.

The response essentially was that the Cowboys have some of the best trainers in the business. However, the problem is that, on most NFL (or professional sports) teams, the training staff has final authority on player treatments and when/how the player should be rehabbing, no questions asked. In Dallas, however, they are undermined by higher powers that either make calls, or defers to the players themselves to decide what treatments they would like to receive.

And in the case of Miles Austin, he was unwilling to put in the work to rehab - specifically because he wasn't willing to go through the initial discomfort that some of the rehab process causes, and in turn he never properly heals.

No agenda here with the post, just an interesting thing to hear. This team is a mess.

Jerry at his best.

 

[khiladi]

Was listening to San Antonio radio this morning, and every week there's a segment with a physical therapist who does a lot of work for professional athletes (specifically, he's on call for the Spurs - but also works with other pro teams). He was asked about the frequency of injuries with the Cowboys and the therapy regimens these guys have, and whether they're getting the proper treatment.

The response essentially was that the Cowboys have some of the best trainers in the business. However, the problem is that, on most NFL (or professional sports) teams, the training staff has final authority on player treatments and when/how the player should be rehabbing, no questions asked. In Dallas, however, they are undermined by higher powers that either make calls, or defers to the players themselves to decide what treatments they would like to receive.

And in the case of Miles Austin, he was unwilling to put in the work to rehab - specifically because he wasn't willing to go through the initial discomfort that some of the rehab process causes, and in turn he never properly heals.

No agenda here with the post, just an interesting thing to hear. This team is a mess.

Was he speaking on personal experience or 'sources'?

 

[Cowboys22]

What he says may be true, but I'd like to know how he knows whats going on with Miles Austin? He has read his medical files? Is somebody telling him private information?

I'm not questioning him, but I would like to know how he found out about Austin rejecting recommended rehab for his hamstrings. As far as I'm concerned, that should be grounds for cancelling his contract.

He is a physical therapist that works with professional athletes. You don't think he knows and talks to the guys on the Cowboys' training staff? They probably see each other routinely at seminars and other functions, both professional and personal. They probably know and are friends with many of the same people. He probably got it first hand from someone on the training staff that Austin rejected their recommendation for treatment and the reason why.

 

[Jenky]

He is a physical therapist that works with professional athletes. You don't think he knows and talks to the guys on the Cowboys' training staff? They probably see each other routinely at seminars and other functions, both professional and personal. They probably know and are friends with many of the same people. He probably got it first hand from someone on the training staff that Austin rejected their recommendation for treatment and the reason why.

Finding it hard to believe Austin rejecting treatment because "it hurts."

If anything, you'd want to rehab right away to alleviate the pain ASAP. It doesn't make sense. Getting out of bed everyday with a hamstring that's constantly sore versus rehab and feeling a little better after each session.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Finding it hard to believe Austin rejecting treatment because "it hurts."

If anything, you'd want to rehab right away to alleviate the pain ASAP. It doesn't make sense. Getting out of bed everyday with a hamstring that's constantly sore versus rehab and feeling a little better after each session.

Please do not underestimate how much easier it is to take the "slow" route to heal a sore hamstring...as opposed to the pain associated with the aggresive route.

A sore hamstring is not really noticeable if all you are doing is walking, sitting, standing. I doubt he is in much discomfort at all at this point.

 

[Cowboys22]

Finding it hard to believe Austin rejecting treatment because "it hurts."

If anything, you'd want to rehab right away to alleviate the pain ASAP. It doesn't make sense. Getting out of bed everyday with a hamstring that's constantly sore versus rehab and feeling a little better after each session.

Well, explain why AP is undergoing the painful treatment and still playing while Austin is not and is sitting out week after week, year after year. Had he undergone the treatment the first time he suffered a major hamstring injury, his hamstring would have healed more properly and he may not have had the continuing problems. He chose not to and there is really only two reasons why he would do that. One, it's very painful or two, he would rather sit out and get paid than play. Take your pick. You may find it hard to believe that a professional athlete refused a treatment that would get him back to the field quicker but that's exactly what Austin has done.

 

[MRV52]

Here is my solution. Get rid of Miles Austin we don't need cupcake players. There is enough on this team already.

 

[bounce]

Finding it hard to believe Austin rejecting treatment because "it hurts."

If anything, you'd want to rehab right away to alleviate the pain ASAP. It doesn't make sense. Getting out of bed everyday with a hamstring that's constantly sore versus rehab and feeling a little better after each session.

From what I've heard of these types of rehabs is that the initial treatment is not just a little pain, it's supposed to be excruciating.

 

[Alexander]

Given the Jay Ratliff situation this does not surprise me at all.

 

[bounce]

Was he speaking on personal experience or 'sources'?

In this case, I couldn't tell you. I'm sure it's sources to a large extent, however the guy's vast training experience with these types of injuries and athletes, paired with his at least passing acquaintance with some of the trainers can probably let him make a fairly educated guess, if nothing else.