Browns knocked down, but must get back up
Alright, a day has passed since the devastating LeCharles Bentley injury. Browns fans everywhere may still be trying to recover from the punch in the gut they took Thursday. Try to take a deep breath if you can. Bentley’s season-ending injury undoubtedly is a tremendous blow to the Browns’ offense and his presence on the O-line can’t be replaced. But, although many of us in Cleveland once again are asking, “Why us?”, and drowning in our sorrows, the fact remains that the season must go on.
The frustration is off the charts for Cleveland sports fans. Only in this city do we get a bad break for every sport and get tortured beyond belief. As Kenny Roda likes to say, OIC (Only in Cleveland!!). Now that we’ve had time to lick our wounds, the reality is that the Browns must live on and regroup.
LeCharles, having played high school ball at St.Ignatius, wanted just as badly as any player on the Browns roster to bring a winner to Cleveland. His desire to lead his hometown Browns to glory is unmatched. Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait another season to do so. Bentley’s toughness, tenacity, and Pro Bowl appearances will be greatly missed but it’s now up to some of the other veterans on the team to step up. The Browns clearly have taken a step back from where they stood before the injury but are still a better team than they were last season, even without Bentley. While we as fans can soak ourselves in our own tears all we want, crying about it won’t do any good. Believe me, I am just as disappointed and upset as everyone else. But it’s situations like this that show the true character of a team.
The Browns, veterans and rookies in all, need to band together now and show what they are made of. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and the team must play on. They find themselves in a difficult situation but the season is not over and all is not lost. Bentley is down, but the rest of the players now must rally around the big fella.
I was hoping it was just a nightmare and I woullwake up this morningand it would all have jus been a bad dream! Not so! i can’t believe this happened. I was so looking forward to seeing how this kid did. A local kid (St Ignatius / Ohio State) with a chance to play for the Browns – I’m sure he’s shattered.
But like you say, the Browns have to look forward not back. Let’s hope they keep their heads up and keep fighting!
This was truly one of those freak occurrences in Cleveland sports that leaves you shaking your head and wondering what Cleveland must have done to offend the sports gods? Moving on should be a little easier with Bob Hallen making a decent fill for young Mr. Bentley.
LeCharles will be back next year, and we’ll all get the special treat of seeing him make high-quality offensive line plays in the orange and brown. Onward 2006, and remember, LeCharles Bentley wasn’t the only good free agent we picked up in the off-season.
I know it seems like we go through this every year, but that’s the nature of the game. Football is a violent sport, and it takes a tremendous toll on your body. From the news reports, there wasn’t any contact. He just planted his leg wrong, and with a big guy like that, the tendon just ripped. Which shows that he was giving 110% in practice. Cleveland, don’t throw in the towel, we got a Bentley. It’s just in the shop now. Yeah, the replacement might not be as impressive, but it serves it’s purpose. I didn’t expect the Browns to win the Superbowl in 07, I just expected them to get better, and that’s a given in 07, because LeCharles will be returning. Braylon will be at full strength, the offense will have had a season to gell together, and the defense will have another year in Romeo’s system. I expect more injuries, because this is football, but they will be better than last years team.
as bad as all us fans feel, i can only imagine how angry bentley must feel right now…
that being said, he still a fairly young guy and i’m sure he we be able to return the following season at 100% health, and ready to roll!
The silver lining here is, Bentley suffered his injury early enough that it shouldn’t affect his status for 2007.
I feel bad for him. Hopefully he recovers and will be back next year.
Great post – the browns have to move on. They made plenty of positive moves, and I love how Crennel refuses to make excuses.