The Ravens are switching back to a natural grass surface in 2016. We tell you why players should be happy about that, both visitors and the home team. Bart Scott received a call while in the Browns’ facility in 2005 and returned to the Ravens because of it. Maxx Williams is undergoing the concussion protocol. The special teams unit is among the best in the league, but Jerry Rosburg wants to keep improving.
Ravens switching to natural grass at M&T Bank Stadium in 2016
The Ravens have announced that they are switching to a natural grass surface, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. According to Ravens President, Dick Cass, injuries aren’t the reason. He says that the players voted on it, and they prefer to play on a natural grass field. He did concede that lower-body extremity injuries are more common on artificial surfaces, which is the reason that I am most excited about the switch.
The Truth About Artificial Turf Injuries
There has been a ton of debate surrounding the advantages of artificial turf vs. natural grass. Artificial turf is much easier to maintain, and bad weather doesn’t damage it as much. Unfortunately for football and rugby players, the turf does some damage of its own – to players’ knees. The Sports Without Injuries blog does a good job summarizing a few studies out there on this topic, including this one, which concludes,
“High-quality studies support an increased rate of ACL injury on synthetic playing surfaces in football, but there is no apparent increased risk in soccer. Further study is needed to clarify the reason for this apparent discrepancy.”
Bart Scott got a call to re-sign with Ravens while in the bathroom at the Browns’ facility in 2005
What a story. We’re glad you left them hanging, Bart, and re-joined the Ravens to become a part of the incredible unit that the Ravens’ 2006 defense was.
Bart Scott reveals he hid in a bathroom to avoid signing with the Browns ?https://t.co/Ixu7Ar133B
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 3, 2015
TE Maxx Williams undergoing concussion protocol
Matthew Stevens of Baltimore Beatdown caught up with Dr. David Wang of Hospital for Special Surgery, and they discussed the concussion protocol, which Maxx Williams is undergoing. It doesn’t appear that Williams will be able to play on Sunday. To help understand why, Dr. Wang goes through the entire protocol, which first includes rest and then progresses into light cardio, heavier cardio, then finally into full contact practice. If any symptoms occur during those steps, the concussed player reverts back to the previous step.
Ravens special teams coach still sees room for improvement
In order to be one of the best in the league, teams need to strive for continuous improvement. The same goes for most walks of life. If you’re not trying to improve, you’re not trying. Jerry Rosburg understands that, and he sees need for improvement in the special teams, which is one of the best units in the league. “I had to remind (Rosburg) on the plane coming back that we did score two touchdowns on special teams,” Harbaugh said.
I say keep at it, Jerry. It’s working thus far!
