Eagles Sign LT Demetress Bell
Posted: April 4th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 70 Comments »His name is Robert Paulson Demetress Bell. Apparently Bell settled for Demetrius for years, but his name is actually Demetress. I’m still Tommy, for those concerned. I also answer to hey you, pudding face, and pool boy.
The Eagles got Bell to sign a 5-year deal, but clearly that isn’t a full 5 years. He is here to start at LT for 2012. Anything beyond that is based on the rehab of Jason Peters. If JP gets back to full strength, then Bell becomes expendable. I’m sure the contract is one the Eagles can get out of, if needed.
Bell was the best LT on the market. He will turn 28 in a month so he’s still in the prime of his career. He has talent and athletic ability. The problems with Bell are durability and consistency. He only started 6 games last year. The Eagles need him for 16.
Consistency comes into play when you watch his tape. There are times when he looks really good and other times when he is pedestrian. Bell joins a good O-line. He’s now got a great OL coach. He’s got dynamic skill players around him. This is everything he could want in order to play his best football. And I do think Bell’s best football is ahead of him.
The Eagles now have a starter in place at LT. He’s a major drop-off from Peters, but that would be true of most starting LTs. Bell just needs to hold down the fort, so to speak. He’ll get plenty of help when the Eagles face DeMarcus Ware and guys like that.
The good side to this is that Bell now can go through workouts, mini-camps, and training camp with the other starting OL. The unit can build chemistry. That’s an important element to a successful O-line. Guys have to see the same things and make the same mental adjustments. If the LT and LG go for the same blitzer, someone is unblocked. It takes time for players to really get on the same page like this. Time, for once, does seem to be on the Eagles side.
Keep him healthy and let’s see what Bell can do.
I’ve posted it a couple of times, but for those who want another look, here is Bell in action.
And…we are back to BPA at 15 assuming that the board and value are right at 15 otherwise we trade back…..yadda yadda yadda.
For anyone interested, my real name is Thunderlips, but that Disqus name was taken, so I went with Thunder_lips. If I am ever signed by the eagles (hey Howie, do you need a 6′-3″ speed demon with a cannon attached to his right shoulder?) I’ll update my name accordingly.
The Eagles = Ellis Island.
Juqua Thomas/Parker.
Will Peterson/James
Demetrius/Demetress
Didn’t one of the OL go hyphenated for a year before going back to the original name? Or am I thinking of Juqua here?
Next thing you know, Dominique will be forced to choose Rodgers or Cromartie.
William / Tra Thomas
Ah yes. That’s who I thought it was, but then I thought maybe I was just confusing my Thomases.
I like it. No, he’s not the greatest LT ever, but as a fill in for JP, he’ll do. And it gives the Eagles options.
Very nice. Say what you want about Howie’s drafting ability, but the man knows how to work free agency.
I agree. JP goes down and the front office went right to work, quickly signing the best available player to a workable contract. You can’t ask for more than that.
The guaranteed money is what will be important, but so far, the details of Bell’s deal are 5 years 35 million. That is a big contract.
Will be very interesting to see real details.
One question the contract raises, if the deal is guaranteed beyond one year (it certainly will not be for all 5 years, but it is possible it is guaranteed for the first two), what other positions can Bell play once Peters returns? If the guys stay healthy, there are no open spots, but hopefully Bell can back up more than just Peters depending on how long he ends up staying here.
maybe they figure if Bell works out and Peters is back next year, they can always trade Bell. mudd seems to make guys look good so maybe they get a cond 3rd round pick for Bell next year. that would be a perfect scenario i guess
The great part is they don’t have to worry about that any time soon.
What if — God forbid — one of the other linemen get hurt over the course of this year? Bell could replace Herremans, or Herremans could bump back to G (though that’s three OL making T money). Or if JP has a setback.
Much better to deal with a surplus of resources than a deficit. King as 6th man and Gibson 7th … everything looks so much better this way. Those guys are definitely going to play, OL always miss games.
One question the contract raises, if the deal is guaranteed beyond one year (it certainly will not be for all 5 years, but it is possible it is guaranteed for the first two), what other positions can Bell play once Peters returns? If the guys stay healthy, there are no open spots, but hopefully Bell can back up more than just Peters depending on how long he ends up staying here.
I’m just glad this is over now and we can focus on the draft…I am sure this is the final nail in the coffin though for Asante. This move took cap space they didn’t plan on. Asante’s 8mil hit sure looks enviting to move!!! Bell is not Jason Peters, but he’s better than King. If he gets hurt for a few games, I trust King to fill in. Mudd will whip this kid into shape. Get is a$$ in the weight room too…9 reps at the combine…lol
Eagles had $15.6 M space before Dunlap and Bell. OT has become pricey for Philly this year figuring in Justice’s $1.9 M dead money.
