New Lease For Kenny Bell?
August 30th, 2016
Last chance tomorrow?
To date, these are the highlights of Kenny Bell, now in his second preseason with the Bucs.
* One catch in four preseason games for nine yards.
* One fumbled kickoff return.
* Underwear football stud.
Doesn’t sound like an NFL player, does it? Well, as Joe listened to Dirk Koetter yesterday, his criteria for a wide receiver to make the final cut sure didn’t sound like he was describing Bell.
Joe will quote Koetter directly here when discussing wide receivers.
“Like we’ve been saying all camp, it’s bunched up and you can take almost any guy out there and pick a day that that individual has shined,” Koetter said. “We tend to lean towards consistency, and guys that have shown they can make plays and make plays in game situations and then been consistent players, so we’re still looking. It’s down to the end here and a decision is going to have to be made.”
Make plays in games? Bell hasn’t done that, outside of a turnover and one catch in four games. One! Consistency? Bell is consistent in that he is invisible. Really, the lone consistent from Bell is his hair. Maybe that is why he is so popular?
Look, Joe has nothing, absolutely nothing against Bell, other than when the pads come on the dude disappears. He’s a nice guy, a smart guy, an eloquent guy. Nothing not to like about him other than he has yet to show he’s an NFL player.
Unless Bell has a monster return or two in the (likely) rain Wednesday night — remember, the game was moved up a day due to an expected tropical storm moving ashore — Joe will have a very difficult time seeing Bell on the roster next week.
August 30th, 2016 at 4:15 am
Bell has nearly had two td catches the first two weeks and caught one last week. Against the jags he made a beautiful grab in the endzone that was knocked away last moment on a great defensive play. He was wide open for a td, had gotten clear seperation vs the Eagles and Griffin made a poor throw. You are only as good as your qb and line play times. No bubble receiver has been consistent but we must realize he was playing hurt last season. I wantes Bell and others on the fence to work in a series or two with the starters to see what they can do with Jameis at the helm. Preseason is for evaluation, right?
I am in the minority but I can see the talent of bell (route running, speed, hands, etc.), and would find a way to keep him on the roster. Give him another crack at kick return as well. Id also try ryan smith at kr as well; both seem much more electric than dye. I believe Bell survives roster cuts and wind up being a contributor on offense by year’s end.
August 30th, 2016 at 4:50 am
I have no idea why Bell has been kept around as long as he has. Kenny hasn’t stood out as a receiver or as a return man. Folks keep talking about ‘potential’ but that doesn’t earn you a spot on the 53-man roster (maybe on the PS however). Performance is what counts, and he simply hasn’t done anything to stand out. VJax, ME13, Hump and Shep seem to have 1-4 locked up. Haven’t seen anything from anyone else so far (including Bell) that should earn them a spot on the roster. Wait until the cuts, sign a 5th WR and later add Murph when he’s ready or maybe even Dye once he heals up.
August 30th, 2016 at 5:49 am
Cut bait? Or wait till he matures…….remember mr august (Ernest Graham) took a few years to pay off too
August 30th, 2016 at 6:28 am
As I understand it…
Any Veteran that the BUCS pick up and sign in the Preaseason or before GAME ONE of the season
their ANNUAL SALARY is GUARANTEED for the ENTIRE YEAR.
If you wait and sign them after GAME ONE, The BUCS are only obligated to the Player on a Weekly basis and can cut them at any time without obligation to the remainder of an ANNUAL SALARY.
So Roddy White or any other veteran could be in play for after that WEEK ONE hurdle.
August 30th, 2016 at 6:45 am
Sign Reuben Randle before its to late and signs with the Saints and goes to the pro bowl. Donte Dye, Kenny (worst than the bad Dexter Jackson) Bell, are jokes.
August 30th, 2016 at 6:48 am
It seems our Incompetent Licht cant admit hei is wrong.
I thought when we shipped Lovie and his clan to the cornfields of Illinois, production on the field was the reason you play or on the team
Kenny Bell should be in the marketing dept not on the field at 1 buc place
how is our 180lb college corner turned to NFL saftey coming along? what did and will Ryan smith do when a 240lber comes at him
Like I said Jason Licht is the Casey Phillips of NFL gms
He should be in charge of the marketing dept not the personnel dept
We should have completely cleaned house and threw out Licht and Lovie the the incompetent twins and kept Jon Robinson and Koetter
Tampa Bay Fans are you ready for 5 years of 5-11 and 7-9 seasons?
**There are only 2 people that are relevant in Tampa Bay Football in the next 15 years. Not 3 but only 2.
Jameis winston and the GM who can put the pieces around Jameis
August 30th, 2016 at 7:18 am
Kenny Bell will make this team and will make some plays for the Bucs this year. Giving up on his development now after a 16 month investment would be a mistake. There are too many talented players around the league that used to play for the Bucs but were let go before they fully developed. Kenny Bell will not be one of them.
