Kevin Jones NOT going on PUP (1 Viewer)

[TheBradyBunch]

I lose more and more respect for Kowalski with each passing blog entry...

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2007/...f_the_firs.html

How I violated one of the first rules of journalism

by Tom KowalskiSaturday September 01, 2007, 12:38 PM

Every budding young journalist is taught the lesson to "never assume - because it makes an '###' of 'u' and 'me.'''

I violated that rule on Thursday when I wrote a blog saying Lions running back Kevin Jones would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first five games of the season.

Here's how it happened: There are three facts about his situation and they are indisputable:

Fact No. 1 - Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has been saying for weeks that a decision on Jones wouldn't be made until they had talked to the doctors.

Fact No. 2 - The Lions medical staff informed Jones that they would advise the club to keep him on the PUP list.

Fact No. 3 - Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones, re-examined him on Thursday and then informed Jones that he agreed with the assessment of the Lions medical staff and that Jones should remain on the PUP list.

So, silly me, after gathering this information I assumed the Lions would actually heed the medical advice and keep Jones on the PUP list and that's what I wrote.

However, the Lions - who are saddled with an ineffective running game and an apparent deep desperation to win more than three games this year - decided it would be in their best interest to re-evaluate the situation. So they did. And now - voila! - Kevin Jones has been medically cleared to return to action.

 

[cobalt_27]

I lose more and more respect for Kowalski with each passing blog entry...

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2007/...f_the_firs.html

How I violated one of the first rules of journalism

by Tom KowalskiSaturday September 01, 2007, 12:38 PM

Every budding young journalist is taught the lesson to "never assume - because it makes an '###' of 'u' and 'me.'''

I violated that rule on Thursday when I wrote a blog saying Lions running back Kevin Jones would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first five games of the season.

Here's how it happened: There are three facts about his situation and they are indisputable:

Fact No. 1 - Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has been saying for weeks that a decision on Jones wouldn't be made until they had talked to the doctors.

Fact No. 2 - The Lions medical staff informed Jones that they would advise the club to keep him on the PUP list.

Fact No. 3 - Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones, re-examined him on Thursday and then informed Jones that he agreed with the assessment of the Lions medical staff and that Jones should remain on the PUP list.

So, silly me, after gathering this information I assumed the Lions would actually heed the medical advice and keep Jones on the PUP list and that's what I wrote.

However, the Lions - who are saddled with an ineffective running game and an apparent deep desperation to win more than three games this year - decided it would be in their best interest to re-evaluate the situation. So they did. And now - voila! - Kevin Jones has been medically cleared to return to action.

Why would you lose respect for him over this? Given all of the available information that's available to him, it was a sensible conclusion. The fact that he was wrong and that the Lions are going against the grain of the advice the medical staff has given them shouldn't be Kowalski's fault. He's a good journalist still, even if he was wrong here.

 

[az_prof]

I hope they don't rush him back.

I really don't think they will. If he had gone on PUP, he would not have been able to practice until after week 6, and they must think he will be able to practice sooner. If that's the case, add 3 weeks or so of practice and you would be looking at week 9.The Lions bye is in week 6.

I personally think week 7 (game 6) is when they are hoping he plays. Hypothetically, maybe he is 2-3 weeks from practicing fully. That would give him 3-4 weeks of practice, which should be plenty.

That is just my gut feeling.

Some great logic has gone into this post.

The lesson in all of this is NOT TO READ TOO MUCH INTO REPORTER"S COMMENTS. Kowalski has been saying Jones would be on PUP for months and never cites his sources. He may be a good reporter, but you just have to keep an open mind. On all the football sites it hasn't been "Will Jones go on PUP?" but "JONES IS GOING ON PUP." My guess is that people hear what they want to hear and then distort it out of proportion. You just can't believe everything you hear, positive or negative, and you have to take it all with a grain of salt. You don't rush out and drop KJ because of a report saying he might go on PUP nor do you unload Bell now if you own him.

Hi az,I'd agree you always have to consider the source. But this game has evolved for some guys in really competitive leagues to become a race sometimes in getting the information before others.

If you were in a really deep league where every starting QB was valuable, getting the scoop here as we did yesterday from the poster about David Garrard is huge.

In deeper leagues, getting the jump on thinking Jones would go on the PUP or in this case, not go on the PUP list can be a huge advantage.

And that's a great point right there. It's no lock that Jones is going to be active. Cotsonika says he is. Kowalski said he wasn't. The Lions haven't said anything.

So running out and grabbing Jones right now is not much different than grabbing Bell was a couple of days ago. The team is almost always the last to report news. If you wait on official word for everything, you'll always miss out unless you play with guppies.

I've read Tom Kowalski's stuff for years and I trust the guy. When he reports something, I'm inclined to go with it. In the same light, I feel the same way about Cotsonika. If some guy I'd never read before was saying Jones would be on the PUP, that's an entirely different story.

So bottom lline I think is you have to consider the source and weigh the risks in acting on it.

J

I totally agree; you have to weight the source. But in this case Kowalski has been saying for months that Jones was going on PUP and he was never clear about how he knew this. If Coach Marinelli or Martz had said it in no uncertain terms then I would have put more stock in it.Certainly you have to try and be ahead of the curve and monitor information; but you can definitely act too quickly. Another example: I remember when Foster was in Stephen Davis was out in 2005...ummm, NOT. I remember when Donald Driver was on his way out and he came back to have a great year. So, you can get burned by acting too slowly, but you can get burned by acting too swiftly and by acting on bad information.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

I lose more and more respect for Kowalski with each passing blog entry...

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2007/...f_the_firs.html

How I violated one of the first rules of journalism

by Tom KowalskiSaturday September 01, 2007, 12:38 PM

Every budding young journalist is taught the lesson to "never assume - because it makes an '###' of 'u' and 'me.'''

I violated that rule on Thursday when I wrote a blog saying Lions running back Kevin Jones would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first five games of the season.

