Kindle Injured in Accident

[RavenScallywag]

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2010/07/kindle_in_stable_condition_after_accident.html

Aw for the love of....I mean, until we know all the details, glad Kindle is stable after falling down two flights of stairs, but I can only speculate as to what cause the fall...

And jonboy is about to start beating his chest and riding Ozzie out of town on a rail. And somewhere, Steelers fans are going "Hhahaha, finally, it's not us"

[GaRaven]

Just have to sit and not speculate.....the fact that he is being reported in "stable" condition is the best part of the story.

Ugh!!

[TL24x7]

Aaron Wilson's blog on Kindle (http://insideravens.blogspot.com/2010/07/kindle-suffers-head-injury-in-accident.html)

[RavenScallywag]

updates after people spoke to Kindle sound like he'll just be delayed a week or so. More than anything, he's talking about how he's got bad luck, hopefully we can change his luck here.

Assuming everything turns out ok, I really hope Ray and Suggs haze him over falling down two flights of stairs.

[Drkraven]

IDK I took a tumble down my 3 deck steps 2 weeks ago and would not believe what I did-- I cant imagine conking my head going down 2 flights, no wonder he ended up in the hospital.

[RavenScallywag]

2 whole flights is potentially serious injury. Since nothing has been said about cracked ribs or any kind of leg or arm injury, I'm guessing the diagnosis is possibly concussion and a bruised ego.

[UKRavenGordon]

I'll reserve judgement until more comes out. But man it was all going so well!

[TL24x7]

Ravens Official Release on Kindle:

Sergio Kindle, the Ravens’ first pick in the second round last April, suffered a head injury in a house he was visiting Thursday night in Austin, Texas. It is believed that Kindle fell down two flights of stairs.



Kindle is stable, being treated and observed. Members of the Ravens’ medical staff are in communication with doctors at University Medical Center Brackenridge.



Kindle will not report to McDaniel College with other rookies this Monday when the team’s training camp starts.



“Members of our medical staff, including Bill Tessendorf and Dr. Andy Tucker, have spoken with doctors in Texas. We understand Sergio is stable at this time and that he is being tested and observed,” said Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens’ executive vice president and general manager.

[RavenScallywag]

Aaron Wilson via Twitter has updated with some comments after talking to Kindle's father and "source close to Kindle"...


Sergio Kindle's father, Johnny Walker, said he's seen better maturity from his son since the DWI. Kindle has a four-year-old son: Sergio Jr.


Sergio Kindle had a DWI at Texas and crashed into an apartment building when he was texting while driving in a separate incident.

We're told that Kindle fell down two flights of stairs. He's unsigned, but deal is expected to happen at some point this week. No rush now.

Source close to Sergio Kindle says he's gotten much better over past day or two and should make full recovery. Still being observed.

[Dade]

Like others I'm reserving judgement til more details come out. No reason to think it was alcohol related yet. Sometimes 'ish just happens. Glad to hear he's okay. Hopefully he makes a quick full recovery.

[baltimore_hokie]

I bet his messed up knees caused him to collapse and fall down the stairs. If he were only healthy enough for us to draft him in the first place, this wouldn't have even happened!! Ozzie sucks!! So do the team doctors!!

[RavenScallywag]

hokie, you just reminded me of that commercial that came out a couple years ago, where a guy gets called first in the draft, does some quick poses, then falls down a flight of stairs and everyone is suddenly like "oh CRAP!"

[Stealthbirds80]

I hope that he is ok. I am almost beside myself on the amount of things that have been going on lately. Why us? I was looking forward to seeing all the rooks get in here and now our first pick is in limbo. I wish him a speedy recovery and all, but gee whiz put these kids in bubble wrap or something.

[Drkraven]

hokie, you just reminded me of that commercial that came out a couple years ago, where a guy gets called first in the draft, does some quick poses, then falls down a flight of stairs and everyone is suddenly like "oh CRAP!"
That was hilarious!

[CRZA938]

C'mon man! Geez, I hope he was just clumsy and nothing more...

Glad to hear he's ok, but it sucks to miss any time at camp.

[camdenyard]

Why do I keep seeing flashbacks to Brian Griese?

[TTRaven]

Like others I'm reserving judgement til more details come out. No reason to think it was alcohol related yet. Sometimes 'ish just happens. Glad to hear he's okay. Hopefully he makes a quick full recovery.

He was drunk according to someone in the Ravens organization. It's just an unfortunate accident. I'm sure most people that drink have stumbled/fallen at some point. Sergio just happened to fall at the top of a set of stairs.

