Dein erstes Forum » logjam of untested players and journ

NEW YORK -- The NFL will be hiring a full-time chief medical officer to work with team medical staffs, the players union and league committees.In a letter sent to the 32 team presidents and obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, Commissioner Roger Goodell said the chief medical officer also would work with the broader independent scientific and medical communities.The new hire will replace Dr. Elliot Pellman, who is retiring after 30 years in the league, and will have expanded duties.Pellman mostly played an administrative role that included communication with NFL clubs regarding health and safety protocols. Pellman was not a member of any league medical committee. But much of the early criticism of the NFL regarding its handling of concussions was directed at Pellman, who once famously downplayed links between head trauma and football.Pellman is a rheumatologist with little expertise in head and brain trauma research, but he was involved in the formulation of the NFLs concussion policies.Goodell also told the teams that the NFL must demonstrate strong leadership on health and safety and that our players and fans need to trust in us.In recognition of this priority (on player health and safety) and the increasing complexity of our work, we intend to hire a highly credentialed physician to serve as Chief Medical Officer and work in the league office on a full-time basis, Goodell wrote.A search will begin this week and will be conducted by a panel of health and medical experts led by Dr. Betsy Nabel, the leagues chief health and medical adviser.Others on the search panel will include Dr. Rob Heyer, president of the NFL Physicians Society and team internist for the Carolina Panthers; Ronnie Barnes, senior vice president and head trainer for the New York Giants; Dr. Robert Cantu of Boston University;, and Peter Foss, of G.E. Healthcare. The panel will work closely with the leagues Jeff Miller.Nabel was hired in February 2015, but she also serves as president of Brigham and Womens Health Care.While the NFL has been heavily criticized in its handling of head trauma over the decades -- it reached a settlement that will pay about $1 billion over 65 years to more than 20,000 retired players -- Goodell has tried to emphasize the progress made in several health and safety areas. Those include 42 rules changes to protect players; millions of dollars spent in medical research; and more mandatory protective equipment.During games, team sidelines have at least 27 medical professionals, including some independent observers such as neurologists. There are strict guidelines and protocols for concussions and head injuries.Clearly, though, Goodell felt the need for someone new at the top of the leagues medical hierarchy who will have a broader role while working solely for the NFL.---www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLJozy Altidore Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. Matt Hedges USA Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/justin-morrow-usa-jersey/ . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Kellyn Acosta USA Jersey . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Christian Pulisic USA Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4).PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Fast as Sammy Watkins might be, the Buffalo Bills are taking it slow with their top receivers return to practice.Watkins on Tuesday was limited to mostly running sprints on a secondary field under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coach Eric Ciano. The individual workout lasted about an hour and came a day after the third-year player showed off familiar -- yet brief -- glimpses of his breakaway speed and soft hands in making his much-anticipated debut 10 days into training camp.The last thing coach Rex Ryan wants is to rush back one of his top offensive threats, who is four months removed from having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot.We have a game plan and were going to follow it, Ryan said, referring to the medical staffs program to ease Watkins back on the field. As much as we want them out there, we get paid to win games in the regular season.Watkins is fully on board with whatever the doctors order.Just being smart about the whole situation, he said. The injury, I think its healed. I think Ill be all right.Its also not lost on Watkins what it would mean to finally open an NFL season healthy.Everything, Watkins said. Thats what Ive been fighting for the last three years is being healthy. And I think now Im to the point where Im getting there.Though hes missed just three games through his first two seasons, Watkins has been bothered by an assortment of injuries.He opened his rookie season with bruised ribs. Last year, he strained his gluteal muscle and hamstring in training camp. The injuries have put a dent in his production, even though in two years hes led the team with a combined 2,029 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns.The Bills are counting on more from a player general manager Doug Whaley regarded to be the most dynamic receiver in the 2014 draft class. Whaley swapped first-round picks and traded Buffalos 2015 first-round selection to Cleveland to move up five spots and select Watkins fourth overall.The decision to have two screws inserted into Watkins foot in April came as a surprise when the Billss first revealed the news about a month later.ddddddddddddWatkins isnt sure when the injury occurred, and said it wasnt discovered until he had a physical. He missed the teams entire series of spring minicamps and the first seven training camp practices before being activated from the physically unable to perform list on Monday.Watkins began practice by making a deep catch in stride up the left sideline. Then he made a leaping, arms-outstretched catch over the middle.His most notable play, perhaps, wasnt even a catch. Stutter-stepping off the line, Watkins collided with cornerback Stephon Gilmore while reaching back to attempt to catch a ball thrown behind him before landing awkwardly on both feet without a problem.Im not saying that was a good collision, but just to let that happen let me know I can go out there and play, Watkins said. Every play, I got faster. Every play, I stopped thinking about the injury. And thats the mental block I have to get over.The Bills lack a legitimate deep threat without Watkins. Since 2014, hes accounted for nine of the 13 times Buffalos had a receiver top 100 yards in a game.Robert Woods returns as the No. 2 receiver. And theres a logjam of untested players and journeymen competing for the No. 3 spot after Percy Harvin retired in April, and Chris Hogan signed with New England.Marquise Goodwin and Greg Salas were listed as the top backups Tuesday, when Buffalo released its first preseason depth chart. They were followed by Greg Little and Dezmin Lewis.Game notesRyan essentially ruled out LT Cordy Glenn (left ankle) from playing in Buffalos preseason opener against Indianapolis on Saturday. Ryan wouldnt reveal the severity of the injury in saying hes not concerned about Glenns status. ... The depth chart has newly signed Reggie Bush listed as the starting kickoff and punt returner and third RB, behind LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '