It's my knee in a box!

Given the recent development with Tony Allen and his torn ACL, medial meniscus and lateral meniscus, Brain Scalabrine's bruised meniscus and strained MCL (who cares? not me) and now THIS!

I figure that it's about agood a time as anyfor a medical lesson. Here's a full diagram of the ligaments in a knee:

(Quick note: Cruiciate Ligaments makes up the ACL, front side, and the PCL, back side. The Collateral Ligaments on the inner side of the knee is the medial, or the MCL, and the outer side Collateral Ligaments is the Lateral, or the LCL.)

Hope that's helpful- as someone with fairly healthy knees I know I had to do a little research before I understood the full scope of these injuries. In regards to Tony's injury, Doc Rivers - not a real doctor, he just plays one on TV - is optimistic about his recovery because he apparently suffered an identical injury during his own career. Real doctors aren't quite as optimistic.

Rodney's injury, while it's a slight tear and isn't nearly as serious, is equally disappointing. Everyone knows it takes the older folk a little while longer to heal and this development indicates that we'll certainly be without our beastly strong safety for the duration of our stay in the playoffs- including (fingers crossed) the Superbowl. The Pats are a very resilient team, and Roddy will still be a motivational stud on the sideline, but this definitely stings a little.

I hope you've found this little bit to be informative - and if you're a Boston fan, probably upsetting - we now return to your regularly scheduled thoughtless and sophomoric program.