#AfroThunderLives
August 30th, 2016 at 7:42 am
Feel kind of bad for Kenny. He is going to be cut before the season starts and that is obvious. He just isn’t NFL material. Lots of guys don’t make it Joe but no need to kick a man when he is down. The kids dream is coming to and end unfortunately for him. Not a huge surprise though as many 5th rounders don’t make it. I for one wish him the best of luck and hope he can find a nice career outside of the NFL.
August 30th, 2016 at 7:43 am
I have never seen the intrigue in Bell. He is a stiff route runner, and has inconsistent hands. He also has weak hands and struggles to come down with the ball if contested.
Plenty of better and tested receivers out there.
August 30th, 2016 at 7:46 am
Kenny Bell certainly has not demonstrated that he can survive on a NFL field.
It will be no big surprise if he is cut before it is all said and done. He was a great college player. No shame in not being good enough to make it at the next level. I don’t think we have the luxury of holding on to a kid who “might” mature into a 4th or 5th receiver. I would rather have someone who has demonstrated the ability to make plays. In fact I would keep Reedy over Bell at this point. Reedy while not real impressive, at least he can deliver the wood to those trying to tackle him. He stands out as being kind of tough even if not the best receiver. Kenny seems to get killed every time he is near the ball.
August 30th, 2016 at 8:15 am
SMH this is pathetic
August 30th, 2016 at 8:30 am
This infatuation with Bell has at this point become comical. It’s come to the point where his fans are counting “almost” catches, lol. Are you really serious, or is this some kind of joke? So a third string corner tried to knock the ball out of his hands and it’s still a good play by Bell? Huh? Seriously, what am I missing? That CB is a naughty boy. How dare him knock the ball out of his hands! Had it been Revis, Sherman, or Patrick Peterson, they wouldn’t have done something so mean.
I’m asking one thing of all the Kenny Bell mob members: please continue this insanity. It is extremely entertaining.
August 30th, 2016 at 8:43 am
Kenny Bell hasn’t put up the stats we all wanted to see but has ran some decent routes and got open a couple of times. And that’s what your lookin for on tape. They know he has the potential to be a threat in this league and that’s why I think he sticks to the 53 man roster. He’s worth keeping around with the lack of depth and talent outside Hump. Look for the bucs to sign someone of waivers here soon. I also think there still counting on Murphy to get healthy and contribute during the regular season as well.
August 30th, 2016 at 8:47 am
You know buc fans need mental health evaluation if they somehow think Bell can and will be a productive receiver. he’s even a worse kick returner yet some think he can handle those duties yoo. do you bell nut huggers even bother to watch him play or does the hair have some hypnotic power that blinds you to reality. Murphy and Bell Tampa Bay Bum Brothers will never help the bucs or any other nfl team. No fan base falls in love with bad players like the bucs fan base. The goal is to not finish in the basement again not collect mediocre and bad players. The tape don’t lie. Bells done
August 30th, 2016 at 8:49 am
To echo Hawaiian, it’s funny who fans endear themselves to sometimes. If this were “INSERT NAME HERE”, there would be ZERO conversation regarding his roster significance. Dye has had Waaay more production (which isn’t saying much!) and he’s out the door.
It’s a non-story because Bell has done NOTHING! Sorry!
August 30th, 2016 at 9:13 am
bell has shown little enough that if the bucs still think he needs time to knock some rust off and experience the NFL regular season routine, he’s likely to go unclaimed on the practice squad
August 30th, 2016 at 9:27 am
If Murphy is getting better but won’t be ready for game 1 but definitely ready before game 6, could we just say he got a different injury the week before practice in game 1 and not have to put him on PUP?
August 30th, 2016 at 9:44 am
How in the hell are any of us qualified to know if someone is running good routes? I mean, I’ve watched football my whole life, played a little football, but I can’t tell you who does or doesn’t run good routes. How do you know the route he’s supposed to run? Then you say he gets open? Ok fine, but can he hold onto the ball? As quick as you are open in the NFL, you are going to get popped. You think he can work the middle of the field?
He’s not going to make this team. I’m sorry to break your heart, but it’s just not going to happen. I guess if the team refuses to admit he wasn’t a good pick they might try to sneak him on the practice squad, but he’s not going to make it. Everyone who has watched a practice knows it. Everyone who has watched the games knows it. The only people that don’t know it are the guys that are enamored with his speed and/or hair. So what if he’s fast? Do you know who else is fast? Cornerbacks are fast. But again, please keep telling me how much “potential” he has.
August 30th, 2016 at 9:49 am
@SOEbuc,
A player on the PUP list cannot practice with the team. We also would want him on the PUP because if he’s on the PUP, he doesn’t count towards a roster spot.
August 30th, 2016 at 10:08 am
Thanks for clearing that up Hawaiin Buc.
August 30th, 2016 at 10:23 am
If Koetter keeps Bell, that means Banks stays. Banks is a much better player on D than what I’ve seen from Bell on O. I just want Humphries off the field during punt returns. He’s too valuable as a receiver. Can Bell handle punts? Who cares about his hairdo–I saw bigger and better afros 30-40 years ago!
