Demetress (yes, that’s how he spells it. Apparently, he just found out) Bell took over the tackle position in Buffalo after Jason Peters was traded to the Eagles back in 2009. Now, he’s going to be taking over for Peters again.
Bell and the Eagles have agreed to a five-year contract, that just has to be front loaded. I don’t know what the numbers are, but either this is a glorified one-to-two-year deal, or they really don’t think Peters will make a full recovery.
“Demetress was one of the top free agent offensive linemen available this year and we are happy to be able to add him to our squad,” Andy Reid in a statement. “We had a chance to meet him over the weekend and study him extensively on tape and we came away quite impressed with what we saw and heard. He’s a great athlete.”
Howie Roseman speaks too! Is he excited? I’ll bet he’s excited!
“Demetress is a guy we’ve followed since he joined the league,” said Roseman in a statement. “He’s a big, athletic left tackle and he has quite a few games of experience under his belt with Buffalo. He’ll excel with our style of play on the offensive line.”
Darn, he didn’t say the word “excited.” You can usually bank on that.
I’m curious to know what everyone is expecting from Bell. He’s been plagued by injuries and I’ll be interested to see how he plays with Michael Vick. Bell didn’t have to hold his blocks as long in Buffalo because Ryan Fitzpatrick tends to get the ball out on the quicker side (even when it’s to the other team). Oh, and they run way more. Vick, as we all know, is back there forever with no consistent drop back pattern.
This isn’t to say that Bell won’t work here. Not at all. It’s just going to be different, and I can’t make an apples-to-apples comparison about how his play in Buffalo will translate in Philly. I would say that maybe Reid will run the ball more (insert joke), but he wants to lighten McCoy’s workload and we all know that backup running backs don’t touch the ball in this offense until it’s time to throw a backwards/forwards pass at the goal line.
Well, regardless, Bell is a much better option than (name a lineman on the Eagles that would have filled in, and no not Herremans because you’d still have to replace him on the right side).
UPDATE: From Jeff McLane’s Twitter account: “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.”
I TOLD YOU ALL THIS SIGNIFICANT MOVE WAS COMING. MY SOURCES ARE UNREAL. DIDDY RULES.
Its really a one year deal. So that’s good. Think that’s the best option. Dunlop is often so slow getting out of his stance. He’s a decent backup, but the Eagles’ couldn’t go 16 with him manning one of the edges. I still think we’ll see the Eagles’ taking an OT at some point over the first 4.
Best line of the article: “Vick, as we all know, is back there forever with no consistent drop back pattern.” So true. But at the same time its always the oline’s fault.
Jon Hart is that you!!!
Micah couldnt resist the Ronnie Brown dig.That was the worst decision on a football field since i tried to imitate Ronnie Lott and gave myself a concussion hitting my own player.
I like this move….however Peters was the best LT in football so lets see how the offense looks mid-season with this guy. They will look sleek in there new Nike uni’s huh!?
4 picks in first 88…make it a good one!!!
NO IT’S DIDDY I AM SO GREAT. LOL
Alright enough clowning, great move eagles LET GO PHILLS OPENING DAY TOMORROW GENTLEMEN.
I’ve already planted the seeds of a call-out. I may need to go see the Doc.
Diddy…clowning is a must on here.Otherwise its Pauls mock drafts and Shill and Songs fighting about Kolb.
Go Phills
Schill….I agree that SOME things can happen. I expect Nate Allen will end up being a good NFL safety under Bowles coaching. I think Coleman and Jarrett are dead average at best. Sorry I just will not concede either one as an answer. Graham is a bust. I bet you dinner at Barclay’s that Graham does not have twenty sacks before he is out of football. I love Philip Hunt. My candidate for surprise player of the year. Dixon needs to pick it up and show a little more effort than last year. We counted on him big time and he came in out of shape and was hurt all summer. Chaney was another big disappointment. He just is not very bright and has poor instincts. Once again, fastest LB goes seventh round. Teams saw some obvious shit there.
