Run, Jaxson, Run: Empirical studies from NFL concussion lawsuit re: Whether concussions hit "pocket passers" more than QB's who run from the pocket?

 

Interesting responses, especially the one re: Mechanism of Injury (from Q1) since that sounds exactly how Dart was concussed versus the Bears.   

•         From Q2: Independent analyses suggest that while mobile quarterbacks might be more prone to certain lower-body injuries, pocket passers may suffer more concussions, rib injuries, and arm/shoulder injuries.

 Also, this from Q3 since it is the type of usage of Darts "special" talents (what makes him great) that got Daboll fired. 

• Scrambles (quarterback runs that were not designed): The injury rate is lower than sacks, at approximately 0.87% per play.
• Designed Runs (quarterback runs): The injury rate is even lower than scrambles, at approximately 0.64% per play.
• Passing plays that don't end in a scramble, sack, or spike: This baseline rate (including incompletions and throwaways) is the lowest, at approximately 0.28%. 

The kid is James Dean personified, in pads and helmet. Instead of making him into  something he is not, like Daniel Jones, Get him a better offensive line and running backs. He will settle into a pure pocket passer, which he is not, at least not yet.Stop hectoring him and start protecting him. 

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Question(s) to Google AI - Q1: Has there been any empirical studies from NFL concussion lawsuit determining whether concussions hit "pocket passers" more than those who run from the pocket.

There is no conclusive empirical evidence from studies related to the NFL concussion lawsuit or other major NFL research that determines whether "pocket passers" sustain more concussions than those who run from the pocket. 

While some general studies have analyzed concussion rates by position or offensive scheme, they do not specifically compare concussion incidence between different styles of quarterbacks (e.g., mobile vs. stationary). 

Key Findings from NFL Concussion Research:

• Position Data: Quarterbacks generally have a lower concussion rate per game played or per play compared to other skill positions like running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.
• Offensive Scheme: One study found that teams running the "West Coast offense" (which involves more passing plays) had higher overall offensive concussion rates than teams using other schemes, but this did not break down risk by quarterback mobility.
• Mechanism of Injury: Joint research by the NFL and NFLPA (Players Association) found that half of all quarterback concussions occur when their helmets hit the ground, indicating that how they fall is a significant factor, regardless of whether they are in the pocket or running.
• Lack of Specific Data: The general consensus in available research is that there is not enough specific, publicly available data distinguishing between different quarterback playing styles to draw a statistically meaningful conclusion on their relative injury risks. Injury rates in the NFL are also volatile and affected by many factors, including player awareness, better detection methods, and stricter reporting rules.

Q2: Research using publicly available data outside of the lawsuit has explored related questions:

• Passing plays in general have been found to have a significantly higher risk of in-game injuries, especially concussions, compared to running plays. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs contribute most to this increased risk.
• Some independent analyses suggest that while mobile quarterbacks might be more prone to certain lower-body injuries, pocket passers may suffer more concussions, rib injuries, and arm/shoulder injuries.
• One study found that "passing that doesn't end in a scramble or a spike" has a lower injury rate per play than designed runs, scrambles, sacks, or knockdowns. Sacks and knockdowns, which are more common for pocket passers, have the highest injury rates per play, but scrambles have a lower rate than sacks.
• In terms of sheer number of concussions by position, quarterbacks generally have a lower total number compared to positions like tight ends or defensive backs, but the risk per play (exposure) can be high. 

Ultimately, the specific, play-style-based comparison you are asking for using official data from the lawsuit is not publicly available. Independent studies show that the type of play (pass vs. run) and the outcome of the play (sack vs. scramble) significantly affect concussion risk. 

Q3: Independent studies show that the type of play (pass vs. run) and the outcome of the play (sack vs. scramble) significantly affect concussion risk. Can you provide more detail on this?

Independent studies using NFL injury data have provided detailed statistics on how different play types and outcomes affect the risk of injury, particularly concussions. The central finding is that passing plays in general confer a greater overall injury risk than running plays, but the highest risk comes from specific outcomes of passing plays, namely sacks and knockdowns. 

Here are the specific details from independent research:

Injury Rates by Play Type and Outcome

One detailed analysis of NFL data from 2016 to 2020 provided a breakdown of injury rates per play based on the specific outcome: 

• Sacks: The injury rate is approximately 1.4% per play.
• Knockdowns: The injury rate is the highest at approximately 1.56% per play. It is assumed these often happen in the pocket.
• Scrambles (quarterback runs that were not designed): The injury rate is lower than sacks, at approximately 0.87% per play.
• Designed Runs (quarterback runs): The injury rate is even lower than scrambles, at approximately 0.64% per play.
• Passing plays that don't end in a scramble, sack, or spike: This baseline rate (including incompletions and throwaways) is the lowest, at approximately 0.28%. 

