LeCharles Bentley

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Free Agent
currentnumber=--
currentpositionplain=Center
birthdate=birth date and age|1979|11|7
birthplace=Cleveland, Ohio
heightft=6
heightin=2
weight=309
debutyear=2002
debutteam=New Orleans Saints
college=Ohio State
draftyear=2002
draftround=2
draftpick=44
pastteams=
* New Orleans Saints (2002–2005)
* Cleveland Browns (2006-2007)
status=
highlights=
* 2x All-Big Ten (2000-2001)
* First-team All-American (2001)
* Dave Rimington Trophy (2001)
* "PFW" All-Rookie Team (2002)
* 2x Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2005)
nfl=BEN698647 LeCharles Vernon Bentley (born November 7, 1979 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American football center who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Saints, Bentley has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns.

High school career

He played high school football at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He was a two year starter and was a three year letterman, earning All-Ohio honors as a senior (1997).

College career

Bentley played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes under head coach John Cooper. He was a four year letterman. Bentley won the 2001 Rimington Trophy as college football's best center and also named as an AFCA consensus All-American. He was a human development and family science major.

Professional career

2002

Bentley was drafted in the second round (44th overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints and was signed to a four year deal worth $2.95 million. He excelled at the guard position and started in 14 games. He was named "Sports Illustrated" 's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team. He made his NFL debut at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 8.

2003

He started in 13 games and earned a spot in the 2003 Pro Bowl.

2004

In the 2004 season he moved back to his original center position and started in all 16 games, he went on to be voted as an alternate to the 2004 Pro Bowl at that position.

2005

Bentley started 14 games at center and was voted to the Pro Bowl again. He left the Saints saying he would rather sit out the season than play with them again. [ [http://out-route.gloriousnoise.com/2006/07/the_injury_bug_strikes_first_victim.php http://out-route.gloriousnoise.com/2006/07/the_injury_bug_strikes_first_victim.php] ]

2006

After backing out of an unofficial agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles [ [http://profootballtalk.com ProFootballTalk.com - The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet] ] , Bentley signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2006, and was regarded by ESPN as the top-rated free agent.

Bentley suffered a serious knee injury in training camp on July 27, 2006 during the first play on the first 11 on 11 training camp session. Browns general manager Phil Savage has confirmed Bentley suffered a torn patellar tendon, which kept him out for the entire 2006 season. Bentley revealed that he had undergone four operations since getting hurt, the final two to clean out a staph infection that ate away at his tendon and a virus that became so severe that doctors considered amputating his leg. [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AiTEdjrGAzLDrJN9SSrffWdDubYF?slug=ap-browns-bentley&prov=ap&type=lgns http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AiTEdjrGAzLDrJN9SSrffWdDubYF?slug=ap-browns-bentley&prov=ap&type=lgns] ]

2007

On July 23, 2007, ESPN reported that Bentley had been cleared to play by his physician and would be reporting to training camp. Bentley said that his knee was about '70 percent' and thought it would be 90 percent when the season started. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2946356 http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2946356] ] Bentley started the season on the physically unable to play list. [ [http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA-9XCCAeUcyNx9R-7ZUbz8VZmjw http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hA-9XCCAeUcyNx9R-7ZUbz8VZmjw] ]

In December, the Browns shortened Bentley's $36 million contract from six years to three, with 2008 set to be his last year under contract with the Browns. His salary was reduced to the NFL minimum $605,000 with incentives to reach $4 million.

2008

On June 10, 2008, The Plain Dealer reported that Bentley had rejoined his team on the practice field after passing his physical and being cleared to practice with the team. "I feel really blessed," Bentley said after partaking in his first Browns practice in 682 days. "The Lord's been really good to me. There's nothing more I can ask for." [ [http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/06/bentleys_eager_to_restart_his.html Bentley Eager to Restart His Career] ]

On June 11, 2008, LeCharles Bentley's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, reported that Bentley asked for and was granted his release from the Cleveland Browns. [ [http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/06/lecharles_bentley_asks_for_rec.html Bentley Released from the Browns] ] Ten teams have reportedly called Bentley's agent following his release.

On June 27, 2008, NFL.com confirmed that the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking at LeCharles Bentley.

Per Adam Schefter on NFL.com: Close to 10 teams have been tracking Bentley, charting to see his condition and, at this point, his pricetag. Teams that have expressed varying degrees of interest in Bentley include Buffalo, Cincinnati, Miami, Oakland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, San Francisco and Seattle. Each has a need along the offensive line, but no team’s offensive line needs are any greater than Miami’s and St. Louis’. The Rams tried to sign former Raiders offensive tackle Barry Sims, but lost him to San Francisco. Early in July, Bentley might be the first player teams target when they return from a July 4 vacation. [http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story?id=09000d5d809069d9&template=with-video&confirm=true]

Personal

On December 20, 2006, Bentley presented his alma mater, St. Ignatius High School, with a check for $100,000. The money was used for scholarships, which will be named after his mother, Verneda. In May 2007 however, it was revealed that Bentley's mother has been accused of using money intended for the education of poor children to buy herself furniture. Federal agents are also investigating Verneda Bentley for a fire that caused more than $1 million in damage at the nonprofit she runs. [ [http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/05/mother-of-lecharles-bentley-at-center-of-fraud-arson-probe/ http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/05/mother-of-lecharles-bentley-at-center-of-fraud-arson-probe/] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/player.php?id=484 Browns Player Bio]
* [http://www.neworleanssaints.com/playerbio.cfm?playerid=97 New Orleans Saint's bio]
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5930 Player page at ESPN.com]
* [http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/greats/osu-m-footbl-bentley.html College football career summary from the Ohio State University website]
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/5930/ Player page] at SI.com