Here's how it happened: There are three facts about his situation and they are indisputable:

Fact No. 1 - Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has been saying for weeks that a decision on Jones wouldn't be made until they had talked to the doctors.

Fact No. 2 - The Lions medical staff informed Jones that they would advise the club to keep him on the PUP list.

Fact No. 3 - Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones, re-examined him on Thursday and then informed Jones that he agreed with the assessment of the Lions medical staff and that Jones should remain on the PUP list.

So, silly me, after gathering this information I assumed the Lions would actually heed the medical advice and keep Jones on the PUP list and that's what I wrote.

However, the Lions - who are saddled with an ineffective running game and an apparent deep desperation to win more than three games this year - decided it would be in their best interest to re-evaluate the situation. So they did. And now - voila! - Kevin Jones has been medically cleared to return to action.

Why would you lose respect for him over this? Given all of the available information that's available to him, it was a sensible conclusion. The fact that he was wrong and that the Lions are going against the grain of the advice the medical staff has given them shouldn't be Kowalski's fault. He's a good journalist still, even if he was wrong here.

His blog entry was perfect - until the last two paragraphs. To make such a big assumption without first receiving word from the Lions is careless. Do doctors even know the PUP rules - when you consider that the same doctor apparently changed his tune and cleared him on Friday? To continue on and say that the Lions cleared him because their running game stinks is another poor way of deflecting blame on a story that he screwed up. I agree, he's normally very good and normally has great info...but he should just take his medicine on this one and move on without taking shots at the Lions, imo.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

And now this:

Link

Marinelli won't rule out Kevin Jones playing in the opener

by Tom Kowalski

Saturday September 01, 2007, 12:45 PM

Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said it was highly unlikely that running back Kevin Jones would play in the regular season opener against the Oakland Raiders, but refused to rule it out. Marinelli said Jones' status would be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

Marinelli said the team's decision to take Jones off the Physically Unable to Perform list was based on the fact that the surgeon who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones -- Dr. Robert Anderson -- said Jones was in no risk of re-injuring the foot. Marinelli acknowledged there were concerns about Jones suffering other compensation injuries as he returns to padded practices. In fact, Marinelli brought up the fact that linebacker Teddy Lehman, when he returned from Lisfranc surgery, suffered a hamstring pull during the recovery process.

 

[Da Guru]

I assure you that even if Jones plays he won`t see a sniff of the goal line. Jones foot was crushed in a goal line pileup last season..that was the main reason to bring in Duckett.

 

[az_prof]

And now this:

Link

Marinelli won't rule out Kevin Jones playing in the opener

by Tom Kowalski

Saturday September 01, 2007, 12:45 PM

Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said it was highly unlikely that running back Kevin Jones would play in the regular season opener against the Oakland Raiders, but refused to rule it out. Marinelli said Jones' status would be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

Marinelli said the team's decision to take Jones off the Physically Unable to Perform list was based on the fact that the surgeon who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones -- Dr. Robert Anderson -- said Jones was in no risk of re-injuring the foot. Marinelli acknowledged there were concerns about Jones suffering other compensation injuries as he returns to padded practices. In fact, Marinelli brought up the fact that linebacker Teddy Lehman, when he returned from Lisfranc surgery, suffered a hamstring pull during the recovery process.

Wow. This is a bombshell, especially when you consider what we were talking about a couple of days ago.So, how do we evaluate this information? Here's how I see it: It COULD BE any one of the following:

a) Marinelli is trying to keep game one opponent guessing and so now that KJ is on roster, he wants them to have to game plan for KJ even if he doesn't play.

b) Bell's injury is more serious than has been reported. The play of Duckett and Calhoun has been less than inspiring and they are holding out the possibility that KJ may play bec. of Bell's injury.

c) KJ is really healed...fully...so, how long will it take to get him game shape now that he is cleared to start practicing? Coach doesn't know. But obviously KJ has a good work ethic and has come back sooner than expected. Coach is just keeping the door open and trying to motivate KJ to really work hard in practice. Full recovery now is mental more than anything and if you have a goal of starting, this might motivate you to over come your fear?

Something else?

 

[Block]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

In other words you were either trolling you can't explain your thoughts? Don't be obtuse.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

And now this:

Link

Marinelli won't rule out Kevin Jones playing in the opener

by Tom Kowalski

Saturday September 01, 2007, 12:45 PM

Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said it was highly unlikely that running back Kevin Jones would play in the regular season opener against the Oakland Raiders, but refused to rule it out. Marinelli said Jones' status would be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.

Marinelli said the team's decision to take Jones off the Physically Unable to Perform list was based on the fact that the surgeon who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones -- Dr. Robert Anderson -- said Jones was in no risk of re-injuring the foot. Marinelli acknowledged there were concerns about Jones suffering other compensation injuries as he returns to padded practices. In fact, Marinelli brought up the fact that linebacker Teddy Lehman, when he returned from Lisfranc surgery, suffered a hamstring pull during the recovery process.

Wow. This is a bombshell, especially when you consider what we were talking about a couple of days ago.So, how do we evaluate this information? Here's how I see it: It COULD BE any one of the following:

a) Marinelli is trying to keep game one opponent guessing and so now that KJ is on roster, he wants them to have to game plan for KJ even if he doesn't play.

b) Bell's injury is more serious than has been reported. The play of Duckett and Calhoun has been less than inspiring and they are holding out the possibility that KJ may play bec. of Bell's injury.

c) KJ is really healed...fully...so, how long will it take to get him game shape now that he is cleared to start practicing? Coach doesn't know. But obviously KJ has a good work ethic and has come back sooner than expected. Coach is just keeping the door open and trying to motivate KJ to really work hard in practice. Full recovery now is mental more than anything and if you have a goal of starting, this might motivate you to over come your fear?

Something else?

I don't think there is any chance of KJ playing anytime soon, despite the Marinelli comment. He has not practiced yet. Bell is healthy last I heard, his shin injury was minor.

KJ is close to 100%, but he is not even close to being in football condition, nor are all of his unused muscles in any kind of game shape.

