IA_Chiefs_fan
04-13-2005, 06:25 AM
Kendrell Bell, LB, Kansas City Chiefs
By Bryce McRae, Edited by Cory J. Bonini
LB Kendrell Bell, who recently signed a seven-year, $24 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, burst onto the scene four years ago with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a rookie coming out of Georgia, he was the middle linebacker on a dominating Steelers defense that ranked among the best in the league. He was part of a turn-around that saw the Steelers eventually make it to the AFC Championship game. In his two full seasons in the league, Bell has averaged 91 tackles, 7.0 sacks and 2.0 passes defensed. Those averages are based on his 2001 and 2003 season stats.
In Bell's other two seasons, he has been injured and has not finished the season. In his second season, he sustained an ankle injury that kept him out of three regular season games and the playoffs. Last season Bell only completed three games due to groin and shoulder injuries, recording only eight tackles (no sacks) in these three games. His injuries, however, are not a product of an injury-prone body but rather of his intensity and drive to play through pain.
Bell looks to fill primarily the middle linebacker spot in the Chiefs defense; however, he will be utilized at all spots in order to keep him on the field for all three downs.
Positives
Bell will be playing each linebacker position in the revamped Chiefs defense.
In addition to bringing in Bell, the Chiefs have signed SS Sammy Knight (Miami Dolphins), are interested in trading for Dolphins CB Patrick Surtain or signing unrestricted free agent CB Ty Law and will be looking to draft a linebacker with their first-round pick. If the Chiefs acquire either of those cornerbacks and draft another starting linebacker, it should give the team the freedom to send Bell on blitzes, which is his strongest ability.
Bell possesses one of the best combinations of speed, size and skill in the league. He has the potential to be a game-breaking linebacker in the mold of Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis or Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher. He can get to the quarterback as quickly as anyone in the league and can strike fear into opposing teams with his big hits.
Look for his sack totals to improve as well as for him to force a few fumbles. Bell does not miss many tackles and can get around blockers quite well, which makes him such a great blitzer. He is a decent coverage linebacker, but his strength lies in his ability to deliver big hits and get to the quarterback.
Negatives
If Bell can remain healthy, he should be a good addition to the Chiefs' defense, as he will have lots of sacks from the linebacker position and his tackle total will be high. However, that is if he plays. While he passed a physical for Kansas City, he has still missed 17 games in his four-year career.
The Kansas City offense was ranked second in the NFL in scoring offense at 30.2 points/game, which means teams are often playing from behind against them. This will result in teams passing the ball more than running it, which will take away from Bell's tackle totals; although, it will allow more opportunities for sacks.
Bell is also susceptible to fakes and can sometimes get caught overplaying certain plays, this can lead to him getting caught out of position and ending up away from the play.
Bell also tends to push himself too hard and Kansas City will need to be vigilant as to know when he should play and not play. This drive and need to play through pain resulted in most of his injuries while with the Steelers.
Summary
With KC signing Bell it gives them their first potential stud at the linebacker position since the late LB Derrick Thomas played on the outside. Bell is primarily expected to hold down the fort as the "mike" linebacker, or the middle linebacker position. Bell has been assured by the Chiefs that he will be a three-down player for the team and, as long as he can stay on the field, he should. It is hard to imagine Chiefs team president Carl Peterson would invest so much money into one player if he did not feel certain he would be a leader on the defense (Peterson is not known to be a free spender).
Look for Bell to recover from his injuries this year and team with Chiefs LBs Scott Fujita and Shawn Barber to give the Chiefs one of the best linebacker corps in the division.
Outside of their division Kansas City has a fairly easy schedule with only three teams posing potential difficulties at this stage of the game, the Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles; they play each of these teams at home.
Bell's sack totals should be near or exceeding his career best (nine - 2001) while his tackles should be around the same (full season average - 91). With this easier schedule, the Chiefs should be ahead in a lot of their games, enabling them to send Bell on blitzes to disrupt other teams' passing games. They should be able to utilize his unique combination of speed, size and heart to wreak havoc on their opposition. He is a solid pickup as a No. 2 fantasy linebacker, and if he stays healthy, should really thrive in his new home. Bell is a No. 3 fantasy linebacker, if you are on the conservative side of taking chances.
This is the first time in Bell's short career he has been with a team with an explosive offense. This should put Bell in a position to make big plays, something he has shown he can do in the past and, provided he is healthy, should do this season.
