We're onto Miami(Miami's headed to Buffalo)...opening line BUF -10! Game at 1:05 PM SUN 1/15

[Jamie Nails]

1 minute ago, teef said:

If this means anything to anyone, Dr. Chao was doing an interview, and he mentioned that he felt it was unlikely tua would even play. It could happen, but it didn’t seem likely. 

 

Also the guy that said Josh would be out multiple weeks, only to have him play the next Sunday. I do respect him, but take it with a grain of salt. 

[Logic]

Just now, Magox said:

 

It won't be the league, it would have to come from social pressure.  If there is no real talk from sports writers, talking heads and tons of twitter talk then that could pave the path for him seeing the field (provided he passes the medical tests).   If there is lots of talk about it, then I don't see how they start him.

Respectfully, if he's medically cleared and Miami wants to start him, I don't see social pressure changing that.

Now whether or not there are any doctors out there who actually WOULD clear him is an entirely different question. But if there are, and if he has legitimately progressed through the protocol and is cleared in time for the game...I just don't see Miami essentially forfeiting the season (which is basically what they'd be doing by starting Thompson or Bridgewater) due to social or media pressure.

Speaking of pressure, there is enormous pressure to win in the NFL.

[balln]

Can we get some fins heaven thread links to laugh at ?

[Dr. Who]

Just now, Einstein's Dog said:

Most  people who think Tua is starting haven't thought it out much. 

 

Of course it's a huge risk for Tua, but the real reason is the incredible risk it would be to the league.  If Tua gets Mike Whitishly pulverized and goes unconcious from it, or even has to leave the game, the whole wild card weekend of playoffs is overshadowed.  The league can not have another D Hamlin type event during wild card weekend.

 

Miami will get a discreet phone call and publicly announce how they are going to be cautious.  The alternative of risking tens/hundreds of millions to the league in terms of goodwill won't be allowed.  Miami has already been exposed for working outside the rules, the league shouldn't let them risk it.

Plausible. 

Just now, Logic said:

Respectfully, if he's medically cleared and Miami wants to start him, I don't see social pressure changing that.

Now whether or not there are any doctors out there who actually WOULD clear him is an entirely different question. But if there are, and if he has legitimately progressed through the protocol and is cleared in time for the game...I just don't see Miami essentially forfeiting the season (which is basically what they'd be doing by starting Thompson or Bridgewater) due to social or media pressure.

Speaking of pressure, there is enormous pressure to win in the NFL.

I think Miami should have to forfeit the season because of Filthy Beast.

[BRH]

7 minutes ago, Logic said:

To those saying that the league will somehow step in and not let Tua play...

I'm not really sure what mechanism they would have to be able to do that.

If doctors clear Tua from concussion protocol, I don't see how there's anything the league can do about it.

They as a league can not WANT him to play, sure, but I don't see them having much choice.

 

I'm not sure what mechanism Goodell had for inventing the new AFC playoff structure, except "best interests of the league," which empowers the Commissioner to do a lot of things.  Tua not playing on Sunday seems to me to be very much in the league's best interest, given the possible consequences.  

 

But you're probably right that the league is very much hoping that the Dolphins and the doctors who examine him will "do the right thing" so they don't have to step in.

[UKBillFan]

1 minute ago, Logic said:

Respectfully, if he's medically cleared and Miami wants to start him, I don't see social pressure changing that.

Now whether or not there are any doctors out there who actually WOULD clear him is an entirely different question. But if there are, and if he has legitimately progressed through the protocol and is cleared in time for the game...I just don't see Miami essentially forfeiting the season (which is basically what they'd be doing by starting Thompson or Bridgewater) due to social or media pressure.

Speaking of pressure, there is enormous pressure to win in the NFL.

 

Though it's a gamble. If he suffers another concussion on the field the uproar will be deafening and pressure will be for the NFL to act against Miami as warning aftee warning has been missed.

 

The big issue with Tua is the scrutiny - having his clear concussion against the Bills ignored, and then fencing in Cincinnati, before going down under a relatively soft hit against the Packers. Experts have come out saying he shouldn't take the field again this year.

 

They make the call, then they have to prepare themselves to accept the consequences. And so does Tua.

[BRH]

5 minutes ago, Jamie Nails said:

 

Also the guy that said Josh would be out multiple weeks, only to have him play the next Sunday. I do respect him, but take it with a grain of salt. 

 

Yes, well, an elbow injury is slightly different from a head injury.

[stevewin]

4 hours ago, BillsShredder83 said:

AConcussion protocal isnt something you can fake your way through.  Aside from teams fudging things, the only way to beat it is to throw off your baseline test before the season starts.  Theres some type of vitals test involved you cant talk your way around

You could be good enough to answer the baseline questions correctly - and still have other symptoms (headaches, dizziness), and not be truthful that you are having those symptoms.  That is my point - as part of the assessment there are things that rely on including the person being truthful about their symptoms.  It's not an exact science

Edited January 10, 2023 by stevewin

[BRH]

 

I do want to make clear that I don't think it will make a damn bit of difference whether Tua plays.  We're going to stomp the ***** out of them whoever plays QB and I'm not "afraid" of Tua playing -- particularly when he hasn't even engaged in football activity in weeks and hasn't beaten a team with a winning record since (checks notes) before Halloween.