I really don't know why Marinelli said what he did.

 

[kevinallen]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

He's referring to a couple of other posters in the thread that announced KJ to be put on the PUP. One poster went so far as to say it was "great" news for Jones. If him going on the PUP was great news, then I cant imagine what him not being on there means.

 

[duaneok66]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

He's referring to a couple of other posters in the thread that announced KJ to be put on the PUP. One poster went so far as to say it was "great" news for Jones. If him going on the PUP was great news, then I cant imagine what him not being on there means.

If you're a KJ fan, whatever news comes out concerning him is "great news" . . .

 

[az_prof]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

He's referring to a couple of other posters in the thread that announced KJ to be put on the PUP. One poster went so far as to say it was "great" news for Jones. If him going on the PUP was great news, then I cant imagine what him not being on there means.

If you're a KJ fan, whatever news comes out concerning him is "great news" . . .

And if you're a Bell owner, whatever news comes out concerning KJ is "bad news"... LOL.

 

[Onions]

I lose more and more respect for Kowalski with each passing blog entry...

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2007/...f_the_firs.html

How I violated one of the first rules of journalism

by Tom KowalskiSaturday September 01, 2007, 12:38 PM

Every budding young journalist is taught the lesson to "never assume - because it makes an '###' of 'u' and 'me.'''

I violated that rule on Thursday when I wrote a blog saying Lions running back Kevin Jones would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first five games of the season.

Here's how it happened: There are three facts about his situation and they are indisputable:

Fact No. 1 - Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has been saying for weeks that a decision on Jones wouldn't be made until they had talked to the doctors.

Fact No. 2 - The Lions medical staff informed Jones that they would advise the club to keep him on the PUP list.

Fact No. 3 - Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones, re-examined him on Thursday and then informed Jones that he agreed with the assessment of the Lions medical staff and that Jones should remain on the PUP list.

So, silly me, after gathering this information I assumed the Lions would actually heed the medical advice and keep Jones on the PUP list and that's what I wrote.

However, the Lions - who are saddled with an ineffective running game and an apparent deep desperation to win more than three games this year - decided it would be in their best interest to re-evaluate the situation. So they did. And now - voila! - Kevin Jones has been medically cleared to return to action.

Why would you lose respect for him over this? Given all of the available information that's available to him, it was a sensible conclusion. The fact that he was wrong and that the Lions are going against the grain of the advice the medical staff has given them shouldn't be Kowalski's fault. He's a good journalist still, even if he was wrong here.

His blog entry was perfect - until the last two paragraphs. To make such a big assumption without first receiving word from the Lions is careless. Do doctors even know the PUP rules - when you consider that the same doctor apparently changed his tune and cleared him on Friday? To continue on and say that the Lions cleared him because their running game stinks is another poor way of deflecting blame on a story that he screwed up. I agree, he's normally very good and normally has great info...but he should just take his medicine on this one and move on without taking shots at the Lions, imo.

A good journalist reports facts. He/she doesn't report based on assumptions and incomplete information.

Kowalski got this one wrong because he tried to be the first to report something...Problem was, there was nothing yet to report.

Rather then point blame at the Lions, he should be blaming himself for poor journalistic standards.

 

[cobalt_27]

I lose more and more respect for Kowalski with each passing blog entry...

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2007/...f_the_firs.html

How I violated one of the first rules of journalism

by Tom KowalskiSaturday September 01, 2007, 12:38 PM

Every budding young journalist is taught the lesson to "never assume - because it makes an '###' of 'u' and 'me.'''

I violated that rule on Thursday when I wrote a blog saying Lions running back Kevin Jones would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first five games of the season.

Here's how it happened: There are three facts about his situation and they are indisputable:

Fact No. 1 - Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has been saying for weeks that a decision on Jones wouldn't be made until they had talked to the doctors.

Fact No. 2 - The Lions medical staff informed Jones that they would advise the club to keep him on the PUP list.

Fact No. 3 - Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones, re-examined him on Thursday and then informed Jones that he agreed with the assessment of the Lions medical staff and that Jones should remain on the PUP list.

So, silly me, after gathering this information I assumed the Lions would actually heed the medical advice and keep Jones on the PUP list and that's what I wrote.

However, the Lions - who are saddled with an ineffective running game and an apparent deep desperation to win more than three games this year - decided it would be in their best interest to re-evaluate the situation. So they did. And now - voila! - Kevin Jones has been medically cleared to return to action.

Why would you lose respect for him over this? Given all of the available information that's available to him, it was a sensible conclusion. The fact that he was wrong and that the Lions are going against the grain of the advice the medical staff has given them shouldn't be Kowalski's fault. He's a good journalist still, even if he was wrong here.

His blog entry was perfect - until the last two paragraphs. To make such a big assumption without first receiving word from the Lions is careless. Do doctors even know the PUP rules - when you consider that the same doctor apparently changed his tune and cleared him on Friday? To continue on and say that the Lions cleared him because their running game stinks is another poor way of deflecting blame on a story that he screwed up. I agree, he's normally very good and normally has great info...but he should just take his medicine on this one and move on without taking shots at the Lions, imo.

A good journalist reports facts. He/she doesn't report based on assumptions and incomplete information.

Kowalski got this one wrong because he tried to be the first to report something...Problem was, there was nothing yet to report.

Rather then point blame at the Lions, he should be blaming himself for poor journalistic standards.

It's not like we're talking about Walter Cronkite here. If it weren't for insiders like K, we'd be waiting until Tuesday to get anything worth chewing on. If you read his blogs, he qualified everything appropriately, anyway.

 

[Koya]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

He's referring to a couple of other posters in the thread that announced KJ to be put on the PUP. One poster went so far as to say it was "great" news for Jones. If him going on the PUP was great news, then I cant imagine what him not being on there means.

