Between The Posts: Grievances

There were a number of "No-Shows" at OTA's today, most prominently Texans Wideout, Andre Johnson, though apparently Johnson is not seeking a trade. Surely this is an off situation for all involved. Carl Nicks, the Buccaneer's expensive guard, Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks RB, and Justin Houston of the Kansas City Chiefs were other notable absences.

There is an interesting piece on ESPN per Jim Trotter, involving the use of painkillers and NSAID's at the NFL level. As someone who spends all day every day working with medications like those mentioned in the article. While there is merit to the discussion I would like to clarify a good number of things that, at least from my viewpoint and experience:

1. In the case of players like Terrell Fletcher, kidney damage caused by "gunk" of prescription drug use, was likely due to the amount of Ibuprofen in combination pain killers than from the prescription drugs themselves. It is also worth noting that the painkilling drugs that contain Ibuprofen in an anti-inflammatory combination are among the weakest types of painkillers available, and ones that have very little abuse potential or addictive histories.

2. Concerning steroid injections, it is also worth becoming educated on the difference between a prednisolone or cortisone injection vs the illegal use of anabolic steroids. The steroids used in injections through doctor's, or in this case, for the sake of player's condition, are more super-anti-inflammatory measures than anything else. In modern medicine, if applied in the recommended doses and frequencies, there are very few adverse effects to note. The frequency of their use in the NFL is also likely overstated, since steroids immunosupress the body slowing any healing processes. This runs counter to the interests of both teams and their players.

3. To pin the "blame" of pain killing medication use on the NFL is pretty vague in my humble opinion. The fact that there are continued suits from former players against the NFL has more to do with long term effects caused by concussions than any lingering effects from mild pain killers. Like any medications, there are risks and dangers (just look at the side-effects on an Advil box), to single out the NFL for players using such medications runs counter to the norm, considering the NFL regularly tests its players and has a strict guideline on what players can and cannot use.

That's all for tonight MCM. Have a great evening!