Falcons A Possible Destination For Yeremiah Bell?

by Dave the Falconer on Feb 8, 2009 8:00 AM EST in Falcons News Comment 3 comments

While we're rapping about potential free agents that the Falcons could pick up, let's go with an extremely unlikely choice: current Miami Dolphins SS Yeremiah Bell.

Chalk this one up as something that would solve one of our clear draft needs before the good Comrade ever pushes the rookie button. Bell is solid in coverage, tackles well and isn't ancient at 30 years old. It's not a great market for safeties and it'll be evenweaker if the Dolphins do what's expected of them and ink Bell to an extension, but he's a guy who has the skillset necessary to succeed at strong safety.

No offense to Lawyer Milloy, but the Falcons must upgrade at the position somehow this off-season. Milloy is still a good veteran presence and remains effective against the run, but his age is evident in coverage and he's not likely to suddenly improve. Bell would provide that upgrade without breaking the bank. I could still see the Falcons rolling the dice on somebody like William Moore in the draft, but I'm a huge fan of addressing needs with upside guys that come at a reasonable price out of free agency as well. Maybe Bell could provide that for us.

Thoughts on Yeremiah was a Bellfrog?

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...Was a Good Friend of Mine

I agree on the need for an upgrade in the middle of the secondary, and I am on record as saying that I am not impressed with the top-tier secondary talent that we might get at 24 or 55 (guessing at our 2nd round position). That said, I know nothing about Bell, and that makes me wonder at how a guy could get to be 30 in the NFL without me knowing anything at all about him (I like to think I’m as well-informed personnel-wise as your average small-college professor with a day job).

Cheap upgrades are always the best — except when they just look like upgrades but turn out to be stiff semi-pro ballers who had a decent contract year.

Count me as skeptical.

by OkieFalcon on Feb 8, 2009 3:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

As of today I think we should bring back Milloy. Then draft another SS in 3rd or 4th and cross our fingers.

Falcon Fans UNITE!

by Blue Falcon on Feb 8, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bridging the Gap

Bell has an AMAZING story. He played multiple sports in high school, but he didn’t receive any scholarship offers. After high school, he worked for two years in a steel mill for $8/hr.

He walked on at EKU. He was drafted in the 6th round in ‘03 (so he’s only been in the league for five years). He will be 31 in March, so he isn’t a long-term solution, but he could help us “bridge the gap,” so to speak. He has a great story, but so did Chris Weinke, and we all saw how quickly his skill set declined.

Bottom line: I’d like a workable, long-term option. He might not be it. But it’s an interesting idea. Props Dave … good looking out.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)

by FrankyWren on Feb 8, 2009 9:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs