Schefter: Philadelphia Eagles sign Mike Bell to offer sheet
by JasonB on Mar 16, 2010 5:23 PM EDT
in News
86 comments
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Eagles have signed Saints' RB Mike Bell to a one year, $1.7 million offer sheet. His agent has confirmed this report.
Since Bell is a restricted free agent, the Saints now have seven days to match the Eagles' offer. Should they choose not to match, they would receive no compensation because Bell was tendered at the lowest level(right of first refusal). Bell earned about $540k last year, so $1.7 million would be a significant raise for a team already scheduled to pay RB Reggie Bush over $8 million next year & RB Pierre Thomas $1.6 million(they may look to sign him to an even bigger long term deal).
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Haha
I second that.
Cool… a new Eagle. And another one with a SB ring. Other than that… it doesn’t do much for me.
I’ll still be hoping for a solid RB draft pick.
Now I have to begrudgingly trade for him in Madden, too, which is a double whammy. I don’t want him, and I’ll have to give up something to get him.
Just give up Westbrook.
Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
I don't know what it is about your face,
[holds up fist]
but I just wanna deliver one of these right in your suck hole.
Wasn’t Bell a FB at one point? What are the prospects of Bell playing FB when Weaver is carrying the rock as a spell HB?
by andyreidswaistline on Mar 16, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Yay?
"That's what I love so much about this team. We have some warriors here. We have some guys who go out there and fight. That's the best thing about this team. No matter what happens, we just keep fighting. You have to love that."
He seemed good with saints and we have a very similar offence when healthy. He should do good I think a proven guy is a little better than a draft RB. Beside could we really land a great RB in draft?
I wasn't even a year old but I stayed up to be outside the Vet with my Dad and Mom when the Phillies won the World Series 1980.
by Christopher A on Mar 16, 2010 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
There’s no way they invest that much money in the RB position. Reggie Bush is already one of (if not THE) highest paid running backs, and PT is going to get second round tender money. Bell is an Eagle.
I am the people's troll :3™
Why?
Its a good move. We get a known RB that can provide some backup to McCoy.
Reid- Best Coach in Eagles History
McNabb- Best QB in Eagles History
This is the year
And now we wait...
Your move, Mr. Payton.
About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.
by IronHank on Mar 16, 2010 5:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I still like it...
I really like this guy. A lot…
I Am Better Than Jack Who Some Fool Thinks Is Better Than Asante (IABTJWSFTIBTA)
by DeSean10 on Mar 16, 2010 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Bell won't get the ball much
If you look at the offense the last 3 years, Reid has been pretty much dead even on 60/40 ration on pass/run:
2009: 975 plays, 384 runs (39%)
2008: 1056 plays, 427 runs (40%)
2007: 1047 plays, 421 runs (40%)
That is among bottom 1/3 of the league every year.
As for the No. 2 RB, Buckhalter had that job from 06-08 and here is what he ended up with in terms of touches:
2008: 102 touches (76 runs, 26 passes)
2007: 84 touches (62 runs, 12 passes)
2006: 107 touches (83 runs, 24 passes)
A large part of Buckhalter being used so much though was because the FB was almost completely nonexistent during that time period in Reid’s offense:
2008: 16 touches (4 runs, 12 passes)
2007: 23 touches (15 runs, 8 passes)
2006: 21 touches (5 runs, 16 passes)
Weaver changed that equation last year and was used alot:
2009: 85 touches (70 runs, 15 passes)
Basically Weaver replaced Buckhalter’s role in the offense last year and likely will do so again next year. Yeah if McCoy goes down the Eagles would be hard-placed to replace him but so would most NFL teams if they lose their starting back. Bell is a guy who is going to be used in short-yardage situations along with Weaver and as a change of pace guy. That’s it. Basically 2/3 touches a game and likely around 40 touches on the season if McCoy/Weaver stay relatively healthy.
Oh, so you’re psychic? How do you know the Eagles won’t do 50/25/25 like they did last year?
I don’t think we have any reason to believe Weaver will get more carries than Bell.
I am the people's troll :3™
It’s an interesting debate. Bell will probably take the short yardage carries Weaver got last year, but Weaver is definitely going to touch the ball more since he’ll catch a lot more passes.
I’m not saying one way or the other, but why does everyone assume Weaver will touch the ball MORE than he did last year, when last year was the most he (or any) fullback has touched the ball since Mike Alstott?
I’m thinking Shady gets 225 carries, Bell gets 80, and Weaver gets around 50.
I am the people's troll :3™
I said in another thread that I think Weaver will be used very similar to how he was last year. Maybe less carries, but a few more catches.
They didn’t sign him to the biggest FB contract ever to use him for just blocking. He’s going to be a part of the offense.
Maybe they use Bell a bit more in the running game to keep Weaver fresher but 80 carries mean 5 carries a game. Doesn’t sound like alot but it is in Reid’s system. Probably somewhere in between the 40 I think he gets and the 80 you suggested but closer to the 40.
