Kenny Bell “Disappeared”
July 31st, 2016
Pads on; Bell gone fishin.’
The running joke around the world headquarters of JoeBucsFan.com is that when the pads come on, Kenny Bell vanishes.
In underwear football, Kenny Bell is an All-Pro. Last year, without pads and playing against insurance claims adjusters, marine biologists and short-order cooks, Bell shined.
When the pads came on and he went against the first- or second-team defense, Bell vanished like sweet-nothings in the dark of the night. Bell is still looking for his first catch against a team that wears different colored-jerseys.
Well, it seems the same pattern is developing this year. In underwear football this spring, Bell made many strong plays. When training camp opened up this summer, Bell again had a hot start.
Today with pads on for the first time in training camp, well, even Bucs coach Dirk Koetter wondered where Bell ran off to. Koetter was asked about developing a No. 3 receiver if Louis Murphy can’t rebound from knee surgery and Koetter invoked Bell’s absence of play wearing pads.
“Real critical,” Koetter said of developing wide receiver depth. “Like three through eight right now in that receiver group is pretty close.
“You take a guy like Kenny Bell – two days ago looked like the MVP two days ago, then he disappeared yesterday. And ‘DD’ (Donteea Dye) looked like he didn’t belong out here two days ago, and it was better yesterday. Russell Shepard has had his moments. Evan Spencer has had his moments. All those guys have a chance. You even look [at] Bernard Reedy and Freddie Martino, those are two guys that stuck with us a long time in Atlanta, two veteran players and they know what they’re doing. I like this Jonathan Krause kid, [he] has flashed a little bit. So no doors are closed right now for those receivers. I like our talent there, I like all those young guys and that’s what this preseason will be for.”
Bell did show up today a bit. He was seen apologizing to Brent Grimes for submarining him, and then was seen grabbing his groin after a collision with Grimes.
Before folks start banging on their keyboard in rage and anger at Joe, let Joe be clear: Joe really, really, really hopes Bell blows up and becomes that deep threat both the Bucs and America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, so desperately need.
To date, there is zero evidence Bell will be that man. None. Tommy Streeter (underwear football MVP 2013) showed more than Bell. Hell, Chris Owusu had shown more than Bell.
Joe wants Bell to blow up. But to make a grand and sweeping generalization that Bell is the next Antonio Brown because he was a third-day draft pick and has cool hair and can run fast is not just a reach, it’s grasping at straws.
C’mon Kenny, give Joe a reason to hop on your bandwagon.
July 31st, 2016 at 1:49 pm
This is why I think they will bring in a veteran FA before the start or right after..I love Kenny, I really do, but we can’t chance anything right now..
July 31st, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Perfectly said LifeOfABucFan
I likeke the guy but the season is too critical to gamble. you don’t give up on the kid but you cover your arse….
Now we get to read the meaningless term hater from the kenny bell fan boys all afternoon
July 31st, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Kenny Bell the mystery player, oohs and ahs because, well what? Fans are hungry for a speedy can’t miss receiver, he thought to be a lock to become the star player plenty think he is destined to become. Can’t speak to his greatness at Nebraska because I’ve only viewed a bit of video action there. Biggest question to me, is he sturdy enough to stick around in NFL play.
July 31st, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Maybe because Bucs D is better -_-
July 31st, 2016 at 2:21 pm
I think I heard Kurt Warner say yesterday “The Bucs defense look a lot better but they still need to put points on the board”..can’t remember exactly where I saw the video..
Joe..is that entire quote from Koetter?? Isn’t he pretty much saying he is very frustrated with Bell??
July 31st, 2016 at 2:21 pm
Great QBs make average WR’s look great. Maybe it is time to start thinking Bell isn’t even average.
July 31st, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Does he hear footsteps?
July 31st, 2016 at 2:29 pm
All a part of the Deshawn Jackson curse..
July 31st, 2016 at 2:38 pm
I said this when we drafted him….BUST…waste of pick. I am not sure why anyone would think a WR coming from Nebraska would blow things up in NFL.
For reference the last great NFL WR from Nebraska was Irving Fryar. Yeah its been that long….it is time to move on and get a veteran WR.
Owusu is a FA and doesnt have much wear and tear…I like Brian Hartline but he is not a burner anymore; great routes though..
July 31st, 2016 at 2:39 pm
I am going Huckleberry picking right now with the fam, but I will be thinking about Nothing but Bucs football. WTF is Wrong with me anyways?
