http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/Miami/WWHI/2008/wwhi011609.htm The fact that it's taken so long for the Dolphins to work out a deal for free-agent SS Yeremiah Bell has come as somewhat of a surprise. Talks were swirling around South Florida even before midseason that the club was looking to lock down the enforcer in its secondary, yet the amount of time it's taken lends itself to the theory that the Dolphins haven't convinced themselves that Bell's worthy of a big-money deal.
Bell is a difference maker, WHEN HE IS OUT THERE! We have to resign Bell. We have to. But as for the "big money" hes not worth a 3 or 4 year deal worth big money because of his duribility concerns. Im hoping a 2 year deal for a decent amount. 2 years. thats it.
IMO, we will have a Secondary Rebuild on the way, I'd like to keep YBell though, he led us in tackles, but the downside is, this is his first 16 game season in years.
I think the FO looks at him as a solid player, great work ethic and can defend passes and tackle quiet well. His age is the question mark, do they spend big money on him for the short term, yes, does bell want a short term deal, i doubt it, not given his age and injury problems and time he's been making money in the NFL, he proved himself and wants his money now, for the long term/remainder of his career. The time length of this deal would be my guess of why the two sides haven't come together. My guess is Bell ends up taking a short term deal in order to stay on a team on the up and up.
Drew Rosenhaus "his agent" has said over and over how much YB wants to stay a Dolphins and that he is in talks with Miami about YB. Drew was just on www.wqam.com two days ago saying he didn't think anything would happen tell around the 9th of february or after the 27th of february when teams can start to operate with the 2009 salary cap.
I would have no problem even tagging him... He'd be worth it! That's a good deal for both sides in that it's only one year.
The only issue with this is that it doesn't really make the players all that happy. Sure they get money that is considered top 5 for that position but it's only a 1 year deal.
He led us in tackles cause Crowder and Adele suck!!! Your safety should NEVER lead the team in tackles.
Bell is valuable to this secondary because the rest of the group is mediocre to weak and he is certainly head and shoulders better than the others...Problem is that he's certainly not elite as safeties go.... Given his age and injury history, I don't see us breaking the bank to keep him. I do think something will be worked out, because having him here means one less hole to fill on the squad.... He's got a couple of good years left, barring injury so we'll just have to hope....
