DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Kellen to practice, Bentley to sit

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Eric Wright wasn't in camp today due to "transportation issues."

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Are you serious?.....Whats up with that....

Couldn't make it into CTown on time, according to Romeo.

Did Romeo seem upset with that?

I could see why..,.we had a bad morning here, i'm guessing the flight got cancelled trying to come into hopkins.

No, just mentioned it in his press conference.

He'll be there tomorrow.

I tried both pressers from Phil and Rac....But I`m having problems getting a clear video read......But thanks for the info.......

I'm never going to get an autograph in person from Winslow... I was a foot away from him WITH a Miami hat on, and didn't get it ( he was signing for all the little kids and talking to him which was really nice of him just want his autograph! )

He got a huge ovation when he showed up.

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Did you see Eric Wright at all?

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No I didn't.. but since You asked this, I guess it's been reported he had transportation issues and didn't make it to Cleveland in time,,,

I ran into a friend of mine at a bar this evening,... (just got home) and he was at camp.. he said he saw Minter in a foot cast on a bike riding.. Like I said, I was having issues seeing much with that crowd.

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He got a huge ovation when he showed up.

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It was almost like it was planned or something.. everyone else was out there on the field practicing away and all of a sudden out of the field house runs KW2,,, well, jogging kinda,,,but with a quick pace.

The place went nuts.. if we are lucky, I tried to video it,, if it worked, you guys can all see and hear it for yourselves.... Pretty cool really.

I thought he was placed on the PUP this week and I didn't know he could even practice... Again, let me say this, he looked amazing out there...

I agree Winslow looked good. As did Braylon. I spent most of my time on the side where the DBs and Dline were. Ted Washington is just plain huge. I wondered where Eric Wright was.

I was surprised there weren't more food options and no beer. It was hot out there and a cold frosty one would have been tasty.

All 3 QBs looked good in the little action I saw. I'll be interested to see what (all) these guys look like in a week or so.

I'll try and see if I can get any info on Mint...

Well HotB,,, like I said, I didn't see it myself, but a friend of mine was at camp today and he said he say Minter on the bike and he was wearing a boot,,,,

Cleveland Browns camp opens without Bentley
Team patient as Pro Bowl center delays physical Saturday, July 28, 2007Tony GrossiPlain Dealer Reporter
Center LeCharles Bentley did not make his anticipated return to the practice field on the first day of Browns training camp Friday.

Instead, the team worked behind the scenes with Bentley and his agent to smooth relations and chart the next phase of his attempt to come back from four surgeries on his left knee in the past 12 months.

They agreed to postpone a physical exam by team physician Dr. Anthony Miniaci for four weeks. Until then, Bentley will work with a personal trainer - in Cleveland but outside the Browns facility.

"He's not quite ready to put on equipment and go out and practice with us," said General Manager Phil Savage.

Bentley had said on Monday that he passed a physical given by New York Giants physician Dr. Russell Warren, which he felt cleared him to practice. Warren performed the most recent surgery on Bentley in November.

But the Browns would not let Bentley practice without passing their own exam. Savage said Bentley was given an MRI test and was examined by Miniaci, but he wouldn't say that Bentley failed the physical.

"There's certain documentation we need and certain hurdles that must be cleared before any of our players go out there," Savage said. "We're not asking him to do anything Gary Baxter and Kellen Winslow haven't done."

Winslow passed his physical and was put on the active list Friday. Baxter remains on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list, but is expected to come off as soon as Monday if he passes his exam.

Bentley will stay on the PUP list until he passes a physical in four weeks.

It is believed that Bentley will continue working with trainer Ian Danney of Phoenix-based Performance Enhancement Professionals Inc. Browns trainer Marty Lauzon will consult with Bentley's personal trainer, Savage said, and sit in on some of their sessions.

Savage said Bentley will attend team meetings on certain days, depending on the team's schedule.

It is an unusual arrangement, but Savage is trying to salve whatever wounds were created as a result of the complications following Bentley's original injury. Coincidentally, it occurred one year ago from the start of this season's camp.

