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.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by GMScud

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.

For the record, Merriman has steadfastly denied that further aggravation of the knee without surgery could be career threatening. His position is that his doctors have told him he needs to get knee surgery at some point, but that he could also play this season without it, albeit with an elevated risk of further injury. Anyway, seems pretty gutsy and selfless to me and I don't get calling him an idiot, implying that he doesn't understand what is at stake.

And wouldn't Tiger be a better parallel than the ones you threw out? He was in the same situation as Merriman, essentially, and played in the US Open anyway, costing him the rest of his season and perhaps shortening his career (although I certainly hope not). I thought that was pretty gutsy too, although I guess you could also argue it was idiotic. Think about the money Tiger!

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

For the record, Merriman has steadfastly denied that further aggravation of the knee without surgery could be career threatening. His position is that his doctors have told him he needs to get knee surgery at some point, but that he could also play this season without it, albeit with an elevated risk of further injury. Anyway, seems pretty gutsy and selfless to me and I don't get calling him an idiot, implying that he doesn't understand what is at stake.

And wouldn't Tiger be a better parallel than the ones you threw out? He was in the same situation as Merriman, essentially, and played in the US Open anyway, costing him the rest of his season and perhaps shortening his career (although I certainly hope not). I thought that was pretty gutsy too, although I guess you could also argue it was idiotic. Think about the money Tiger!

I mean John Daly is a big dude, sure. But what are the odds of Tiger getting his leg rolled over under a pile of 300 pound golfers? In this case, you just can't compare golf and football.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I mean John Daly is a big dude, sure. But what are the odds of Tiger getting his leg rolled over under a pile of 300 pound golfers? In this case, you just can't compare golf and football.

Um, Tiger had to have a second season ending-knee injury which was both predictable and preventable. He played against his doctor's recommendations and the worst case scenario happened. Cute Daly quip but I still see a parallel.

Anyway, I think you guys are kind of missing my point. I am more interested in the way that people are perceived. Both Merriman and Tiger were/are taking calculated risks to try and win a championship, yet Merriman is called an idiot, and even accused of being selfish, whereas Tiger is hailed as a warrior.

For the record, I don't think Merriman is making the right decision but I feel you have to respect his commitment to the team, even it is reckless.