True. Did you count Herremans’s extension too?
Then again, that’s a place where they don’t mind dedicating resources.
I figured this was going down once he tweeted that he had no more visits planned despite it being reported he was to visit Green Bay.
I’m very satisfied with this. Considering all of the other options, this was really the best move we could have made. I’m glad the Eagles realized the importance of this position and rectified it as soon as possible. Now we’ll have a healthy Demetrius Bell for all of OTA’s and minicamp.
Having it done quickly is nice. Also impressed that they beat out the Steelers, Packers, Redskins (and Cardinals) for his services.
Having all the draft options still in front of us is the best side effect of this though.
Funny comment on PFT:
marshawnlynchlookslikepredator says:
Apr 4, 2012 11:51 AM
And the Eagles continue their recent tradition of letting the Bills draft left tackles for them.
Good stuff.
Peters was undrafted but ok
Not my comment! Just copying.
replace “draft” with “develop,” then you can take the stick out and laugh.
When’s the magician coming on?
Feels good that they got this done. One less worry heading into draft. Surprised by the contract though.
Signed a LT replacement, strong backup, training camp competition and possible trade candidate in one fail swoop.
Good point on the possible trade candidate thing. If Bell performs and Peters comes back 100% then Bell would be good trade chip. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if Bell plays his best football under Mudd.
Tommy, random thought but perhaps an advantage to signing Bell to a 5 year deal could be that he plays well this year and becomes trade bait next off-season if Peters gets healthy. It is possible that Bell could be this year’s Evan Mathis and thrives in our system. Then all of a sudden he is a young athletic LT with a fairly reasonable price tag.
Im just glad that now we dont need to a draft a LT with any of our first 3 picks now.
Said yesterday that I was looking forward to Bell folding and signing here. Didn’t think it would happen this fast but I am certainly enjoying the prospect of having a wide open first round of the draft. Definitely looking forward to that.
Who are we going to take? Heard that Brockers will visit but as someone elsewhere pointed out he doesn’t fit Washburn’s scheme so it raises the question……… do they like Cox? 😛
It seems like up until the Peters injury, the plan was to draft a OT project. Does signing Bell and re-signing Dunlap make that impossible now? Seems like the only way we could fit another tackle on the roster is if Peters goes on IR.
I think you would have to be very optimistic to think that Peters could return this season. The Eagles could put Peters on the PUP list or there might be a new rule that allows teams to put players on IR for 8 games. The Eagles always add OL prospects in the draft. I just don’t think they’ll spend a high pick on one. I expect them to spend a 3rd to 5th round pick on a solid OT prospect
I like the signing I guess. Not many options.
My only real concern is Mathis….how much, if any, of his success last year was related to being next to Peters?
In other words, are two OL positions weakened with the loss of Peters?
Good point. I can’t imagine it hurts to be next to Peters.
However, if looking for counterpoints, while Bell is no Peters and Mathis is no longer playing next to JP, he is in his second year in the Eagles’ offense. Herremans is in his second year as full-time RT. And Kelce and Watkins are in their second years in the league, so it’s reasonable to expect improvement from the right side of the line, and maybe Mathis is a wash.
Why is my full name now being posted?
Fixed.
After getting over the “WTF?” after seeing 5 years, my immediate thought was that they hoped he thrived this year and they can trade him. I’m sure it’s also team friendly and they can get out of it in no more than 2 years.
If he really wanted to be a cool Philly guy, he would have gone with DeMetress. I am happy with the move, and I am confident the deal works for both team and player long term. Really, the only move not made I was hoping for was still snagging Hawthorne, but as long as they bring viable competition in the draft, I will be happy. Just curious from previous thread on your take on Cal WR Jones vs Sanu for us? Heard lots of positive feedback on Jones during SB but don’t like to take too much from that event compared to his production in college.
As for the 5 years aspect of the signing, I like it.
It gives the Eagles all the cards to use as they wish.
Is this going to effect the way we use Celek this season? I’d hate to go back to under-utilizing him in the passing game after he and Vick finally developed good chemistry last year.
Based on watching the KC-Bills cutup, it looks like Bell can handle premier pass rushers, he just has weird-looking technique sometimes. It’s said his weakness is in the run game.
So I’m assuming we wouldn’t have to keep Celek in on a lot of pass plays to help with blocking, but we might need to run that Clay Harbor kick-out-the-D-End trap jobby a lot still.
When we play the Cowboys, we should just use that play every snap, Ware seems to be surprised every time we use it
OFF TOPIC!