Clayton sucks. They have given him every opportunity and he just can’t get it done. Mathews will carve out a career as a specialist and back up. Larry Izzo type of guy. Don’t see him as a good starter. I think DRC and Nnamdi will be fine. I am not freaking out any more than you are thinking everything will work out and that just doesn’t happen. You have to make it work out and I do not see the urgency.
jbird
April 4, 2012 – 3:33 pm
Schill…%Ryans did not make this a SB defense. It was a very good move if he stays healthy. He gives this defense a voice and a face. He is a defensive QB and we sorely needed that. But he does not significantly elevate the whole LB corps. Otherwise the Niners never really needed Bowman or Justin Smith, Willis could have just elevated the other scrubs because he is so good.
jbird
April 4, 2012 – 3:34 pm
Schill… I forgot to say I think Rolle will be surprisingly good. He plays with heart and drive. I see him as a future play maker with his speed and tenacity.
jbird
April 4, 2012 – 3:43 pm
Schill… you crack me up dude. I keep trying to cinvince you to cut your wrists with me and you just keep singing Zippity Doo Da with your green glasses. You do help me out some with your sunshine outlook but I just wish I could get you to be a little more critical.
the Eagles Front Office is doing a great job —– a must signing under the circumstances — Great job filling a void with not many choices ———- I really like how the Birds are handling their business this off season —— the only move I disagree with since the end of the season was retaining Juan Castillo
I told y’all we were going to sign Demetress Bell! I just knew it and I predicted it! When the Birds invited him after Jason Peters got hurt, I put 2 and 2 together and predicted that they will probably sign this young left tackle to replace him! I am a genius! I love myself! I know everything!!
I even knew his name was spelled Demetress even before he did! CROWN ME! I’m a genius! I know every move the Birds are going to make before the Birds even know!
“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.Per @Jeff_McLane”
This was a good move by the FO. If Peters rehab is going well, we can cut Bell loose, if not, we have Bell for as long as he is productive. Good move FO.
NO BIRDO I AM THE GREATEST, AND I WILL PROVE IT. I PREDICT THAT SAMUELS WILL BE TRADED ANYTIME BETWEEN NOW AND DRAFT TIME. COME ON WHO IS PUTTING OUT PREDICTIONS LIKE THAT. MY SOURCES ARE UNREAL.
Are you related to Jon Hart by chance BIrdo…
Also, I want to Nominate Pdiddy to the GCobb Hall Of Fame for correctly calling the Signing of D Bell…he is indeed a gentleman and a scholar…
(Schiller will not be invited to the ceremonies since he still believes that no one can predict a future event and that things just happen, because they happen)
So once again Paul’s speculation is proven to be dumb – 3 big OTs with big salaries – not a problem with the 2nd year being an option for the birds.
You have to be inactive for 6 months on the site to be in the HOF….Paul your first in line.
Times yours…
NO WAY PDIDDY! I AM THE GREATEST PREDICTOR ON THIS SITE!
I PREDICT THAT THE EAGLES WILL DRAFT SOMEBODY THIS YEAR IN THE 2012 NFL DRAFT!
You heard it here first! #showyaluv
DAMMIT YOU WIN!
Don’t worry pdiddy, go to nfl dot com and philadelphia eagles dot com — BOOM! Just gave you two of my reliable sources! #showyaluv
Paulman is the greatest, it happened just like he said it would only totally different.
Hey shout out to JH no hard feelings man just messin with you a little bit thats all. I have no probs with you man. Hey fellas I will get with you guys after the draft. I am taking a few weeks off from gcobb.com, hopefully the eagles will do the right thing peace fellas.
Pdiddy and Birdo you guys got me at work cracking up! my co-workers are looking at me like im crazy.
LMAO @ #showyaluv
Here is a prediction for you gentlemen:
This will the best season of the Andy Reid Era. Will get us a superbowl? I don’t know depends on the tenacity of the other top teams, but this team will be the best we have seen over the past 12 seasons.
Listen to what I say, the defense will dramatically move into top 5 range and the offense will roll into tope 3.
Its not all about Reid here boys, the ball is going to bounce our way this season, the sail is to our backs, and teams we play will be facing the head wins.