I was someone who initially had hoped for Jones to go on the PUP - if you drafted him, you drafted him very late so having a guy for the last 10 weeks of the season can be a great thing - IF healthy (biggest if ever, btw). However, many of us were not aware that by being placed on the PUP a player cant even practice with the team. That makes it not game 6, but game 8, 9 or 10 he would have returned which is a very different story.Regardless, if you are depending on Jones the first month of the season you are in trouble. He is a throw the dice maybe in the second half type guy - unless they rush him back and he is reinjured week 3.

 

[Koya]

Bad news for Jones owners.

Why?

Well if him going on PuP is good news, him not going on PuP is bad news.

He's referring to a couple of other posters in the thread that announced KJ to be put on the PUP. One poster went so far as to say it was "great" news for Jones. If him going on the PUP was great news, then I cant imagine what him not being on there means.

If you're a KJ fan, whatever news comes out concerning him is "great news" . . .

And if you're a Bell owner, whatever news comes out concerning KJ is "bad news"... LOL.

Actually, that is true. And that statement, while joking, actually says a lot about Bell and the situation. TJ Duckett week 6 anyone?

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Kevin Jones to practice in pads Monday, according to Marinelli (in bold below).

Link

Lions put Jones on active roster

Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

LLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions put tailback Kevin Jones on the active roster Saturday, ending speculation about his status for the start of the NFL season.

The move was made on the day when NFL rosters had to be cut to the regular-season limit of 53 players.

The Lions planned to announce their cuts Saturday evening.

Jones' status for the season was in doubt because of an injury to his left foot, sustained late in the 2006 season, and the length of time required for it to heal sufficiently for him to play.

Coach Rod Marinelli said it is extremely unlikely that Jones will be one of the 45 players on the active roster for the opening game at Oakland on Sept. 9.

Jones was put on the physically-unable-to-perform list at the start of training camp. Players on the PUP list are not allowed to practice with the team.

Jones was examined in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday by Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed surgery on Jones in December. Anderson took part in a conference-call Friday with the Lions' medical staff, front office and coaches, Marinelli said Saturday.

Anderson told Jones and the Lions that Jones has no risk of doing further damage to the area of the foot that was originally injured. The injury was to the bones and the connective tissue at the top of the foot.

President Matt Millen and Marinelli made the final decision on Jones, but it was also was left up to Jones to decide if he would be in the active roster, Marinelli said.

Had Jones remained on the PUP list Saturday, he would have been inactive for at least the first six weeks of the season and would not have been able to practice with the team during that period.

Jones will practice in pads when the Lions return to the practice field Monday to prepare to play Oakland, Marinelli said.

Jones has been the Lions' starting tailback for most of his three previous NFL seasons. He was drafted on the first round out of Virginia Tech in 2004. Hew rushed for 1,133 yards as a rookie, his one-season high in the NFL.

Jones rushed for 689 yards in 12 games in 2006. He blossomed as a receiving, catching 61 passes, his career high for one season.

 

[Onions]

I lose more and more respect for Kowalski with each passing blog entry...

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2007/...f_the_firs.html

How I violated one of the first rules of journalism

by Tom KowalskiSaturday September 01, 2007, 12:38 PM

Every budding young journalist is taught the lesson to "never assume - because it makes an '###' of 'u' and 'me.'''

I violated that rule on Thursday when I wrote a blog saying Lions running back Kevin Jones would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first five games of the season.

Here's how it happened: There are three facts about his situation and they are indisputable:

Fact No. 1 - Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has been saying for weeks that a decision on Jones wouldn't be made until they had talked to the doctors.

Fact No. 2 - The Lions medical staff informed Jones that they would advise the club to keep him on the PUP list.

Fact No. 3 - Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones, re-examined him on Thursday and then informed Jones that he agreed with the assessment of the Lions medical staff and that Jones should remain on the PUP list.

So, silly me, after gathering this information I assumed the Lions would actually heed the medical advice and keep Jones on the PUP list and that's what I wrote.

However, the Lions - who are saddled with an ineffective running game and an apparent deep desperation to win more than three games this year - decided it would be in their best interest to re-evaluate the situation. So they did. And now - voila! - Kevin Jones has been medically cleared to return to action.

Why would you lose respect for him over this? Given all of the available information that's available to him, it was a sensible conclusion. The fact that he was wrong and that the Lions are going against the grain of the advice the medical staff has given them shouldn't be Kowalski's fault. He's a good journalist still, even if he was wrong here.

His blog entry was perfect - until the last two paragraphs. To make such a big assumption without first receiving word from the Lions is careless. Do doctors even know the PUP rules - when you consider that the same doctor apparently changed his tune and cleared him on Friday? To continue on and say that the Lions cleared him because their running game stinks is another poor way of deflecting blame on a story that he screwed up. I agree, he's normally very good and normally has great info...but he should just take his medicine on this one and move on without taking shots at the Lions, imo.

A good journalist reports facts. He/she doesn't report based on assumptions and incomplete information.

Kowalski got this one wrong because he tried to be the first to report something...Problem was, there was nothing yet to report.

Rather then point blame at the Lions, he should be blaming himself for poor journalistic standards.

It's not like we're talking about Walter Cronkite here. If it weren't for insiders like K, we'd be waiting until Tuesday to get anything worth chewing on. If you read his blogs, he qualified everything appropriately, anyway.

Resposible journalism is responsible journalism.Hell, even Kowalski admitted he was wrong...Why are you so intent on defending his actions?

 

[Anthony Borbely]

The guy made a mistake. He admitted it. Time to move on.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Article from Detroit lions.com, with quotes from Marinelli. Of note is the surgeon saying Jones can't reinjure his foot.

Link

Back in the Mix

The Lions Elect to Activate Running Back Kevin Jones to Begin the Regular Season

By Chrissie Wywrot

Detroitlions.com

September 1, 2007

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have elected not to put running back Kevin Jones, who suffered a Lisfranc injury to his left foot last December, on the Reserved/PUP list to begin the 2007 regular season, ending an ongoing media debate that has extended for more than seven months.