I think he gets more than 5 touches. If Bell is the 2nd RB he'll get about 10
eff you we winning anyway
A.I. IS BACKKKKKKK
Give you 10:1 odds
That bell doesn’t get 160 touches this year even if McCoy/Weaver gets injured. That is creeping into starting RB territory at least clearly a split role.
Eagles
Just have never used their No. 2 RB going into the season that much under Reid although they got close a couple of times:
2000: Autry played alot (11 G, 136 touches) because Duce missed most of the year & only played 5 G.
2001: Buckhalter played alot in his rookie year as Duce’s backup and saw 142 touches in 15 G.
2003: Westbrook’s rookie year where the Eagles had the most equal distribution of touches with Westbrook leading at 144. Staley had 132 touches and Buckhalter had 136 touches. There really wasn’t a clear “No. 2” back that year because both Staley and Buckhalter saw a ton of time on 1st/2nd downs.
Reid has only used his No. 2 RB alot in 2 years on purpose and 1 more time when he didn’t have a choice because his starter went down early. Even then, no of these guys got to 160 touches.
That’s alot and means a RB is starting to creep into a starting role or is the starter who gets subbed out alot on certain situations (3rd down, short-yard, goalline).
As your resident New Orleanian Eagle fan I am pretty confident Bell is now an Eagle.
Saints don’t really need him. Hamilton will be ready to take his role and the Saints like him. That said, I like Bell. He isn’t gonna wow anybody, but he always seemed to get the job done this year (I watched a lot of Saints games). I’d still like to see us draft a RB, but I don’t mind this move at all.
Another ho-hum signing
Guy is basically veteran filler. Been kind of a curious offseason so far because the Eagles have basically played it pretty conservatively making some obvious resignings (Avant, Weaver), veteran depth guys (Jackson, Baskett, Bell), and a couple of roster moves.
I still can’t read whether this team thinks they are legit contenders in the NFC or whether it is really going to be a rebuilding/transition type year where they finish around that 8 to 10 win range.
Well, what they do with McNabb should be the ultimate sign. If they see this as a “rebuilding/transition type year” then they have to trade McNabb right?
If they think they’re legit contenders, then I suppose they have to keep him right?
Not really, we’ve been hearing this and the opposite for quite some time now…
by notfromphilly on Mar 16, 2010 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
BZZZZZ
There will be a lot of drop of from McNabb to Kolb.
You heard it here first.
Reid- Best Coach in Eagles History
McNabb- Best QB in Eagles History
This is the year
Insert sarcasm here. Reid has done a nice job of transitioning the core of this team though without really bottoming out.
What are you talking about? Do you realize every year since 2000, some national media idiot that writes about how the Eagles are in a re-building year?
Even if we switch out the most important cog in the machine, our QB, the Eagles are built to make the playoffs each year. It’s not necessarily going to happen each year, but I think we’re right up there with the Patriots, Colts, and Steelers with how well our franchises have been run in the last decade. Of course, we don’t have a Super Bowl to show for it, but we’re in a position to contend for it every year, and I’d rather have that and no rings than have a wildly inconsistent team from year to year.
I am the people's troll :3™
Please show me
Any national media guy had the Eagles in any kind of ‘rebuilding year’ from until after the ’07 season.
it's been said since '04
after we lost the super bowl…all the “window is closing” b.s.
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Mar 16, 2010 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought you were being deadpan.
I don’t think anyone would really attempt to argue with you that Andy Reid doesn’t intend to build a team that wins (at least better than .500 and a playoff contender) every year since he has been the coach.
From a Saints fan in South Jersey
Honestly i don’t see the Saints matching the offer. He’d be due close to the same amount as Pierre Thomas and he’s definately not the same caliber player. I’m a bit of a closet Eagles fan and I wouldnt mind seeing Bell in green.
hell yes
for one year this is an amazing signing .. we dont have an everydown back .. so bell can be the first down guy .. and mccoy can be the third down scat back .. now if we just draft lagarett blount .. and thats a good back field!
by jack is better than asante on Mar 16, 2010 6:19 PM EDT reply actions
Saints fan here who likes Bell
He had a pretty respectable season last year. He kinda fell off towards the end of the season, but that was later reported to be due to a nagging injury. We were really impressed by him at the beginning of the season when he was doing most of the work while PT Cruiser was injured. I’d rather the Saints keep him, but I doubt they will. He’s a hard runner who seems to really like hitting people. I think he’d be an excellent complement to McCoy, provided the Eagles O-line gives him some decent blocking.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
Thanks for that
You gotto be careful around here. If the Eagles don’t sign a marquee free agent the fan base goes buck wild and cries about the FO… I think we can all relax tha the’ll be our THIRD RB
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
by Joe_D on Mar 16, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i disagree
i think this guys better than mccoy .. mccoys not an everydown back either .. and atleast bell can hit a hole
by jack is better than asante on Mar 16, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
They go "buck wild"
Because Reid and Co. do a shitty job. Mike Bell? Okay, I guess…
...But if he pulls the rug on his quarterback, Reid must do it knowing that he let McNabb down more than McNabb ever let him down.
