"We'll see where we are four weeks from now in terms of LeCharles passing a physical to get on the football field for practice or a game," Browns General Manager Phil Savage said just before the opening of training camp.

Bottom line: The Browns did not think that Bentley was ready to practice, so they urged him to continue his rehab so that he might be stronger if and when he does come back.

"He's not quite ready to put on equipment and go out there and practice on the football field with us," Savage said. "I think he and his agent would agree that he's not there to do that yet."

Bentley's agent, Jonathan Feinsod, said he and Bentley "couldn't be happier."

"Everybody is on the same page and excited about getting LeCharles back on the football field and helping the Browns win football games," Feinsod said.

Bentley tore the patellar tendon in his knee a year ago, then suffered a staph infection. He appeared headed toward another operation in June but canceled the procedure and shortly after said he would come back for camp.

The Browns gave Bentley an MRI exam on his knee yesterday.

"But we're going to push his physical off for another three or four weeks before he's declared as pass or fail," Savage said.

Savage also gave the team's side of the past week, saying that when Bentley's personal doctor, Joseph Warren, passed him on a physical, Warren said Bentley was "cleared to continue in football activities."

"That was somewhat vague," Savage said. "Until we got him here, there was no way of knowing what that means."

Bentley reported yesterday in good shape and spirits. Savage spent some time in the afternoon talking with Feinsod about the best way to proceed.

The Browns agreed to allow Bentley to continue working with a personal trainer. He will attend some meetings, but for the month he is rehabbing, he largely will be on his own.

"We're trying to maximize the potential of his rehab and return by allowing him to return to somebody he's comfortable with," Savage said.

"Everything's great," Feinsod said.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said he talked with Bentley last week for about 40 minutes, and Crennel was direct.

"He was in a good frame of mind and he said being a Cleveland Brown is important," Crennel said. "He wants to help this team win. My job is to try to be realistic, say this is a tough injury and you might not be able to make it back. Do you want to take the chance? He says he wants to take the chance and we're going to help him do that.

"Now, we're not going to be crazy about it."

Crennel said he was surprised when told that Bentley would attempt a comeback.

"Hey, things happen," he said. "Guys heal at different rates. ... I was surprised, but I wouldn't put it past him."

Center Hank Fraley hasn't talked to Bentley but heard about the comeback.

"I think just coming back from what he did to his knee would be a great feat for him," Fraley said. "It's tough for any guy, especially bigger guys, to come back from those type of injuries.