New Orleans Saints Blanket

July 28, 2006 (Cleveland, Ohio) - This city was once dubbed "the mistake by the lake" and they have quite a job trying to change the impression that visitors like me you when we visit this city blue collar. The Cleveland Indians have played some inspired baseball in recent years. King James rules the throne of basketball with the Cavaliers and the Cleveland Browns, with their rich traditions, have made some great offseason.

I was glad to see new additions to the stable yesterday coach Romeo Cremmel as is two years into his regime and optimism reigns supreme seat of learning in Berea, Ohio. That was until Thursday morning when the Brownies were conducting their first 11-of-11 years and their most prized acquisition, All-Pro center LeCharles Bentley went down on an innocent game running. Whether it is NFL or college football, the number one criteria for a winning team is a strong line and a healthy offense. The center is probably next to one quarter of talent, the most important element in this unit.

It calls on all assignments and blocking every game starts with him huddled the team and then from the snap of the ball. A native of Cleveland, Bentley spent his first four years with the Saints in New Orleans. He started at right guard in his first two seasons and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 2003. The following year, Bentley offers the center and earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2005.

The Browns have had to pay more than $ 36 million during the offseason to sign him a contract for six years and now he will miss the entire year with a torn patellar tendon. Bentley's injury is the latest in a team beset by a serious setback medical Browns - No. 1 includes all Courtney Brown and quarterback Tim Couch has had several serious injuries - since the return of league club as an expansion team in 1999.

On Thursday, tight end Kellen Winslow had his first contact after missing the last two seasons with major leg injuries. The Browns are also without wide receiver Braylon Edwards, their first-round pick in 2005, which should be out until October 1 following knee surgery.

While I realize that injuries are a big part of football and playoff bound teams must overcome adversity, the Browns have done in 2006. With one quarter second year in young Charlie Frye still much to learn on the job, it's a security blanket, he desperately needs.

The good news for fans of Ohio is that they still have the Ohio State Buckeyes cheer!

Bob Acton

Paris Online Sports