Matt Barrows, God love him, broke the news that Parys Haralson tore a triceps and had season-ending surgery. That ends a mystery that should not have been a mystery. Jimmy Harbaugh confirmed the triceps injury this morning on radio. Good for Jimmy. Before that, Jimmy said Paralson was working through some things. I immediately imagined the big guy on the psychiatrist’s couch.
Note to Jimmy Harbaugh:
Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? I’m talking about telling the truth in this matter. The world didn’t end, nothing like that. You do well when you use your words, Jimmy. I encourage you to use them more.
Dennis
Well, that post ought to win friends and influence people. Way to tell him! You do realize he is a very competitive person, yes? My take is that you are pushing him to be even more obstinate. Is that what you want?
September 4th, 2012 10:54 am
Michael
Lowell – I encourage you to re-listen to Coach Greg Williams pregame speech to his Saints defense before last year’s Divisional Playoff match up. He knew every 49ers injury and asked his players to target them all. I think after hearing that speech I understand one of the plethora of reason Coach Harbaugh keeps injury news so tight to the vest. NFL players and coaches teach, preach, and game plan for opposing players injuries.
September 4th, 2012 10:54 am
AK49erfan
“Jimmy”….. Come on now Lowell, really? Do you really have to come off so condescending? It’s absolutely the 49ers organization (and JIM Harbaugh’s) choice whether or not to divulge injury information right away, or as needed. If there is one ounce of an advantage to be gained anywhere for the team you know full well they are going to try and get it…. even if that means holding back or delaying some information from the media in order to waste two minutes of Green Bays game planning time trying to decipher who’s playing where and in what situations. I haven’t read your column in awhile now…. haven’t really missed it either, and this “blog” was just a very nice reminder why. Shame on me for clicking your link…. “Lowell-y”
September 4th, 2012 10:59 am
CohnZohn
Dennis, I write what I write. How he reacts is his affair.
September 4th, 2012 11:12 am
CohnZohn
Yes, Michael, but Haralson won’t be playing any time this year. Why do you and so many other fans feel it’s necessary to make excuses for Harbaugh?
September 4th, 2012 11:13 am
CohnZohn
AKwhatever, But Green Bay already knew Haralson would not play. They just didn’t know why. So what did Jimmy gain by withholding the truth? My mom used to call me Lowelly, so thanks on that one.
September 4th, 2012 11:17 am
Michael
I’m not making excuses for him, as I don’t need to. As Alex Smith loves to say “What I like about Harbaugh is he is consistent, no matter what”. Whether its a mild injury or a season ender he isn’t going to discuss it. Period. I’m perfectly fine with that and the players i know in college and in NFL (Past and present) all appreciate it as well. Injuries are very sensitive issues to some athletes: Its their livelihood.
September 4th, 2012 11:31 am
Brady
I have no more comment on the matter but Lowell, it’s not fair to label everyone who sides with Harbaugh an apologist or someone making excuses.
Most of us – like you – use our brain and our independent thought to come to a conclusion. Don’t be so arrogant as to think that someone is blindly backing Harbaugh if they don’t agree with you.
September 4th, 2012 11:35 am
Brandon Conway
“Dennis, I write what I write. How he reacts is his affair.”
Funny. Once can almost picture Harbaugh saying “Dennis, I reveal what I reveal. How Lowell reacts is his affair.”
Pot, Kettle, Black, and so forth.
September 4th, 2012 11:37 am
lameduck
Good point Brady. What is lacking in the written communication is tone of voice. Jimmy could be said in so many ways – perhaps it was an endearing tone?
September 4th, 2012 11:50 am
Jason
One possible reason for not revealing the extent of the injury until putting him IR is that they likely did not want other teams who would have earlier waiver claims knowing that they might be interested in an OLB. If a team thought Niners were desperate for another OLB, they might put a waiver claim on a guy Niners might also claim. I believe they did try to claim an OLB from waivers, but another team with a higher priority got him first. Not releasing the extent of the injury until putting him on IT might also affect negotiation with any free agent OLB’s they could be interested in signing. Once he went on IR, the info about the type and extent of injury came out.
September 4th, 2012 12:06 pm
CohnZohn
Jason, they didn’t reveal the extent of the injury AFTER putting him on IR.
September 4th, 2012 12:09 pm
PhD
The lesson here is obviously to find out how Barrows found out and use that approach next time when JH is being consistently evasive.
September 4th, 2012 1:22 pm
mark decker
lowell…while I usually agree with you AND the “working through something is getting very obnoxious” I think in this case perhaps it hurts their leverage trading for someone( if in fact they were trying) if the other team knows the deficit they have at the position….he held on to the extent for just a few days…..I don’t think that big of deal in this case….
