Browns Banter: Will Quinn Opt For Surgery Despite Fears of Staph?

Why should Brady Quinn avoid a surgeon’s knife as if it were a 300-pound tackle leading a five-man blitz? Because both are potential season-enders.

And Quinn, whose finger was smashed by a Buffalo Bills defensive lineman in his second start in two seasons, can ill afford any more costly mistakes.

Quinn’s first mistake was playing in the ill-fated lackluster performance against the Houston Texans on Sunday. On Tuesday, orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews gave Quinn one week to decide to undergo surgery or a splint to mend the fracture.

As of today (Saturday), Brady Quinn has three days to decide. Some fans believe the Browns team that “returned” to Cleveland in 1999 is cursed.

True, the General Manager Phil Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel duo is the franchise’s third regime in nine years. During that time, starting quarterbacks have been plagued with either a weak offensive line, costly penalties, ineffective play calling and the delusional expectations of a super hero – in the embodiment of a Tom Brady or a Brett Favre.

No, Browns fans do not go easy on their quarterbacks.

Just ask Tim Couch, the only Browns quarterback to beat Pittsburgh in the past decade, or Kelly Holcomb, a man blessed with a Derek Anderson arm and the consistency of the shifting wind direction off Lake Erie.

Just ask Trent Dilfer who recently spouted off on ESPN about the dysfunctional Browns – or Jeff Garcia, dazed and confused by play calling in the red zone.

In fact, it is impossible to predict from week to week what kind of offensive scheme Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will order up

But the most important reason to avoid the operating room at all costs is the chance of coming out with a staph infection.

The way this 2008 season of shattered dreams has played out so far, I wouldn’t risk it.

However, the Cleveland Browns aren’t the only athletes, struck by staph infections. Dennis Manoloff of The Plain Dealer put together a list that includes:

Tom Brady, football: The New England Patriots quarterback recently confirmed on his Web site that he has had two procedures to clear out an infection on his surgically repaired knee.

Mike Gansey, basketball: The former Olmsted Falls and West Virginia University standout contracted methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a debilitating form, as he went through NBA pre-draft workouts. He had MRSA in the knee, then the ankle.

Drew Gooden, basketball: The former Cleveland Cavalier contracted a staph infection while playing for the Orlando Magic. “I was in the most pain that I have ever felt in my life,” he said.

Grant Hill, basketball: The longtime NBA standout contracted MRSA after surgery. He has made it a point to warn children and adults about MRSA.

Ricky Lannetti, football: The Lycoming College player died in 2003 when MRSA led to pneumonia.

Brandon Noble, football: The former Washington Redskins defensive tackle contracted MRSA.

Paul Pierce, basketball: The Boston Celtics star contracted MRSA.

Junior Seau, football: The longtime standout linebacker contracted MRSA after surgery.

Delonte West, basketball: The Cavalier had an ingrown-toenail infection while playing for Boston which led to a staph infection.

Tags: brady quinn, browns banter, Cleveland Browns, staph

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