[ravenwoman]

How do you fall down 2 flights of stairs? Is this the same way you fall in the draft? This guy must be an alcoholic, really. If I were the Ravens, I need a full and complete explaination for this one and I would withhold the contract until a complete and thorough physical is done on this guy.

Trouble seems to follow him. He had some mysterious accidents in college if I remember correctly.

[AirFlacco]

There's more to this than meets the eye like:



He switched to Gaither's agent.

He was drunk.

He was stoned.

His priorities were messed up a little.

[RavenScallywag]

If he was drunk and had this accident, this throws up a HUGE red flag. Considering his DWI before, now he goes out, gets drunk, and manages to fall down a flight of steps....

I might think about putting a clause in that contract where he needs to go for addicition counseling

[AirFlacco]

Like others I'm reserving judgement til more details come out. No reason to think it was alcohol related yet.

In 07 he was arrested for dwi.

He also crashed into a building texting while driving and left the scene of the accident.

Whatever, bad news keeps following him and he's not even here yet.


http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/07/28/kindle_arrested_for_dwi.html

[Ravenfan_11]

I'm not going to begrudge the guy if he was indeed drunk. If I was 23 still, and it was my last day of freedom before I went to work and had to bust my a*s in 100-degree heat, I'd have a last night of freedom celebration too.

But he does seem like an idiot. I actually hope he was drunk and that it didn't happen by accident.

that said, maybe he will turn out to be one of those crazy talents on the field that makes people shake their head how great he is if he keeps his head on straight (which will likely be a challenge, it appears). If we squeeze a handful of pro bowls out of the guy, all is well.

[Everything_Ravens]

I'm not going to begrudge the guy if he was indeed drunk. If I was 23 still, and it was my last day of freedom before I went to work and had to bust my a*s in 100-degree heat, I'd have a last night of freedom celebration too.

But he does seem like an idiot. I actually hope he was drunk and that it didn't happen by accident.

that said, maybe he will turn out to be one of those crazy talents on the field that makes people shake their head how great he is if he keeps his head on straight (which will likely be a challenge, it appears). If we squeeze a handful of pro bowls out of the guy, all is well.

:word
i was about to say the same thing, almost word for word!

[CoverD]

Mark Viviano and the Bulldog brought up a good point on 105.7 today, since he hasn't been signed, Ozzie should try to get a discount on his signing because (literally) he's damaged goods.

[RavenScallywag]

eh, unless he has a documented injury which would cause concern, trying to get a discount now, in the current slotting system, would only result in bad blood...

If you are going to go after the guy, I'd go after the character issues and make some kind of provisions in there to guard against him being an idiot again, or making sure he gets the help he would need.

[jonboy79]

Really guys?

Best Wishes to Kindle, I hope for a speedy and full recovery.

[HoustonRaven]

Mark Viviano and the Bulldog brought up a good point on 105.7 today, since he hasn't been signed, Ozzie should try to get a discount on his signing because (literally) he's damaged goods.

I thought you said they brought up a good point?

This will not hurt his value ... nor should it.

[AirFlacco]

Really guys?

Best Wishes to Kindle, I hope for a speedy and full recovery.

Jon boy, you have class. You always did pal. You never say I told
you so like somebody I know like meeeee-lol.

That said, you were worried about the knee, not the head.

Something is still fishy about this story being in the hospital 3 days before
it hits the wire. The team is holding something back.

Right to celebrate? Sure if you can hold your liquor but if you have a
history of DUIs and crashing cars you might hold off, especially on the
eve of signing a million dollar contract and reporting to your first pro practice.

There is still more than meets the eye to this story.

[Benny8444]

What could they be holding back??

There is a chance the Ravens did not find out about it until the media did. Possibly Kindle's people did not want to inform the Ravens until he was in better condition.

Harbs speaks to the media at 3 PM today at the BW hotel, maybe we will learn something then.

[RavenScallywag]

Kindle has a fractured skull and swelling....won't travel for a few weeks, no TC...likely to hit PUP, if not IR.

[Dena Raven]

What was the one thing that we needed to happen in TC?? We needed to stay healthy...I hope this isn't the start of something

[jonboy79]

Jon boy, you have class. You always did pal. You never say I told
you so like somebody I know like meeeee-lol.

That said, you were worried about the knee, not the head.

Something is still fishy about this story being in the hospital 3 days before
it hits the wire. The team is holding something back.

Right to celebrate? Sure if you can hold your liquor but if you have a
history of DUIs and crashing cars you might hold off, especially on the
eve of signing a million dollar contract and reporting to your first pro practice.

There is still more than meets the eye to this story.