The decision of whether or not to activate Jones ultimately came down to how much it would help or hinder him physically to start off the year on PUP versus the active roster.

The Lions sent him to North Carolina this past Thursday to meet with the doctor who performed his surgery, Dr. Bob Anderson, for more information regarding his progress.

Positive news came out of that visit, steering the Lions in the direction of keeping Jones off the PUP list to begin the 2007 season.

"The surgeon assured us all that his foot is healthy, it’s strong, there is no risk to injury to that foot, to that surgery at this point – none," said Head Coach Rod Marinelli. "Another six weeks and it would really make not much difference he said – not much."

A lot of discussion went into this final decision to place Jones on the active roster. The Lions had to weigh the risk-reward regarding how Jones could immediately help the team compared with the setback possibilities if he was brought back too soon.

Numerous members of the front office, including Marinelli and the team's medical staff, discussed Jones' status with Anderson following his his visit to the North Carolina physician. Marinelli then met Friday with the Lions' athletic traininers and encouraged Jones to discuss this with his family.

Marinelli even sat down for a meeting of his own with Lions' Owner & Chairman William Clay Ford, and he emerged with things a little clearer than they were before.

"He’s got a lot of wisdom," said Marinelli. "He brought a lot of clarity to this whole situation for me. Every game counts during the season. We’ve got to evaluate every game, give ourselves every opportunity, every chance to win every game that we can."

Ultimately, the final decision to activate Jones was based on how much he would or wouldn't progress without suiting up in pads.

If he would have started the year on PUP, Jones would have been held out of team practices, unable to put himself through the physical nature of the game necessary in preparing him for a live opponent.

Though Jones has spent all of training camp and the preseason working out with Lions' strength and conditioning coaches, without that physical beating on his foot, he wouldn't have been able to make that next critical step toward getting back.

"To me (this will be) like a padded PUP," said Marinelli. "We still have a plan for him, but we’re able to now to get him in full pads. The one thing he couldn’t do on PUP is have a walkthrough; just walking through, just catching a ball, just running our offense. When you’re on PUP you can’t do any of that. Now we get him in pads, we’ll start working him."

Jones will begin right away with team practice on Monday, though he won't be thrown into the fire just yet. Though Anderson said Jones won't experience any setbacks regarding his surgery, his readiness to begin padded practices by no means signifies he will be able to play pain-free.

“It’s going to be week-to-week," said Marinelli. "We’ll just get him out there. It’s just a feel-process now – see how he feels. The surgeon said there is going to be some swelling. There are going to be good days and there are going to be bad days. An injury is hard to define. We’ll just get him going and at least I think we are ahead of the pace right now.”

Another positive to having Jones on the active roster is that he will be able to re-teach himself how to function in light of the injury before being thrown into a game situation. Oftentimes, if athletes try to return too fast, they begin to overcompensate for their injury with other parts of the body due and ultimately get hurt in other areas.

Lions' linebacker Teddy Lehman, who suffered a Lisfranc injury in 2005, was met with that same predicament when he attempted a return after beginning the 2006 season on PUP. He suffered a hamstring injury and ended the year on the Reserve/Injured list.

“(Jones) is working at his pace," said Marinelli. "It’s not like we’re going to take him into full speed. We have a chance now to see where he’s at. I told Kevin, 'that’s the biggest thing. Now we see where you’re at.'

"We start having a chance to move forward with it, and if it’s too early we just back off him and continue to do what we did in PUP. His health is the No. 1 issue here. I told him (what) made me comfortable (with) this decision was when the surgeon told us he cannot re-hurt that foot. (Dr. Anderson) was adamant with that.”

The Lions will take their time with Jones. Until he feels ready to participate, he will be one of eight inactive players each week. It is because of that option that Detroit won't be hurt by Jones being on the active roster.

“It doesn’t affect the 45," said Marinelli. "We are going to have to de-activate guys anyway. What he can do during the process is be a scout team back a little bit for us as he’s working his feet. He can give us a guy who can run the zone plays to a point. That part doesn’t affect us.”

 

[fatness]

It's not like we're talking about Walter Cronkite here. If it weren't for insiders like K, we'd be waiting until Tuesday to get anything worth chewing on. If you read his blogs, he qualified everything appropriately, anyway.

As long as a reporter or writer or blogger attributes things ("according to a team source", "an opinion shared by several players", "just my opinion based on this or that", etc.), I don't have any problem with anything they write. Too many people are lazy and give a one-sentence blurb by someone on a message board the same credibility as stone tablets containing lists of 10. Lazy reading doesn't equal bad or irresponsible writing.Reporters who claim their opinion is fact, however, are being untruthful and irresponsible.I don't know which it was in Kowalski's case.

 

[AB in DC]

"To me (this will be) like a padded PUP," said Marinelli. "We still have a plan for him, but we’re able to now to get him in full pads. The one thing he couldn’t do on PUP is have a walkthrough; just walking through, just catching a ball, just running our offense. When you’re on PUP you can’t do any of that. Now we get him in pads, we’ll start working him."...“It doesn’t affect the 45," said Marinelli. "We are going to have to de-activate guys anyway. What he can do during the process is be a scout team back a little bit for us as he’s working his feet. He can give us a guy who can run the zone plays to a point. That part doesn’t affect us.”

These are the key quotes IMHO.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

"To me (this will be) like a padded PUP," said Marinelli. "We still have a plan for him, but we’re able to now to get him in full pads. The one thing he couldn’t do on PUP is have a walkthrough; just walking through, just catching a ball, just running our offense. When you’re on PUP you can’t do any of that. Now we get him in pads, we’ll start working him."...“It doesn’t affect the 45," said Marinelli. "We are going to have to de-activate guys anyway. What he can do during the process is be a scout team back a little bit for us as he’s working his feet. He can give us a guy who can run the zone plays to a point. That part doesn’t affect us.”

These are the key quotes IMHO.

