blacksaint

Posted Jul 23rd 2007 9:34PM by JJ Cooper

In a month that's been filled with bad news for Browns fans between the flooding stadium and the trouble getting the draft picks signed, this has to rank as some of the best news in a long, long time.

LeCharles Bentley is one giant leap closer to making one of the most miraculous comebacks in recent NFL history. The center has been cleared by his doctor to return to the practice field. Dr. Russell Warren's decision to approve Bentley's return is the biggest sign yet that Bentley will make it back from what was a once life-threatening staph infection.

Bentley's signed a six-year, $36 million deal with the Browns before last season. He was supposed to be the anchor of the team's offensive line, but he blew out his left patella tendon in the first practice of training camp. A subsequent staph infection left him so far away from the football field that returning couldn't even rank as a mild priority.

Bentley's first goal had to be to simply stay alive--something doctors said was touch and go for a while. He then had to fight off the infection quick enough to avoid having his leg amputated. He then needed a trio of further surgeries to repair the tendon and fix the problems caused by the staph infection. Only then could he even think about getting back onto the field. At the time, most optimistic observers hoped he'd be back for the 2008 season, while there was plenty of speculation that his career was over.

Now he could be back as early as this week if the Browns' doctors agree with Warren's diagnosis.

"That really doesn't matter to me," said Bentley. "The top doctor in the field has told me that I'm OK. I've just got to keep making progress."

Even if Bentley can make it back onto the practice field, we'll have to see whether the injury will sap the agility and strength that made him one of the best centers in the league. If he can return to even close to that form he'll help turn what was one of the worst lines in the league last year into one of the deepest in the NFL this fall.

One of the bizarre parts of this story is how little the Browns have had to say about Bentley's comeback. I'd love to hear some theories for why the Browns have avoided talking about Bentley. If they keep avoiding the subject now it's going to start looking very fishy as this is one of the feel-good stories of the summer.

"I'm glad to read good news on LeCharles Bentley, he went from almost losing his career, his leg, and even his life, to being able to play this year is a miracle. I wish him all the luck in the world."

saint4life
(504)

Euphoria

Yeah, good news.

Once a Saint always a Saint.

Nemesis

I'd really like to see LB continue his career and be able to play at home. It's hard to count anyone out these days, considering the leaps sports medicine has taken. I hope Culpepper is able to prove people wrong.

TheDeuce

Good for him. I hope he can make it back and get out on that field again. I'm pulling for him.