August 30th, 2016 at 10:46 am
The ongoing saga of Kenny Bell. About chanced out.
August 30th, 2016 at 11:01 am
There is a point were potential has to translate into production. He hasn’t produced and has actually hurt the team as a returner. As a fifth or sixth WR not having value on special teams is a significant proplem. Reedy has been equally productive and better as a returner, Krause has flashed … There is no harm in cutting KB and putting him on the practice squad. If someone claims him, find someone else …
August 30th, 2016 at 11:09 am
Why is everyone here acting like Bell somehow already has a roster spot guaranteed to him for no reason? Dye was cut because he was injured.
August 30th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Never heard the last preseason game moved to Wednesday. Thanks for that update.
August 30th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Just remember there Kenny Bell, when I come thru the burger drive in window, Don’t put Mayo on my burger. The fast food industry has a mngt trainee job waitin for you after final cutdown.
August 30th, 2016 at 12:59 pm
“remember, the game was moved up a day due to an expected tropical storm moving ashore”
I didn’t know that!
August 30th, 2016 at 1:01 pm
I still believe in Sideshow Bell!
August 30th, 2016 at 1:02 pm
Play all 2nd and third stringers this game. Don’t chance anything and work on getting better evaluations on some of them
August 30th, 2016 at 2:00 pm
People forget that last year the team was ready to cut Bell when he had got “injured” and they then were able to put him in full season IR for a 2 week injury. You hit on some and you miss a lot when you’re talking 5th round or more, he’s clearly a huge swing and miss.
August 30th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
tmax says: You know buc fans need mental health evaluation if they somehow think Bell can and will be a productive receiver. he’s even a worse kick returner yet some think he can handle those duties yoo.
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How is it Bell’s fault he’s had lousy and inconsistent QB/Line play the first few games of the season.
Did you not watch the second half of the Browns game or turned it off after the starters dialed it in on the first half? The second and third team unit was strictly garbage….against the Browns, no less. And we’re supposed to accurately gauge Kenny Bell because he doesn’t have 4 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown in the second half?
Show me one receiver outside of humphries and evans that’s had a consistent preseason that has put together back-to-back solid games?? You can’t…..you just want to catch the guy based on lack of “stats”.
“Stats” don’t always tell the story. I am not saying Bell is by any means a great player, but he is young, and I see the potential. When I said “contribute” it didn’t mean set the NFL on fire…..but that he could be on the field for potential kr’s and 3/4 receiver sets and contribute that way.
The coaches evaluate the receivers much differently than the stat obsessed fantasy football fans. They want to see if he was running good routes….was he open or couldn’t get seperation, did the qb miss him on passes or fail to look his way, was their pressure on the play to prevent him from being given the ball, how did he block in the run game (was he down field making key blocks), etc. You can’t always see the entire film on tv.
August 30th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Show me one receiver outside of humphries and evans that’s had a consistent preseason that has put together back-to-back solid games?? You can’t…..you just want to catch the guy based on lack of “stats”.
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err, cut the guy rather based on “stats”.
August 30th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
feelthepewterpower
first off I respect your passion for kenny bell. I am sure his mother appreciates it.
Kenny Bell has to earn the right to play with the first team in practice. If you do not earn the right during the week you are stuck playing with other bad football players. kenny bell is a 5th round pick and a bad football player who has not earned the right to practice or play with the first or second team. Good players make plays. Good players find a way to stand out. Good players earn the right to play with the first or second team. Kenny Bell simply is not a good football player at the nfl level.
August 30th, 2016 at 10:06 pm
tmax says -first off I respect your passion for kenny bell. I am sure his mother appreciates it.
Kenny Bell has to earn the right to play with the first team in practice. If you do not earn the right during the week you are stuck playing with other bad football players. kenny bell is a 5th round pick and a bad football player who has not earned the right to practice or play with the first or second team. Good players make plays. Good players find a way to stand out. Good players earn the right to play with the first or second team. Kenny Bell simply is not a good football player at the nfl level.
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Again, tell me another wide receiver (even tightend) that has had a consistent preseason besides the aforementioned Evans and Hump?
He’s earned the right to play with the first team in practice yet doesn’t get a crack at it in the games? I realize he was in the doghouse for dropping the kickoff. I get that. Koetter has to set the tone early that turnovers will not be tolerated…..not excusing it, just saying it was the first time he touched the ball in a live game in a year.
“Good players make plays…and standout”. Well, yes, I agree….but I’d also say good players need solid qb play in order to make good plays unless you’re a great player like DeAndre Hopkins; he’s the rare exception and considered elite at his position. Curious to know what our qb numbers the past three games are by both Glennon and Griffin combined?? I am.
Glennon/Griffin combined – 40 for 76 (52 percent), an avg. QBR of 54.11, and td/int ratio of 1:4.
Those are pathetic numbers…and Buccs fans want to cut Bell because he hasn’t stood-out? Hopefully the Buccaneers are better evaluators than that…
August 30th, 2016 at 11:34 pm
Bell sucks. Cut him and find another young guy who can actually catch.