And I can’t say that I disagree on too many fronts to be honest.

In hindsight, the tone of my article was probably weighted too much towards placing blame on Kellen and not enough on the Browns, who could have diffused the situation before it became such a public issue.

Still, I do not agree with Kellen Winslow voicing the concerns publicly right after such a tough game. It is a selfish thing to do, because now his teammates and coaches have to deal with it, and there is no way anyone can say that this issue is not going to be a distraction leading into the Jags game.

The best voice of reason in this case has been that of Romeo Crennel, who I think is displaying real leadership. He is standing up to a talented star and letting him know that he let the team down by creating a distraction in the wake of a tough loss and in the face of a tough, must-win game against Jacksonville. I would imagine that Romeo has also had some discussions with management, because say what you will about his on-field coaching ability; but he definitely has a reputation for having his players’ backs and their respect.

The argument can be made that Kellen was partially justified in letting the truth be known. But an understanding of consequence, and an appreciation for what action provides the greatest good for sake of the team, should compel Kellen to keep this as a private matter. After the season, say whatever you want. Then you aren’t inadvertently dragging your team down in the midst of a season that hangs in the balance.

I’m not as upset with Kellen as I was when I wrote the above post…in fact, my emotions probably got the best of me too in trying to place some blame somewhere for the tough defeat to Washington that should have been a victory. In this case, there is plenty of fault to go around everywhere, and a quick resolution is imperative for the Browns to maintain any semblance of hope for this quickly fading season.

Long-term, obviously, the Browns absolutely have to figure what the hell is going on with all the staph infections. And there is no question that this situation has heightened the urgency.

Jrod, get real: Kellen Winslow had every right to air his concerns about the secrecy surrounding his mysterious undisclosed illness.

Kellen did not go under cover and anonymously leak the fact he had a staph infection. Rather, he talked to Mary Kay Cabot, Browns beat reporter, The Plain Dealer, face-to-face — not ranting — but with a calm demeanor, explaining that it was not he, Kellen, who wanted to keep the staph a secret. He was told by the Browns to say that the secrecy was confidential and that Kellen wanted it that way.

Well, what does the media do when confronted with a secret?

In this case, Phil Savage made every mistake known to corporate Top Men. Rather than come out straight and state Kellen had staph, he chose the term “undisclosed illness.” Very naive, Phil.

Yes, Kellen confronted Phil in the tunnel after the Washington Redskins loss, but the conversation was reportedly very short and unsuccessful. That’s when Kellen found Mary Kay.

Kellen also said he had to disclose the truth because of ugly rumors swirling around the Internet about his “illness”. And he was put out because neither Savage nor Browns owner Randy Lerner called to say “How are you doing?”

True, I didn’t want my boss to call me after knee surgery, but my job description does not include abusing my body to play a violent, hard-hitting sport that could end my career on any given Sunday.

But the real issue is that staph infections that have led to the bitter retreat of L’Charles Bentley, have sidelined Joe Jurevicious and struck Winslow twice. The Browns say they have done all they can to sanitize the practice facility in Berea.

But the thing is, Bentley placed the blame for staph infections on the Cleveland Clinic — something that has been vehemently denied on all fronts.

It is no secret that staph infections can be contracted in hospitals following surgery. But the Cleveland Clinic? Impossible, they say.

Mr. Savage, have a heart. Apologize to Kellen and to the team.

All of this will disappear with a win next week.

This will not be accomplished until Derek Anderson is pulled and taken to the place where quarterbacks with “diminishing skills” go, and Brady Quinn gets his shot.