Phil Sheridan--Philadelphia Inquirer
not a good move
like i said before this makes our rb core very mediocre….bell n mccoy, yea it just doesnt do it for me at all. So good tapp move but i dont like this at all…..I hope n pray we take 1 of the talents @ rb in late march…there are so many good young rbs who i could see being better than mccoy n bell
"You must be the change you wish to see in the World. "
"My greatest weapon is mute prayer."
"Whenever you are confronted with an opponent conquer him with Love."
Mahatma Ghandi
"When you smoke de erb it reveal you 2 yourself"
"Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction."
"Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold..."
-Robert Nesta Marley
by KolbErahasBegun on Mar 16, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
BREAKING...
Eagles traded Chris Clemons and a late round pick to the Seahawks for Darryl Tapp (spelling).
I’m on my iPhone so I couldn’t do a fanshot.
So long, Clemons.
by JimmyK on Mar 16, 2010 6:59 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Thank the sweet baby Jesus.
Clemons was a shithole pass rusher.
...But if he pulls the rug on his quarterback, Reid must do it knowing that he let McNabb down more than McNabb ever let him down.
Phil Sheridan--Philadelphia Inquirer
Agreed. Tapp has to be better than Clemons. A scarecrow would get more pressure.
by 92-74-99-96 on Mar 16, 2010 7:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I may be a day late and a dollar short, but
nice screen name.
Looking Mean in Kelly Green
by goodfella46er on Mar 16, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Simmons, White, Brown & Pitts! Remember the days when the entire D-Line was Feared?
Man oh man! You knew you had a shot to win every game with the way that D-line played. Then, Joyner started looking like the second coming of Lawrence Taylor before he hurt his knee. Then Byron Evans with legs that looked like a safety’s legs would STAND a running back UP in the hole! How did a man with legs that skinny be as feared as he was. Then Willie Thomas came along and became the best outside LB in the game for several years with that speed. Eric Allen was second only to Dieon Sanders at CB and a guy named Ben Smith was a stud before getting hurt and giving way to “Toast” Izel Jenkins and Mini Mark McMillan!. But my favorite 2 were the safeties! My former classmate at Cheyney U RIP Andre Scat Man Waters! (Cheyney talk) Andre had more heart than the entire Eagles defense last year! And then Wes Hopkins would knock the snot out of a tight end trying that crap they do to the Eagles all of the time now. CAN WE BRING GANG GREEN BACK???? Body Bag game, Hit on the kicker! Cowboy CRUSHERS! The rebirth of the 1948-1949 back to back champions by SHUT-OUT defense! Match that D with this offense! WHEW!!
Tapp
Looked decent in 08. Looks like we keep getting younger. 31st pick in the second round in 06. I like the move.
For the Love of the Game
Bell is basically a Buckhalter type downhill runner, only without the pass catching. Buckhalter averaged 5 carries a game and Bell will probably do the same.
Now we just need someone who knows how to run block on the offensive line.
What's more...
Joe_D’s stalwart endorsement of how Donovan should be the QB of the present and future, or EvilBanner’s unbridled enthusiasm for the exceptional job of the current head coach and front office?
Kidding aside, Buckley had 15 carries for 44 yards last year, with 0 receptions. Bell will only only see the field if there is an injury. But, as Bye Dawk pointed out somewhere (based on tackling stats), it doesn’t seem like Bell plays teams, and you would expect your 3rd string RB to be a key contributor on PR and KR coverage. Assuming the Eagles do sign him, look for him to be a ST starter.
Well
We’ll use Mccoy and Weaver more then him. So technically he isn’t the third string RB, but hes the third option in the backfield.
i view it as...
a poor mans j.jones/m.barber backfield….mccoy for most of the game and pound the rock w/ bell at the end of the game to completely tire out the defense.
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Mar 16, 2010 8:43 PM EDT reply actions
I kind of see it the opposite. Bell would be used to pound the ball and grind out tough yards with Weave, while McCoy can be a change of pace/scatback type and used gradually more as the game progresses. We’ll see though…
by notfromphilly on Mar 16, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
you're talking bout
the thunder and lightning approach. i think that would be awful for the eagles, andy sucks at running that style offense. He can’t handle juggling 3 backs. When westbrook came back from injury, mccoy’s production dropped. The rotation looked awful.
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Mar 16, 2010 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Duce was a #1
on his own, and was rotating. You’re gonna compare that talent to what we had last year, or what we’ll have this year? The roatation won’t be the same. And even if you do, he did a terrible job of it at the end of last year. We don’t have the same coordinators helping him. You’re talking 6 seasons ago, im talking the last 6 games.
"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."
by greenbean#twoOH on Mar 18, 2010 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm content with this
I kinda like Bell when I watched him play and as long as he doesn’t get injuried during the season he could definitely be productive. I wonder if that means we let go of Buckley? Thats a shame, I had high hopes for him.
In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt
good backup
I think this is a great pickup to back up mccoy.
by bgn has some f'd up ppl on Mar 17, 2010 10:14 PM EDT reply actions
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