LeCharles Bentley released by Browns

Ailuridae — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:46:21 -0000

ESPN article discussing details of release

He's a player I think we should consider signing assuming available cap room and the ilk.

I think either him or Gurode would be highly effective playing RG in Kosier's stead. I know I am not the only fan who sees Kosier as the weakest player on our OL.

But there is another reason and I realize I am in a small minority here so I will be brief. Basically for all the things Dre Gurode did very well last year he struggled mightily in one area: shotgun snaps. It wasn't just the three balls he pitched over Romo's head in the season. Towards the end of the season, he developed a case of the yips. Think Mackey Sasser or Chuck Knoblauch. Instead of a crisp, clean snap to Romo that he didn't have to see to catch the ball floated and fluttered back to him and often made him make (admittedly small) adjustments side to side. During those adjustments Romo isn't looking downfield and when the ball is fluttering obviously it gives the pass rush a sizeable advatage. Not having clean snaps causes other problems too like not allowing your other offensive lineman attack (they are worried about false starts) on the run or fall back quickly against a pass rush. Obviously this is more of a problem for tackles than guards.

So basically I want better insurance than Corey Proctor if Gurode and Houck can't address this problem. I have no idea what Bentley will cost but i suspect there is a very good chance we can rent him chaeply for a year if he is given a legitimate chance to compete for a starting job at center or guard. And there isn't really a downside - we know that Gurode can be highly effective at guard.

SB Nation User Blog: Ailuridae

LeCharles Bentley released by Browns