Thu, Nov 26 2009
|
Bentley’s back After life-threatening injuries, Browns lineman optimistic about playing again MARLA RIDENOURAkron Beacon Journal “I wasn’t worried at all. We did it many times in Arizona,” Bentley said.
Asked if he’s 100 percent, Bentley said, “I’m as good as I’m going to get. Obviously, I can get better at some things. The sky’s the limit right now. I feel much better, much stronger, much more explosive than I’ve ever been.” Bentley participated only in individual drills Tuesday morning and was not on the field in the afternoon. But he looked good to teammates he barely knows. “He’s in great shape,” Fraley said. “Before his injuries, he was a great player. I think he still has that mentality, and you’re going to see something special out of him because he’s going to keep working hard until he gets there. “I wish I had his athletic ability. He’s very strong. Some of the things he does I can’t ever do.” Coach Romeo Crennel said the Browns will manage Bentley’s participation, which might mean only one practice during two-a-days. “It’s too early to say what kind of impact he’s going to have,” Crennel said. “Any player who comes back from an injury has to prove himself all over again.” General manager Phil Savage said “it has been a long road back” for Bentley. “We have to give him a lot of credit for the amount of work and effort he has put into this,” Savage said. “You have to tip your hat to the fact that he really wants to be here.” Bentley said his first hit in pads won’t be traumatic because it happened last fall when the Browns considered bringing him off the physically unable to perform list. “I had full contact back in October,” Bentley said. “They brought out some defensive linemen, the linebackers, I did very well. The issue was about my running and mechanics. My knee holding up, I’ve established that. If you don’t believe me, put on the pads.” Whether that’s all bluster, Bentley admitted he’s been through a grueling emotional journey. “I went from not expecting to have a leg, not expecting to live. ... you’re not even thinking about football,” he said. “Then I go from that to, ‘You’re never going to play again. You’ll be lucky to walk normal.’ Now you’re looking at quality of life. There were so many times I wanted to quit, but I just couldn’t quit.” Now Bentley has “let go” of his dream of playing for the Browns. “The rest of my time as a football player, it’s not about me being the best or going to Pro Bowls,” he said. “I’m trying to show people if you believe in something, you pray hard, you work hard, you stay steadfast in your faith, anything can happen. As long as you’re with the Lord, anything’s possible.” 
More from the Sports section
Erb put spice in recipe for success Experience aplenty on all-county squad |
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
© 2009, Ashtabula Star Beacon
P.O. Box 2100, Ashtabula OH 44005-2100 (440) 998-2323, Send news tips and feedback 
|
Popular Business directory links - Ashtabula Apartments | Ashtabula Attorneys | Ashtabula Auto Dealers | Ashtabula Auto Parts | Ashtabula Auto Repair | Ashtabula Beauty Salons | Ashtabula Car Rental | Ashtabula Dentists | Ashtabula Doctors | Ashtabula Flowers | Ashtabula Hotels | Ashtabula Insurance | Ashtabula Loans | Ashtabula Mortgages | Ashtabula Movers | Ashtabula Pizza | Ashtabula Realtors | Ashtabula Restaurants | Ashtabula Storage | Ashtabula Tax Preparation | Ashtabula Travel | Ashtabula Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