If he has microfracture surgery during hsi rookie deal I can REGRETTFULLY tell lots I told ya so... this is an unfortunate, unrelated incident. It may not be completely unrelated from his fairly long list of off the field "problems" that nearly always related to alcohol.

[RavenScallywag]

This has to make the contract situation very sticky...A skull fracture is an injury that's going to take awhile to heal, and there's going to be a lot more red flags around rehab process with hitting and all...Seems like he would go on the PUP and see where he is mid-season...

But since he's not under contract, can he start camp on the PUP? If he doesn't start on PUP, you have to IR him. But maybe that all goes off your start date? So maybe if a deal is done in a week, he goes on PUP then and is allowed to stay on PUP?

In any case, his first order of business is to get healthy.

[RavenScallywag]

According to Harbaugh, Kindle stayed at a friend's house overnight, woke up and took a wrong turn in the dark. He then fell down the steps.

Not sure if I believe it entirely, or think it's just a prepared story, but food for thought...

[jonboy79]

This has to make the contract situation very sticky...A skull fracture is an injury that's going to take awhile to heal, and there's going to be a lot more red flags around rehab process with hitting and all...Seems like he would go on the PUP and see where he is mid-season...

But since he's not under contract, can he start camp on the PUP? If he doesn't start on PUP, you have to IR him. But maybe that all goes off your start date? So maybe if a deal is done in a week, he goes on PUP then and is allowed to stay on PUP?

In any case, his first order of business is to get healthy.

I know that a skull fracture I endured before I was 3 years old stopped me from a life as an Astronaut as an adult... Fighter pilot too... so it can't be too much to sneeze at...

And with yoru next post.... I will give the benefit of the doubt until I hear otherwise reliably, but yeah.... alcohol seems a HIGHLY likely contributor. Especially given his past.

Again, I'll wait to hear from a reliable source before considering it fact.

[RavenScallywag]

And to be honest, not sure we'd ever get that...

If alcohol was involved, Ravens certainly might want to cover it up to save face. Might just want to quietly put something in his contract to protect against future incidents. And since he wasn't breaking any laws, it's not like official reports would be taken.

The only thing that could come back there would be if they took BAC at the hospital. Not sure if they check that outright unless someone asks them to.

[chicagoravensfan]

That story seems beyond hard to believe. In any case very bad luck for him for this to happen DAYS before he was supposed to sign a contract that would make him a millionaire.

[Stealthbirds80]

Kindle has a fractured skull and swelling....won't travel for a few weeks, no TC...likely to hit PUP, if not IR.

Football should be the last thing he wants to do. Did Ben Rothy have the same issue in the motorcycle accident? I can't remember if he had the same deal. You probably can count Kindle out this year (IR). I'm thinking that injury should take a while to heal. This should give any other bubble LB an opening to remain on the team. This is tough news either way.

[RavenScallywag]

From some quick reading, skull fractures take 4-6 weeks to heal MINIMUM. And that's assuming no complications, and not taking into account time to return to physical activities.

So I think it's safe to say at best, he comes back mid-year. Good chance to be safe, they just put him on IR and start next year.

Barnes and Jameel McClain, you're up!

[grayplay]

If he is IR, it could make the team think about the option of keeping Reed week to week inactive for games rather than start him on pup or pushing him to go week 1.

[Stealthbirds80]

From some quick reading, skull fractures take 4-6 weeks to heal MINIMUM. And that's assuming no complications, and not taking into account time to return to physical activities.

So I think it's safe to say at best, he comes back mid-year. Good chance to be safe, they just put him on IR and start next year.

Barnes and Jameel McClain, you're up!

Ok, good info. I thought it was a little longer. Yeah I think that Barnes and McClain are definately safe bets to step up. I wonder which one may have a last chance type of year #'s wise? That would greatly help this loss of Kindle even though he has yet to play an NFL down.

[RavenScallywag]

Here's a look at the others in the LB group...

Barnes - Supposed to be more pass rusher type prospect, just had trouble with consistency, solid ST performer, was in doghouse last year but found way out

McClain - More an ILB guy over the past year or so, but I thought he was an OLB originally. Didn't hear much from him last year, kind've got lost in the shuffle?

Prescott Burgess - Not much of a pass rusher, but solid ST performer, and that was part of Kindle's role.

Edgar Jones - He's been all over the place, showing off good skills in the pass rush would really help him make team (His versatility makes him a big asset, but I wouldn't put him in my first draft of the LB corps)

Here's a question...does this open the door maybe for AD? He could be a solid pass rusher maybe?

