Philadephia Inquirer reporting Eagles will sign LeCharles Bentley...

[wilbur58z]

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/breaking_news/14004579.htm

The Eagles will have to wait a few more days, but it appears as if their first big free-agent signing of the off-season is going to be LeCharles Bentley, the Pro Bowl center from the New Orleans Saints.

According to a source close to the center, Bentley's interest in joining the Eagles is so strong that only the delay in the free-agency period prevented the move from happening today.

[Eastlove]

That would suck.

[Eagles_Legendz]

Bentley is a very good center. It's a good first step to revamping the line. IF they can add Hutchinson and Bentley, to go along with Andrews, Thomas, and Herramans/Hicks, I think they should have one of the best OLines in football, but it won't be useful unless they decide they want to run the ball.

[eagles78]

That would be awesome.:cheers:

[Goaldeje]

That's a great pickup if it happens. Bad news for us :(

[thespaniard]

Bentley is a very good center, but is an even better RG. The eagles would be smart to move him to his more natural position if possible. Either way great signing for them though...

[thespaniard]

BTW Bentley is NASTY. Here's a quote from a couple years ago:

"When you take a man, a grown man, and you put your hands in the middle of his chest and bend him back to a point where you hear him scream, when he starts screaming like a little girl, you put his head in the dirt. And then you look up and you see Deuce, all you can see is McAllister 26 stiff arming somebody 20 yards down the field breaking a 40 yard run and scoring. Then you get up and just look at (the blocked defender), and you know damn well when he gets to the sideline, he's getting cussed out. And you know his mama, his wife and his kids were watching him on that play and you just manhandled him. That's the best feeling."

[dockeryfan]

Bentley is a very good center, but is an even better RG. The eagles would be smart to move him to his more natural position if possible. Either way great signing for them though...
Yes. Jamal Jackson looked OK at center.
Is a better run blocker or pass blocker?

[thespaniard]

Good at both, but better at run blocking. He is a road-grader...

[JMac]

I watched Bentley during the Pro Bowl challenges and that is one freakin strong man! He bench pressed 224 something like 44 times and lost to Larry Allen by 1.

[dockeryfan]

Good at both, but better at run blocking. He is a road-grader...
Kind of my point. The Eagles will need him more for pass protection.

If the Eagles assemble a good run blocking line, eg Andrews, Bentley, Jackson, and don't use them for running, Reid is a class A moron.

[Hooper]

Great player. But I'm curious: can he catch bounce passes?

[Y100Rocks]

centers aren't usually eligible recievers + mark brunell over mcnabb? = I not to worried

[Westbrook36]

God, he is great and he is young! I hope this is true. My hopes are way up. :(

[dockeryfan]

God, he is great and he is young! I hope this is true. My hopes are way up. :(
Mine would be as well. He's pretty damn good.
Probably move Jackson to G the more that I think about it.

[Westbrook36]

http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news99/pack101005.l.jpg

Thomas
Hicks
Bentley
Andrews
Herremens

Shoot, Mahe could run for 1500 behind that line!

[Number5]

http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news99/pack101005.l.jpg

Thomas
Hicks
Bentley
Andrews
Herremens

Shoot, Mahe could run for 1500 behind that line!


That is a pretty good line there. When Bentley does in fact sign on Monday, do you think that it marks a shift in offensive play calling now? I mean, with Reid acknowledging that he has to run more combined with the fact that he does have two talented RBs now, could they become, dare I say, a "finesse running team"?

[dockeryfan]

http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news99/pack101005.l.jpg

Thomas
Hicks
Bentley
Andrews
Herremens

Shoot, Mahe could run for 1500 behind that line!
I bet Jackson would be a better G than Hicks.

[dockeryfan]

That is a pretty good line there. When Bentley does in fact sign on Monday, do you think that it marks a shift in offensive play calling now? I mean, with Reid acknowledging that he has to run more combined with the fact that he does have two talented RBs now, could they become, dare I say, a "finesse running team"?
I'll believe it when I see it. Seriously.

[Westbrook36]

I bet Jackson would be a better G than Hicks.

Jackson can't stay healthy though. Hicks would be the weak link of that line.

I wonder if Andy has a ridiculous master plan of adding someone like Lendale White with pick 14 behind this crazy run blocking line.

Hmmmm.

[dockeryfan]

Jackson can't stay healthy though. Hicks would be the weak link of that line.

I wonder if Andy has a ridiculous master plan of adding someone like Lendale White with pick 14 behind this crazy run blocking line.

Hmmmm.
I would be shocked.
But it would improve the team without a doubt.

[Number5]

White at 14 would be a hell of a pick, but considering the fact that they already have Moats and Westbrook, there wouldn't be enough pigskin to go around.....then again, I thought the same way about the 3 headed monster......and look at the success that was!

[Westbrook36]

I don't want White. I think you can get a Mike Anderson and not have to give up the high draft pick.

I want only two players at 14. Vernon Davis or Broderick Bunkley. Period.

[Number5]

I don't want White. I think you can get a Mike Anderson and not have to give up the high draft pick.

I want only two players at 14. Vernon Davis or Broderick Bunkley. Period.


You and Vernon Davis.....lol

Mark my words bro.......CHAD GREENWAY!

[Westbrook36]

You and Vernon Davis.....lol

Mark my words bro.......CHAD GREENWAY!

Why draft a WLB (who only did 17 reps) when Heckert said that he'd "be surprised if McCoy doesn't turn out to be great).

0 chance, my man. Bunkley is the pick if he's there!!!

[dockeryfan]

I don't want White. I think you can get a Mike Anderson and not have to give up the high draft pick.

I want only two players at 14. Vernon Davis or Broderick Bunkley. Period.
Get VD!

[tr1]

Get VD!
:laugh:
I remember when we had VD...Vernon Dean.... :laugh:

[Number5]

Why draft a WLB (who only did 17 reps) when Heckert said that he'd "be surprised if McCoy doesn't turn out to be great).

0 chance, my man. Bunkley is the pick if he's there!!!

Very true, even though I'm not a McCoy fan at all....I would rather see the team sign Witherspoon or Peterson, hell I'll even take Sahwn Barber back.....but I'd still like to see Greenway because of his potential. Holmes wouldn't be a reach either, but Bunkley would fit in really well also.

[Arsenic]

Would the Eagles be looking to use him at gaurd? I thought they already had a pretty good center in Fraley.

I'm always making trades for Bentley in video games -- he's usually rated in the 90's and his salary is pretty cheap. However, I havn't heard that much about him in real life.

[Number5]

Would the Eagles be looking to use him at gaurd? I thought they already had a pretty good center in Fraley.

I'm always making trades for Bentley in video games -- he's usually rated in the 90's and his salary is pretty cheap. However, I havn't heard that much about him in real life.


Fraley would be sent packing. He is in the last year of his contract, coming off an injury and makes 650,000. Jackson will be Bentley's back-up and probably work out a little at G as well.

[thespaniard]

I'm always making trades for Bentley in video games -- he's usually rated in the 90's and his salary is pretty cheap. However, I havn't heard that much about him in real life.

Theres not that much to hear about a Center in real life, but here are some of the few things out there:

2002 SI Offensive Rookie of the Year (as RG)

2 Consecutive Probowls as a Center last 2 years

[kreitmaster]

Certainly good news for McNabb and the O.