Factory Of Sadness
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7 worst free agents signed by the Cleveland Browns since 1999

By Chad Porto

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 27: Defensive End John Abraham #94 of the New York Jets tries to get past tackle Ross Verba #77 of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at Giant Stadium on October 27, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Browns defeated the Jets 24-21. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 27: Defensive End John Abraham #94 of the New York Jets tries to get past tackle Ross Verba #77 of the Cleveland Browns during the NFL game at Giant Stadium on October 27, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Browns defeated the Jets 24-21. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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BEREA, OH – JUNE 16: LeCharles Bentley #57 of the Cleveland Browns during mini camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on June 16, 2006 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH – JUNE 16: LeCharles Bentley #57 of the Cleveland Browns during mini camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on June 16, 2006 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

LeCharles Bentley

LeCharles Bentley shouldn’t be on this list. He is, obviously, but he shouldn’t be. Bentley wanted to be a Cleveland Browns player for his whole life. Why wouldn’t he want to? He grew up in Cleveland. He went to the famed Cleveland high school football factory St. Ignatious.

He graduated in 1998 and went straight to The Ohio State to play football for John Cooper. He played and lettered all four years and was then a second-round pick by the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints took Bentley just three spots ahead of the Browns in the 2002 draft. Four years later, and two Pro Bowls at two different positions, Bentley was not just seen as the best offensive lineman available, but the best free agent available period.

He was the Belle of the Ball, and the Browns wanted him badly. He turned down the Philadelphia Eagles to sign a six-year, $36 million contract with the Browns. On the same day they landed Bentley, they signed long-time Browns fan and former Lake Catholic (in Mentor) great, Joe Jurevicius. This was the year the Browns put it all together. 2006 was going to be the team’s return to glory.

And then Bentley tore his patellar tendon on the first play of training camp. He then got a staph infection that ruined his knee and ended his career.

Bentley didn’t deserve that.

However, you sign a six-year deal, and you never play a snap? Yeah, that’s a bad investment.

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