September 4th, 2012 1:26 pm
htwaits
“Jason, they didn’t reveal the extent of the injury AFTER putting him on IR.”
That’s true and fans seem to miss that kind of detail. I see no reason to delay announcing the nature of the “boo-boo” after the player was placed on IR. It’s strange that they didn’t.
On the other hand, using the word “truth” in this context makes no sense either. Postponed seems like a better word. A similar choice of words might be the name Jim replaced with the diminutive “Jimmy”.
September 4th, 2012 1:35 pm
MJ
You see those over there…those are mountains. You see this right here… that’s a molehill. See someones making one of those out of one of these.
September 4th, 2012 3:47 pm
CohnZohn
MJ, I never took you for a Harbaugh apologist at all costs.
September 4th, 2012 3:52 pm
J Canseco
You’re sore that he insulted your kid.
September 4th, 2012 4:17 pm
CohnZohn
When did he insult my kid?
September 4th, 2012 4:38 pm
MJ
I’m no ones apologist. I just feel that this is a pretty pointless and fruitless crusade. How did Matt come across this info, did he ask Harbaugh, Parys, or was there a press release? Either he did work, or just asked, but I don’t remember him making it a major issue before getting the reason. Just seems like you expect complete access to the 49ers doings, and if they put up some sort of blockade you chastise them.
And BTW, had Cam Johnson and Darius Fleming not been injured in training camps, Haralson could possibly not have even been on the team at all.
September 4th, 2012 4:52 pm
CohnZohn
MJ, Not a pointless crusade. It is fair to expect a team to be forthright about certain things and this certainly was one of them. Their lack of candor is indicative of how they operate. I’m sorry you consider that pointless or silly.
September 4th, 2012 4:59 pm
Pablo
I’m uncomfortable with your post. Calling him Jimmy sounds patronizing.
No one calls you Lowie or Lowwy, do they?
I don’t see a need for sarcasm. I find it best to simply ask for what you want. Sarcasm still is an indirect form of communication. I know you disagree with me on that point. That’s fine, if you do.
Usually, sarcasm appeals to shaming or belittling. I find most people are not motivated by that approach. Instead they will either freeze— I know Harbaugh won’t— become hostile or passive. Expressing your need for honesty, open communication, authenticity, would be better.
I don’t expect you to change, but I find sarcasm entirely unnecessary.
September 4th, 2012 5:32 pm
CohnZohn
Pablo, Thank you for your sincere note. I truly appreciate it and I concede you are correct and you are being mature about your attitude toward sarcasm. And I was sarcastic. Remember I am a New Yorker and I come from a verbally aggressive culture. This is not an excuse, but it is an explanation. Here’s the main point. Harbaugh is verbally evasive, snide, blunt, and just plain rude to the media. I am the only one who takes exception to his conduct and I take pride in that, and the others should be ashamed of how they absorb his bad behavior. I am giving back to Harbaugh what he deserves and what he has earned. When he acts better, more professional, polite, he can expect me to change my approach to him.
September 4th, 2012 5:47 pm
Allan
Lowell:
Obviously you don’t like the guy, but it’s starting to comes across as petty and cheap on your part. As a long time reader of your columns and blog, I’m disappointed. Is there really any reason justifying calling Harbaugh “Jimmy”? He couldn’t be that terrible, since he did get the Niners to the NFC Title Game in his first year. Can you share your reason for using “Jimmy”? What’s that all about?
September 4th, 2012 6:20 pm
CohnZohn
When he acts like a child — i.e. not revealing Haralson’s injury — I call him Jimmy.
September 4th, 2012 8:07 pm
htwaits
“Witten’s CT scan seems to be a state secret in Dallas”
The NFL world is full of …
“When he acts like a child — i.e. not revealing Haralson’s injury — I call him Jimmy.”
September 4th, 2012 8:24 pm
Sean Nolan
What I’ve come to realize is that Lowell Cohn extends his passion for sports into the occasional glaring pettiness. That’s the price we pay for his passion and his knowledge. Take away that folly and we might have someone clocking in then clocking out on his job. Yes, that’s right, we are Lowell’s editors. Have to take the chaff if you want the wheat.
But Lowell, you gotta stop calling Harbaugh “Jimmy.” Your tirade against Harbaugh’s choice of words regarding QBs Johnson/Toltzien had the benefit of 24 hours of reconstruction hindsight.
September 4th, 2012 11:37 pm
Kathy
It’s unprofessional for you to call Harbaugh Jimmy. Journalism 101, you go by the name that a person has and you get it right. Harbaugh goes by Jim.
You undercut your arguments by this sort of pettiness.
September 5th, 2012 10:26 am