Leavitt: Grothe day-to-day with hip injury

USF coach Jim Leavitt, addressing the injury to quarterback Matt Grothe, said the sophomore is "day-to-day" after not participating in Tuesday's morning practice.

"We will work with Matt and be cautious," Leavitt said in a statement released by USF's sports information department. "(Linebacker) Chris (Robinson, also day-to-day) was back out there today. He has been out for a while and will just have to work his way back into form."

Offensive coordinator Greg Gregory had said Monday that Grothe's injury related to his groin, but USF is now identifying it as a hip pointer, which is a kind of pelvic contusion or bruise. His condition will be a concern with USF's season opener against Elon now just 11 days away.

Consider this entry about hip pointers from sportsmedicine.com: "Rest from aggravating activities for the first 1 to 2 weeks, is the only real way to heal a Hip pointer. ... It's important that the athlete not return to quickly to (sic) activity. If he still has pain or tenderness, he is liable to compensate by altering his gait and technique. The result is another injury to another body part."

Comments

[Mark]

If physically able to go, Grothe should go for the 1st half to get his timing down in game situations.

I don't see him running a lot of QB draws up the middle this year. First of all there will be more options to go to. More importantly, Greg Gregory is not Rod Smith. His playcalling isn't limited to the QB draw, the end around and the flanker screen. I would imagine the power running will left to the RBs this year.

Grothe will be fine by the Elon game and will be ready to go 100% by the Auburn game. He is a gamer for sure.

[Chris]

I agree that we don't need to play the starters any longer than necessary in that first game. If we get up by a comfortable margin all we are doing is giving Auburn game tape of our top players. We need every advantage we can get!

[Dave]

I agree with GDP about limiting his Elon action, unless an FIU repeat occurs (highly doubtful, but I've learned to never say never). I think the same thing needs to apply to our key defensive starters as well- Big Ben, Jenkins, and Trae have nothing to prove and need to be in top shape for Auburn.

[RR]

Hey Al....

We get your point, okay? No need to post something FOUR times.

Yeesh!

Furthermore, Al, do you really think we would stand a snowball's chance in hell against Auburn w/o Grothe?? Give me a break.

If this injury lingers, this could be bad.....REALLY bad.

Now should I post that another three times for effect, Al??

[gdp]

My only comment on Grothe's injury status is this - if he plays more than a half against Elon then I might have to start agreeing with cee - CJL is an IDIOT!!!

Seriously though, let Matt take a few reps and if we get up by 28 pull him and then put in Gregory and let him run the offense (and not just hand off the ball). Heck, maybe you could even let Severino take a few snaps under center in the last quarter.

I just remember back a few years ago with Marquel and how often he trotted out there with a huge lead in hand. All that cost was someone like Banks getting some real lives reps under center. Sure he looked good in practice but he was looked lost during games!

Matt = 1/2 or 28 points, which ever comes first. And I agree, these QB draws up the middle need to end too (maybe one or two at most during a game, but that's it).

[JoeB]

The option is already in the offense. But you can't have it both ways. You don't want your QB taking hits, but you want to run the option?? Anyone who's ever watched Option football, knows that in order for it to be a success, the QB has to be willing to run with the ball and take hits. If the QB is not willing to run with the ball, the defenders can play off the QB and attack the pitch.

[Dave]

He was hurt all of last season, too. It seems like as long as he can stand up, he'll make sure we win. He can probably afford to sit out 3-4 days and physically not be behind the curve. I'd find it hard to imagine that he isn't familiar enough with the playbook that the absence would really hurt him in that regards, too.

1:37 makes a great point that everyone who watched last year already knew: Grothe cannot run up the middle 10 times a game and stay healthy. When bootlegging, he can take on most corners and he's elusive enough to avoid big hits from LBs on the sidelines, but up the middle, he is by far the smallest guy and is basically a sitting duck.

Greg, will Gregory implement any option plays? I just think that this team is perfect for the option 5-6 times a game.

[Sandro]

I think that Grothe will be just fine. If he is not a 100% by the first week maybe sit him out that game, and throw off Auburns game plan a little. It's great to hear that Chris Robinson is coming back as well. We tend to forget about him because of all the other good players we have on defense, but he will be a monster on defense this year.
I can’t wait anymore for the season to kick off. I think this will be a VERY special year for us.
GO BULLS!!!

[Al]

Ya never know, Gregory or Severino could step up and lead USF to victories over Elon and Auburn... becoming the new starting QB...relegating Grothe to the backup slot...now that would be a great situation...

[Al]

Ya never know, Gregory or Severino could step up and lead USF to victories over Elon and Auburn... becoming the new starting QB...relegating Grothe to the backup slot...now that would be a great situation...

[Al]

Ya never know, Gregory or Severino could step up and lead USF to victories over Elon and Auburn... becoming the new starting QB...relegating Grothe to the backup slot...now that would be a great situation...

[Al]

Ya never know, Gregory or Severino could step up and lead USF to victories over Elon and Auburn... becoming the new starting QB...relegating Grothe to the backup slot...now that would be a great situation...

[Alan]

On the bright side lots of reps for Gregory.

that's all i need to read to remove the qb draw from the playbook for elon. just 3 and 5 step drops and handoffs.

[DELdaBULL]

That sounds worse than the groin injury :(