Key Takeaways

• Sacks and knockdowns present the most immediate danger in terms of injury likelihood per snap. These outcomes are much more common for traditional "pocket passers" who remain in a vulnerable position longer.
• Running (both designed runs and scrambles), while still carrying some risk, is statistically safer per play for the quarterback than being sacked or knocked down in the pocket.
• Passing plays in general lead to a higher incidence of concussions and core/trunk injuries for the offensive players involved compared to running plays, which affects not only the QB but also receivers and tight ends.
• One study found that teams running the West Coast offense (historically known for more passing attempts) had a significantly greater risk of concussions for offensive players compared to other schemes like the Air Coryell offense. 

In summary, while mobile quarterbacks might have more opportunities to be hit outside the pocket, the nature of the hits (being sacked or knocked down) associated with traditional passing plays carries a substantially higher injury rate per instance than running plays or scrambles. 

Resources Cited:

Grokopedia https://grokipedia.com/page/Quarterback#controversies-and-critical-debates

Fantasy Points  https://www.fantasypoints.com/nfl/articles/2025/statistically-significant-scrambles-and-qb-runs#/

 Academic Citations

 "Style of Play and Rate of Concussions in the National Football League"

Citation: Seshadri, D. R., Thom, M. C., Kim, J. S., Steele, R. W., Fiore, K. F., & Freehill, M. T. (2015). Style of play and rate of concussions in the National Football League. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 3(12), 2325967115620412.

 Relevance: This study directly links the high number of passing plays in a West Coast offense to a significantly greater risk of concussions for offensive players compared to the Air Coryell offense.

 "Effect of Passing Plays on Injury Rates in the National Football League"

Citation: Thom, M. C., Smith, K., Steele, R. W., Kim, J. S., & Seshadri, D. R. (2021). Effect of passing plays on injury rates in the National Football League. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 49(4), 431-436.

 Relevance: This research found that passing plays confer a significantly higher risk of in-game injuries, especially concussions (OR 1.7), than running plays. It highlights quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs as the most affected positions.

 "Epidemiology of Concussion in the National Football League, 2015-2019"

Citation: Buckman, J. S., Clough, R. E., & Zheng, J. T. (2021). Epidemiology of Concussion in the National Football League, 2015-2019. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(8), 23259671211024345.

 Relevance: This paper provides comprehensive data on concussion rates by position and play type, noting that while most concussions occur during running and passing plays overall, the rate per play is highest on kickoffs, and positions heavily involved in pass plays (tight ends and wide receivers) have the highest exposure rates.

These sources, along with internal data analysis by the NFL that is frequently reported in football analytics, support the conclusions about the differing risks associated with specific game scenarios like sacks versus scrambles.

 This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. AI responses may include mistakes. 

 

Sharpest Tools In The Shed | Baseball America

JACKSONVILLE - Hopefully, this article silences some of those who feel that Yadier Molina is a better defensive catcher than Posey. Although, I doubt it will.

Also, some in the pocket protector crowd at SABR continue to make the ridiculous case that Addison Russell is a better defensive SS than Brandon Crawford. "Crawford has two Gold Gloves that belong to Russell" according to their convoluted metrics. I actually heard that at SABR48 from somebody.

Any statistical hocus-pocus that gives you that result needs to be re-engineered. Russell isn't even the best defensive SS on his own team, Javier Baez is. Russell doesn't even make the top three in the NL according to the experts that BA polled.

Every year Baseball America polls managers, scouts and executives to identify the best players in a variety of categories. Here are the results for 2018.

from Baseball America:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-mlb-best-tools/

Best Defensive C1. Buster Posey, Giants2. Austin Hedges, Padres3. Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers

Best Defensive 1B1. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs2. Freddie Freeman, Braves3. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

Best Defensive 2B1. D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies2. Javier Baez, Cubs3. Ozzie Albies, Braves

 Best Defensive 3B

1. Nolan Arenado, Rockies2. Anthony Rendon, Nationals3. Johan Camargo, Braves

Best Defensive SS1. Brandon Crawford, Giants2. Nick Ahmed, D-backs3. Trea Turner, Nationals

I know this is blasphemy coming from a member of SABR but, sometimes the eye test wins.

Rage against the Machine(s).

...and screw Ben Zobrist and Anthony Rizzo and Saint Jospeh. If we're going to go down this robo-ump rabbit-hole, let's just go full throttle stupid and replace the players with robots that we can bet on or against and have a total fantasy, non-reality sport.

Screw the human element and remove it in "all" aspects of the game including the players and coaches.

Really getting tired of these ass-hats and the direction this game appears to be going. Let them become the NFL and the NBA, there's a reason I don't watch those clowns anymore.