July 31st, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Kenny Bell,
Looks cool, speaks well, and would make for a great flag league WR. Let Adam Humphries work in the 3 spot. Adam has proven he has the heart to catch the ball with pads on.
July 31st, 2016 at 2:42 pm
I’ve said all along Bell might not have the durability or physical toughness to play consistently in this NFL. I hope the kids makes it. But I’ve never been high on him. He’s one of those who could play HS or College ball forever. Some guys just cannot make the NFL transition. The men are separated from the boyz once the pads come on and the hittin starts.
July 31st, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Kenny Bell might still have that breakthrough, but I’d sooner put my money on Louis Murphy coming back off PUP to win a spot or on Jason Licht signing a FA for #3 WR before the season starts. Also, 2 names I’ve now heard several times since training camp started are Adam Humphries and Russell Shepherd … they seem to be doing quite well. Plus we’ve got 4 TEs, and at least 2 RBs all with good hands. Bucs aren’t destitute when it comes to pass receivers by any means.
July 31st, 2016 at 3:15 pm
It is quite difficult to blow up, when you take a football helmet hard to the nut sack.
July 31st, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Ill perfect FA was Anquan Boldin. He is gone! A perfect physical slot reciever for Jaboo who can catch in traffic and RAC.
We need another player like Chuck Sims but a starter.
Vertical straightline speed is overrated and easily defended. None of our recievers can create separation in space ala playmakers. I hope Reedy can be a travis Bejamin type player to open up the long vertical game for our 2 slow guys outside
We have the worst set of recievers in the leauge.
Who would any of the other 31 teams want as a reciever in their team? Only Mike Evans as a #2 reciever and thats it! Vjack, Humpries,Dye, Shepard, Spencer????? LOL…these clowns wouldnt even be invited to their camp!!
“I wanted to be drafted by the tampa bay Bucs and play in front of poster Kobe Faker” Sterling Shepard
July 31st, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Life:
Yes.
July 31st, 2016 at 3:22 pm
We’ll see in the preseason games… If u can’t produce in those, peace out homie! Don’t let the plank hit ya in on the a$$ on the way out;). Still pulling for him tho
July 31st, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Joe Says:
July 31st, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Life:
Yes.
—————————–
Holy crap! Am I reading this correctly? Koetter pretty much has had it??? From Koetter’s OWN words…and he’s not sugar coating a damn thing..well that just means to me that Bell is NOT his 3rd…
I am still going with Roddy coming over here..somehow, someway, Koetter will plead with him..I feel it now after that Koetter quote..IT SPOKE VOLUMES!
It doesn’t look like Koetter is going to stick with players that just show “flashes”..that ain’t going to cut it with the defense teams we got to play this year..
Nope…they are in the hunt for a veteran with hands..
July 31st, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Kobe, I dont know what youre thinking when you think about recieving corps across the league. I demand you take a look at some of the other teams recievers. You can start with Minnesota and end with Baltimore. After that I demand you retrack your statement.
And demands in chatrooms should be taken very seriously hahahahaha.
July 31st, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Bell Brigrade is not absent, Sir! Reporting for duty, Sir!
July 31st, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Well lets not get ourselves into a tizzy after the first real practice. These guys have a whole camp to rise up. Also, our hunt for a third WR does not end with one name(Bell). We do have a safety net with Humphries who I am glad to hear shown good hands today. Adam must continue to perfect his hands because we need him to be a posession guy for us. He was just OK last year as he had a few drops. His hands mean everything to his value here and he needs to clean it up.
Im gonna give it til our 1st game and see what we really got for recievers. It is very possible to see an extra gear when the competition gets real!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!
July 31st, 2016 at 4:05 pm
I’m not happy with receivers. Bolsinger made too much sense I guess..
July 31st, 2016 at 4:06 pm
Patience…….it’s too early to start calling players a bust…we have time and opportunities in front of us.
July 31st, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Wow, seems like all offseason when people were talking up Bell I was seemingly the only one on here that remembered Bell was going to get cut last year if wasn’t “injured”. It’s a blown draft pick, let the full camp play out obviously in case something clicks, but he’s not a legitimate NFL player and the team should look over the existing FAs and find a vet out there that can play.
July 31st, 2016 at 5:01 pm
TC notes can only fill our desire for football so much………..Fret not for longer Bucs diehards. Today marks the last Sunday til Feburary that we have to live without football!!!!!