 

[BigSeph]

SWEET REDEMPTION

KJ is going to have some great games late in the year

 

[dusty]

I find it interesting that the majority of those who are rebuking Kowalski for at best false assumption and at worst journalistic neglegence are,they themselves very quick to assume that just because KJ is not going PUP and there are as yet many unanswered questions concerning his ability to play at any level of health,that he is going to be able to play and be a difference maker for those who took a chance and drafted him.

It's still very possible that he may, like every athlete feel healthy enough to want to start practicing and playing especially when the coaching staff is pushing hard for a sooner rather than later return and end up re-injuring his foot or not be able to perform at the desired level due to discomfort and or pain.

If the later is the case, than the three irrefutable facts layed out in Kowalski's earlier response concerning the discrepancy in the doctors two annalysis advising on what the Lions course of action should be will totally vindicate his reporting and there will be an exchange of "egg on the face" .

My disclaimer is that this is all mere spectulation on my part until all the facts resolve themselves,only time will tell.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I find it interesting that the majority of those who are rebuking Kowalski for at best false assumption and at worst journalistic neglegence are,they themselves very quick to assume that just because KJ is not going PUP and there are as yet many unanswered questions concerning his ability to play at any level of health,that he is going to be able to play and be a difference maker for those who took a chance and drafted him.

It's still very possible that he may, like every athlete feel healthy enough to want to start practicing and playing especially when the coaching staff is pushing hard for a sooner rather than later return and end up re-injuring his foot or not be able to perform at the desired level due to discomfort and or pain.

If the later is the case, than the three irrefutable facts layed out in Kowalski's earlier response concerning the discrepancy in the doctors two annalysis advising on what the Lions course of action should be will totally vindicate his reporting and there will be an exchange of "egg on the face" .

My disclaimer is that this is all mere spectulation on my part until all the facts resolve themselves,only time will tell.

The doctor said there is no chance of him reinjuring his foot.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Lions taking a big risk with Jones

by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids PressSaturday September 01, 2007, 11:36 PM

It should come as no surprise the Detroit Lions put running back Kevin Jones on their 53-man roster Saturday afternoon.

The team placed guard Frank Davis on injured reserve, released 21 players and activated Jones from the physically unable to perform list with the intention of getting him ready for the Sept. 9 season opener on the road against the Oakland Raiders.

The real question, though, is if it's a smart move in the first place.

The Lions say they've consulted with the surgeon who performed the operation on Jones to repair his injured foot, and only then decided to put him in full pads for practice leading up to the opener. Except, Jones still hasn't been on the field for a single snap in training camp or four preseason games.

It seems to be wishful thinking that he'll be on the field anytime soon.

The Lions are taking an unnecessary risk at this point in rushing Jones back into action. There has been speculation he'd miss the first six weeks while continuing his rehab, but team president Matt Millen, coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz seem intent on testing him much sooner. The risk isn't so much that Jones' foot isn't properly healed; it's whether the rest of the muscles in his leg are in game shape to the point that his ankle, knee or hamstring won't be compromised.

It'd be a disaster if Jones was brought back too soon and tore his hamstring or ruptured an Achilles tendon simply because his entire leg isn't 100-percent strong.

You've got to wonder why the Lions would take a chance like this. The team isn't going to the Super Bowl -- or even to the playoffs -- this season. The backfield has been fortified with the offseason acquisitions of Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett, both of whom ran well in the preseason. Why not give them a chance to prove themselves? The Lions can add Jones to the mix later.

You'd hope they'd play it much safer with him.

 

[jabarony]

I lose more and more respect for Kowalski with each passing blog entry...

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2007/...f_the_firs.html

How I violated one of the first rules of journalism

by Tom KowalskiSaturday September 01, 2007, 12:38 PM

Every budding young journalist is taught the lesson to "never assume - because it makes an '###' of 'u' and 'me.'''

I violated that rule on Thursday when I wrote a blog saying Lions running back Kevin Jones would remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first five games of the season.

Here's how it happened: There are three facts about his situation and they are indisputable:

Fact No. 1 - Lions head coach Rod Marinelli has been saying for weeks that a decision on Jones wouldn't be made until they had talked to the doctors.

Fact No. 2 - The Lions medical staff informed Jones that they would advise the club to keep him on the PUP list.

Fact No. 3 - Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the Lisfranc surgery on Jones, re-examined him on Thursday and then informed Jones that he agreed with the assessment of the Lions medical staff and that Jones should remain on the PUP list.

So, silly me, after gathering this information I assumed the Lions would actually heed the medical advice and keep Jones on the PUP list and that's what I wrote.

However, the Lions - who are saddled with an ineffective running game and an apparent deep desperation to win more than three games this year - decided it would be in their best interest to re-evaluate the situation. So they did. And now - voila! - Kevin Jones has been medically cleared to return to action.

Why would you lose respect for him over this? Given all of the available information that's available to him, it was a sensible conclusion. The fact that he was wrong and that the Lions are going against the grain of the advice the medical staff has given them shouldn't be Kowalski's fault. He's a good journalist still, even if he was wrong here.

His blog entry was perfect - until the last two paragraphs. To make such a big assumption without first receiving word from the Lions is careless. Do doctors even know the PUP rules - when you consider that the same doctor apparently changed his tune and cleared him on Friday? To continue on and say that the Lions cleared him because their running game stinks is another poor way of deflecting blame on a story that he screwed up. I agree, he's normally very good and normally has great info...but he should just take his medicine on this one and move on without taking shots at the Lions, imo.

A good journalist reports facts. He/she doesn't report based on assumptions and incomplete information.

Kowalski got this one wrong because he tried to be the first to report something...Problem was, there was nothing yet to report.

Rather then point blame at the Lions, he should be blaming himself for poor journalistic standards.

It's not like we're talking about Walter Cronkite here. If it weren't for insiders like K, we'd be waiting until Tuesday to get anything worth chewing on. If you read his blogs, he qualified everything appropriately, anyway.

