The truth behind injury reports

[Fireball77]

Bravo Mr. Marvez.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9684484/The-truth-behind-the-NFL%27s-injury-reports

Injury information is as valuable a part of game-planning as Xs and Os. The more specifics provided on how badly a player is hurt, the easier for opponents to design an attack based upon that injury (i.e. a cornerback with a gimpy ankle) or who the replacement will be. Understandably, teams will try to keep such data as protected as possible. General managers and coaches need to win games — not fantasy-football titles — to keep their jobs.

Such gamesmanship dates back for decades — the injury report was instituted in 1947 — and shows no signs of slowing down. One general manager told me last week that if changes were implemented, teams would simply seek other ways to skirt the new rules.

While unwilling to name specific offenders, an NFL spokesman acknowledged at least one franchise was fined last season for an injury-report violation. The league also reviews practice tapes to try and determine whether protocol was being followed whenever something suspicious on game-day occurs. When "probable" players are declared inactive, teams are required to submit a written explanation to NFL headquarters within 48 hours chronicling why such a drastic downgrade occurred.

There is a legitimate concern that not having a more detailed injury report would prompt gamblers to seek team leaks for "inside information" and potentially lead to a betting scandal a la Tim Donaghy and the NBA. But reforms to the current system aren't easy to institute.

Cataloging of every ailment isn't realistic. Entire rosters could be listed by season's end because of football's violent nature, which would water down the injury reports. And while players should have the freedom to discuss their injuries without fear of repercussion, some don't want their medical status exposed for a variety of reasons. Among them: Being targeted by the opposition during games, a potential trickle-down effect on the team's success or the building of an "injury-prone" reputation that could affect future contracts.