Listen to From Wharton Student to Eagles NFL Analyst in Podcasts

JACKSONVILLE - Namita Nadukumar is becoming a rock star in the data analytics world, she has put out some great research and analysis on the NHL Draft, which an NFL team obviously feels could be of value. From what I have read, some would also be of significant value in baseball.

Listen to From Wharton Student to Eagles NFL Analyst from Wharton Business Radio Highlights in Podcasts. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wharton-business-radio-highlights/id1147257638?mt=2&i=1000411032094

Namita Nandakumar, Wharton Senior, Teaching Assistant, and Research Analyst, joins hosts Cade Massey, Shane Jensen, and Adi Wyner to discuss her post-graduate move to Quantitative Analyst for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles this season on Wharton Moneyball.

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'Tebow Effect' Paid Off For Sally League Clubs | BaseballAmerica.com

No denying that there was a purely business component to this signing right from the get-go, primarily from the Mets standpoint. But when are people going to give this guy credit for his accomplishments?

He's doing even better in High-A than he was in the Sally League, showing legitimate power, even to the opposite field, after putting the game down for ten years.

Remember that was supposed to be a lark for Timmy. He was going to make a fool of himself and major league baseball. Hasn't happened. Time to give credit where credit is due.

If the Mets are out of it and bring him up in September, so what? He's earned it.

The same fools that hate this guys and ran him out of the NFL now want us to feel sorry for Colin Kaperdink.

F-you, ESPN, NFL, SJW's of all stripes and especially BLM ass-hats. You folks, and your ilk, ran Tebow out of the league for kneeling to God and now you want this POS Kapershit back in the league for kneeling to piss on the flag and this country?

Don't need y'all and don't miss y'all and apparently neither does Tim Tebow.

ESPN = garbage network
NFL = garbage league

from Baseball America:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/business/tebow-effect-paid-off-for-sally-league-clubs/#7WpjHwAexIBJC2ty.97

'Tebow Effect' Paid Off For Sally League Clubs

June 28, 2017 By J.J. Cooper

Tim Tebow has brought in tens of thousands of extra fans to South Atlantic League games this year.

Tim Tebow has been promoted to the Florida State League and has played his last game in the South Atlantic League. On pure baseball terms, it's fair to say that a 29-year-old outfielder who hit .220/.311/.336 is as forgettable as a prospect could be.

But at the box office, Tebow is the greatest star the South Atlantic League has ever seen.

When we first wrote about the "Tebow effect" on fan attendance a little over a month ago, we calculated that Tebow was worth roughly 2,200 fans per game whenever the Columbia Fireflies hit the road. Since then, the Tebow Effect grew.

In comparing what teams have drawn in games where they played host to Tebow teams versus the rest of their home schedule without Tebow, it now appears that Tebow was worth 2,591 fans per game when the Fireflies were on the road.

To explain it more simply, there are 14 teams in the Sally League this year, but through Tebow's final game on June 25, nearly one of every four fans who have walked through the gate at a Sally League game has done so to see Tebow's Columbia Fireflies play.

Former NFL WR Antwaan Randle El regrets ever playing football | Campus Sports Net

That is a strong quote from someone who has been through the trenches at every level. While I am happy in the sense that here is a guy who now says he would have rather have played baseball over football, even though he succeeded at a very high level in football, it's heartbreaking to see what is happening across the country to kids playing a game.

Now when Randle El says he wouldn't be surprised if football isn't around in 20-25 years years, that is bound to get more attention than if I say it. And I have.

"The kids are getting bigger and faster, so the concussions, the severe spinal cord injuries, are only going to get worse," he said. "It's a tough pill to swallow because I love the game of football. But I tell parents, you can have the right helmet, the perfect pads on, and still end up with a paraplegic kid. 

"There's no correcting it. There's no helmet that's going to correct it. There's no teaching that's going to correct it. It just comes down to it's a physically violent game. Football players are in a car wreck every week."

"Right now," he said, "I wouldn't be surprised if football isn't around in 20, 25 years."

It's difficult to foresee a day when that may happen but I guarantee you that people would have said the same thing about boxing in the early 1980's and look at what has transpired since then.

Good for Antwaan Randle El and others for speaking out.  My guess is he would have had a great career in baseball as well. Provided he could hit the slider of course. That one will just crush your psyche though, not your spleen.

from campussports.net
http://m.campussports.net/former-nfl-wr-antwaan-randle-el-regrets-ever-playing-football/

Former NFL WR Antwaan Randle El regrets ever playing football

Former NFL wide receiver Antwaan Randle El regrets ever playing football after dealing with constant memory loss and barely being able to get down the stairs in his home. Randle El offered further detail to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as part of a Pittsburgh Steelers project, as Randle El spent five seasons with the team over two separate stints.