First off, Killer Kowalski is $ 100x more often than not. Perhaps when he reported that the Lions planned to PUP KJ, they WERE planning on PUPping him. Things change. Kowalski isn't one to run around bragging about the stories he breaks first. He is the most in-depth reporter of any of the Leo's beat writers and seems to have a good relationship (no buttkissing or animosity - strictly business) with players and management.Plus, if you are so against speculation/opinions, what are you doing on a FF message board?

 

[joffer]

I find it interesting that the majority of those who are rebuking Kowalski for at best false assumption and at worst journalistic neglegence are,they themselves very quick to assume that just because KJ is not going PUP and there are as yet many unanswered questions concerning his ability to play at any level of health,that he is going to be able to play and be a difference maker for those who took a chance and drafted him.

It's still very possible that he may, like every athlete feel healthy enough to want to start practicing and playing especially when the coaching staff is pushing hard for a sooner rather than later return and end up re-injuring his foot or not be able to perform at the desired level due to discomfort and or pain.

If the later is the case, than the three irrefutable facts layed out in Kowalski's earlier response concerning the discrepancy in the doctors two annalysis advising on what the Lions course of action should be will totally vindicate his reporting and there will be an exchange of "egg on the face" .

My disclaimer is that this is all mere spectulation on my part until all the facts resolve themselves,only time will tell.

The doctor said there is no chance of him reinjuring his foot.

i suppose the doctor means there's no chance of aggravating the same injury, unless he gave KJ a bionic foot.

 

[BigRed]

Lions taking a big risk with Jonesby Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids PressSaturday September 01, 2007, 11:36 PMIt should come as no surprise the Detroit Lions put running back Kevin Jones on their 53-man roster Saturday afternoon.The team placed guard Frank Davis on injured reserve, released 21 players and activated Jones from the physically unable to perform list with the intention of getting him ready for the Sept. 9 season opener on the road against the Oakland Raiders.The real question, though, is if it's a smart move in the first place.The Lions say they've consulted with the surgeon who performed the operation on Jones to repair his injured foot, and only then decided to put him in full pads for practice leading up to the opener. Except, Jones still hasn't been on the field for a single snap in training camp or four preseason games.It seems to be wishful thinking that he'll be on the field anytime soon.The Lions are taking an unnecessary risk at this point in rushing Jones back into action. There has been speculation he'd miss the first six weeks while continuing his rehab, but team president Matt Millen, coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz seem intent on testing him much sooner. The risk isn't so much that Jones' foot isn't properly healed; it's whether the rest of the muscles in his leg are in game shape to the point that his ankle, knee or hamstring won't be compromised.It'd be a disaster if Jones was brought back too soon and tore his hamstring or ruptured an Achilles tendon simply because his entire leg isn't 100-percent strong.You've got to wonder why the Lions would take a chance like this. The team isn't going to the Super Bowl -- or even to the playoffs -- this season. The backfield has been fortified with the offseason acquisitions of Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett, both of whom ran well in the preseason. Why not give them a chance to prove themselves? The Lions can add Jones to the mix later.You'd hope they'd play it much safer with him.

What I have to wonder is why Brian VanOchten decided to take such a large drink of stupid juice before writing this. What is the big deal about not putting him on the PUP? This doesn't (necessarily, or likely IMO) mean he's going to be "rushed" back into the game. It simply means they have more flexibility in when and how they bring him along. How is that not the right move?

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Lions taking a big risk with Jonesby Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids PressSaturday September 01, 2007, 11:36 PMIt should come as no surprise the Detroit Lions put running back Kevin Jones on their 53-man roster Saturday afternoon.The team placed guard Frank Davis on injured reserve, released 21 players and activated Jones from the physically unable to perform list with the intention of getting him ready for the Sept. 9 season opener on the road against the Oakland Raiders.The real question, though, is if it's a smart move in the first place.The Lions say they've consulted with the surgeon who performed the operation on Jones to repair his injured foot, and only then decided to put him in full pads for practice leading up to the opener. Except, Jones still hasn't been on the field for a single snap in training camp or four preseason games.It seems to be wishful thinking that he'll be on the field anytime soon.The Lions are taking an unnecessary risk at this point in rushing Jones back into action. There has been speculation he'd miss the first six weeks while continuing his rehab, but team president Matt Millen, coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz seem intent on testing him much sooner. The risk isn't so much that Jones' foot isn't properly healed; it's whether the rest of the muscles in his leg are in game shape to the point that his ankle, knee or hamstring won't be compromised.It'd be a disaster if Jones was brought back too soon and tore his hamstring or ruptured an Achilles tendon simply because his entire leg isn't 100-percent strong.You've got to wonder why the Lions would take a chance like this. The team isn't going to the Super Bowl -- or even to the playoffs -- this season. The backfield has been fortified with the offseason acquisitions of Tatum Bell and T.J. Duckett, both of whom ran well in the preseason. Why not give them a chance to prove themselves? The Lions can add Jones to the mix later.You'd hope they'd play it much safer with him.

What I have to wonder is why Brian VanOchten decided to take such a large drink of stupid juice before writing this. What is the big deal about not putting him on the PUP? This doesn't (necessarily, or likely IMO) mean he's going to be "rushed" back into the game. It simply means they have more flexibility in when and how they bring him along. How is that not the right move?

He was put on the active roster so he can practice now instead of 6 weeks from now. He has to get into football shape and he can't do it from the sidelines.

 

[Kevin Jones Fan]

The day is approaching, more quickly than you realize. Those with faith will be greatly rewarded. Those who doubt shall pay a terrible price. Let it come down . . .

 

[Sweetness_34]

The day is approaching, more quickly than you realize. Those with faith will be greatly rewarded. Those who doubt shall pay a terrible price. Let it come down . . .

 

[clinton_c]

Yesterday I was able to get KJ at the 9.8 slot.

Everyone in the room thought he was on the PUP, and I took him to early. I told them to check the news when they get home.

He is my 4th back, so I am willing to roll the dice.

