lunchboxthegoat

January 15th, 2012 at 3:19 PM ^

yes. he missed most of the season with it. Granted, that injury and what Van Bergen dealt with are not the same and how it impacts a runningback versus a defensive lineman I think is obvious. Either way, RVB played a hell of a game with a very serious injury. I just hope it doesn't affect his NFL future. The greatest thing about RVB is that it didn't even matter to him. 

LSAClassOf2000

January 15th, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^

He made an admirable sacrifice for this team by playing with this injury and hopefully he's 100% by pro day in March. You can't really coach that sort of character and team-mindedness  

 

DonAZ

January 15th, 2012 at 2:03 PM ^

I too hope he's 100% by March ... or at least so clearly on the path to recovery that pro teams feel justified in taking a closer look.  Van Bergen has that intangible goofy+bad-ass quality that seems to do well in the NFL ... a potential "character" Joe Fan can relate to.

Yost Ghost

January 15th, 2012 at 9:26 PM ^

I hope he's ready come March as well. He deserves to have some good go his way for all his sacrifice. Sounds like Barwis is the man to help him do it. Speaking of which why isn't Barwis on staff? Sounds like he's one part of the RR staff that decided to stick around and it looks like a lot of the players trust him. Why not make it official.

Perkis-Size Me

January 15th, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^

They would have to have cut off both of his legs to keep RVB out of that game, and even then, he probably still would have tried to play.

It sucks that his NFL Draft Prep is going to be affected, but the payoff was pretty special. These are the kinds of decisions that Team 132 will be remembered for. Not just for beating Ohio, mounting a ridiculous comeback against ND, and winning the Sugar Bowl, but playing through so much adversity right through to the end.

RVB and all the seniors set a strong foundation of commitment and accountability for every subsequent team to follow.

Broken Brilliance

January 15th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^

I really want former wolverine mike trogovac to take a look at RVB and Mike Martin. The packers could use a few more bodies on the dline...especially highly.motivated and gritty guys like those two.

bronxblue

January 15th, 2012 at 1:19 PM ^

Doesn't surprise me - RVB has shown great heart and determination his whole career.  Sad that he suffered an injury, but still a remarkable performance in the Sugar Bowl.  As we learn about some of the injuries the team had, I think it is starting to make a bit more sense why the team struggled for parts of that game (beyond the obvious talent displayed by VT).

Amutnal

January 15th, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^

The term "Lisfranc" is not outdated.  The lisfranc ligament connects the medial cuneiform and the second metatarsal.  Lisfranc joint is also called tarsometatarsal joint.  A sprain, which is just stretching of a ligament, is not nearly as bad as a complete disruption.  As an aside, a sprain refers to a ligament, which connects two bones and strain refers to a muscle or tendon (muscle to bone).



A lisfranc fracture-dislocation actually has a more favorable prognosis than a purely ligamentous disruption (bones heal better than ligaments).  Regardless, either is season-ending.  Playing with a sprain is still admirable, though.

Blue boy johnson

January 15th, 2012 at 1:49 PM ^

I am wondering if Hoke pushed these guys too hard for the bowl game. The team played it's heart out but didn't seem fresh and there were multiple injuries, especially in the trenches. RVB, Heininger, Brink, and Molk come to mind as guys coming up lame for the Sugar Bowl.

thethirdcoast

January 15th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^

This type of injury is no joke.

In my own limited experience I've strained that area of my right foot several times. The way my body is connected the episodes send a shooting pain up my shin into my right knee. This tends to put any thoughts of running out of my mind.

I can't even imagine what a full-up sprain or fracture feels like day-to-day, and playing any kind of competitive sport with this type of injury seems impossible to me.

Kudos to RVB and his toughness!

TESOE

January 15th, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^

there's no rule right?  The seniors used to do this.  Does Barwis give them something the University isn't?  Obviously he is.  I know it's  a personal decision where you train... but I'm wondering if the University is listening to the athlete's needs.  

I hope it's just a matter of comfort/choice and not facility or lack of time or support.

I'm wondering if this is going to extend beyond the RR classes.  Barwis is a resource for area athletes regardless.  It is good to have him settle so close.  He has to have many offers on his plate - past and present.

kehnonymous

January 15th, 2012 at 2:36 PM ^

Also, RVB has already graduated so has no need to stick around campus.  Might even be better for him to stay close to Barwis' facility for now so he can focus on that.

 

Also, yes X 1000 to him coming home some day as a D-Line coach.  This is a 22 year old who knows more about character, dedication and accountability than 99.9% of all people or all ages connected with college football.