Good grief. I have never heard anyone claim that you prevent knee injuries by being in shape. Your number is called or it isn't. And regardless of how the NFL considers young adults as commodities, don't expect any support on this board whatsoever for thinking that it's o.k. to refer to UConn student-athletes in so cavilier a manner just because NFL scouts may. You won't find support for that here (if there's a God in heaven.
I never said that. I said staying fit to play is as valuable a skill as any other physical attribute.
I just commented on the 2004 Red Sox in a different thread. Nomar Garciaparra was on a career trajectory that was supposed to end in Cooperstown. He got hit on the wrist by Al Reyes, and then again on the heel by a batted ball in spring training. Was that his fault? No, but the consequence is that Nomar is probably not getting into the Hall of Fame without a ticket.
The same thing applies here. Jimmy Bennett could have all the talent in the world, but unless he
consistently proved it on the field, play after play, game after game and year after year, talent matters not to the team as a whole. As a fan, I heard too often: Just wait until Bennett comes back, then UConn's O-line will be awesome. That notion failed the eye test. BTW, you can do your part to prevent a knee injury by strengthening the muscles around the joint, but that in neither here nor there, because sometimes happens, as you say. I honestly do not recall if that particular injury was non-contact or not. He also suffered through shoulder and thumb surgeries as well as various other more minor injuries that may or may not have impeded his performance.
Second, I also didn't say anything about Jimmy Bennett the student, Jimmy Bennett the person, nor anything about Jimmy Bennett's work ethic during his recovery from his various surgeries and injuries. I commented on Bennett the player as a singular part of the football team as a whole, because that is the extent of our relationship (i.e. we don't have one). I offered my opinion on his NFL draft prospects and while I hope Bennett's degree allows him to engage in his interests inside and outside of football, there is not much I can personally contribute to his pursuits.
That being said, when I am watching a football game (or any other sporting event for that matter) at this level, I watch it as a fan. Generally, there are only two things I expect in return: 1) to be entertained; and 2) for those involved to do nothing outside the parameters of the game that gets in the way of their involvement in the game. Let me be clear, I do not wish any ill will on anybody, but I realized a long time ago (unless I am a friend, relative, or otherwise in their support circle) that these players, whether it be college or pro, on average care about me personally only up to the point that I fulfill my socially accepted responsibilities as a ticket bearing fan, which I do. I am not apologetic about it, nor about the fact that you think I should be.
You still dissed Bennett. To say he hurt UConn more than he helped is so uncalled for. His character alone is worth more than you know.
I'll ignore for the moment that you responded to a post that did not even refer to Bennett and that you took my comment about Bennett out of context. As a fan of teams at this level, one of my socially acceptable responsibilities is to be constructively critical of my favorite teams and the associated personnel. Again, I'm not apologetic about it.
Be that as it may. I'm sure Jimmy Bennett will sleep just fine tonight.
