Oy
https://3downnation.com/2023/11/15/t...ng-east-final/
Printable View
What the heck? Who let him keep playing? That's bad if somebody knew, and he still played.
Did not notice any concerning signs during the game? - when did he take a big hit ?
Imo there is virtually no chance that any coach or medical person knew anything about any concussion. He never went to the tent and he basically never did anything on the bench other than watch stuff on tablet and (as the game progressed) sit there while a succession of players came over to try to buck him up. I have to believe if anyone saw anything suggesting he was concussed, they would have spoken up.
I agree, Paul. I haven't rewatched the game, and don't have any great desire to do so, but I guess I will have to. I really don't recall any obvious hit to the head, which is what the league's spotter would be looking for. Obviously, it doesn't appear as though Kelly reported any symptoms to anyone.
Agree that there no chance that any of the coaching staff or medical staff attached to the Argos saw anything that gave them concern that Kelly sustained a concussion as they have always erred on the side of caution when any player gets hit too hard. Does anyone think this is just Kelly suggesting this as an excuse for his poor play in the Eastern Final?
I have worked on concussion strategies as part of my job and I think it's highly unlikely that he could have continued to play if he really had a concussion or similarly that none of the staff or his colleagues would not have noticed a change in his behaviour, cognitive and physical skills if he had sustained such a hit early in the game.
Maybe the Als slipped something in his Gatorade. He’s a bit of an odd duck, this Chad Kelly. I wonder what he’s doing in New York this winter.
On the other hand, he did look a little bewildered out there, and the pick sixes weren’t just bad throws, they were so bad it was like he couldn’t see straight.
Makes you wonder with the Argos D doing its job for 3 quarters, would Cameron Dukes have put up points on the board?
On those 2 ill fated 3rd Down sneaks, I thought I noticed Kelly not get low and lead with his head. The concussion may explain why?
Interesting that the 3DN story gives no context for these quoted remarks. Were they made in an interview? Have any other media outlets filed similar reports? I would think if these remarks were exclusive to 3DN, they'd be trumpeting that fact. But if they were not exclusive, someone else would have issued a similar report.
The whole thing has a whiff of unreality about it.
Furthermore, his comments (assuming he really did make them, to someone) have put the organization in a bad position. They have to either deny there was any indication of concussion (thus pinning the blame on him) or implicitly admit to culpability in leaving a potentially concussed player in the game. It's a no-win situation.
If he truly is planning to split his off-season time between Toronto and NYC, that would at minimum suggest he is not continuing with what allegedly worked for him last off-season -- staying in town and working out with teammates, etc. Does not bode well, IMO.
And now we see a different story, based on an interview. No mention of any concussion, or of moving to NYC.
https://torontosun.com/sports/footba...-in-east-final
The org is in a terrible position. There is almost nothing they can say publicly that wouldn't reflect badly on someone -- their own staff or their starting QB.
However, there is also a third possibility -- that 3DN torqued or misinterpreted what Kelly said. The fact he was not explicitly quoted in the interview as saying he suffered a concussion on Saturday, and apparently made no mention of such a thing in a separate interview with Simmons, suggests that might be what happened.
The only quotes in the 3DN story about this say: “Personally, I did not feel good. My head and everything was not in the right place of mind to say anything to anybody. I needed to get in the locker room. My head was not good. I think there were a few times definitely that I was not in the right mind at all calling a play, even out on the field. It was definitely rough the day after and I’d say probably two days after, really. I mean, it’s something that you don’t want to go through. I’ve had one (concussion) before and it wasn’t to the extent of this one, but it’s definitely something that you gotta get help.”
The only reference to concussion is in parentheses, a word apparently not uttered in that quote by Kelly but placed there by 3DN. While concussion might be what he was suggesting, it apparently was not explicitly stated. Other interpretations are also possible. If he explicitly said he suffered a concussion on Saturday, why did no quote reflect that?
I want to give Kelly the benefit of the doubt, despite my previously stated concern about his propensity for going "off script" in the off-season. I have no such inclination towards 3DN, however.
Let's hope it's possibility #3, that 3DN just got it wrong, because the other options are hard to comprehend.
Remember, before last season started, when 3DN published a story about Chad Kelly "acknowledging" rumours that he may be traded to Hamilton? They provided a link to an interview where it wasn't even discussed.
This would not be the first time 3DN completely made up a story about Kelly.
It makes even less sense now that the Toronto Sun story has come out. In the original 3Downnation story, he says,
“I think there were a few times definitely that I was not in the right mind at all calling a play, even out on the field,” he said. “It was definitely rough the day after and I’d say probably two days after, really. I mean, it’s something that you don’t want to go through. I’ve had one (concussion) before and it wasn’t to the extent of this one, but it’s definitely something that you gotta get help.”
Well it's pretty obvious that Kelly is referring to a concussion that he had previously, knows what it feels like and but this one was worse. And it's definitely implying it was contributing to his poor performance. If it was a misquote or a misinterpretation, why didn't Kelly immediately come out and say so. It's one thing to say that he didn't feel like himself, that maybe nerves or the pressure of the game got to him, it's quite another to imply that he had suffered some sort of concussed hit.
Then the Sun story talks about how he has worked out twice in the last four days since their season ended, which is the very last thing you would do if there was any suggestion of a concussion.
