LeCharles

Bentley

Bentley is on IR and will miss the 2006 season.

If there is any positve in Bentley’s injury, it’s the amount of time he has to rehabilitate his knee before the 2007 season. Expected to be the best player on Cleveland’s offense, Bentley has been replaced by journeyman Bob Hallen.

“I don’t know what’s going on half the time,” the Pro Bowl center said. “Half the time I don’t think guys know what I’m doing.” Bentley still has plenty of time to learn his and his linemates’ assignments.

''The Charles’’ is one of three vets New Orleans is trying to get locked up long term. Joe Horn and Deuce McAllister, who both have one year left on their deals, are the others.

This was not expected by most, but is great news for a line that needs every break it can get. Bentley underwent four surgeries after tearing his patellar tendon during 2006 training camp and catching a staph infection. If he can stay healthy, Bentley will battle for a starting gig at guard or center. He still doesn’t expect to be ready for contact until early September.

Bentley won’t perform contact drills for at least a month, but wore his jersey on the field and put his chances of playing this year at “pretty good.”

“LeCharles has made strides and progress since we reported for training camp,” GM Phil Savage said. “At this point it remains to be seen if he’ll be cleared to practice or not.” Bentley seems unlikely to help the Browns this year.

Cleveland’s $36 million man from an offseason ago will spend his second straight year on injured reserve. The team is hopeful Bentley can help in 2008 but at this point his career appears to be in jeopardy.

The Browns have two more weeks to either remove Bentley from the PUP list or lose him for the remainder of the season. “He’s rehabbing, that’s what he’s able to do,” Crennel said. “He’s with the trainers and they’re working with him. He’s made some progress with them, but he’s not ready yet. His [repaired knee] isn’t as strong as the other one. If he continues to make progress, then that improves his chances.”

GM Phil Savage called Bentley’s delay of the surgery “a good sign,” but hasn’t ruled out another procedure. We still doubt the center will play in 2007.