FanHouse DamienNash

This is a slightly modified segment of one that was run on NFL FanHouse last year, in which a specific team blogger scours the internet and interviews a blogger of the opposing team.

I began this season by interviewing TheSportsGuru of Mile High Report, a Sports Blog Nation column that covers the Denver Broncos.

Dan Benton: "Due to injuries, the Broncos have lost three extremely important players. How will Denver move forward without Al Wilson, Rod Smith and Ebenezer Ekuban? Just how significant are those loses?"

TheSportsGuru: "All three are tough, but for different reasons. The toughest of the 3 is certainly Al Wilson who meant so much to the team, both on and off the field. Wilson was the emotional leader and glue that kept the defense together. While there is no doubting his importance in the locker room, Wilson's play had deteriorated as injuries to his neck, back and hands began to take their toll. It is a testament to Wilson and the reputation he had garnered around the League that he made the Pro Bowl last season. The Broncos have found it harder to replace what he meant on the field than the production they from him on it. D.J. Williams will get the first chance to replace Wilson in the middle and will grow into the role nicely over time. As for Wilson's leadership, look for John Lynch, Champ Bailey and Ian Gold to be counted on for an increased voice in the locker room."

Broncos running back Damien Nash, who died after collapsing at a charity basketball game early this year, is finding a way to posthumously contribute to the game of football.

His brain is being donated, for research purposes, to a national forensic pathology expert studying the effect of repeated blows to the head in football players. From The Denver Post:

Nash's brain "could be a great benefit to further research" into postconcussive brain dysfunction, said Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist from the University of Pittsburgh who has diagnosed brain injuries among three former players - two of whom committed suicide.

Omalu's research over the years has added to the debate about whether NFL players who suffered repeated concussions are at more risk for depression, dementia and suicide - which makes Nash's brain that much more important to study.

That's fantastic ... I hope the guy can do some good with it, and maybe find something that might be of use to football players, doctors, and equipment makers.

Wide receiver Will Franklin has decided to pay respect to former Missouri star Damien Nash (pictured at right) by wearing his No. 2 jersey in 2007. Franklin had previously worn No. 3 for the Tigers.

"We were real close. I just wanted to pay my respects to my friend," said Franklin "I kind of made a name for myself as No. 3, but this is more about Nash than myself as an individual."

Nash died on February 24th after collapsing at a charity basketball game in suburban St. Louis. Franklin will be looking to honor Nash's legacy by building on the successful season he had in 2006. He led the Tigers with 826 receiving yards, was third on the team with 48 receptions, and also scored six touchdowns a year ago.

Tiger fans are just happy to have Franklin back after he decided to explore his NFL options after last season.

"They told me that I would be late second round - third round. Just knowing what we have coming back (to Missouri) can help me in the long run," Franklin said.

His return, coupled with a talented tight end duo in Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman, should give quarterback Chase Daniel plenty of options, as the Tigers look to improve on last year's 8-5 record.

The tragic death of Denver Broncos running back Damien Nash leaves many questions, but the most important among them is whether it could have been prevented.

Nash collapsed and died after a charity basketball game that was organized to raise money for heart transplant research. That was an issue of great importance to Nash because his brother, Darris, had a heart transplant last month. Although we don't know all the details of Damien's death, the circumstantial evidence suggests that heart disease runs in the family, and that Damien should have been living a sedentary lifestyle, not playing in the NFL.

For most football players, the most thorough medical exam they receive comes at the Indianapolis scouting combine. But Nash did not attend the combine. I'm sure both the Titans, who drafted Nash, and the Broncos, who signed him after the Titans released him, gave him the standard physical exams they give all players. But did they do more thorough exams in light of Nash's brother's heart problems?

A year and a half ago, after 49ers lineman Thomas Herrian died following a preseason game, the NFL said its heart screening was thorough enough:

All NFL players receive complete medical exams from their club, including evaluation of their cardiovascular systems, EKG tests, blood tests and chest X-rays, according to the league's collective bargaining agreement. Stress tests are given at the discretion of the clubs' physicians, though the 49ers' medical staff wasn't available to reporters Tuesday.

Herrion repeatedly passed all tests with the 49ers, the club said earlier.

"Our medical experts have not had an opportunity to review the report," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "But based on what we know so far, this may be a case of an unfortunate hereditary condition that is not easily detected, even by the regular and thorough cardiac screening used by NFL clubs. Unfortunately, even young people can be struck without warning by a heart attack."

I don't doubt that. But in the case of Nash, I think his brother's heart transplant was a warning. If any good can come from this tragic death, it might force the NFL to work on developing more thorough heart screenings to its players.

Just to touch base again, yesterday I posted about the injured Broncos - and just about five minutes after my post, the Broncos released an updated injury report. So here's how it stands now:

Now looking probable to play are both Bells, Patrick Chukwurah, Cedric Cobbs, Kyle Johnson, Kenard Lang, Brandon Marshall, Rod Smith, and Al Wilson. So this sets up another interesting choice for Mike Shanahan. Does he go with both Bells now that they're healthy, or does he activate Tatum, who's had an extra week to rest, and leave Mike Bell, who's had just five days to recover from his grisly performance against the Chargers, on the bench? My money is with deactivating Mike and going with Tatum and Damien Nash, who showed good strength after contact against the Chargers. We may not see another double-Bell game this season if Nash continues to perform.

The questionable players on the injury list are Cooper Carlisle and Darrent Williams, who is still nursing his shoulder. Williams previously said that he might not be fully healthy until he can rest during the off season - but if he's not ready to go, it leaves the secondary badly depleted with Nick Ferguson out for the season. Domonique Foxworth would take Williams' place as the starter, meaning two second-stringers would start in the secondary. That means that Karl Paymah, who's seen little work outside of special teams this season, would take the field as the third cornerback on nickel downs.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs, who's injury list is a total of five players, might get Tony Gonzalez back for the game (he's listed as questionable). If they do, it could really compound the problems in the Broncos' secondary.

P.S. Doesn't it look like President Bush is doing something sinister to those children with that Turkey? Kinda weird...Also, since the game is in Kansas City, does anyone know if you can barbecue turkey? I haven't really thought about it, but does turkey go well with a nice red Kansas City barbecue sauce? If it does, I'm very, very intrigued.