Slow Down, Kenny Bell
September 2nd, 2015
Lovie slams brakes on quick return.
It seemed like a few weeks ago that Kenny Bell not only was a mortal leadpipe lock to make the final-53, he may have been the No. 3 receiver.
Now, on Sept. 2, there is doubt if Bell even makes the final-53.
Bell started training camp hot. But the longer training camp went, the less effective Bell became. He has yet to catch a pass in preseason and now with a bum hamstring, one wonders if Bell might be waived with an injury settlement.
It’s kind of hard to justify a spot on the roster to a fifth-round draft pick who is both hurt, and hasn’t caught a pass yet in a game.
It seems Bell might be doing the math and is chomping at the bit to get back on the field.
“Hold up!” says Bucs coach Lovie Smith. Lovie isn’t about to let Bell get back on the practice field just yet.
“Kenny hurt his hamstring Friday and wants to test it now?” Lovie asked aloud in his daily presser yesterday. “Not going to happen. You don’t come back from hamstring injuries that quick. It’s good that he wants to do that and I’m sure that the pain is gone, but he’s not quite ready yet.”
So now it is a waiting game to see if Bell had impressed Bucs officials so much in OTAs that he could survive a so-so training camp and an invisible preseason.
To hear more from Lovie yesterday, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:18 am
If they did it for Herron last year, they can do it for Bell this year.
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:26 am
I think H&H are better options this year, though.
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:26 am
Hall and Humphries I mean.
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:26 am
Other players could catch in the games. He could not show up when it counted. Time to cut him and keep the one that did show up.
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:33 am
This will also be a sign if Lovie is being fair or still giving Gifts.
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:41 am
This guy has done nothing……he’d be lucky to make the practice squad…
September 2nd, 2015 at 8:44 am
I just presumed when he was rooming with Jameis that he would become a big target.
September 2nd, 2015 at 9:02 am
This guy had a lot of hype early, not sure if he sticks. He sort of reminds me of the type who is slightly built and got picked on early in life. Wish him success if he stays or goes.
September 2nd, 2015 at 9:13 am
He will be there, I know every one hates the potential word, but everyone knows he has it and willingnto work. He looks as if he will be really good on ST’s, let him grow as a receiver, who knows how long V-Jax has, Mike Evans keeps getting dinged up as well, gotta remember this guy played for run happy Nebraska and was still productive, not that that is an indicator of NFL success.
September 2nd, 2015 at 9:17 am
Bell needs to stick, I can easily see the panthers making a run for him and then we look like the silly goose once he produces because we weren’t patient developing
September 2nd, 2015 at 9:53 am
He’s too tough to make this team. Don’t you see the coach leading the front? WHAT a guy wants to play injured? Who does that? Not on my team. Not unless he the #1 overall pick. If you have a booboo you have to sit at least a month.
#papercutshurt
September 2nd, 2015 at 9:56 am
If they can sneak him onto the practice squad…perhaps not that tough since he’s put nothing on video to catch the attention of other GM’s…I’m ok but one of the sacred 53 spots. No way!
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:22 am
Bell will make the team. Licht already knows this dude wouldn’t clear waivers – and I’m pretty sure they’ve seen enough from him that they are not ready to give up on Kenny that fast or give him away to another team.
Bucs are going to keep 6 receivers and I believe they will be VJax, Evans, Murphy, Bell, Hall and Russell Shepard. (The last 3 will all be valuable ST contributors this year). Clay, Humphries and Dye are all good practice squad candidates if they can clear waivers which may or may not happen.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:27 am
Kenny Bell will make the team he is a good WR and we don’t have more than 2 other good WRs.
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:36 am
Note: punt return for TD when Kenny Bell the gunner wasn’t playing
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:00 am
@Pickgrin
I agree with your prediction…..
September 2nd, 2015 at 11:39 am
The Bucs FO wants to keep Bell healthy enough to be available for a trade package later. It won’t do the Bucs a lot of good to have a stable of “potentially” great WR’s and an OL that is incapable of protecting the QB.
Priorities would suggest that holding Bell out is just a case of protecting the teams investment. All of our young WR’s beyond Mike and VJ have pretty much the same (speed, hands) skill sets. And, to be honest, there isn’t a dimes worth of difference between their potential for significant contributions, this year.
It takes reps for a young WR, no matter how fast or how broad their catch radius is, to learn how to get open in the NFL. The fact that Bell has no catches and several other rookies have multiple catch games would suggest that there is a big difference between being phenomenal during “underwear” football practice sessions and doing so under game conditions against talented vets. Don’t be fooled by rookie WR’s with a lot of catches against 2nd and 3rd string defenses.
The 2nd and 3rd string WR’s will make “The 53” based on: “What else ya got?”
Go Bucs.
September 2nd, 2015 at 12:41 pm
I wouldn’t mind him on the practice squad but the way hall and Humphries has been playing idk if he makes it…GO BUCS!!!
September 2nd, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Another terrible draft pick by this regime. When is it time to call for Licht’s head? Enough is enough. Between crippling bad free agency signings and draft picks that don’t pan out, these last two off seasons have been an absolute JOKE!!!
September 2nd, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Bucnnole
Duuuuude u r so right!!!!! Terrible draft pick!!!! I mean, he’s a 5th round rookie, why hasn’t he overtaken Mike Evans yet?!?!?!?! Fire Lovie RIGHT NOW!!!!!!! *engulfes into flames*
September 2nd, 2015 at 2:56 pm
You have to give this guy a year, no matter what. The Buccaneers are not in a position where they need to overly covet the roster spot of a 5th round WR. Give the guy a year in the NFL, and if he shows nothing this season, they can release him next year. Hall or Humphries don’t have near the ceiling this guy has.
September 2nd, 2015 at 4:31 pm
He’s in the same position that Ahmad Black was in, back in 2011. Black was a 5th round pick, had a hammy and couldn’t play during the preseason. So Rah had to waive him, he cleared waivers and Rah added him to the practice squad. Once Black got healthy, Rah added him to the 53. If we waive him. no one will pick him up. Once he get healthy we can waive a WR and add him to the 53.
September 2nd, 2015 at 5:32 pm
So we should cut ME also?!?! Why not?!?! KB is gonna do what ME dose… Look great early get hurt in TC and ball out during the season… Plus Lovie is protecting him… He ain’t going nowhere’s… Its as simple as that… Now move along nothing more to talk about at this time…
September 2nd, 2015 at 10:57 pm
If Hall doesn’t make the squad purely so the Bucs won’t have wasted a late pick we will regret it, Hall and 1st rounder Perriman were receivers 1a and 1b at UCF, go watch his film…