[baltimore_hokie]

Quotes from Harbaugh:


“He’s not in any trouble, but he’s in the hospital for a reason. I think he has a fractured skull and a little bit of swelling.”


“He’s not going to be able to travel for a few weeks at least, so we won’t be seeing him during training camp at all,” Harbaugh noted. ”We just have to play it by ear and see how it develops. I know one thing, we’re going to be very careful with that. You’re talking about a head injury and playing football. That’s not something we want to mess with. From a football standpoint, we’ll move on with the guys we’ve got.

“It’s like any injury. If a guy gets hurt, you move on to the next guy, so we’ll be preparing without Sergio. You’re putting your team together as if he’s not out there, and that’s the same as with any injured player. Then if at some point in time, if he can come back and play, that will be a great bonus for us. He’ll have a lot of catching up to do at that point.”

Sounds like PUP, at a minimum, to me. This obviously sucks, but Barnes should step in for the third down spark we would be looking for from him.


http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/07/26/kindle-will-miss-training-camp/

[Stealthbirds80]

Here's a look at the others in the LB group...

Barnes - Supposed to be more pass rusher type prospect, just had trouble with consistency, solid ST performer, was in doghouse last year but found way out

McClain - More an ILB guy over the past year or so, but I thought he was an OLB originally. Didn't hear much from him last year, kind've got lost in the shuffle?

Prescott Burgess - Not much of a pass rusher, but solid ST performer, and that was part of Kindle's role.

Edgar Jones - He's been all over the place, showing off good skills in the pass rush would really help him make team (His versatility makes him a big asset, but I wouldn't put him in my first draft of the LB corps)

Here's a question...does this open the door maybe for AD? He could be a solid pass rusher maybe?

Here's my thing with McClain. Wasn't he a college DE? Then why isn't he getting more outside presence to rush the passer. Was he not good enough getting off the ball to be at that position?

I feel sorta bad how Edgar seems to not have a home position wise. I know he is a great athlete and they must love him the way he is getting jerked around, but not let go.

I am not sure on AD after the unpleasantness he discussed with the media regarding the Ravens, but that could be water under the bridge.

[TTRaven]

Contract questions:

Are the Ravens going to sign this guy who may not play until week 6 or possibly later?

If not, if he is not signed by a certain date do you throw him back as unsigned and try again next year in the draft? Do we get our pick back?

The Ravens cannot get their pick back. They're going to sign Kindle at some point. Probably as soon as sometime this week according to reports.

[jonboy79]

And to be honest, not sure we'd ever get that...

If alcohol was involved, Ravens certainly might want to cover it up to save face. Might just want to quietly put something in his contract to protect against future incidents. And since he wasn't breaking any laws, it's not like official reports would be taken.

The only thing that could come back there would be if they took BAC at the hospital. Not sure if they check that outright unless someone asks them to.

According to 105.9, Harbs stated that Kindle was at a "going away gathering" with friends, and woke up disoriented in teh dark, trying to get to the bathroom...

And to my knowledge, skull fracture's don't completely heal. I was being honest stating that I literally was discounted from certain professions barely after potty training...

[Sgt CouchPotato]

been busy this summer and haven't been on top of the ravens news and notes...is brendon ayanbadejo gonna be ready for wk1?

[Losac]

I haven't read the whole thread here, but I'm sure some of the moral police/God-squadders are calling for his head for having the audacity to drink at a party with his friends. He broke no laws, mind you, but I'm sure some want him to be crucified.

Very, very bad luck - but it happens I guess. And it is a dicey situation with him still being unsigned.

[jonboy79]

I haven't read the whole thread here, but I'm sure some of the moral police/God-squadders are calling for his head for having the audacity to drink at a party with his friends. He broke no laws, mind you, but I'm sure some want him to be crucified.

Very, very bad luck - but it happens I guess. And it is a dicey situation with him still being unsigned.

I sdon't think there is much moral policing, and more people looking for the "dented can" discount with him unsigned.

I know at his age I would have been drinking with my budies the last weekend before camp. I've never fallen down the stairs like that, so maybe my luck is good.

[Mista T]

I haven't read the whole thread here, but I'm sure some of the moral police/God-squadders are calling for his head for having the audacity to drink at a party with his friends. He broke no laws, mind you, but I'm sure some want him to be crucified.

Very, very bad luck - but it happens I guess. And it is a dicey situation with him still being unsigned.

Sometimes I think you just try to stir things up!:ref:

btw: who wants him crucified? Can you provide a link? :girlfight

I just want to see the Ravens put the hammer down in negotiations -- the salary cap will return someday!

[AirFlacco]

I sdon't think there is much moral policing, and more people looking for the "dented can" discount with him unsigned.