Don’t like my prediction, oh well. Just mark it down and give me my props when it happens. Best Reid TEAM, Best Reid SEASON. And if by some insane farce I am wrong, then I will apologize for my crazies to all the regulars on this site by name. But I will not need to though.
I would predict the SB but just to many variable, so I am sticking to being the best you can be, be among the best and let it ride from there.
My gut says SB though, but thats not a prediction.
As always LONG LIVE THE EAGLES, mark it down studs.
Monolith- Meh… I do think they’ll improve from last season. But Juan Castillo is still your Defensive Coordinator. Michael Vick will miss some games so that hurts also. If the Eagles can limit the turnovers and create more turnovers on Defense then your prediction would be correct sir.
Didn’t Mono gave the same Monolouge last offseason about the 2011 Season.
Just sayin’..
I suspect he’ll be here for the duration, if it was a one year deal they would have signed him to a 2-3 year contract not a 5. This is more a question of at least one of the interior linemen. Peters will probably recover, but this is good for next year in that if everything works out with healing injuries/lack of injuries Herremans goes back to LG Mathis goes to RG and Bell moves over to RT.
It would be a great position to be in to have 6-7 Quality LIneman..
Then some tough decisions would have to be made…
Now the Eagles Can focus back on DT,OLB,Safety,WR, FB, RB in the Draft..
They probably don’t even need to draft an OL this year with Guard Mike Gibson signed, Vandervelde in his 2nd Year, Zane Taylor under contract who will battle for back-up Centerr/Guard Spot..
A article I just read claims that the Eagles have Fletcher Cox as their number 1 target if they stay put in the 1st round.
ES Eagles 2012 Mock Draft 1.0
#15 Fletcher Cox DT
#46 Mychal Kendricks LB
#51 Brock Osweiler QB
#88 Brandon Boykin
#114 Nick Toon WR
#153 Vick Ballard RB
#172 Andrew Datko OT
#194 Ryan Miller OL
#200 Tommy Streeter WR
Micah is bringing the snark today. Every jab spot on, though.
Is there any way of blocking users. Tired of reading unintelligent writting from non-accredited writters.
Really like the 1st 2 Selections (though it’s a early for Kendricks who is 5-11 240lbs and is really an MLB and with the Eagles acquiring Ryans, they need to Draft a true SAM LB) .. Like WR Nick Toon a lot.. big target,great hands and strong work ethic and smart like his father Al was..
Not to be an jerk, but the rest of your picks I don’t like at all for the following reasons…
QB Osweiler is a major project that has a lot of mechanic issues to work on to be selecting at #51..This is a good Round too early (He’s Projected at #81 and at 6-6, has a very awkard throwing motion and a lot of footwork issues though he has a very strong arm) .
CB/Returnman Boynkin is coming off a broken leg and again, the 3rd Round is not a round to be taking a flyer on a guy to hope that he’s healthy.. He’s an exciting player for sure, but a broker leg, what’s that do to his speed and lateral movment, he’s only 5-10 182 lbs soaking wet and not much of a physical presence playing in the secondary, the Eagles have enough of these small but fast guys on their Defense already in my opinion
RB Vick Ballard is 5-10 219lbs bowling ball who is a straight north and south runner, but quick acceleation to make tacklers miss is also lacks in the blocking and receiving skills which is a must in AR’s Offense though he’s has a nose for the end-zone in red-zone,short-yardage situations..
Taking 2 OL when the Eagles now have 8-9 Quality OL under contract doesn’t make much sense to me… 4 Tackles under contract in Bell, Herreamans,DUnlap and Peterson, 6 Guards in Watkins,Mathis,Gibson,Vandervelde,Gibson and Zack Taylor along with Center Kelce
Remember the Eagles have no FB and could use another TE and Safety and even a DE before adding 2 more OL…
WR Streeter is big (6-5 and 220 lbs) but by adding Al Toon with the 114th Pick, again, don’t see the need and Streeter has some potential as he has work to do on his hands, getting in and out of routes and blocking as most young WR’s do.. He is projected at #180 and with his size and speed could very well go sooner and most likely not on the board at #200
Good stuff though ES, but Eagles need DT,OLB,SS,DE and CB on the Defensive side and FB,RB,WR & TE on the offensive end..
