Wayne vs. Lakota West
Centerville vs. Lakota East
Bodies ... The Exhibition
Get latest headlines via RSS feeds
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl
Google
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Y! MyWebCLEVELAND BROWNS
Browns top pick Bell ready to rock Cleveland
COMMENT: How much do you think Beau Bell will contribute for the Browns?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Cleveland Browns have entered contract negotiations with representatives for Beau Bell, their rookie fourth-round linebacker from Nevada-Las Vegas.
Discussions are only in the preliminary stages, but the team's top pick is expected to be signed before training camp opens next month.
During a phone interview with Bell on Sunday, the linebacker shared his enthusiasm about being in Cleveland and taking part in training camp at the club's Berea headquarters.
"Everything is going good and it's just an honor to be here in Cleveland playing for the Browns," Bell said. "I'm glad the organization gave me this opportunity to keep playing football. It was an exciting day for me when the Browns called my name on draft day."
Cleveland surrendered its top three picks in the 2008 draft because of trades, making Bell its "Top Dawg" at No. 104 overall.
The Browns traded their '08 No. 1 pick to Dallas during the 2007 draft so they could pick quarterback Brady Quinn in the first round at No. 22 overall. They sent their No. 2 choice to Green Bay for defensive end Corey Williams, then shipped their No. 3 — plus cornerback Leigh Bodden — to Detroit in exchange for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.
Bell surprisingly slipped to the fourth round on Day 2 of the draft and that's when the Browns made their move. Bell received a phone call from head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage informing him that the team was going to trade up (from No. 122) to select him.
"I was really excited to hear that," Bell said. "Once I heard that it didn't matter what round I went in. The 40-time and all that other pre-draft stuff went out the window. It was I'm going to play football."
The linebacker was projected to go in the first or second round. When the team's masterminds saw him slipping, they knew this was their chance to grab first-round talent at a bargain-basement price.
Bell said he stayed away from the TV set on Day 1 of the draft because he didn't want to get his hopes up. In fact, he was out playing golf with his good friend former USC offensive tackle Sam Baker, who was selected in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons. The two were together when Baker got his call.
Bottom line: The Falcons got their man and the Browns got theirs.
The 6-foot-1, 250-pound Bell is a dominant inside presence with the unique ability to take on a guard and put him on his fanny. There aren't many linebackers who possess that ability. He's very athletic with good speed and is extremely physical. Bell is a real range-rover, covering a lot of ground while in pursuit, and is a sure tackler. He does a nice job dropping into coverage and has an unbelievable work ethic.
Growing up, Bell idolized New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, who is known for his warrior-type work ethic. Bell and his older brother use to argue over who was going to be Seau when playing football as kids.
Bell's agent, Joe Flanagan, gave some insight on what sets Bell apart from other 'backers.
"Beau's natural explosion at the point of contact is rare," Flanagan said. "You can't teach it, and you don't see it very often at any level. Plus, he just turned 22 years old, and he's already a solid 250 pounds. As he continues to mature, both physically and mentally, he is going to become an absolute menace."
The Browns defense is perfect for Bell to show off his many skills. Although he is still learning the complex scheme, he's picking things up quickly.
Bell said he has learned a lot of nuances from linebackers Andra Davis and D'Qwell Jackson this offseason. As for his role on defense, "I'm trying to get in where I fit in," Bell said.
League rules prohibit unsigned players from participating in training camp. Bell wants to be an integral part of the defense. He knows it's critical to sign and report to training camp on time.
"That's the most important thing," he said. "I would be really upset if I'm not signed and in camp. I have got to be there. I have to be in camp and need to be there in order for me to have success in this league. I'm letting my agent do his thing on the business side and I'll do my thing on the football side. All I want is to play football."
That's the kind of ambition, passion and mentality Browns' management and coaches want. Surely, fans can expect to see big things from the young stud when Bell toils on Sundays — and Mondays — this fall.
Carlos "Big C" Holmes covers the NFL for the Dayton Daily News.
More NFL draft coverage: Catch the latest NFL news, subscribe to the RSS feed, or get automatic e-mail notification of the latest news for you teams at BigCProFootball.com and DaytonDailyNews.com/BigC.
Comments
By Rod Harris
June 29, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Excitement continues to build around here. If the defense can make the same strides this year as the offense did last year, look out! Goi Browns!
By Doc Giles
June 29, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Can anyone tell y he drop so far in the draft
By Bey
June 27, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
I’m loving this kid. I expect big things from the browns defense this year, provided we get some cornerback depth.
By Ed
June 27, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
7 and 9 Browns in ‘08 will need something. Another rookie linebacker probably won’t be the answer. Another bull fullback or halfback that runs through walls at 80 mph would be sweet though.
By Ed
June 27, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
7 and 9 Browns in ‘08 will need something. Another rookie linebacker probably won’t be the answer. Another bull fullback or halfback that runs through walls at 80 mph would be sweet though.
By Chris
June 26, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Bell may have been a “steal” in the 4th round but it cost them next year’s 3rd rounder to move up.
Savage think he’s worth it and,for now,that’s good enough for me.
By sumnomeaztim
June 25, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
well if you want to see why savage drafted him go to youtube and type in beau bell. This guy knows how to get low and wrap up runners around the legs, defintiely one of the better tacklers I’ve seen in a while coming out of college.
By JDC
June 25, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this
Beast? Ray Lewis?
Wow!
Everyone Slow Down!!!