July 31st, 2016 at 5:15 pm
Okay I just put Kenny’s name and number on my football gods shelf and lit a candle to the greats of the past.
I might have panicked a bit too soon…I am just going to see what happen in preseason..
Group Hug time…all the time..Buc Time Baby!
July 31st, 2016 at 5:26 pm
Question?? For one to “disappear” Don’t you have to appear in the first place???
July 31st, 2016 at 5:31 pm
“To date, there is zero evidence Bell will be that man. None.”
Maybe because he’s yet to play in a single regular season NFL game. Since when do the Joes value meaningless preseason games so much? At least wait till week 1 to continue the Kenny bell bashing.
July 31st, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Let’s see if the guy can develop! Let’s see if he fend off the competition that is here! Let’s see this new All-World Staff work some magic! The real players will show themselves!
July 31st, 2016 at 6:40 pm
we could have gotten him as an UDFA
July 31st, 2016 at 6:45 pm
We need another player like Chuck Sims but a starter.
I still believe Sims could be a major part of the answer to our thin WR corps.
Lennie Moore baby! Hybrid RB/WR
July 31st, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Kenny Bell was on my wishlist, but not as a WR.
He is an exceptional returner. Why they have not given him a chance at proving it is beyond me.
July 31st, 2016 at 6:51 pm
I think people are wanting Bell to become a superstar WR overnight. He was on IR last year. This, pretty much, is his rookie year.
He’ll need time to develop, whether as a pure returner or as a WR/returner.
The other guys need time too. That’s why we need a bridge.
July 31st, 2016 at 7:05 pm
When I see Kenny Bell I think of 2 words…Edell Sheppard 2.0
July 31st, 2016 at 7:50 pm
@Bonzai………….He got extra help while he was in IR by scouting every DB he might have gone up against. I heard he worked “hard” in the film room while he was given that assignment. It doesn’t YET appear that he benefited from that. Yet is an operative word though. We shall see for sure.
July 31st, 2016 at 8:43 pm
Notice koetter never mentioned humphries name???!!!
Thats because he already made the team. To all you.humphries doubters from the end of last year …..heres ur sign. The guy deserves to be here, and he is.
I hope bell shows up, if not someone better!!!
July 31st, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Yeah to say the bucs by far have the worst wr’s says you know absolutely nothing about nfl football Kobe
July 31st, 2016 at 8:57 pm
kobe has always been a faker chromolly.
July 31st, 2016 at 9:52 pm
NFL Network has acted like we don’t exist so far this preseason. In addition I did a quick Google search on NFL season predictions for each team and the vast majority have us at 6-10 which is fine but the reason they almost all give is what’s a complete joke. They say that the defense will take a step back because we lost a defensive minded coach. This shows not only do they not watch this team but they clearly have no idea what is going on down here. Makes me sick that teams like the Cowboys, who we beat by the way, keeps getting so much air time. Also everyone is giving the Jaguars love when we beat them last year it’s like we just have no talent, no qb, no coaching staff and no chance. F*** that!
July 31st, 2016 at 10:47 pm
ndog…….maybe we should get a job in the media where we could publish lies that are based on supposition with facts against said supposition and still get paid. I am not knocking you, I am agreeing with you. Meteorologist is the only profession I know of where you can keep your job by lying so much.
July 31st, 2016 at 11:16 pm
AT LEAST:
LaDainian Tomlinson has US, yeah the BUCS beating Carolina for the top spot..So know I follow him on Twitter..he’s now fam..lol.lol.lol.lol.lol.
And fook them all..fook nfl net. fook all those retired players who think they know it all..and I especially HATE HEATH EVANS!!!!!!!!! He had us losing almost every game!!! May he drown in his own vomit ala John Bonham..yeah I said it..
July 31st, 2016 at 11:25 pm
I am not sure that there is Any way Possible for me to love your Vim and Vigor any more than I already do Love. But I’ve been wrong before. Lets hope I am wrong again. Go Bucs!
July 31st, 2016 at 11:27 pm
*Life….not love
August 1st, 2016 at 9:29 am
We’re all thrilled to have a special kicker prospect on the roster instead of a stud receiving prospect.
Paging Mr. White, Mr. Roddy White, please show up to One Buc immediately.
August 1st, 2016 at 11:14 am
People are writing the man off after one practice in pads?. The life of a Buc fan.