Category: Cleveland Browns (Page 53 of 114)

Charlie Frye’s first night in Cleveland Stadium was one to forget. He threw an interception, fumbled a snap and didn’t show the leadership necessary to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. This was my concern at the end of last year and continues to be this year. We have an offense, even without LeCharles Bentley, that has enough talent to move the ball on the ground and through the air.

The success of this offense will be based more on Frye’s decisions than his talent. A young quarterback’s ability to let the game come to him is a huge factor in their success. Charlie tends to force the action and that usually gets him in trouble. The more Frye talks to Bernie Kosar, a master of understanding the game, the better off the Browns will be.

Coach Romeo Crennel and the Browns organization will need a great deal of patience while giving Frye the experience he needs to be successful.

Injured center LeCharles Bentley met with the media Wednesday for the first time since tearing his patella tendon which quickly ended his season. Bentley was living a dream by having the chance to play football for his hometown team. After suffering a season-ending injury, you would think that would destroy a player like Bentley. Just the opposite. LeCharles declared the injury as a “blessing” and he will end up being a better person because of it.

“There is zero doubt in my mind that I will make a complete recovery and be able to play again,” Bentley said. “I know this is going to end up being a blessing for me. I’m going to end up being a better player having gone through this process. I’m really excited about it.”

“After going through this process, I know that I’ll be mentally tougher.”

While some players have taken more than a year to recover from a patella tendon injury, Bentely sounded pretty confident that he’ll be back for the start of the 2007 season. In the meantime, he will do what he can off the field to help the Browns out.

“I’ll be the best cheerleader in the league,” he said. “I’ll be the best cheerleader the team has because I know we don’t have any cheerleaders. I’m not saying I’ll wear a skirt, but I’ll be there for the guys.”

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to see some of the things the offensive line might not see during the game. I’ll be another set of eyes.”

Just having Bentley’s presence back on the field again is a huge boost to the Browns and the players. Sure, he won’t be suiting up on the field this season, but having him on the sidelines will surely pump up the players. Bentley is a smart guy and will almost be another coach for the team.

Attention, Browns fans. There may be hope for this season after all. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards practiced with the team Saturday and noted that a return to action for the season opener is a “possibility”.

“I was running routes today and it was a great feeling,” Edwards said. “A lot of guys have been pulling for me and have been behind me the whole time. I just feel really good. I went out there today and I didn’t have any pain in the knee.

“I’m not afraid to cut, plant or run. I’m extremely excited about the possibility of playing in the first game.”

Braylon is way ahead of schedule and him just being out on the field practicing with the team is a huge lift for the Browns. Whether he plays on September 10 or not, it seems like he will be back much sooner than expected. Edwards acknowledges that his knee is something to be careful with and says he will not rush himself back. In his interview on ClevelandBrowns.com, he seems to have a very good head on his shoulders about where he stands with the injury and will definitely wait until the knee is 100 percent before playing in a game.

Edwards’ work ethic and attitude has been phenominal thus far and it’s such a great sign to see him on the field again. Although, I wasn’t too thrilled to see him in a Michigan hat in the interview! Oh well, he’s a Brownie now and that’s all that matters.

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.

It’s official: Pro Bowl center and the Browns’ prized offseason acquisition LeCharles Bentley will miss the entire season with a torn patellar tendon.

“He was the face of our free agent class,” Savage said. “He was a player that probably wanted to play for the Browns as much as anyone.”

Savage said Bentley didn’t suffer the injury due to contact or the result of a pile-up, but rather by planting his foot awkwardly after being unable to stop his forward momentum.

Browns fans have been waiting seemingly decades for the team to put together a solid offensive line. Looks like we’ll have to wait one more season. Bob Hallen replaced Bentley with the first-team offense Thursday but rumor has it the Browns will be scouring the list of available free agents.

…Damnit. Damnit, damnit, damnit.