Anyway, I don't know if you can factor in Savage and Crennel into an opinion about releasing Bentley. He clearly wasn't happy earning a spot and asked for the release. It would be pointless to leave a disgruntled player on the team.

Whether or not he is healthy enough to play is such a huge if, which I don't think the Browns can gamble with at this point.

And I wouldn't think Bentley was just unhappy about the prospects of being a backup. I don't think he liked the idea of making "only" 600k this year, even though that's the contract he agreed upon.

However, if I'm Crennel or Savage- I'm looking to test his skills after being off for two years. He's not been in pads yet, not been hit, and without having to pivot and dig in – they don;t know if he is really fully healed. Understandably, being able to run and perform tasks on an open field without equipment, and without impact from opposing payers is one thing. Having all the heart in the world cannot overcome the physical challenge if he cannot perform at his previous skillset level.

Consider there's the team liability – if he gets hurt during a team activity, then there's another year of liability for the Browns. If I'm Savage, I'm recalling this past year when the Browns had one of the lowest sack records in the league after week one, an offense that accomplished more than the previous 15 years, and tied for best record in the conference – all without Bentley.

This appears to me to be a no-brainer. Let's say Bentley's skills are good, but not justifiable enough at this point to displace Fraley. Will Bentley accept that, or will egos interfere with what's best for them team- and prehaps he gradually comes back, but isn't happy. Then you have a FAR worst scenario – a bad locker room which is like poison to any team.

The best scenario played itself out, the Browns are released from his contract with no hard feelings. None from the team, player or fans. We wish him well. If he does end up in the conference and plays well, there will always be the naysayers, and the "I told you sos". But no matter what the Browns do – second guessing team decisions has been common place since Red Right 88.

Really the scariest thing I see about the Bentley release is that the Steelers desperately need a center, because Hartwig and Mahan suck. If Bentley really physically can perform, which is again doubtful, and he goes to the Steelers, it would be a double ball tap from hell to Savage.