Good move by the fo, they are doing good stuff. Don’t know much about Bell, but he certainly has the right coach in Mudd, this really should be a good season for the Eagles. Cutting down on the ints, fumbles and penalties, should make for one helluva season, getting more excited by the day, can’t wait. GO EAGLES.
Paul no I did not say the same thing last season, you know I don’t make many predictions, don’t want break into your syndicate control (LOL). Nope never said it bro you have me confused.
I think the birds need a TE that can do it all, block , run over defenders and catch, kinda like dude in NE, Vick needs this in case the play breaks down as a safety net. i would spend a second or third on that, in the first round, DT and or a CB, lets not forget , this is a passing league and we need a super quick slot defender to to groom, hanson is good but not great. i really want jj from temple to do well, wish we played him more last year to see what we have in him, he was a second round pick, wtf, so that being said, we might have to swallow that and draft another. every year we get all these players we know wont be on the roster, so why dont they just trade the bottom four picks and get another second round pick. if were close as they say we are, lets get players that can play and not be on the street the beginning of the season.
Paulman’s magic 8-ball, is still KING! Bow down & honor him! LMFBO!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
I like the move. What other choice did they have. Like I’ve said many times, either they sign Bell, or McNeill, both of whom are injury concerns, Bell the least of the injury worries, play the revolving door, sloth, King “ain’t” Duncrap, or draft another rookie & wait another half of a season for him to progress, while your QB is getting killed again. So this was a no-brainer. Good move. Howard Mudd will work on this guys deficiencies & make him very good LT. Bank on it. In regards to his front loaded, basically 1 year contract- it’s a good move if Peters does progress quickly in a year & gives us the flexibility to keep him regardless. IMHO, Peters IS DONE. By the time he is fully healthy, he will be 32-33. Remember Jamal Jackson. Injured, out of shape, on the wrong side of 30. An Achilles injury for a Football lineman is nearly devastating, due to them needing to push off constantly, & stand on their toes & not be flat footed. He is also pushing 330lbs now. By him being non-active for so long, he will balloon up to 350+. Like I said, HE IS DONE HERE! Just saying.
I am not so sure everyone should get their hopes up on LT D Bell
Bell missed 10 Games in2011 with a broken Collarbone
Bell missed 6 Games in 2010 with Knee surgery including a micro-facture proces after his torn ACL in his left knee..
He’s an athletic, big guy 6-5 315lbs with good feet, but can he stay healthy..
“I’m curious to know what everyone is expecting from Bell. He’s been plagued by injuries and I’ll be interested to see how he plays with Michael Vick”
Plagued by injuries…
That must be the first thing the Eagles front office looks at when scouting free agents.
“If he’s Injured guy will help us sign him, under the market value.”
These fruitcakes are the fiscal superbowl champions in the NFL. Salary cap wonders. Revenue generating geniuses….
They are not football people, looking to win a NFL championship.
They are businessmen(the teasing girlfriend), looking to win enough games (give you enough kisses) to keep you dreaming of the day you’ll finally get (the big reward) more.
Just keep spending your money on them (her).
Jeffery Loser…Holds a press conference were he tells us his coach is a bum and he knows it, but he’s keeping him.
Universal translation: You fans kiss my rear end. And keep buying tickets cause I got you hooked on my product…
Fans: OK.
bsm – WHAT OTHER FREE AGENT LEFT TACKLE DID YOU WANT MORE? YOU DOCUHE. YOU CANT FAULT THEM FOR NOT SIGNING PLAYERS THAT DO NOT EXIST ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!
Show me a successful front office of football people. There are 0 that are successful you stupid stupid person you.