"This is not a contentious situation between the Browns and LeCharles Bentley -- LeCharles Bentley vs. the Browns in steel cage match," Savage said. "It's not that at all.

"We're excited about the potential of LeCharles' comeback, but there are certain situations and certain protocol that every player on our team has to meet before they can get out on the field and practice and play."

Friday was the first time Savage talked face-to-face with Bentley since December.

In an interview after his news conference, Savage said he assured Bentley "the Browns are with you in this comeback attempt."

Bentley was not available to comment.

Agent Jonathan Feinsod, whose presence was requested at the meeting by Savage, said, "Everything's great. LeCharles is fine."

Few with the Browns have seen much of Bentley since January, when he started training in Phoenix and Columbus. Coach Romeo Crennel said he talked with Bentley for about 40 minutes a week ago.

"Physically, he looks good [and is] in a good frame of mind," Crennel said. "He talked about being a Cleveland Brown and helping this team win. My job is to try to be realistic. He said he wants to take a chance. We're not going to be crazy about it. Part of this four-week [delay] is to see where he is [in his recovery]."

Crennel said he was surprised when Bentley first told him he planned to attempt a comeback.

"I told him I need to see what he can do so that I can determine when and if he can help us," Crennel said.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

tgrossi@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

Just reading a bit between the lines....some of those comments do sound like there is a difference of opinion and a difference that seems to have caused a little of the shine to wear off this relationship.

Not saying it is anything major, but something there none the less.

The comment about not asking Bentley to do anything any of the other haven't is the comment that sticks with me the most.

Bentley will be back... Can't wait...

Winslow looks healthy
Saturday, July 28, 2007
By STEVE DOERSCHUK

BEREA The first day of Browns training camp wasn’t much to look at.

The fan turnout bordered on amazing. The perimeter of Friday’s practice-viewing area, roped by more than 200 yards of orange twine around two fields, was pure claustrophobia.

By the time Kellen Winslow Jr. appeared in a doorway, alone and fashionably late, there was no place left for fans to sit, stand or move.

But what would you rather have if you owned the Browns? Uncomfortably crowded in miserable humidity? Or cold, dry apathy after four years of 19-45?

The big crowd let out a huge cheer when players first started coming out. The sound said, “It’s football season.”

It was a while later when Winslow emerged. Few knew quite what it meant that the tight end had been on the “active PUP list,” a vague injury designation. They only knew he was aching in December, had microfracture knee surgery after an 89-catch season and missed all of the offseason practices.

It turned out Winslow passed a Thursday physical, popped off the PUP list, practiced and looked rather frisky.

The Browns have two big-ego stars in waiting: Winslow and wide receiver Braylon Edwards. The crowd really warmed up to Winslow, who for now is clearly more popular than Edwards.

As Winslow trotted the 100 yards from the door to his teammates, the cheer rose when he offered an appreciative wave. A bit later, when he broke into a spontaneous game of catch before stretching, another big cheer went up.

Winslow is a different breed. He enjoys the attention. When 80-some players finally spread out for stretching, everyone else sported shorts and bare lower legs. Winslow wore shorts over black Spandex.

The team sorely needs those legs to make things happen come autumn. Friday’s practice, sheer boredom on an action level — things will heat up in today’s double practice — at least let Winslow show off some moves.

He looked light on his feet and fast. During one drill, he turned to catch a short pass from Charlie Frye, pivoted and was running upfield in a move that was a blur. Tight end Steve Heiden caught the same pass moments later and didn’t look nearly as swift.

You’d expect a former No. 6 overall draft pick to look sleeker than a journeyman going on 31. But this display counted for something, given the mystery surrounding Winslow, who is still very young. He turned 24 last Saturday.

After practice, he was just as quick, moving away from reporters, saying he’ll talk in a day or two.

Two others who stayed on the active PUP list, center LeCharles Bentley and cornerback Gary Baxter, neither practiced nor talked.

The offseason unfolded with Bentley seeming unlikely to play for a second straight season. A surprise revelation that Bentley wants to play in ’07 doesn’t necessarily put him closer to doing so.

