Free Agent Focus: SS Yeremiah Bell
Yesterday at the Combine, Dolphins Head Coach Tony Sparano said that he doesn’t foresee the team re-signing hard hitting Strong Safety Yeremiah Bell (6-0, 205) before free agency begins. Although there’s a lot of talk amongst Jets fans about about Ravens safety Jim Leonhard … what about Bell? From a quick look, he seems to be a productive player (although he was injured at the start of the 2007 season) and he led his team with 120 in tackles in 2008 … which from the safety spot is no small feat.
Our old friend Matty I over at The Phinsider was kind enough to answer some questions about pending Dolphin free agent SS Yeremiah Bell:
Stopping the run is Bell’s specialty. That’s what he does. And that’s why he led the Dolphins in tackles in 2008. He’s a run-stopping strong safety who can either act as the eighth man in the box or drop back into coverage to defend the tight end. But if he’s asked to cover a receiver for some reason, that’s when he’ll struggle. He has a knack for breaking up passes at big moments, though.
He’s a solid tackler who can really lay the wood when the opportunity arises (as you saw on Brett Favre’s final career play). And truth be told, Bell is probably the player Dolphin fans, including myself, want back the most. And if he ever ended up in a Jets uniform, it would be tough to swallow. In my opinion, he’s among the game’s best strong safeties and will only get better – despite his age – because he’s still relatively inexperienced.
A safety that plays like a linebacker? Gee that sounds familiar ..
The problem with Bell is that he might be the headliner for this year’s class of safeties, meaning he’s looking to get paid and the Dolphins couldn’t pony up top dollar. He’ll also be 30 when the season starts. Though he’s familiar with the division, has succeeeded in a Parcells system (a plus for Tannenbaum) and does exactly what the Jets need, defend the run very well, allowing Rhodes some room to range. Leonhard might be the first target for the Jets due to the bang for the buck, but Bell seems like a good fit should the Jets decide to go after him.
Thanks to Matty for taking the time!!! Keep up the great work!
6 Responses to Free Agent Focus: SS Yeremiah Bell
-
He is a nice player but I would much rather have Leonhard from Baltimore. It sounds like Bell would like to collect some major bank for his 2008 season so we can probably get Leonhard for cheaper and he knoes the system like the back of his hand
-
Freeman24 says:
I’ve seen other articles saying we need a coverage guy at safety to free up Rhodes to be creative and unpredictable. Not sure which side of that discussion I’m on.
Cimini wrote today the Jets are getting a 3rd rounder for Vilma regardless of whether he signs, is that correct? Everything I’ve read was only if he signs before being a FA.
-
Fred says:
Freeman if Vilma signs before the deadline then we’d get a 2nd rounder and the Giants would get a first rounder (Shockey), so that is definitely not going to happen.
If he doesn’t sign with the team before the deadline then we get a 3rd rounder.
-
I think we also give up a pick to NO this yr. I think we get NO 3rd and we give then a 4th?/ Not positive but I think we def give them something back
-
Nick says:
I don’t know why everyone continues to want to spend money in free agency. There’s several strong safeties to covet in the draft.
Stops the run (important) and COVERS THE TIGHT END (amazing)