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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > June > 11 > Entry
LeCharles sure would look good in Bengals stripes
CENTER NEEDS ATTENTION
Will the Cincinnati Bengals enter the LeCharles Bentley derby?
How do Cincinnati fans feel about the possibility of Bentley suiting up in Bengals stripes in 2008?
What will it take, in contract years and salary, to bring the 6-foot-2, 309-pound center to Cincy to compete with incumbent Eric Ghiaciuc?
Does the former Cleveland St. Ignatius High School, Ohio State University and New Orleans Saints star have enough gas in his tank?
Can his knees hold up and last a full 16-game schedule?
PREDICTION COMES TRUE
Head coach Marvin Lewis, no doubt, will get asked those questions when the Bengals’ mandatory, full-squad minicamp unfolds Thursday through Saturday (June 12-14) at Paul Brown Stadium.
Let’s face it … Bentley, a two-time Pro Bowler with the Saints, is now available after bolting from the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, June 11.
I predicted on WONE-AM radio’s “Sportstalk 980” show on Tuesday, June 10 — and host Mark Schlemmer agreed — that Bentley would be released. But I didn’t think it would happen this soon. And I certainly didn’t expect Bentley to request his release.
But that’s what happened.
BURIED ON BROWNS’ DEPTH CHART
Buried behind Hank Fraley and Lennie Friedman on the Browns’ depth chart, Bentley saw NO ROOM AT THE INN at center, and is now looking for a new place to call home.
Eric Ghiaciuc needs competition, and the Bengals could use Bentley … if he’s healthy.
For more on Bentley, go to:
http://www.nfl.com/players/lecharlesbentley/profile?id=BEN698647
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By bburton359
June 11, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Yes, yes, and yes. Ghiaciuc needs the competition. He has yet to cemtent his role as a viable starter. As of now, he only has a 7th rounder and a couple of undrafted FAs to compete with. Bentley will either give us that solid starter we need at Center or he will make Ghiaciuc better through competition.By VoHo
June 12, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Are you sure you would want a guy who couldn’t beat out Hank Fraley and Lennie Friedman? Those guys don’t exactly strike fear in most hearts and Bentley was third behind them. I think that tells you what’s left in his tank.By jeff
June 12, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
maybe we should ask Chad since he wants to run the show.. speaking of show…wonder if he will show up todayBy Chuck
June 12, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
Bentley’s dream was to play for his hometown Browns. I don’t think second on his list is to play for the zoo that is the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s going back to Arizona. My guess is he’ll either play for a west coast team or hang it up.By #1 Bengals Fan
June 12, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
he would look good in bengals stripes and it would be nice to have him come in and compete for the starters job and may the best man winBy Doco
June 12, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Sounds like he wants a guaranteed starting spot. Who’s going to give him that after 4 knee surgeries and 2 years off? It’s sounds like the Browns were just asking him to compete for the job. I don’t think the Bengals need another guy looking for handouts. But if he’s willing to work and EARN a spot then I’m all for it.By Gabe
June 12, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Bad idea. The man has had four surgeries on his knees, thinks that he’s worth a guaranteed starting position and salary, all after almost dieing from a staph infection. Do you have any idea what almost dieing from a staph infection does? No? Ask Greg Lloyd. Yeah, Greg Lloyd the LB who terrorized the Bengals for almost a decade. Staph almost killed him. It didn’t but he attrapheed so much that it killed his playing career. Bentley has about the same chance of playing for the Bengals as Ludwig does.By Gabe
June 12, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
er… atrophied