Inside Conditions…China Doll

china doll; noun phrase:  A woman of very delicate beauty; a pretty and fragile woman. Again in 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers star center Maurkice Pouncey has suffered a major injury in Sundays 24-19 win over the Green Bay Packers in a game that realistically did not mean “diddly squat.”
For decades it has been my opinion that preseason games border on almost being evil. That is an exaggeration but I hope that you get my point. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers almost echoed my sentiments as well when discussing the knee injury of his star wide receiver, Jordy Nelson who was injured in the “exhibition” contest as well.
It’s difficult to lose a guy like that over a meaningless game” Rogers said after the game. “I think that it’s disappointing that you have injuries like this one in the preseason.”  The Packers like the Steelers are going to have to find someone to step up and fill the void at wide receiver just like the Steelers are going to have to find several players to step up at center, and kicker. And deal with the situation.  As far as giving the thumbs up in regards to being comfortable with replacement wide outs, Rodgers simply said: “I’m not sure yet.”

Back to the injury to Pouncey.  As former President Ronald Reagan would say; “here we go again.” Please indulge me and hit the rewind button.  On September 8, 2013 Pouncey suffered a season ending injury in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans, the season opener!  We may not be able to define Maurkice Pouncey as a “woman of delicate beauty or a pretty woman but we may be able to sneak the word “fragile” into a sentence or two regarding the illustrious Steelers offensive lineman.
H’mm, maybe porcelain doll might be a more fitting definition of Monsieur Pouncey but hold your horses.  It appears to me like his last two injuries may have been the result of friendly fire.
When Mike Tomlin was questioned about the injury he said, “I will give you the information once we handle the surgical procedure.  Let’s hope that I’m wrong but by the time you read this, my “guesstimate” is that Pouncey” the injured left ankle of Maurkice Pouncey may be a bit more serious than is being discussed especially if the injury can’t be analyzed until after the “surgical procedure.”
Mike Tomlin and many coaches in professional sports say that: “injuries are a part of the game” but that blanket phrase is a bit too general when it comes to the often fragility of specific players and athletes.
I have pointed out many times in the past that there should only be one “tune up” preseason game played in the NFL. My reasoning is and always has been is that NFL players are going to be normally subjected the perils of battle and will be injured during a normal NFL game, anyway.
As far as “evaluating” younger players, draft picks and even free agents, coaches and GM’s would be better served not to subject many players to situations in which players who are at risk of being cut or waived must do certain things, almost anything just to make the team.
The position of center on any football team from midget league to Super Bowl Champion is usually looked upon as the “anchor” of the offensive line.  When a captain pulls up the anchor of a boat from deep waters, the vessel can only do one of three things; 1. Fire up a strong engine and continue the journey. 2. Set sails and sail with or against the wind. 3. Float to and fro with no direction.
The Steelers have at the moment lost their anchor.  How they plan to navigate the treacherous waters of the NFL, remains to be seen.
Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412.583.6741
He is also a contributing columnist for urbanmediatoday.com
Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe