re: Backup center discussion
 

I thought I heard that one reason Bentley asked for his release is that he wants to play Guard.

re: Backup center discussion
 

PFT.com

BENTLEY TO MINNESOTA?
Posted by Mike Florio on June 11, 2008, 9:59 p.m.

I had a looong day with the law gig and an even longer night at the little league field, and I’m getting a chance right now to take a peek at the extremely fine pinch-hitting efforts of MDS and Josh Alper.

And, of course, I’m exercising my prerogative to chime in with my own half-assed musings regarding matters on which they’ve already written.

This first one isn’t a scoop, just semi-educated speculation. Center LeCharles Bentley, who was released earlier on Wednesday by the Browns, could be the next starting center of the Minnesota Vikings.

Before going any farther with this one, I need to be clear. It would be a huge mistake for the Vikings to dump Matt Birk in favor of Bentley. Bentley is damaged goods, and Birk is a bona fide leader in the locker room.

With that said, it’s fairly obvious that the Vikings are planning for life without Birk, who is signed through 2008. And the best way to make the transition would be to bring in Bentley right now, sign him to an incentive-heavy deal with per-game roster bonuses, and give him a chance via training camp and the preseason to make Birk and his $5.32 million salary an unnecessary luxury for 2008.

Here are the two other factors that have caused me to connect the dots in this specific way. First, Bentley’s agents surely had something else lined up before asking out of Cleveland. Otherwise, Bentley would be using the remainder of the offseason workouts in Cleveland to persuade another team to become interested. Remember this — Bentley’s agents, as legend has it, had a pre-free agency deal lined up with the Eagles, on which Bentley and his agents, as legend has it, reneged before signing with the Browns. There’s no reason to think that Bentley’s agents haven’t done the same thing in this specific case.

Second, though Vikings coach Brad Childress was no longer with the Eagles when the team made a run at Bentley, Childress had graduated to the Vikings not long before the 2006 free agency period opened. And that means that the Eagles had likely focused on Bentley before Childress left, and that Childress was privy to the internal reasoning that prompted the Eagles to decide that it would be prudent to pursue him.

Again, it’s all speculation. But at the same time, it makes sense. The Vikings would love to find the long-term successor to Birk, and Bentley (if healthy) gives them a very viable option.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=SmootSmack;452476]I thought I heard that one reason Bentley asked for his release is that he wants to play Guard.[/quote]

Wow. In that case I'd REALLY like to have him. If he's healthy he could push Kendall for time this year, and he'd be a great insurance policy for Rabach. IMO it would make sense to make a move for him, albeit an incentive-laden one given the injuries. But his body is a young 28 since he basically hasn't played for two years.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[QUOTE=steveo395;452471]I would like to have Bentley, but I know he is drawing a lot of interest, (according to Adam Schefter) so he's probably want to go to a team where he has a better chance of starting.[/QUOTE]He WOULD have a chance of starting here, but not at Center. Kendall is on a deal with no bonus, and if Bentley passed a physical, he could be a clear upgrade at that position for us. Plus, it would push Rabach at Center also AND give us a better backup C solution than Jansen.

I would pay him up to 2 million per season to sign here, or exactly what Rabach is making. If someone breaks the bank for him and he signs elsewhere, then whatever. But like DJ Hackett, it doesn't hurt to try to bring him in.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=skinsfan_nn;452477]PFT.com

BENTLEY TO MINNESOTA?
Posted by Mike Florio on June 11, 2008, 9:59 p.m.

I had a looong day with the law gig and an even longer night at the little league field, and I’m getting a chance right now to take a peek at the extremely fine pinch-hitting efforts of MDS and Josh Alper.

And, of course, I’m exercising my prerogative to chime in with my own half-assed musings regarding matters on which they’ve already written.

This first one isn’t a scoop, just semi-educated speculation. Center LeCharles Bentley, who was released earlier on Wednesday by the Browns, could be the next starting center of the Minnesota Vikings.

Before going any farther with this one, I need to be clear. It would be a huge mistake for the Vikings to dump Matt Birk in favor of Bentley. Bentley is damaged goods, and Birk is a bona fide leader in the locker room.

With that said, it’s fairly obvious that the Vikings are planning for life without Birk, who is signed through 2008. And the best way to make the transition would be to bring in Bentley right now, sign him to an incentive-heavy deal with per-game roster bonuses, and give him a chance via training camp and the preseason to make Birk and his $5.32 million salary an unnecessary luxury for 2008.

