It took two months, but former Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell has found a new team.
Bell signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Jets on Friday, according to ProFootballTalk.com.There he will have an opportunity to push 2011 starter Eric Smith for playing time. Smith struggled mightily last season. Bell will be a good addition in run support but isn't much of an upgrade in pass coverage.
The Dolphins released Bell in March to avoid paying the 34-year-old the $4.3 million salary he was due in 2012. He also probably didn't fit schematically, as the Dolphins' new coaching staff has hinted that they would be using interchangeable free safeties as opposed to a strong safety like Bell.
Bell was a popular player and a team captain in Miami, and his release was not well-received with the fans. The fact that he signed with a division rival won't taste good either.
He will get a new opportunity to contribute to a top-10 defense in New York. He'll join Smith and former Redskins safety LaRon Landry in the team's center-backfield. The Jets are still expected to be in the mix for a playoff spot after missing out last year in a season mired in poor offensive play and locker room turmoil.
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