By Bryce McRae, Edited by Cory J. Bonini
LB Kendrell Bell, who recently signed a seven-year, $24 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, burst onto the scene four years ago with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a rookie coming out of Georgia, he was the middle linebacker on a dominating Steelers defense that ranked among the best in the league. He was part of a turn-around that saw the Steelers eventually make it to the AFC Championship game. In his two full seasons in the league, Bell has averaged 91 tackles, 7.0 sacks and 2.0 passes defensed. Those averages are based on his 2001 and 2003 season stats.
In Bell's other two seasons, he has been injured and has not finished the season. In his second season, he sustained an ankle injury that kept him out of three regular season games and the playoffs. Last season Bell only completed three games due to groin and shoulder injuries, recording only eight tackles (no sacks) in these three games. His injuries, however, are not a product of an injury-prone body but rather of his intensity and drive to play through pain.
Bell looks to fill primarily the middle linebacker spot in the Chiefs defense; however, he will be utilized at all spots in order to keep him on the field for all three downs.
Positives
Bell will be playing each linebacker position in the revamped Chiefs defense.
In addition to bringing in Bell, the Chiefs have signed SS Sammy Knight (Miami Dolphins), are interested in trading for Dolphins CB Patrick Surtain or signing unrestricted free agent CB Ty Law and will be looking to draft a linebacker with their first-round pick. If the Chiefs acquire either of those cornerbacks and draft another starting linebacker, it should give the team the freedom to send Bell on blitzes, which is his strongest ability.
Bell possesses one of the best combinations of speed, size and skill in the league. He has the potential to be a game-breaking linebacker in the mold of Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis or Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher. He can get to the quarterback as quickly as anyone in the league and can strike fear into opposing teams with his big hits.
Look for his sack totals to improve as well as for him to force a few fumbles. Bell does not miss many tackles and can get around blockers quite well, which makes him such a great blitzer. He is a decent coverage linebacker, but his strength lies in his ability to deliver big hits and get to the quarterback.
Negatives
If Bell can remain healthy, he should be a good addition to the Chiefs' defense, as he will have lots of sacks from the linebacker position and his tackle total will be high. However, that is if he plays. While he passed a physical for Kansas City, he has still missed 17 games in his four-year career.
The Kansas City offense was ranked second in the NFL in scoring offense at 30.2 points/game, which means teams are often playing from behind against them. This will result in teams passing the ball more than running it, which will take away from Bell's tackle totals; although, it will allow more opportunities for sacks.
Bell is also susceptible to fakes and can sometimes get caught overplaying certain plays, this can lead to him getting caught out of position and ending up away from the play.
Bell also tends to push himself too hard and Kansas City will need to be vigilant as to know when he should play and not play. This drive and need to play through pain resulted in most of his injuries while with the Steelers.
Summary
With KC signing Bell it gives them their first potential stud at the linebacker position since the late LB Derrick Thomas played on the outside. Bell is primarily expected to hold down the fort as the "mike" linebacker, or the middle linebacker position. Bell has been assured by the Chiefs that he will be a three-down player for the team and, as long as he can stay on the field, he should. It is hard to imagine Chiefs team president Carl Peterson would invest so much money into one player if he did not feel certain he would be a leader on the defense (Peterson is not known to be a free spender).
Look for Bell to recover from his injuries this year and team with Chiefs LBs Scott Fujita and Shawn Barber to give the Chiefs one of the best linebacker corps in the division.
Outside of their division Kansas City has a fairly easy schedule with only three teams posing potential difficulties at this stage of the game, the Washington Redskins, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles; they play each of these teams at home.
Bell's sack totals should be near or exceeding his career best (nine - 2001) while his tackles should be around the same (full season average - 91). With this easier schedule, the Chiefs should be ahead in a lot of their games, enabling them to send Bell on blitzes to disrupt other teams' passing games. They should be able to utilize his unique combination of speed, size and heart to wreak havoc on their opposition. He is a solid pickup as a No. 2 fantasy linebacker, and if he stays healthy, should really thrive in his new home. Bell is a No. 3 fantasy linebacker, if you are on the conservative side of taking chances.
This is the first time in Bell's short career he has been with a team with an explosive offense. This should put Bell in a position to make big plays, something he has shown he can do in the past and, provided he is healthy, should do this season.