Here are the two other factors that have caused me to connect the dots in this specific way. First, Bentley’s agents surely had something else lined up before asking out of Cleveland. Otherwise, Bentley would be using the remainder of the offseason workouts in Cleveland to persuade another team to become interested. Remember this — Bentley’s agents, as legend has it, had a pre-free agency deal lined up with the Eagles, on which Bentley and his agents, as legend has it, reneged before signing with the Browns. There’s no reason to think that Bentley’s agents haven’t done the same thing in this specific case.

Second, though Vikings coach Brad Childress was no longer with the Eagles when the team made a run at Bentley, Childress had graduated to the Vikings not long before the 2006 free agency period opened. And that means that the Eagles had likely focused on Bentley before Childress left, and that Childress was privy to the internal reasoning that prompted the Eagles to decide that it would be prudent to pursue him.

Again, it’s all speculation. But at the same time, it makes sense. The Vikings would love to find the long-term successor to Birk, and Bentley (if healthy) gives them a very viable option.[/quote]
If this stuff is true sounds like the best bet is to let the Vikes take Bentley and wait for Birk to get cut then make a run at him.

re: Backup center discussion
 

ahhhh soooo

the prophecy has come to fruition

re: Backup center discussion
 

Lecharles Bentley pre-injury was very, very good. I'd like to get this guy.

re: Backup center discussion
 

Yeah he was very good before he had 2 knee surgeries.

He's worth looking at but he's probably going to want to go to a team where he can compete for a starting job. I don't think the starting center job here is up for grabs.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;452506]Yeah he was very good before he had 2 knee surgeries.

He's worth looking at but he's probably going to want to go to a team where he can compete for a starting job. I don't think the starting center job here is up for grabs.[/QUOTE]

He "was" good before his injuries, but what can he do now. I don't think he is worth the risk. I say give Rhinehard and Crummey the chance to win a job.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;452506]I don't think the starting center job here is up for grabs.[/QUOTE]

if we can get bentley, it should be. i like casey and i think he could compete with bentley, if not beat him outright. but when casey got hurt this year we had nobody. and now jansen is supposed to back him up??? what if they both get hurt? again.


[QUOTE=Crash;452506]He "was" good before his injuries, but what can he do now. I don't think he is worth the risk. I say give Rhinehard and Crummey the chance to win a job.[/QUOTE]

i hope they both do. but neither of them are centers.

re: Backup center discussion
 

My take is why create a controversy when there's no glaring need at center?

We need a backup, not another starter.

Re: Backup center discussion
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;452519]My take is why create a controversy when there's no glaring need at center?

We need a backup, not another starter.[/QUOTE]

AGREED!!!

Re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=Mattyk72;452519]My take is why create a controversy when there's no glaring need at center?

We need a backup, not another starter.[/quote]

What I'm most frustrated about is that we didn't take either Justice or Pollack in the draft. Much like we did with receivers, the Colts took both of the best centers available. It's definitely a spot we could have taken a center at without much problem. We still would have gotten Brooks.

Re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=Mattyk72;452519]My take is why create a controversy when there's no glaring need at center?

We need a backup, not another starter.[/quote]

Except for the fact that he's had knee injuries and everyone against taking him is saying he's damaged goods. Damaged goods screams back up role. So....sign him as a back up and tell him with coach Bugels help he may challenge for the Guard or Center spot. Either way it pushes our current players, puts the best man on the field, allows him to challenge for a starting role with a team (cough,cough) who is making a run to go deeper into the play offs, and he gets the best trainer in Buges. Buges has a way of taking people who have been written off by teams and making them Pro Bowl players...ie; Samuels. am I wrong?

I don't know the guy well enough to make an informed decision but....if we need O-lineman then it would be crazy for the HC and the owner to not take a look at him and see if they can under cut the other competition out there for a position everyone knows we need more people at.

It never hurts to make a phone call and see what he's requesting. All we as fans get are the rumors. and who knows maybe in his mind he's a starter and wants to play. good for him. can't hurt to call and see what the asking price is and if it's with in reason see if he would like to be a skin training with the best.

Re: Backup center discussion
 

I'm all for giving this guy a look as a backup don't get me wrong. If the price is right and he understands the role he would be coming in to that's great. I just don't agree with giving him starter type of money and opening up a competition at center.