General Manager Phil Savage addressed misguided speculation Bentley might practice Friday.

“Essentially, we’re delaying what has been advertised,” Savage said. “We are putting it off for four more weeks, because he is not quite ready to put on equipment and go out there.”

You probably can file and forget Bentley for a while. Savage said the 27-year-old center will keep “rehabbing,” mostly with a personal trainer he used in Arizona, mostly away from the Browns’ complex, though with the Browns’ blessing.

Savage advised against reading anything into the fact he hadn’t seen Bentley between Friday and a December dinner meeting. Head Coach Romeo Crennel represented the team in offseason talks with the former Pro Bowler.

“This is not a contentious situation,” Savage said. “This is not LeCharles Bentley vs. the Browns in a steel cage match.

“If anything, we’re excited about the potential of LeCharles coming back.”

Hank Fraley, who started all 16 games at center last year, practiced as the starter Friday and said he wishes Bentley well.

Crennel strongly hinted Fraley will be the center for at least the first part of the season. He didn’t rule out Bentley playing in 2007 in the wake of a physical the team plans to give him in four weeks.

“LeCharles looks good,” Crennel said. “We had a 40-minute talk, and he’s in a good frame of mind.”

Crennel said Bentley’s job is to keep working on his rehab.

“My job,” Crennel added, “is to be realistic.”

So, count on Winslow. Don’t count on Bentley. Keep wondering about Baxter.

Bentley is recovering from four surgeries to address one blown-out patellar tendon — he went down on the first camp play of 11-on-11s one year ago Friday. Baxter is recovering from a one-day operation to fix patellar tendons that ruptured in both knees.

Savage said Baxter probably could have passed a physical Friday, clearing him for practice.

“We wanted to hold him through the weekend,” Savage said.

Baxter will get that physical “no later than Monday,” Savage said.

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

I don't think he was dissing him.......Romeo has to go through camp with his line of thinking being that Bentley will not be available and plan for that.

If he comes back and can play.....then that's a plus. But until that happens, he has to plan around it.

I know he's not dissing him.. but if you didnt hear the press conference.. the writers wording make it sounds like a diss IMO.

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The crowd really warmed up to Winslow, who for now is clearly more popular than Edwards.

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Ego-heavy wide receivers who can't catch the ball tend to be unpopular.

I agree with you peen.,.. it seems the shine has come off the apple and the cover up is in full swing..

I just watched the Vid on the main site of Savage addressing the Bentley situation... to me, it's kinda like the more he protests the more I believe there is an issue.. Me thinks he protesteth to much!

"Are you serious?.....Whats up with that...."

RAC stated that youngsters from the West Coast have to get use to the time it takes to travel back east...also losing 3 hours in the process has to be calculated. Its a common occurance from youngsters and in the WCoast coming East. He was arriving last night and should be there for today's two a days which is when Camp really starts.

JMHO

After watching practice yesterday, I don't honestly see how important it would have been for him to be there,,,,, it was more like a bunch of guys goofing off at a picnic than a real NFL Practice....

Except for Chase Pittman,,,,like I said, he's very aggressive,,,,LOL

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RAC stated that youngsters from the West Coast have to get use to the time it takes to travel back east...also losing 3 hours in the process has to be calculated. Its a common occurance from youngsters and in the WCoast coming East. He was arriving last night and should be there for today's two a days which is when Camp really starts.

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Tab...Thanks for the info on that.....But should`nt they leave a day or 2 early....That way they are prepared?.......Sort of like any job.....be prepared..........

How could they know when to leave? I mean if it were me, I'd have taken up residence in the team hotel and just sat there waiting for the phone to ring to tell me to show up,, but I don't suppose many are as anal as I am

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How could they know when to leave? I mean if it were me, I'd have taken up residence in the team hotel and just sat there waiting for the phone to ring to tell me to show up,, but I don't suppose many are as anal as I am

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I think your run in with that dwarf........hurt you! ......I know these guys don`t know if they will be signed by the date of camp.....They have to have some knowledge of it happening.......

