Dr. Michael Kaplan expects Manning to play
Dr. Michael Kaplan said on ESPN Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 that he absolutely expects Peyton Manning to be playing QB in the NFL in 2012. Kaplan stated that with the type of surgery that Peyton received, the end result is one that actually strengthens the neck and spine. He went on to say that of the typical patient who undergoes this type of surgery, 80% make a full and complete recovery.
Kaplan also stressed that by full and complete recovery, he was referring to a complete and total regeneration of both the nerve and triceps muscle. In addition, Dr. Kaplan said that considering Manning’s age and the fact that he is a world class athlete, the odds of his making a complete recovery would be even greater and therefore more like 90% or higher.
Now, I have heard lots and lots of armchair analysts selling the gloom and doom on Manning’s injury and stressing the possibility, if not likelihood, that Peyton will never play again. I have not however, heard any doctors take on the subject.
I can’t say I know all that much about Dr. Kaplan, other than the fact that he seems to be ESPN’s go to guy. But I have to admit, it feels REALLY REALLY GOOD to hear someone who is familiar and knowledgeable on the subject come out and give such a positive, optimistic outlook.
It will be a very sad day when Mr. Irsay cuts his final tie to the past and releases the great Peyton Manning. But the only thing sadder would be for me to never see my hero throw another pass in the NFL. So if it has to be that my Colts must move on, then I will go out and buy my #18 jersey in a strange color, and for a few years at least, I will learn to share my fandom with another team.
Thanks bud. Yeah, I don't know why it didn't get picked up by more people. Colin Cowherd talked about it a couple of times on his show and played some of the audio, and a couple of local papers in Arizona and Seattle picked up on it, but no one around hear has mentioned it. I sure hope the Dr is right though.
My first ever article. Pretty cool indeed. Thanks Brett for all the help in getting this thing to post!
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@JasonLeeJason Rock on, J! Nice job. If Irsay is telling the truth, then if Manning is deemed healthy, he's agreed to keep him.
Thanks! I dont think he's coming back though. That Jason Lacanfora report where he talked to several of the guys who interviewed for the GM position is tough to argue with. He said he talked to 3 different guys and they all told him the exact same things, which included the fact that Peyton would not be back. They were told by Irsay that the #1 priority was to clean up the cap for the future, and older guys with big contracts (ala Freeney, Clark, Bracket, etc) would be around 1 more year at most. It looks like we are headed for a few crappy years why we try and get younger while rebuilding through the draft. Fun times await lol!
@PeterCarlsgaard@JasonLeeJason@buymymonkey
Believe me, I would sacrafice a few years off the end of my life for a few more years with Peyton as the Colts QB. I absolutely love the guy. I just dont think it's gonna happen. I sure hope I'm wrong though
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@JasonLeeJason@buymymonkey Interesting, considering that those are all guys who DIDN'T get hired. I'm hoping that our GM doesn't see it that way. All in for Peyton!
