Does anyone else feel Luke has lost some ferocity since his last concussion?

[panthermonium]

People may not agree with this and that's fine. I feel though Luke has lost some ferocity since his last concussion. It almost looks like he's trying to  guard himself from another concussion with the way he's been tackling. More arm and swing the player down as opposed to wrap up and drag. 

Luke is a smart guy. Luke understands the potential consequences down the road. Luke also is as passionate a football player I've seen in a while and I don't think he's ready to hang them up because of it. I feel he's looking to be effective in the tackling game while trying to guard his head. Once again, people can disagree with this and that's fine. I however have noticed a difference in the way he's gone about tackling individuals and the ferociousness that comes with it. 

BTW, I'm all for players calling it quits if they are concerned about the state of their brain in the future. If Luke said I'm done tomorrow, good for you. I'd be upset that I wouldn't get to watch him play anymore but would very much understand his choice and support it.

The point I'm trying to make here is if he's trying to have it "both ways" if you will, play the game and protect his brain (obviously this game is violent and when you play it, nothing is 100% preventable), while still being effective, I'm all for it. I've just noticed the past 10+ weeks that he is going about the tackling part of this business not as aggressive. 

Thoughts? 

 

[Cary Kollins]

No

[t96]

Uhh no. Go watch the past few games he's been insane.

[EgoDogg]

2 minutes ago, Cary Kollins said:

No

Thread should end here.

[LinvilleGorge]

If he's changed his style of play to try to actively avoid concussions then that's a good thing IMO. I always wished that Dan Morgan would've dialed back on all the big hits to protect himself.

[panthermonium]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If he's changed his style of play to try to actively avoid concussions then that's a good thing IMO. I always wished that Dan Morgan would've dialed back on all the big hits to protect himself.

And this is the point I'm trying to get at where I think is getting lost on others. He's still being effective while making the adjustment. Which I think he has. 

 

2 minutes ago, thomas96 said:

Uhh no. Go watch the past few games he's been insane.

He has been insane. I also believe he's not as aggressive poking his head in there looking for contact. 

[t96]

9 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If he's changed his style of play to try to actively avoid concussions then that's a good thing IMO. I always wished that Dan Morgan would've dialed back on all the big hits to protect himself.

Luke's tackling form has never been a problem. I can't picture the hit from last year in my head so I don't remember it, but the one this year was from when he was getting blocked, and it was very random. And the first one in 2015 was on a random type play as well where the RB shifted in a way where he just went right down and hit Luke in the head because Luke didn't have time to adjust. His concussions have never at all been due to poor tackling technique and form. Shazier's hit that nearly paralyzed him on the other hand...

[panthermonium]

13 minutes ago, thomas96 said:

Luke's tackling form has never been a problem. I can't picture the hit from last year in my head so I don't remember it, but the one this year was from when he was getting blocked, and it was very random. And the first one in 2015 was on a random type play as well where the RB shifted in a way where he just went right down and hit Luke in the head because Luke didn't have time to adjust. His concussions have never at all been due to poor tackling technique and form. Shazier's hit that nearly paralyzed him on the other hand...

Regardless of what you "can't" control, when you've had numerous concussions in the past you try to limit them by what you "can" control (or at least that's what I would do. Some players aren't concerned with concussions and what happens in the future). Obviously things happen in the game that are beyond Luke's control. That shouldn't stop him from taking the necessary steps in his game to try and limit the amount of hits to his head. I never thought in the past Luke tackled the wrong way. Has always had good technique. But because of the concussions he's protecting himself more which in turn, makes him less aggressive in the way he goes about tackling. 

[The Lobo]

30 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If he's changed his style of play to try to actively avoid concussions then that's a good thing IMO. I always wished that Dan Morgan would've dialed back on all the big hits to protect himself.

Man, we have had some great LBs. Morgan , Beason, and Keek...damn

[Fox007]

8 minutes ago, panthermonium said:

Regardless of what you "can't" control, when you've had numerous concussions in the past you try to limit them by what you "can" control (or at least that's what I would do. Some players aren't concerned with concussions and what happens in the future). Obviously things happen in the game that are beyond Luke's control. That shouldn't stop him from taking the necessary steps in his game to try and limit the amount of hits to his head. I never thought in the past Luke tackled the wrong way. Has always had good technique. But because of the concussions he's protecting himself more which in turn, makes him less aggressive in the way he goes about tackling. 

Na players don't do that....when you see literally any player give an interview they say you go full speed and play normally because if you don't that's how you get hurt. Also, you see Dan Morgan? That dood had as many concussions as anyone and still missiled his ass in like a ICBM every play.

[Fox007]

8 minutes ago, The Lobo said:

Man, we have had some great LBs. Morgan , Beason, and Keek...damn

I wanna know how we stack up against the rest of the league because I think our MLB history stacks up and after Luke finishes as a top 3 all timer from the MLB position beats any other team there.

Dan coulda been a HoFer without his injuries and Beason was also taken out by injuries. Now you add in Luke who is a clear HoF caliber player who is struck by concussions it seems that position is snake bitten for us as much as it is golden.

[Jesse]

I have noticed Luke lets down when he knows someone is going to get tackled. In the past he would come in and clean up tackles - he's done less of that this year since he's been back. Play smarter, not harder.

[pantherj]

Yeah I did think Dan was headed to the HoF before the concussions. I think Luke is having a down season but I don't it's due to the concussion, but rather a higher level of competition. Both the Saints and Falcons are playoff caliber with the Saints being SB caliber as well, and we play them 4 times. That's rough. 

[panthermonium]

4 minutes ago, Fox007 said:

Na players don't do that....when you see literally any player give an interview they say you go full speed and play normally because if you don't that's how you get hurt. Also, you see Dan Morgan? That dood had as many concussions as anyone and still missiled his ass in like a ICBM every play.

I hear you on if you don't play full speed, you're more likely to get hurt. I think Luke is still playing full speed. I just think he's protecting himself more. Yes, you can do both at the same time. 

Morgan played like a missile because you could play like a missile back then. Obviously I hope Dan is fine moving forward in his life. That guy though got his bell rung way too many times and he would probably be the first to tell you he'd do things differently if, in fact he has symptoms in the future.