Cleveland Browns Staph Problem

[Basketball Jesus]

OK Icness, what’s the deal here? First, why are the Browns sweeping such a serious issue under the rug? Second, if Goodell is so concerned about players’ welfare, why hasn’t he stepped in? Third, is the Winslow situation the tip of the iceberg; will we possibly be seeing any player lawsuits (Bentley?) and/or outside intervention (CDC?)?

For such a career- (and life-) threatening issue, there sure as hell doesn’t seem to be any kind of motivation on the part of the league to find out what’s going on. And this isn’t a relatively recent problem, it seems.

[Icness]

The staph issue is completely baffling to the Browns staff. They did a total cleansing of both their training facility and their locker room last offseason, one of those where everyone is wearing spaceman suits. They actually went through with the same stuff they use to test pharmaceutical plants and ICUs for cleanliness and it passed with flying colors. So that in part explains why they were reluctant to talk about Winslow's condition.

The other factor with K2 is where his staph infection hit him. Nobody will confirm it but I talked to three different "insiders" and they all said that the rumor I probably have heard is true. The rumor is that it happened in his testicles, and that they swelled up so badly he couldn't stand up. So I kinda see why they played it carefully if that is in fact the truth. And if I'm K2 I sure don't want that info out in the public domain.

As far as the league goes, I agree completely. They sure seem to be taking this lightly. LeCharles Bentley very nearly died from it and it ended his career. I would think the NFLPA would be screaming about it, but they aren't doing much either. It's not just a Browns problem, but they certainly have the biggest problem with it. Troy Smith (curiously a Cleveland native), John Engleberger, Gabe Watson, Nick Barnett and some other guys have all had it the past couple of seasons.

[studcrackers]

yea i heard about the winslow testicles thing, of course it seems espn has ignored this issue too, why exactly are they suspending him for a game?

[Pats19andO]

Maybe its the city, not just the lockeroom?

[Next Coming]

Kellen Winslow is getting killed in the media. Sounds like he appealed the suspension and I think it gets over turned.

[Icness]

I talked to a Browns beat writer tonight and here's his version of the K2 saga:

It almost certainly was not a staph infection. K2 made that up in order to make the Browns look bad, knowing that with the recent staph problems people would buy it. Keep in mind that every other player who has gotten one has missed significant time and lost a great deal of weight. This is not something that just "clears up" without loads of medical attention and physical toll on the body. Note that Winslow sought treatment from outside sources, not the Browns team doctors initially.

His opinion is that K2 is trying to get his way out of Cleveland so he can land a new contract (I agree with that). No way K2 gets any new $$ out of Cleveland as long as Phil Savage is around. They absolutely hate one another and have zero respect for one another's position. K2's appeal and grievance are posited to paint the Browns as the bad guys, and the whole staph thing is more fodder to bolster league opinion. Drew Rosenhaus might be a snake, but he's a savvy one.

The team suspension for conduct detrimental to the team is as much a shot at Winslow's pocket book than it is anything else. Since they can't actually fine him for his "illness", they took the next best course of action, and K2 sure gave just cause.

The Browns very seriously shopped K2 last week. They were asking for a 1st and 3rd in return and got some nibbles, but his injury issues and the fact he's going to demand a new deal scared potential buyers off. This person heard the Giants, Raiders, and Vikings all made serious inquiries. Tangentally, the Vikings did indeed offer 2 1st rounders for Brady Quinn. The Browns countered with Derek Anderson for next year's 1st and Tarvaris Jackson, with the intent of playing Quinn with Jackson as the #2. The Vikings passed, not wanting Anderson and also not ready to give up on TJax. That right there should tell you how serious the Browns are about Quinn and that DA will not be back. Or Winslow, for that matter.

[Da Schwab]

I'm glad to hear the Giants didn't pull the trigger on Winslow. We got rid of Shockey for a reason, no reason to bring a younger version of him back to the franchise.