 

[1huskerfan]

I find it interesting that the majority of those who are rebuking Kowalski for at best false assumption and at worst journalistic neglegence are,they themselves very quick to assume that just because KJ is not going PUP and there are as yet many unanswered questions concerning his ability to play at any level of health,that he is going to be able to play and be a difference maker for those who took a chance and drafted him.

It's still very possible that he may, like every athlete feel healthy enough to want to start practicing and playing especially when the coaching staff is pushing hard for a sooner rather than later return and end up re-injuring his foot or not be able to perform at the desired level due to discomfort and or pain.

If the later is the case, than the three irrefutable facts layed out in Kowalski's earlier response concerning the discrepancy in the doctors two annalysis advising on what the Lions course of action should be will totally vindicate his reporting and there will be an exchange of "egg on the face" .

My disclaimer is that this is all mere spectulation on my part until all the facts resolve themselves,only time will tell.

These two events aren't even related. IMO the guy is a donkey for speculating on something and reporting as fact in order to be the first one out with it. He has also misrepresented the NFLs PUP policy repeatedly, to the point that the 'experts' on this site believe it as well. He may very well provide good info most of the time, but, in my limited exposure to him, he seems to be more cut out for the National Inquirer than any sort of job that has to do with journalism.*EDIT- To be fair, 'experts' on other sites have bought into the PUP time frame as well. Google is your friend.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Below is part of a story by ESPN's Len Pasquerelli.

Link

The Lions on Saturday removed Jones from the active physically unable to perform (PUP) list, where he spent all of training camp and the preseason, and included him on the regular-season 53-man roster. It had been widely reported, including by ESPN.com, that Jones likely would begin the season on the reserve PUP list, which by definition would have precluded the three-year veteran from practicing or playing for at least the first six weeks of the year.

Kowalski was far from the only one to report that Kevin Jones would be placed on PUP.

 

[cobalt_27]

I find it interesting that the majority of those who are rebuking Kowalski for at best false assumption and at worst journalistic neglegence are,they themselves very quick to assume that just because KJ is not going PUP and there are as yet many unanswered questions concerning his ability to play at any level of health,that he is going to be able to play and be a difference maker for those who took a chance and drafted him.

It's still very possible that he may, like every athlete feel healthy enough to want to start practicing and playing especially when the coaching staff is pushing hard for a sooner rather than later return and end up re-injuring his foot or not be able to perform at the desired level due to discomfort and or pain.

If the later is the case, than the three irrefutable facts layed out in Kowalski's earlier response concerning the discrepancy in the doctors two annalysis advising on what the Lions course of action should be will totally vindicate his reporting and there will be an exchange of "egg on the face" .

My disclaimer is that this is all mere spectulation on my part until all the facts resolve themselves,only time will tell.

These two events aren't even related. IMO the guy is a donkey for speculating on something and reporting as fact in order to be the first one out with it. He has also misrepresented the NFLs PUP policy repeatedly, to the point that the 'experts' on this site believe it as well. He may very well provide good info most of the time, but, in my limited exposure to him, he seems to be more cut out for the National Inquirer than any sort of job that has to do with journalism.*EDIT- To be fair, 'experts' on other sites have bought into the PUP time frame as well. Google is your friend.

Maybe I didn't read (or listen) to his stuff with enough scrutiny, but to be fair...I don't think ever stated anything as fact. I think everything he said, he qualified as speculative and what the Lions are likely to do, given the information at hand. Did he flat out report that Jones was absolutely going on the PUP list, or did he just report that there was a growing likelihood that he was headed there. Big difference.(And, I'm just asking the question, because I don't know how far he took it, and I'm too lazy right now to check.)

 

[cobalt_27]

Below is part of a story by ESPN's Len Pasquerelli.

Link

The Lions on Saturday removed Jones from the active physically unable to perform (PUP) list, where he spent all of training camp and the preseason, and included him on the regular-season 53-man roster. It had been widely reported, including by ESPN.com, that Jones likely would begin the season on the reserve PUP list, which by definition would have precluded the three-year veteran from practicing or playing for at least the first six weeks of the year.

Kowalski was far from the only one to report that Kevin Jones would be placed on PUP.

Again, big difference between would be and likely would.

 

[1huskerfan]

I find it interesting that the majority of those who are rebuking Kowalski for at best false assumption and at worst journalistic neglegence are,they themselves very quick to assume that just because KJ is not going PUP and there are as yet many unanswered questions concerning his ability to play at any level of health,that he is going to be able to play and be a difference maker for those who took a chance and drafted him.

It's still very possible that he may, like every athlete feel healthy enough to want to start practicing and playing especially when the coaching staff is pushing hard for a sooner rather than later return and end up re-injuring his foot or not be able to perform at the desired level due to discomfort and or pain.

If the later is the case, than the three irrefutable facts layed out in Kowalski's earlier response concerning the discrepancy in the doctors two annalysis advising on what the Lions course of action should be will totally vindicate his reporting and there will be an exchange of "egg on the face" .

My disclaimer is that this is all mere spectulation on my part until all the facts resolve themselves,only time will tell.

These two events aren't even related. IMO the guy is a donkey for speculating on something and reporting as fact in order to be the first one out with it. He has also misrepresented the NFLs PUP policy repeatedly, to the point that the 'experts' on this site believe it as well. He may very well provide good info most of the time, but, in my limited exposure to him, he seems to be more cut out for the National Inquirer than any sort of job that has to do with journalism.*EDIT- To be fair, 'experts' on other sites have bought into the PUP time frame as well. Google is your friend.

Maybe I didn't read (or listen) to his stuff with enough scrutiny, but to be fair...I don't think ever stated anything as fact. I think everything he said, he qualified as speculative and what the Lions are likely to do, given the information at hand. Did he flat out report that Jones was absolutely going on the PUP list, or did he just report that there was a growing likelihood that he was headed there. Big difference.(And, I'm just asking the question, because I don't know how far he took it, and I'm too lazy right now to check.)

It doesn't sound like you even read the article then. Give it another shot chief. Start with the headline this time, it won't take long.