I get that Kelly is probably embarrassed by his performance in the Eastern final, it was horrible. And he's looking at finding an excuse, but he is making himself and the organization look bad by implying that he maybe got a concussion during the game and that affected his performance.
Both Kelly and the Argos should clarify that he did not get a concussion during the game and that his comments were taken out of context. I like Kelly and he is a good quarterback with a great future, but this kind of behaviour makes him look immature and demonstrates some serious "lack of judgement."
3DN has been open (gleeful, even) about how any piece with Kelly gets a lot of "hits." It's click-bait, and they are open about it.
As you say, there have been other instances of journalistic malfeasance by that site going back years. I felt the journalistic standards had improved over the past year or two (if you can ignore the ridiculously slanted pieces by fanboys who "cover" a few of the teams), but this harkens back to some of the issues I've taken issue with in the past.
An experienced editor working in a reputable newsroom would almost certainly have asked some pointed questions about the piece. (Unfortunately, such things -- experienced editors and reputable newsrooms -- are in increasingly scarce supply these days.)
I suspect Chad had an anxiety attack. Its understandable, and nothing to be embarrassed about.
Argos comment on Kelly concussion, certainly puts the organization in an awkward situation.
https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/toronto-argon...inal-1.2036788
Good on the org for saying what seemed obvious -- it had no reason to believe he was concussed during or after the game. I'm increasingly convinced that this story is a combination of Chad desperately grasping for an explanation for what seemed inexplicable, and 3DN laying a trap he walked right into. They claim they will be posting the full video of the interview; I can't wait to see it so we can all judge for ourselves.
Well I agree it's good that the Argo organization has come out saying that they had no reason to believe Kelly was concussed during any point in the game. But if Kelly is going to be one of the marquee players for the Argos going forward, he needs to think little more before he speaks and not just say things off the top of his. head.
I also would be interested in seeing the 3DN interview and whether they took what he said out of context.
MBT pining for a CFL return ? Not that the Argos are going to give-up on Kelly after one bad game and hand MBT his starter job back.
Wonder who might be interested? Stumps might be the best fit IMO; Maier is still young but was very iffy to under-whelming this past season.
Dinwiddie knew nothing about any concussion.
3Down article states Kelly “exclusively told 3DownNation” about the concussion.
https://3downnation.com/2023/11/16/a...ussion-online/
I mentioned in the game thread that Kelly was sitting on the ground after one play looking stunned and completely out of it. Whether that was because of all the interceptions or because he was stunned by how he was failing so badly or even having an anxiety attack I don't know. But his crispness of his performance on the opening drive that ended with an interception inside the ten yard line seemed to totally disappeared subsequently.
Did this whole thing about a possible concussion not first come up as a response or reaction to his running off the field without shaking hands?
After reading all of the posts/comments here, I think a picture is emerging, which many of you have alluded to. Embarrassment/anxiety over his poor performance, needing to find something to say to deflect from the idea he might be a poor sport, overall immaturity as a professional facing real adversity.
Despite the fact that he is almost 30 years old, Kelly is still pretty raw. He has to grow up as a pro. Look at how Bo Levi handled the post-game interviews after TiCats were eliminated. That was grace under pressure, something which Kelly needs (and hopefully, will develop).
As far as the organization is concerned, I think the best course of action is to do or say nothing at this point... as Paul has pointed out, no matter which way they go, somebody looks bad. Grey Cup week activities and game should put this to the back burner as a news story... the Argos aren't the Leafs after all, where every fact is dissected ad nauseum.
Let's hope he learns, grows and can move on.
I think that the Argos had to put out a statement and did yesterday making it clear that they were unaware of any concussion during Saturday's game: https://www.guelphtoday.com/national...-final-7843514
It's been more than 24 hours since that promise was made. One would think they would prioritize posting since they are out on a limb as the only news outlet reporting he claims to have suffered a concussion, and denials have apparently been issued since. Maybe they will get around to posting this video next week?
Agree with everything you've said above. I think you're right about Kelly being abit immature, it's his rookie year as being first string quarterback and being so much in the limelight. Hopefully he will learn and mature over time.
I do hope that Dinwiddie and the coaching staff will talk to him (privately) about how he should be vocal and speak up if he is feeling off his game or especially if he thinks he has been injured in any way during a game. Not only is that behaviour unfair to the team, but more importantly he shouldn't put his own health at risk by trying to stay in a game, when he is not feeling 100%.
Ottawa should stick with Crum IMO (very good potential) and can hope Masoli can come back to be #1 maybe or a good mentor/back-up.
Hamilton could hope Powell (again, nice potential IMO) will develop and they still have Shiltz as an adequate sort of gamer.
Riders might hope Harris returns good to go and still have Dolegala and other QBs.
It would be a big mistake IMO for any of these teams to anoint MBT as instant starter and pay him big or decent CFL buck$.
Ottawa shouldn’t depend on Masoli, he’s close to finished, MBT maybe a good mentor for Crum.
Hamilton could use MBT, Shiltz is a backup QB nothing more, signing MBT would allow them to take their time with Powell.
MBT much superior to Harris at this stage, a no brainer.
Dunigan's thoughts:
https://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-105...asty-1.2037182