By franklinstdawg
June 24, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
As a coach, you see things that aren’t measurable,like passion and intensity,attention to detail, all things that make a good football player. So don’t ask, “how do they know if he hits hard or how do we know if he can tackle?”.They’ve scouted this guy, I’ve scouted him as much as most of you. You’ll see why they drafted him. If you played football, you should know,he’s a middle linebacker.
By Zebulon
June 24, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
To Bromoe: “With all this young talent at linebacker,(Wimbley, Jackson, Williams, Bell), there should be no McGinest sightings this fall at the lake.” Don’t forget the other young linebackers either, two guys considered pass rush specialists in Peek and Orr. Peek and also Andra Davis have both promised to have big years, after Peek’s injury ridden 2007 and a down year for Davis. He’s not an old guy either at 28, McGinest will be a great guy to have on the field and locker room as a mentor.
By Zebulon
June 24, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
To Bromoe: “With all this young talent at linebacker,(Wimbley, Jackson, Williams, Bell), there should be no McGinest sightings this fall at the lake.” Don’t forget the other young linebackers either, two guys considered pass rush specialists in Peek and Orr. Peek and also Andra Davis have both promised to have big years, after Peek’s injury ridden 2007 and a down year for Davis. He’s not an old guy either at 28, McGinest will be a great guy to have on the field and locker room as a mentor.
By SlimDawg
June 24, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
In a nutshell: Bell slipped to the fourth round after sustaining a knee injury at the Senior Bowl and was unable to work out at the Combine a month later. Also, you don’t define a player’s greatest by what round he’s taken in. Holla!
By Beef
June 24, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
By Doco
June 24, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Honest question here. If he’s so great why did he drop to the 4th round? The article didn’t list any possible negatives and made it sound like he’s the perfect linebacker. There has to be something. The other 31 teams didn’t just forget about him.
I think he has a hearing disability
By ToledoDawg
June 24, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
To Doco: Bell incurred a bruised knee during practice leading up to the Senior Bowl, and was forced to sit out the game. That tends to drop your ranking; think “out of sight, out of mind”. At the NFL Combine, he was still not completely healed and his 40 yd. times suffered accordingly. Again, a negative impact on his previous rankings. Coming out of his senior season, most scouts had given him a high 2nd to high 3rd round grade. Savage knew Bell’s worth from his time scouting E. Wright in ‘06.
By BrownsFan n AZ
June 24, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
From what I’ve reading the Browns have pretty much gone & done what is needed to keep the defense from being an embarassment in the league. I look for us to go 12-4 this season and have the ” Dawg Pound ” rockin’, howlin’ barkin’ and growlin’and puttin’ a ” Pit Bull ” attitude back into the city.
By Doco
June 24, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Honest question here. If he’s so great why did he drop to the 4th round? The article didn’t list any possible negatives and made it sound like he’s the perfect linebacker. There has to be something. The other 31 teams didn’t just forget about him.
By Bromoe
June 24, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
With all this young talent at linebacker,(Wimbley, Jackson, Williams, Bell), there should be no McGinest sightings this fall at the lake.
By Craig Robinson
June 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
I haven’t seen Bell play, but am anxcious to see his development. Based on what I’ve heard, he is a hitting machine & that’s what an inside backer is supposed to do. I think the Browns defense (overall) will make big strides this season, especially in the second half of the year. Go DAWGS!!!
By hacksawSW
June 24, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
its guys like shaun thompson, and bell that come from small schools and hit the NFL like gang busters. let that guy play and watch for your selves how hittin was meant to go down. Bell plays all out on every play, like mathews or dare i say ray lewis. also look for winslow jr. to get some motivational competition this year from a certain rookie.
By hacksawSW
June 24, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
its guys like shaun thompson, and bell that come from small schools and hit the NFL like gang busters. let that guy play and watch for your selves how hittin was meant to go down. Bell plays all out on every play, like mathews or dare i say ray lewis. also look for winslow jr. to get some motivational competition this year from a certain rookie.
By RB
June 24, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Easy fellas. Let’s put pads on first and let’s see how training camp goes before you start putting Bell on anything but Kickoff Team.
By RB
June 24, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Easy fellas. Let’s put pads on first and let’s see how training camp goes before you start putting Bell on anything but Kickoff Team.
By J Drew
June 24, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
This guy was a complete steal! I have seen this guy at UNLV and guys were afraid of this stud. He rung so many “Bells” People thought it was Christmas Day out there.Mark my words the Browns finally got their Ray Lewis and he will dominate for years to come. Pure athletic ability,pasion,heart and the work ethic of Bill Gates is something you can not teach anyone. Have fun Browns fans with this guy!
By bigmike34
June 24, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
I think he is exactly what the Browns defense needs…I am however concerned a Little about the FACT/Rumor that Romeo does not allow tackling in practice…even in Pre-Season or training camp…
How does a linebacker show what he can really do…how well he can tackle…how hard he really hits?
For that matter …How does a running back show how he can finish a run…Or break tackles?
And we wonder why we are one of the worse tackling teams in the NFL….Can these factors be related?
By Artie-Clay
June 24, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
I think Beau “liberty” Bell is going to crack some heads this season. He is a complete beast and relentless defender. He possesses the heart and desire consistent in all the great ones and brings that tenacity and competitiveness we’ve missed on that side of the ball since Clay Mathews and Jamir Miller. GO BROWNS!!!
By Hatch
June 24, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Bell will be a force on special teams and we will probably see a sign of things to come late in the season.