[BostonCard]

Wilner really could have used a capable editor on that story.

He writes:

Stanford quarterback Keller Chryst will have knee surgery and miss at least six months as the result of an injury suffered in the Sun Bowl, according to multiple sources.

and then

Senior Ryan Burns, who replaced Chryst in the Sun Bowl (and started the first seven games of the season) is expected to leave Stanford...

"is expected to leave Stanford" is just about the most weaselly formulation you can come up with, especially in light of the previous quote that was attributed to "multiple sources".  Was the info that he is expected to leave Stanford based on the same (or other) "multiple sources"?  If so, he should say as much.  Is it complete speculation on his part, given a patina of legitimacy with the formulation "...is expected to..."

I don't mind uninformed speculation on the part of reporters, but it ought to be labeled as such by the reporter.  On the other hand, if it comes from a source or sources who may know, then that should be communicated.

Also, he later writes, "Everything about the incident — from his immediate reaction and the in-game treatment by the medical staff to the prognosis and the delay in having surgery (to let swelling subside) – suggests a torn anterior cruciate ligament." (this I believe is correct) EXCEPT, in the very next paragraph, he writes "Sources said Chryst, a junior, will miss at least six months from the time of surgery, which would peg his return to late July or the first half of August, at the earliest." which, would be very optimistic for an ACL injury (7 - 9 months is more typical).  It's not inconceivable, but Adrian Peterson's return from an ACL injury suffered on December 24th 2011 by the first week of the NFL season (Sept. 9) was considered to be a quick outlier (though, being fair, Peterson suffered a torn ACL and MCL).

I am struggling to put all the info together, and to be honest, I am a bit surprised that Burns would leave, given that he is more than likely the only health experienced quarterback on the roster.  Obviously, I can think of reasons why he would not:

• Chryst's injury is not as bad as feared, and the six months is a fairly firm date (unlikely, since he hasn't had the surgery).
  
• A realistic assessment (either his own) or by the coaches has let it known that Costello is the likely starter in Sydney.  Maybe Costello has produced a Luck-like redshirt season,w here everyone expects he will be the next big thing at QB for Stanford, though I think if that were the case we would have all heard about it.
  
• Burns is down on the staff or Stanford, based on having lost the starting position, or because of his own assessment of his regression over the season (possible), or because of a conflict.
  
• Other reasons (wanting to be closer to home, for example)
  

Still, better writing by Wilner would have offered a little bit more information to inform the speculation.

If he is indeed grad transferring, best of luck to him.

BC

[BostonCard]

Wilner really could have used a capable editor on that story.

He writes:

Stanford quarterback Keller Chryst will have knee surgery and miss at least six months as the result of an injury suffered in the Sun Bowl, according to multiple sources.

and then

Senior Ryan Burns, who replaced Chryst in the Sun Bowl (and started the first seven games of the season) is expected to leave Stanford...

"is expected to leave Stanford" is just about the most weaselly formulation you can come up with, especially in light of the previous quote that was attributed to "multiple sources".  Was the info that he is expected to leave Stanford based on the same (or other) "multiple sources"?  If so, he should say as much.  Is it complete speculation on his part, given a patina of legitimacy with the formulation "...is expected to..."

I don't mind uninformed speculation on the part of reporters, but it ought to be labeled as such by the reporter.  On the other hand, if it comes from a source or sources who may know, then that should be communicated.

Also, he later writes, "Everything about the incident — from his immediate reaction and the in-game treatment by the medical staff to the prognosis and the delay in having surgery (to let swelling subside) – suggests a torn anterior cruciate ligament." (this I believe is correct) EXCEPT, in the very next paragraph, he writes "Sources said Chryst, a junior, will miss at least six months from the time of surgery, which would peg his return to late July or the first half of August, at the earliest." which, would be very optimistic for an ACL injury (7 - 9 months is more typical).  It's not inconceivable, but Adrian Peterson's return from an ACL injury suffered on December 24th 2011 by the first week of the NFL season (Sept. 9) was considered to be a quick outlier (though, being fair, Peterson suffered a torn ACL and MCL).

I am struggling to put all the info together, and to be honest, I am a bit surprised that Burns would leave, given that he is more than likely the only health experienced quarterback on the roster.  Obviously, I can think of reasons why he would not:

• Chryst's injury is not as bad as feared, and the six months is a fairly firm date (unlikely, since he hasn't had the surgery).
  
• A realistic assessment (either his own) or by the coaches has let it known that Costello is the likely starter in Sydney.  Maybe Costello has produced a Luck-like redshirt season,w here everyone expects he will be the next big thing at QB for Stanford, though I think if that were the case we would have all heard about it.
  
• Burns is down on the staff or Stanford, based on having lost the starting position, or because of his own assessment of his regression over the season (possible), or because of a conflict.
  
• Other reasons (wanting to be closer to home, for example)
  

Still, better writing by Wilner would have offered a little bit more information to inform the speculation.

If he is indeed grad transferring, best of luck to him.

BC