Browns say Bentley will miss 2007 season

Tuesday, February 20, 2007
4:25 p.m.

Brown center LeCharles Bentley, whose lifelong dream was to
play for the Browns, will most likely miss the 2007 season
and Browns general manager Phil Savage indicated there’s a
chance Bentley’s career might be over.

Savage said during a press conference on Tuesday that
Bentley will probably need another surgery on his torn left
patella tendon and that if he does, he will miss the 2007
season. He said Bentley is rehabbing in Arizona and will
know by May or June if he needs the surgery.

He said the Browns will carry Bentley on the roster through
the 2007 season, regardless.

“I think we certainly owe LeCharles the opportunty to see
where he’s going to be,” said Savage. “This time next year
I think we’ll have a much clearer picture in terms of is he
really a legitimate piece of the puzzle here or has the
injury been so devastating that he may never play again.

“I think that’s something we’ll know clearly this time a
year from now.”

Bentley, from St. Ignatius and Ohio State, vowed in
December that he would play again. Bentley's agent,
Jonathan Feinsod, said today, "I guarantee that LeCharles
will play again at a Pro Bowl level."

Bentley, signed to a 6-year, $36 million free agent
contract, suffered the torn patella tendon on the first
contact drill of the 2006 training camp and underwent
surgery soon after.

Savage said the Browns are proceeding as though Bentley
will not play in 2007, saying it will be a “bonus” if he
does.

Following his initial surgery, Bentley suffered a
life-threatening staph infection in the knee that had to be
surgically removed. The staph infection may have caused the
current damage that will probably need to be repaired.

In other Browns news, Savage said:

* The Browns extended running back Jason Wright’s contract
for one year through 2008.

* Cornerback Gary Baxter, who suffered two torn patella
tendons, has exceeded doctor’s expectations for where he’d
be at this point.

* While the Browns staff is at the NFL Combine in
Indianapolis this week, a company that specializes in
infection prevention will coat the Browns facility with a
glaze to help cut down on staph infections.

* Right tackle Ryan Tucker has been at the Browns facility
meeting with the new coaches and plans to participate in
the off-season program. He hopes to play for the Browns in
2007 after leaving the team because of a mental disorder in
2006.

* The Browns have $30 million in cap room and will be
aggressive in free agency.

* The team has stepped up negotiations with center Hank
Fraley now that it's apparent Bentley won't be around for
2007.

* There's no sense of urgency to re-sign free agent safety
Brian Russell.

* Look for the Browns to go after Buffalo cornerback Nate
Clement in free agency.

* The Browns won't tip their hand on who they'll pick with
the No. 3 or No. 4 pick in the draft.

* They haven't committed to Charlie Frye as their starting
quarterback, saying only that he's the incumbent.

— Mary Kay Cabot



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