ucla's Pat Cowan out for the '08 season

by frak on Apr 28, 2008 6:08 AM PDT

Well this is sad news. While Pat Cowan plays for our arch-rival, he has my respect as a true warrior out there on the field. The kid just absorbs punishment, and I'm sure if he could be out there, he would want to play through the pain and sacrifice his body for his team.

Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. The task of rebuilding the bruins is going to take a couple seasons. The offensive line is average at best, and whoever plays QB is bound to be taking a lot of punishment. Ben Olson will probably return to the starting job after losing it to injury last season. It remains to be seen if the injury prone Olson can make it through an entire year without getting hurt.

I'm very sorry that he won't be taking the field with the bruins this coming year. Good luck and get well Pat Cowan.

0 recs | Comment 10 comments | Add your comment

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

There is some controversy there

from Dohn

...but an interesting sidelight is whether or not Patrick Cowan did damage to his ACL during Monday's practice, then practiced Thursday.

The series of events goes like this:

He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February, and injured it Monday in practice.

The next day it was announced an MRI was clean, but he did not practice. Cowan went down again in Thursday's practice.

Coach Rick Neuheisel said Friday's MRI showed "more than what was in there on the Tuesday MRI.'' He made a comment similar to that twice during conference call, and after the second time he added the Tuesday MRI "was fine, normal.''

Cowan was asked whether the Tuesday MRI showed a slight tear to his ACL, and would not answer the question. Instead, he said, "All I know is it's to a point where I need surgery."

I hope this isn't another Dixon type situation. Please tell me they didn't let this kid play on an injured ACL which he injured further causing him to miss the whole upcoming season.

by Paragon SC on Apr 28, 2008 6:33 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

My sentiments are, THEY DID!

If they're trying to get an injured kid not even enrolled yet- to attend early while still rehabbing- chances are. . . .they "made" Pat Cowan practice.

"If it has a tail, barks, and chases cats ??????. . . .IT'S A DOG!"

The saddest part of this situation, is that we have two of "our own" quite possibly playing a part in all this. I have much too much respect for both Coach Chow and Coach Walker to pass judgment on their passive or active participation in all this. That young man Cowan is a gamer, a quintessential teammate and what not. It would be a very troubling and saddening end to his collegiate career. I hear he's got nothing coming as far as petitioning for a medical redshirt. The fineprint behind the parameters of such go against him. (his freshman redshirt was not "unforeseen" or "beyond his ability to control"- he "consciously" red-shirted without cause. So that excludes him. I believe that's how/what the rule will interpret his standing.

Sad, indeed. . . . . . .

by tapoutstylist on Apr 28, 2008 10:42 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

The NCAA

is pretty loose on the medical redshirt rule. I think that he will probably get a sixth year. But the real question is whether or not he will play in the 2009 season. If ucla has any gunslinger freshmen recruits coming in for the 2009 season, Neuheisel might hand the ball over to a freshman QB, with no history of injury. Also a lot of players who come back from injury simply never see the field again. Maybe the coaches feel that they had their shot, and now its someone else's turn.

by frak on Apr 28, 2008 10:47 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

6th year

Seems to me over the years the NCAA has been pretty strict about granting a 6th year to kids. Cowan doesn't qualify, a kid needs to have lost two years for reasons outside of his control. However Cowan lost one season redshirting for normal development. I feel sorry for the kid, but he isn't getting a 6th season.

by ev on Apr 28, 2008 2:04 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Same thing happened last year

Kahlil Bell injured his knee, came back two plays later, and tore his ACL.

Since there wasn't the pressing need to win games you have during the season, I doubt the situation was like with Dixon. Perhaps the medical staff isn't doing enough to make sure players are really ready to play again. With all the injuries UCLA has had the last few years, I think this would certainly be worth looking into.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 28, 2008 10:54 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

SBM

you think that its just bad luck, or negligence? I would be horrible if the doctors are letting kids play who are at risk for career ending injuries. Personally I think its just bad luck.

by frak on Apr 29, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

It's probably bad luck, but

I don't see the harm in a little more caution. During spring practice it's not a huge problem if a player misses a couple more days.

by SuperBruinMan on Apr 29, 2008 4:12 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

what you don't know about doctors...

- - - fill in the blank- - -

by Paragon SC on Apr 29, 2008 5:01 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Cowan/Olson

As impressive as Rey's hit in the rivalry game was, Cowan's recovery from it and continued tenacity was also admirable. As for Olson, he has been plagued with injuries since he returned to the sport following his mission. He seems either extraordinarily unlucky or brittle or clumsy or some combo of all of the above.

I feel sorry for these guys only because they may have lost their opportunities to show what they can do on the field - and that's not how you want a career to end.

by Defender90 on Apr 28, 2008 1:27 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Hard luck kid

Man, I can't remember a player with as much bad luck and injuries as Cowan since Chase Lyman (Cal wide receiver circa 2004).

I was at the game last year when the babybruins beat Cal at the Rose Bowl, and watching Cowan in person was impressive. He's at best a mediocre QB, but that kid has nothing but heart and competition in him. It's a shame he's been at the mercy of Karl Dorrell's offense and the Fucla OL during his time there.

I doubt he get's his 6th year. Hopefully he'll complete his degree and move on.

Go Bears

by SoCal Oski on Apr 29, 2008 12:31 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs