This is why football coaches aren’t the same as you and me.
When Louisville coach Bobby Petrino was asked about the extreme heat and humidity, and how it might affect preparation for and play in next Monday Night Football’s battle with conference rival Miami, he smiled that mischievous little grin of his.
“We were lucky last week. We had a couple of really hot and humid days. We were able to get in some really hard practices. The team responded well.”
You know, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Etc.
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He was obviously more somber when reporting on the DeVante Parker injury.
It’s a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone. Parker’s in North Carolina and will go under the knife today, in an operation today by Dr. Robert Anderson.
He’ll be out at least six to eight weeks.
Anderson was chosen by the U of L medical staff, to honor Parker’s best interests. Anderson is a consultant for the NFL Combine, and, having actually treated Parker, will be able to provide first hand info when the wideout is being considered for next year’s pro draft.
Twice, when discussing how Parker’s loss will be filled, Petrino mentioned there would be more reliance on tight ends and running backs. He also noted that the Cardinals’ receiving corps is deep and experienced.
Asked about Parker’s state of mind, Petrino: “He took it better than I did.”
The only other significant injury of note is to RB Michael Dyer, who “is not progressing as we hoped.” The Auburn transfer remains doubtful for action against the Hurricanes.
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Petrino noted that he’d never coached a Monday night game before.1
Thus the coach will obviously tweak his preparation schedule.
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Noting that U of L is opening this season against the same team it battered in a bowl game last year, one scribe asked Petrino, if, at this juncture, he wished he was coaching the team that lost that Russell Athletic Bowl?
“I’d rather be coaching the team I’m coaching.”
He also stated, “I like an opening game that means something,” adding that it makes preparation for the season more focused.
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The coach couldn’t have been more ebullient when talking about freshman QB Reggie Bonnafon.
“I’m really impressed with Reggie.”
Which declaration he repeated after complementing the former Shamrock on his improving technique and fundamentals.
He said he told Bonnafon that Trinity’s lack of success last season, “was the best thing that could have happened for him.”
— Seedy K
As a St.X grad and former footballer, I too agree with the coach that Trinity’s lack of success last season was the best thing that could have happened to him—and me!
Now that he is a Card, I hope he has learned his lessons well.
Go Reggie!
Parker has fractured the same bone that Milt Wagner had done, but where along that bone may be of course be,different, and his post-operative care should certainly be different as post-surgical infections may happen, but less and less frequently with more and more attention to infection prevention, early recognition and treatment.