Chargers' Merriman will forgo surgery, play with knee injury

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

I'm reminded of what TO said after he played in the Superbowl against New England, in which he suggested, had it been Brett Favre playing hurt refusing to sit out instead of TO, he would have been hailed as a warrior.

Well I generally agree in following the advice of one's doctors, I think you guys are being a little hard on a guy who refuses to stay off the field, perhaps at the expense of his career. Usually when someone puts playing above money and anything else we as fans appreciate this. But I guess it depends on the guy.

I hear ya, to an extent. Hey, if you play through a broken pinky and it needs to be cut off (Ronnie Lott), or play with a broken leg or ankle (Jack Youngblood and Donovan McNabb), then hell yeah, you're a warrior. But if you play with torn knee ligaments that could end your career, what's better for both you and the Chargers? Being balsy and "tough" and playing a few more games until your career ends, or getting your knee taken care of and being great for several more seasons? This is no-brainer IMO.

Also, TO was just doing what was necessary to be effective for one game, and that game just happened to be the biggest of all. I don't think TO was at risk of ending his career with that ankle injury either.

EDIT:
On a side note, I just heard on ESPN that Merriman was advised to have corrective surgery after last season and decided against it. Look where that's left him.