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Last updated: Thursday, Feb. 9, 1:34 a.m.
Sports

Column: Big 12 quarterbacks not tough enough

By Mike Brusko
Posted on Jan. 13, 2010, at 11:29 p.m.

There are so many story lines that come out of every athletic season, and this past football season was no exception. College players suspended, coaches leaving, recruiting violations and upsets highlighted the 2009-2010 season. But there is a more important issue that I’d like to address: Some football players are soft. I won’t mention any names.

One week ago, the season officially ended as the University of Alabama defeated the University of Texas in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly 1-A) national championship game. In the first quarter of the game the quarterback for Texas, a Heisman trophy finalist the past two years, injured his throwing shoulder.

I must clarify that I have been a fan of this player throughout his career at Texas. I always considered him to be quite the competitor and a guy who knows how to help his team win.

When I saw that he was injured, I initially thought he would be back behind center within a few plays. My impression of him told me he would do anything to be on the field, especially considering what was at stake. Every athlete dreams of playing for a national championship and this guy had finally earned his chance. As the game went on, there was still no sign of him. Sideline reporters speculated that we might see him after halftime, but when the third quarter started, it was a true freshman quarterback that led the Longhorns back onto the field. Long story short is we had seen the last of this player in a Texas uniform.

Considering the circumstances, I assumed that this guy had seriously injured his shoulder and there was nothing he could do to return to the game. But recent reports on ESPN have suggested that he will be all set to work out at the NFL Combine which is just over a month away. After meeting with renowned Dr. James Andrews, the player’s father said he received “very good news” and that they’re all “very, very happy.”

ESPN has taken the angle that all is well in this player’s family and that his draft status should not be impacted by the injury. Essentially, they’ve turned it into a feel-good story. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to hear that it wasn’t anything serious and that he will still be able to chase his goals of playing in the NFL. But am I the only person that questions the kid’s toughness?

You’re playing in the biggest game of your entire life – something that a fraction of even the best athletes in the world ever get to do – and you take yourself out because your shoulder is a little sore? I have very similar concerns about a certain quarterback at the University of Oklahoma who opted to have surgery on a grade 3 sprain of his AC joint. This guy’s shoulder did not require surgery. According to sportsinjuryclinic.net, surgery is typically only an option in sprains that are grade 4-6. Even those are base-by-base evaluations.

If I’m an NFL general manager, people are going to have a very hard time convincing me that either of these guys is worth my money. I want a guy that I know is going to play until he’s dragged off the field, not one who’s going to walk off during the national championship because he has a boo boo.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010, 11:29 pm. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.

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  • David

    WOW. He could not throw a football and the trainer did not release him to re-enter the game.
    How stupid are you?

  • Onewhonose

    First of all, “David,” the kid’s dad was in the locker room with him. I could understand him being there if the injury appeared to be life-threatening. But even watching on TV, it was obvious we weren’t talking about anything severe. The kid took a hit from the side. He got up on his own power, waved to the coaches, and trotted off the field. He needs his daddy in the locker room? Why? Time to let Colt do what men do, and handle his own business.

    Second of all, you know nothing about the trainer’s recommendations or what led to them. Nada. Zilch. For all we know, the kid’s “NFL future” may have played a role in whether or not he went back into the game. McCoy returned to UT for the sole purpose of making it to the national championship game. He achieves his goal and then … what? … leaves the game with a shoulder injury, never to return? Come on, man!

    Lastly … let’s fast forward to McCoy as an NFL QB playing in the Super Bowl. How long do you think his NFL career lasts if he leaves THAT game with a similar injury, never to return?