NFL.com/AP
LeCharles Bentley, the Browns biggest free agent signing prior to the 2006 season, reportedly thinks he can comeback and play for the Browns
this season.
In an
exclusive interview with Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Bentley stated that he intends to be in Berea, OH for the first day of training camp on July 27. Bentley also revealed that he has in fact gone under the knife four times in less than a year compared with the two such occurrences which was previously reported. The operations varied from repair on his torn left patella tendon to several attempts to clean out a career threatening staph infection.
Surely, after seeing this story as the main article on the front of Sunday’s sports page, I am quite certain many readers were double checking to make sure they didn’t pick a copy of
The Onion by accident.
I know LeCharles will slowly be worked back into the fold after suffering such and injury coupled with the various setbacks, that is a give in. However, suppose the former Ohio State and St. Ignatius graduate can actually play come September 9th against Pittspuke. Our vastly improved offensive line suddenly becomes even more enhanced than an airbrush job for a Jessica Simpson photo shoot.
Here are a couple ideas (assuming he can actually play opening week of course) of what the Browns offensive line can potentially look like. I’m giving two projections based on the fact that LeCharles has been named to the Pro Bowl in the past both as a guard and as a center.
LT: Joe Thomas LG: Eric Steinbach C: Hank Fraley RG: LeCharles Bentley RT: Ryan Tucker.
LT: Joe Thomas LG: Eric Steinbach C: LeCharles Bentley RG: Seth McKinney RT: Ryan Tucker.
Personally, I’d prefer Bentley at right guard for now for two reasons. First reason is I think Hank Fraley is a pretty decent center who just re-signed with the team for pretty decent money. The second is that I feel Seth McKinney may be better suited with a role as a roving back-up who is capable as both a center or a guard. Basically, I am comparing McKinney to the rold Bob Hallen was meant to fill….of course that is before he had the anxiety attack and retired after Bentley got hurt and realized he’d actually have to play!
Of course, all this is day dreaming is based on my own and many other Browns fans excitement in this recent development. The fact is we won’t really know what kind of shape Bentley is in until he undergoes contact drills toward the end of summer. Until then both the fans and the organization has to be feeling much better thanks to this emotional lift.
Cleveland.com
Now for the love of God, just to be safe keep him out of the first day of practice just to avoid a repeat of last year’s tradgedy! Can we get someone to make sure this doesn’t happen again!?!?
Read the complete post at http://kidcleveland.blogspot.com/2007/07/lecharles-plans-lecomback-for-2007.html