Forrest's fight

Collinsworth learned his former Cincinnati Bengals coach, Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg, is suffering from Parkinson's disease Nov. 16, the same day San Diego Chargers guard Kris Dielman was placed on injured reserve following an Oct. 23 concussion suffered against the New York Jets. Dielman's injury was compounded by a grand mal seizure on the team's flight home.
Gregg, 78, and his neurologist told the Associated Press that the debilitating neurological disorder with no known cure may stem from numerous concussions suffered when the former Green Bay Packer and Dallas Cowboys tackle played in a then-record 188 straight games from 1956-1971.
Collinsworth commended Goodell for convening the league's health and safety panel after the Dielman incident. But hearing such sobering, concussion-related news moved Collinsworth (a former Bengals wide receiver who played his first three seasons under Gregg in 1981-83) to suggest an offseason concussion summit involving players, owners, doctors and the competition committee to take further measures against a haunting side effect that seems to be shrouding the game.
"You're breaking the news to me about Forrest Gregg," Collinsworth said. "It adds to the equation for me. I know the league is doing what it can about concussions. I know the commissioner takes a lot of heat from defensive players about the fines and penalties for helmet-to-helmet hits.
"If a boxer gets knocked out in a fight, we certainly wouldn't be asking, 'Is he questionable or probable for next week?' "
Gregg revealed his disease to promote more research into finding its cause.
"Players, management, owners — in much the way they fought their way through the CBA this past offseason — should spend time this offseason and get doctors together and say, 'What do we collectively want to do to improve the health of our players?' " Collinsworth said.
"Maybe we have a summit, get all the best and brightest in one room at one time along with the competition committee and say, 'Here's what we want to do.'
"The more this becomes a partnership, the better off we'll all be. Because then it won't be the commissioner dictating. It will be rules players were involved in making changes on.''
Anderson said the league is adamant about doing everything possible concerning concussion prevention and awareness since fines and enforcement of illegal hits are intended to preserve players' careers.
Anderson said Sunday if a measure such as having a medical expert in the replay review booth to better detect possible concussions suffered on plays will help, the league would be in total favor.