 

I'm just saying the league is keenly aware of its image and of what could happen if Tua plays and suffers another concussion... or worse.

Edited January 9, 2023 by BRH

[Einstein's Dog]

4 minutes ago, Logic said:

Respectfully, if he's medically cleared and Miami wants to start him, I don't see social pressure changing that.

Now whether or not there are any doctors out there who actually WOULD clear him is an entirely different question. But if there are, and if he has legitimately progressed through the protocol and is cleared in time for the game...I just don't see Miami essentially forfeiting the season (which is basically what they'd be doing by starting Thompson or Bridgewater) due to social or media pressure.

Speaking of pressure, there is enormous pressure to win in the NFL.

It would be a behind the scenes directive from Roger.  Miami could have found a doctor to clear him, we already saw that with the "back" injury.  It's just that this time, the league won't let them.  Way too much at stake.

[teef]

10 minutes ago, Jamie Nails said:

 

Also the guy that said Josh would be out multiple weeks, only to have him play the next Sunday. I do respect him, but take it with a grain of salt. 

Dang.  

[CircleTheWagons99]

2 hours ago, Coach Tuesday said:

 

That's kind of where I'm at with your meme game.

Just post your eye roll emoji and move on please. 

2 hours ago, BIGFOOTspaceman said:

I've been running this conspiracy theory in my head almost all season, and hope it's true. Likely not though.  I think McD, Frazier and Dorsey are all confident in their respective schemes and execution is the only thing holding this team back from being truly dominant.  

Just crush my dreams…jeez

 

I totally agree on the defensive side but holding out hope for Ken. 

[Coach Tuesday]

2 minutes ago, CircleTheWagons99 said:

Just post your eye roll emoji and move on please. 

 

Oh no, I suck again.

[CircleTheWagons99]

Just now, Coach Tuesday said:

 

Oh no, I suck again.

No, now its. 
 

 

[Since1981]

7 minutes ago, Einstein's Dog said:

behind the scenes directive from Roger.  Miami could have found a doctor to clear him, we already saw that with the "back" injury.  It's just that this time, the league won't let them.  Way too much at stake.

After the debacle with Tua 1,2,3. Add Hamlin (different but serious health related). I have to agree--the league has to consider the greater damage to the player and  hate to say it, the brand. Can you imagine if something bad happened? That would be devastating from so many angles. 

[Bills!Win!]

What is Bridgewater’s injury? And is he going to play?

[Einstein's Dog]

8 minutes ago, BRH said:

 

I do want to make clear that I don't think it will make a damn bit of difference whether Tua plays.  We're going to stomp the ***** out of them whoever plays QB and I'm not "afraid" of Tua playing -- particularly when he hasn't even engaged in football activity in weeks and hasn't beaten a team with a winning record since (checks notes) before Halloween.

 

I'm just saying the league is keenly aware of its image and of what could happen if Tua plays and suffers another concussion... or worse.

To add to that, from a personal perspective I wouldn't want to see it.  If Tua got carted off with a head injury my enjoyment of the game would be affected (as would many others I imagine).  The recency to the Hamlin trauma would make me more sensitive.

 

If I were running the league, I wouldn't allow Tua to play.  And certainly not McDaniels/Miami, their track record is terrible.

[97bills]

16 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

They finished 2nd in the NFL allowing only 17.5 PPG and are the #1 RZ D in the NFL. 8th in yards.

 

They'll be fine.

 

Why do people make it out like other teams defenses that are much worse than ours somehow are great while ours sucks?

 

Cincinnati. Worse D 

Chargers. Worse D 

Chiefs. Worse D 

Ravens. Worse D 

Dolphins. Worse D 

Jaguars. Worse D 

 

The Bills have the best D of any team in the AFC playoffs. Those are the facts.

 

I get that but it comes down to there Dline against our oline , and vice versa… I just hope our oline can hold up and on the flip side our Dline can get pressure. With all the great Qb play in the AFC… I think that’s what it comes down too, but we do have a chance just like they do. And we’re playing at home unless we make it to the AFC championship. GO Bills 

[BananaB]

3 minutes ago, Bills!Win! said:

What is Bridgewater’s injury? And is he going to play?

Broken pinky in throwing hand. 

[Scott7975]

1 hour ago, Warcodered said:

 

I will say they probably weren't practicing today anyway but it's not a great sign though maybe they're just trying to look like they're taking it seriously. Either way though coming back after being out for multiple weeks isn't easy either.

 

It Tua starts no contact practice its pretty much assured he will play.  Probably know on Wednesday. Especially if he moves on to full practice on Thursday.  They arent going to waste reps on him if they dont think he will make it.

Edited January 9, 2023 by Scott7975