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Browns' Steinbach plans to face Steelers

Bentley out first six games. Baxter's return in doubt

By Marla RidenourBeacon Journal sportswriter
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007

BEREA: The Browns' star free agents of the past three years now represent varying degrees of hope.

 

 

All are injured. Only one is on track to start when the Browns open the regular season Sept. 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

ease see Browns, C5

 

But while the situation seems dire for two, they are not ready to give up on their football careers.

Guard Eric Steinbach, who signed a seven-year, $49.5 million contract in March, has been sidelined since Aug. 7 with a sprained right knee. But he said he would ''definitely'' play against the Steelers after sitting out Thursday's preseason finale at the Chicago Bears.

The odds are longer for center LeCharles Bentley and cornerback Gary Baxter.

Bentley, a Cleveland St. Ignatius and Ohio State product who received a six-year, $36 million contract in 2006, tore his left patellar tendon on the first day of training camp last summer. He has needed four surgeries since, three for a resulting staph infection. On Tuesday, the Browns placed him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, which means he cannot practice for the first six weeks of the regular season.

Baxter, lured from the Baltimore Ravens with a six-year, $30 million deal in 2005, is trying to make an unprecendented comeback.

On Oct. 22, he tore both patellar tendons in a game against the Denver Broncos. He returned to practice on July 30, but has worked mainly on the scout team and has not participated in full team drills. On Saturday, the Browns must decide whether to place him on injured reserve, meaning he will miss the season, on the active roster, or cut him. Coach Romeo Crennel might wish PUP was still an option for Baxter, but that's not possible, because he has practiced.

''I'm not going to wish because I can't do anything about it,'' Crennel said.

The strain of the impending decision appears to be weighing on Baxter, who lashed out at the media after practice, disputing the notion that he'd suffered a setback. Crennel shut him down for two weeks because of sore knees and said Aug. 22 the Browns would ''almost restart with him.''

''You said a setback,'' Baxter said. ''Did I ever say I was going to play a preseason game? My goal has been always to play the first game. But you guys write these opinions.

''It doesn't seem my opinion counts for (bleep) around here. I didn't come out for those couple days, what does that mean? Was that a setback? You guys haven't written anything positive about anything that I've done.''

Baxter said he doesn't read newspapers and sees only what's handed to him. But when reporters told him that everyone has been rooting for him, he went into his imitation of the non-committal Crennel.

''I'll be like Romeo, I've got two legs and I'm rehabbing. Things are great right now,'' Baxter said.

''I'm doing everything I can to get well and get back. Things are positive. You guys write the (darn) article.''

Bentley, meanwhile, can attend meetings and rehab, but cannot return to practice until Oct. 15, the Browns' bye week. After that, the Browns have a three-week window for him to begin practicing, then another three weeks to look at him and decide whether to activate him.

''He needs more time,'' Crennel said. ''In that window in October I can put him on the field; that gives him the best opportunity to show me how he's recovered. He wants to play as a Brown; that's been his lifelong dream. That's what we want for him. Putting him on PUP gives him the best chance to do that. Otherwise I'd have to make a rash judgment.''

Crennel said he's talked with Bentley in his office once a week since Bentley returned to team headquarters about two weeks ago after rehabbing with a private trainer.

''He's disappointed,'' Crennel said. ''I think he appreciates my concern. I've told him all along I want the best for him.''

Steinbach was upbeat Tuesday after spending two days in individual drills and working

BEREA: The Browns' star free agents of the past three years now represent varying degrees of hope.

Get the full article here.



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