Adam Mirarchi, orthopedic surgeon and upper extremity specialist at Oregon Health Sciences University, said he would be surprised to see James return for Arizona State next Saturday. But Mirarchi said that unless James suffered ligament damage or a fracture, he should return this season. Mirarchi is not James' doctors and is not privy to his exact diagnosis but said that in his experience, an elbow dislocation shouldn't end James' season. But he might need an elbow brace. "Returning in a couple of weeks, maybe three, is not unreasonable," Mirarchi said. http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2011/10/lamichael_james_has_been_down.html
This kid has 200+ yards in a game that's a blowout and their running LMJ like the ducks are trailing by 14. This was not smart!!! Luckily it was just a dislocation, could have been much worse on a blowout no one will remember in 3 weeks. Chip is not thinking allowing his star to be in the game when game is clearly over! Stats or not, use your head Chip!!
Players want to play, this was just a freak accident. I'm positive James doesn't blame Kelly for this and neither should you. James had a huge run to get the ball onto the three yard line. Most coaches usually try to reward their player for a great play by giving him a chance on the goal line for a touchdown. Just a freak accident, nothing more, and no blame should be put on anybody. I can tell you this, no coach calls their plays on the oft chance that their player might get hurt.
No, but a wise coach that has Stanford and USC coming up sits their star with a 21 point cushion, 2 td's and over 200 yards rushing! LMJ had nothing else to prove that evening!
It seems to me that Chip keeps both Thomas & LMJ in too long- well after games have been decided. We can speculate as to the reasons, but I hope he has learned his lesson.
People can't be serious. Learned his lesson? You can't coach Football thinking that your players could get hurt during every play. It's just the risk the players take playing this game. It's sad that James got hurt, but I'm sure if he could do it all over again, he'd still want the ball on the three yard line to put the dagger in.
Da_O, I'm making a different point, if the game was close no problem playing LMJ it's football! 21 point cushion and weapons like the Mamba and Colt to go to.... Ya sit your 200 yard rusher. His stats needed no more cushion that night. Further guys like Colt are not being developed and our TE game needs to be worked on. 3 extra yards for LMJ mean very little at that point.
agree to disagree I guess. 21 points in 14 minutes is not impossible. Kickoff returned for a TD PIck 6. Fumble recovery. Those are all about 10 second plays that could get it within 2 TD's. If the game is out of reach then yes absolutely you sit your best players. But this game wasnt out of reach. And I know we spanked them, but I think you are SEVERELY underrating the athletes programs like Cal has vs programs like Nevada or Missouri St has.
Your point is irrelevant. You can get hurt at anytime and during any play. Did not matter how much they were up and how much time was left. Coaches never call plays based on fear of injury. The sooner you get that through your head the better. And like Wheels already pointed out 21 point lead is by no way a done deal. How could anyone see anything wrong with letting James try to finish off that drive, which by the way he had a big run to get them on the goal line. People always try to place blame on somebody, why should there be blame? It's nobodies fault, just a freak accident. Furthermore, I guarantee coaches also could care less about what stats players have during a game. They care about winning.
James will have no part in the Heisman discussion? Wrong. Season is thrown down the toilet? Wrong. James' stats being padded? Wrong.
DA_O, so you're saying the Ducks at home in Autzen with a 21 point lead on the 3 yard line about to score again would all the sudden lose "THAT GAME" because LMJ took a seat? WOW!! Lot of confidence you have in the rest of the team there! I played college football and I know for a fact our coaches pulled our stars as to not get them hurt for upcoming games that were more important when it was a blowout. 3 touchdown lead and Cals QB hearing footsteps in the 4th is not something to fear for the Ducks or the Autzen faithful! Besides the Mamba was doing quite well that night and a simple dump pass to Colt over the top would have been a very smart play too, or even have DT run it in on simple QB keep on misdirection. It's not like we don't have any other weapons!!! BTW- The Ducks haven't lost a home game since Sept. 2008!!! Everyone but you seems to understand that LMJ was stat padding that game because he's competing for a Heisman this year. Well next game "IF HE PLAYS" every defensive player hence forth will me going to strip and rip the ball from his sore arm. BTW- ASU is a ranked team and one for his stats that he really did want to look good in! To be realistic if the Ducks lose one game because LMJ is injured or not up to form you think Chip's not going to be questioned NATIONALLY for leaving him in that Cal game? "GET THIS THROUGH YOUR HEAD"..... HE WILL!!!!! I don't mind you have a difference of opinion it's what these boards are for, but to say leaving LMJ in because we needed another score to solidify that win is ingorant and laughable and now costly with ASU and Stanford coming up!
What happens if one of the backup's fumble it there? Why didnt Thomas get pulled in favor of Bennett? What if he makes a wrong read and throws a pick 6? Then that 21 point lead looks a lot less cushiony at 14 with 14 min to go. Would he hear those same footsteps against the backup Defense for Oregon? But by your reasoning Thomas should have been out too cause it was a blowout. Him getting hurt would be costly as well. ok Link? Gotcha, so differences of opinion are ok. But ignorant if they differ from yours.