"I have to come down sideways sometimes, depending on the day," Randle El, 36, said. "Going up is easier actually than coming down."

"I ask my wife things over and over again, and she's like, 'I just told you that,' " Randle El said. "I'll ask her three times the night before and get up in the morning and forget. Stuff like that. I try to chalk it up as I'm busy, I'm doing a lot, but I have to be on my knees praying about it, asking God to allow me to not have these issues and live a long life. I want to see my kids raised up. I want to see my grandkids."

"If I could go back, I wouldn't," he said. "I would play baseball. I got drafted by the Cubs in the 14th round, but I didn't play baseball because of my parents. They made me go to school. Don't get me wrong, I love the game of football. But right now, I could still be playing baseball."

This is certainly heartbreaking to here, as Randle El is not even 40 years old and already dealing with the myriad number of physical problems that so many retired NFL players deal with regularly. Unfortunately, it isn't entirely a surprise.

Keep in mind that on top of high school football and NFL, Randle El played his college ball at Indiana and was not a wide receiver, but a quarterback. In four seasons with the Hoosiers, he threw for 7,469 yards and 42 touchdowns while also accumulating 3,895 yards and 44 scores on the ground. Needless to say, in the hard-hitting Big Ten, he surely took his fair share of punishment as a dual-threat quarterback.

Randle El then went on to play nine NFL seasons with the Steelers and Washington Redskins and take even more punishment as he posted 370 receptions for 4,467 yards and 27 touchdowns while also adding 4,316 yards on special teams.

And Randle El also sees firsthand how much of an effect football has on the younger generations, as he is now the athletic director of the school he founded in the Washington DC suburb of Ashburn, Virginia, Virginia Academy. The school had a football program, but was discontinued after two years for expense reasons. Still, Randle El offered another take.

"The kids are getting bigger and faster, so the concussions, the severe spinal cord injuries, are only going to get worse," he said. "It's a tough pill to swallow because I love the game of football. But I tell parents, you can have the right helmet, the perfect pads on, and still end up with a paraplegic kid. 

"There's no correcting it. There's no helmet that's going to correct it. There's no teaching that's going to correct it. It just comes down to it's a physically violent game. Football players are in a car wreck every week."

"Right now," he said, "I wouldn't be surprised if football isn't around in 20, 25 years."

Either way, no matter how one feels about the sport, Randle El's tale is a cautionary one. If he's only 36 years old and can't even walk down stairs without a struggle, then to say that football doesn't cause long-term injuries is just plain wrong.

Can't get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!

*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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Cam Heyward thwarted by the Tebow Rule

	ESPN (@espn)
10/19/15, 9:04 PM "A lot of people are struggling with cancer and that's what my message was." Defiant Cam Heyward keeps eye black: es.pn/1klnP3P

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So rather than have a feel-good story, the NFL PR machine would once again rather play the fool and the bad-guy. This precedent may have started when they pre-empted Tim Tebow's eye black back in the day and to a lesser extent, Jim McMahon's headband.

So blame those two wild and crazy guys for Heyward's recent dust-up with the NFL.

It almost seems like they would prefer wife-beaters, whore chasers and degenerate gamblers both on the field and in the stands. Not to mention as sponsors,

Maybe the NFL is the national pastime after all. And ESPN, their head cheer-leader.

God Bless America!!!

from Tebowzone.net:

http://www.tebowzone.net/2010/02/the-tim-tebow-rule/

THE TIM TEBOW RULE

 February 15th, 2010  Pajo 

A recent report from the Palm Beach Post described how the NCAA Rules Committee is proposing a ban on wearing special messages on a player's eye black – the rule could be known as the Tim Tebow Rule. During his final season, Tim Tebow wore a new Bible verse under his eyes for every game. It became very popular… in fact, I created a special page here on Tebow Zone just for fans to keep track of what verse he wore on what day: Tim Tebow's Eye Black.

The eye black generated a lot of buzz, some 92 million people Googled "John 3:16″ after Tim wore it during the 2009 BCS Championship Game. The messages were highly effective, but if the new rule passes players will not be allowed to wear them. The report goes into how Urban Meyer had to be an "eye black cop" at times…always policing what his players were writing to make sure there was nothing bad and damaging to the University's image.

The rule was proposed on Thursday and if passed will become official for the 2010 season. I think that it will pass – there is just too much extra stuff going on and the whole monitoring thing to deal with. They will probably require all players on a team to wear the same eye black.

The NFL already enforces this rule, so Tim Tebow will have to abide by it once he signs on with a team. 

The Tim Tebow Eye Black was fun – but it looks like those days are over.

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