So as I said.......You need to be prepared and expect to be there......READY to go....
And waiting in the resience hotel is`nt anal.........give yourself some credit

Yeah I guess your right Shep.....I guess I was just assuming these guys knew they were close to getting the contract signed.....

Winslow looking good
Recovery of Browns tight end still not 100 percent


( ASSOCIATED PRESS )

By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER


BEREA, Ohio — Kellen Winslow, Jr. has made yet another comeback in his young career, this time from offseason microfracture surgery on his knee.

But although Winslow looked good catching balls in 11-on-11 drills yesterday at the Browns practice facility, he still isn’t 100 percent in his recovery.

“I still understand and realize that we still have to be careful with him and manage him,” Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. “Probably, during our two-a-days, we will not practice him on every two-a-day. He’ll get a practice off. We’ll play it by ear.”

In 2006 Winslow tied Ozzie Newsome for the team receptions record with 89 catches. He said yesterday that his knee bothered him the entire year as a lingering result from the motorcycle accident in the spring of 2005, but he never considered shutting it down when the Browns were out of playoff contention.

“I felt I owed the Cleveland Browns last season,” Winslow said. “It was very difficult, what I went through last season coming off my injury, but I felt good and I think I did pretty well. I just want to help the team win.”

Microfracture surgery can be a career-ending procedure for many players, but Winslow said after what he went through with the motorcycle accident, as well as breaking his fibula his rookie season in 2004, it didn’t faze him. He’s still learning what his knee can handle before he can know what to expect this season.

“It is not what it once was before the accident, but I work my way around things,” Wins-low said. “I can’t plant as hard as I want sometimes, but I work around it.”

SANDERS WORKING: Former Bowling Green State University wide receiver Steve Sanders is in training camp with the Browns for the second straight year.

“I know what to expect a little bit more this time around,” Sanders said. “I hope to come out and just continue to get better.”

Sanders was cut last year, but was signed to the practice squad the last week of the season. This gave Sanders a chance to go to NFL Europe, where he played for the Berlin Thunder this spring. In 10 games Sanders had 14 catches for 251 yards.

“The Browns sent me over to Europe to get experience and see how I would play in a game,” Sanders said. “It was great. It was a place I would have never thought I would have gone. It was good to experience the culture and also to get an opportunity to show what I can do.”

WRIGHT TIME: Crennel had rookie cornerback Eric Wright do some quick sprint tests at the beginning of practice. After he agreed to a contract late Thursday night, Wright missed Friday’s practice because of flight delays coming back from the West Coast.

“I didn’t see any hitches or limps or anything like that,” Crennel said. “He showed that he might be able to do something.”

Later in practice Wright, a second-round pick out of UNLV, was stretching on the sidelines.

“It was just the usual soreness,” Wright said. “I didn’t know when I would actually get here so I’ve been working out but today was pretty hard. I came in late [Friday] night to do the physical and now I’m going to go get some treatment on it so I can be back out later.”

DAY TWO: The team had 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills in full pads. At quarterback, Charlie Frye looked better than Derek Anderson, who threw a ball into the stands and underthrew a pass that turned into an interception for Brodney Pool. The highlight of the morning practice was Josh Cribbs’ 40-yard halfback pass to Mike Mason.

The biggest cheers came when special teams coordinator Ted Daisher chewed out several players during punt return drills.

Daisher said he was a positive person but, “Sometimes you need to catch their attention a little bit.”

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070729/SPORTS09/70729011

As it turned out it was in booking his flight and scheduling connecting flights. The connecting flights were too close - and when Wrights flight came in the other flight had already left. RAC was alluding to scheduling experience on scheduling connecting flights and after doing it often would know to leave a 2 hour buffer in there and not try to connect on the dime. So Wright had good intentions just ignorance on booking his flight to the East with connections involved.

JMHO - He's signed, sealed and delivered that is the main thing

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JMHO - He's signed, sealed and delivered that is the main thing

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.....Now lets get him ready to make plays........