Paulman, sorry for the delay on getting back to you about your safety question. My answer for teams with better safeties than the NY Giants last year:
(no particular order)
1. Kansas City
2. Washington
3. Baltimore
4. Buffalo
5. Miami
6. Pittsburgh
7. Cincinnati
8. Chicago
9. Arizona
10. San Francisco
bsm, under normal circumstances I’d agree with you, but exactly what other alternatives do they have? Give me a better scenario. Did you want McNeill? He has spinal stenosis, & might retire. Do you want King “ain’t” Duncrap? He is a sloth in a rotating door. Do you want them to decimate this years draft to trade up for an unproven kid, that’s going to take a half of a year to get it? Not me, they still need a DT, 2 OLB’s, a SS, future QB & return man. Do you
want a veteran stiff like Kareem McKenzie, Max Starks, Barry Richardson, or Tony Pashos? I sure as hell don’t. Yes they are in love with X-injuried guys, I expect it at least twice a season. But they have ZERO choice with this one. It was a dire need & he is the best available.
bsm…I would agree with much of what DCar said above.
There were not alot of choices. That being said, they also did NOT try to sell us that Dunlap was now “the man” and that the line would be fine under Coach Mudd. They had an unfortunate issue with Peter’s injury, but they immediately addressed the problem by interviewing available FA OT’s, and signed a good choice to a team friendly contract. The signing was done right away, so now Bell will have the opportunity to be at all OTA’s and NovaCare and all of training camp. That will also affect greatly how he will perform with the others on the line.
I complain alot about the FO, but I think they did a good job reacting when faced with a injury to a player. No problem with the move, just hope that Bell can stay healthy also.
Not even close Schiller
Chiefs had no Eric Berry all season and had undrafted Free-agent R Langford and back-up S Picatelli playing Safety… You kidding me…
Redksins had no LaRon Landry,Otegwe missed games…You consider R Doughty as an good SAfety.. C’mon man…
Ravens Ed Reed has his worst statistical season and was playing injured alot and is not the same player of 2-3 years ago, they had B Pollard and Zbikowski play well last year
Bears benched Starter Chris Harris at Safety and then released him and played rookie C Steltz in his place, Brandon Merriweather was a 1 year Band-Aid and is a free-agent still which tells you the Bears don’t think much of him not to want to re-sign him
Like I stated earlier, the 49ers (Gholston/Whitner) and Steelers (Palomula/Clark) have the best Safety Tandems in the NFL..
You can put the Giants behind these Teams but ahead of the ones you listed for last Seasons play in my opinon…
Paul, don’t waste your oxygen arguing with that moronic, know-nothing, buffoon. You’ll start losing brain cells, just by talking to him.
Miami’s Safeties played pretty well too…
A teams with a great young Safety Tandem is Seattle
Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor will be a dyanmic duo for the next 5-6-8 years
Thomas is a deep Center Fielder making plays on the ball while Kam Chancellor (from Virginia Tech) will play in the box and the short-intermediate areas and know your head off… At 6-3 233lbs, Chancellor was a player I liked out of College 2 years ago and was a steal in the 5th while the Eagles Selected Ricky “fish out of water” Sapp.. Good Grief..
I hate the Giants like everyone Else, But I would take their Safety Corps over the Eagles group and over most teams in the NFL if I am being honest about it.. To say the Giants Safety Corp was weak and not very good is a inaccurate statement when you are talking about production ..
Schill….I am glad you are excited about Barclays because I would gladly pay off that bet for three reasons: 1) if Graham actually played like a first round pick this year the SB would be a real possibility because the pass rush would be from hell (especially if we add Cox too). 2) I could eat steak and drink wine with another Eagle nerd like myself as long as our debating doesn’t get us thrown out. I get a little loud when I get excited and more so when drinking. 3) my wife will never let me go because she won’t drop 250 on a good dinner. I tell you what. I ate at LeBec a few years ago and it cost me four hundred bucks and I had one drink. And I would do it again if she would let me because it was one of the best GD meals I ever had. You cannot put a price on that if you are a foody like myself.
Wow Paulman! Glad I sparked such a long debate. And glad you agree with me. So you would also probably agree that a team with shit safeties has not on a SB in the last couple decades. Its called evolution. Safeties more important. OLBs less important (in a 4-3). ILBs less important in a 3-4.