My hotel in Sanny Franny is apparently across the street from The Bleacher Report. I’m planning on enjoying the city while I’m here but if I break my leg I’ll be sure to set up camp and post if I see a hot new slideshow in progress. By the way, that would be the lamest remake of “Rear Window” ever… after “Disturbia” of course.
The slideshow update is crucial. We need info!!!
Eagles get Bell Rung
I want to throw a tomato at you.
McClane is saying on Twitter that only the first year is guaranteed, which if true, is awesome:
“Only the first of the five years Demetress Bell signed for is guaranteed in salary, per an NFL source. #Eagles can cut ties before 2013.”
At least Jason Peters isn’t playing for the Cowboys. One way to look at it.
interesting angle… we only signed King to a 1 year deal… if he leaves next year, Bell could become the next swing tackle for us. Play the same role that King did for the last 3 years (if i remember correctly). Sounds like we are only guaranteeing 1 of the 5 years, but that doesnt mean we HAVE to let him go after the guaranteed money is gone. Think thats a possibility, Tommy?
depends on the details of his contract, but it sounds like he might be a bit expensive for that role.
How much can you pay your swing tackle?
I don’t think it’s a forgone conclusion that he’s gone or trade bait after this year. He’s young … if he plays well, who’s to say we wouldn’t ditch one of the older OL? Although I guess they’re all under contract for a while so maybe he would be 6th man.
Glad that Peters can rehab and not push it if it’s not responding. Just get better, big man.
“His name is Robert Paulson- Demetress Bell”. HAAA!! Love the first line. I’m happy not just to have Bell in the fold as excellent insurance against Jason P’s recovery, but the timing is superb — this OL getting a full training camp together is invaluable.
Looks like the Eagles are putting their money under Demetress… HAY-O!
I like the signing, but I will admit when I saw that it was a 5-year deal my initial thought was “oh crap, Peters is out forever.”
King and Bell are going to battle vying for the starting position. If either of them can do some down field run-blocking, with good footing, it’d be a nice compliment for Shady’s breakout and allow Celek to possess more midfield actions. My question now is, what are we doing about 3rd downs and RZ situations?
We should have adequate rotations on defense, to remain healthy and fresh, in the second half and 4th QTR shut down. A few pieces from the draft, may be pivotal to fill in at CB/SAM/WILL/DT/DE.
Special Teams, PR/KOR units should also be in the works for improvements. Haven’t heard anything on Colt Anderson, how about u, Tommy?
The Eagles in Distress sign Demetress.
Not bad.
What about Rocky McIntosh for SAM if he’s cheap, cheap enough to bench if a rookie or Chaney beat him out? He’s probably an improvement over Chaney. Hawthorne is signed.
That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Hasn’t he been an ILB and our SAM is ILB-like? Is he athletic enough?
If that game is representative of the player Bell is. Then, Celek is directly affected. He will have to stay in and help out more. Which means another weapon effectively contained and or severely limited in his own capability. I watched the video more than once. He’s 2 steps down from Peters. He has the size, doesn’t run as well as he should. Not a mauler in the run game. He uses his hands a lot. I don’t know if that’s bad or good? In that game he wasn’t getting a lot of help and he was holding it down. But, I came away feeling like he has the potential to be a lot better. Not saying dominant. But, a lot better.
Lets see if he can grasp Mudds attack style technique before we jump to any conclusions.
He won’t be dropping back as much to protect. May work differently for him in an attacking style.
Off Topic……What about Blackburn as our SAM? He was able to cover in the SB..
He was able to cover a dude on one leg in the SB.
fixed
Hey Tommy – I am the Eagles ESPN superfan on the Football Today podcast and we are all doing a mock draft where each superfan drafts or trades piks for round one and two. I stayed put and Cox fell to me – I had a choice of him or Poe actually…went with Cox. Just wanted you to know that in our simulation your boy fell to us and I was happy to make him a mock eagle!
Still have 2 picks in round 2 of course – your scouting guidance has proven invaluable, thanks – I will keep you posted.
sitko
Tommy,
Off-topic, but what’s your opinion of some potential free agents next year like Glenn Dorsey? I would think he’s the type of DT that does not fit the current scheme, but would he be of interest?
I hope this signing lowers the probability of a massive reach for an OT prospect in the first round.
Now we just have to worry about them coveting mediocre prospect Ryan Tannehill and wasting first round picks on that guy.
This is completely off topic, but am I missing something with the audio release about Williams telling his players to injure the 49ers? Didn’t Williams already admit to this? Hasn’t the NFL already stated they have a lot of clear evidence that Williams had a bounty system? Why does this recording make the chances for Williams/Payton/Loomis/Vitt any worse or better? To me, it just seems to confirm what was already known and flat out admitted to.
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