I know at his age I would have been drinking with my budies the last weekend before camp. I've never fallen down the stairs like that, so maybe my luck is good.


Or maybe you don't have narcolespy Jon.

I originally posted that there's more to meet the eye to this story and as someone
posted, narcolespy might be it.

[Losac]

Sometimes I think you just try to stir things up!:ref:

btw: who wants him crucified? Can you provide a link? :girlfight

I just want to see the Ravens put the hammer down in negotiations -- the salary cap will return someday!

Just know there was a vocal few on the board who weren't happy we drafted Kindle in the first place. Mainly due to his screw-ups in the past. I just figured this would be more fodder for that group. Don't have any links off the top of my head.

[Galen Sevinne]

Just know there was a vocal few on the board who weren't happy we drafted Kindle in the first place. Mainly due to his screw-ups in the past. I just figured this would be more fodder for that group. Don't have any links off the top of my head.

I didn't have a problem with the signing but I will say I have to question the maturity of Kindle IF he was so drunk he tumbled down the steps right before signing to become an instant millionaire. At his age, I was tumbling down steps as well so I was no more mature but I also wasn't looking at instant financial freedom if I could hold it together for a couple more weeks until the contract was signed. I will never know what it is like to have the ability to go to bed one night as a virtual pauper and then go to bed the next night never having to worry about money again but I hope if that circumstance would arise, I would think it through a little better than Kindle.

It isn't about morality for me, its more about maturity and intelligence. That being said, I will always allow for one mental error and support him through this time and hope he pans out for the Ravens. Ask yourself though, how many athletes recently up screwed up royaly, were given a second chance and repeated their questionable choices? Roethlisberger continues to show a serious lack of judgement, Vick as well. I am sure if I wanted to take the time I could think of 100 more. I hope Kindle does learn from his mistakes and takes his talent seriously. He has a great mentor in Ray Lewis to help him straighten his act up so hopefully he starts asking for advice as soon as his skull is put back together.

[RavenScallywag]

I don't have a problem with him drinking and celebrating, especially since it would seem like he did the right thing by sleeping it off instead of driving...

It's just an unfortunate situation and some of us want to find a blame. I just hope he uses more care in the future. I tried to make the point that if you're working for a moving company, you get drunk at a party, fall down and break your arm, you're probably getting let go because you can't do anything for them. So people in that situation are probably a lot more careful about their actions. Kindle needs to keep that in mind too.

I'm not going to crucify him or run him out of town on a rail though. I can see now how this could be just an unfortunate accident.

[Ravenfan_11]

As far as I know, nobody has mentioned this but here is my concern - let's say the team puts him on the IR this year, becuase by the time he can play, he would be so far behind he would not contribute anything.

Then let's say we have a lockout next year.

That means he doesn't play football for 2 years....that's a setback i don't think most can recover from. He'll loose his feel for the game.

[trailhiker85]

If we do indeed have a lockout next year, Kindle's situation would be merely one of many concerns.

[jonboy79]

I didn't have a problem with the signing but I will say I have to question the maturity of Kindle IF he was so drunk he tumbled down the steps right before signing to become an instant millionaire. At his age, I was tumbling down steps as well so I was no more mature but I also wasn't looking at instant financial freedom if I could hold it together for a couple more weeks until the contract was signed. I will never know what it is like to have the ability to go to bed one night as a virtual pauper and then go to bed the next night never having to worry about money again but I hope if that circumstance would arise, I would think it through a little better than Kindle.

It isn't about morality for me, its more about maturity and intelligence. That being said, I will always allow for one mental error and support him through this time and hope he pans out for the Ravens. Ask yourself though, how many athletes recently up screwed up royaly, were given a second chance and repeated their questionable choices? Roethlisberger continues to show a serious lack of judgement, Vick as well. I am sure if I wanted to take the time I could think of 100 more. I hope Kindle does learn from his mistakes and takes his talent seriously. He has a great mentor in Ray Lewis to help him straighten his act up so hopefully he starts asking for advice as soon as his skull is put back together.

Generally agree.... and I AM the vocal minority...

I wouldn't pay him more the 44th pick, not by a longshot, but he deserves the opportunity to heal, change, grow and become an adult. He could still become a great player, and you can't get htat PICK back, so....

He will be wearing his helmet soon enough, just not on the football field, in his house.

[littlecat]

Like others I'm reserving judgement til more details come out. No reason to think it was alcohol related yet. Sometimes 'ish just happens. Glad to hear he's okay. Hopefully he makes a quick full recovery.

i agree with you to some content

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