Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Ex-Phins safety Bell struggling mightily to find team

BY SEAN DONOVAN

Yeremiah Bell's abrupt release in March was a surprising and somewhat unpopular move by Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland. And though many Miami fans didn't want to see the veteran go, other teams aren't exactly champing at the bit to sign Bell to their rosters.

Coming off perhaps his best statistical season where he was the team's leading tackler, the 2011 captain seemed to be an asset to Miami from a leadership standpoint, being the longest-tenured Dolphin in a young secondary. Still, the team felt he wasn't worth the $4.3 million he was due in 2012.

Bell, 34, has reportedly either visited or drawn interest from the Eagles, Jets, Patriots, Titans and Chiefs since his March 19 release. None of the teams have engaged in any known negotiations with Bell's agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

The Dolphins also reportedly haven't ruled out re-signing Bell down the road at a cheaper price, but Rosehaus has publicly denied that as a possibility.

Bell has recorded more than 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons and also has six sacks and five interceptions in that timespan. It would seem that the 2009 Pro Bowler still had something in the tank, but he hasn't impressed a team enough to draw a contract offer. Jeff McLane, an Eagles beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, reported via Twitter that the Eagles feel that Bell is 'done.'

At this point, it's clear Bell won't be signed to start anywhere and would only serve as depth or to push an existing starter to improve. If he remains unsigned, it would be a quick end to an honorable and productive career.

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