Teicher: Fox vs Bell...

Coogs · 08-31-2006, 11:48 AM

Didn't see this posted. Sorry if re-post. Sounds as if Gun wants Bell to win out since he pimped for him so hard...
____________________________________________________________

Fox in the hunt for job
Linebacker is giving Bell plenty of competition for a starting position.
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs waited patiently last season for the free agent supposed to make the biggest splash to make any kind of impact at all.

It never happened for linebacker Kendrell Bell. He looked like a player coming off a year of inactivity and was only seventh on the team in tackles.

The Chiefs stayed with Bell in part because they had no alternative. This year, they might have one.

Keyaron Fox leads the Chiefs in preseason tackles and, based solely on their summer work, probably deserves to start over Bell at right linebacker.

That, too, hasn’t happened yet. Bell, except for brief periods at training camp, has been the starter.

Coach Herm Edwards is at least promoting the Bell-Fox battle as competition.

“No one has said, ‘I’m the guy’ yet,” Edwards said. “Both of them are playing well. You feel like you have four starting linebackers — and that’s never bad to have — and if you play all four, that’s fine. If we have to keep doing that during the season, we’ll keep doing that.”

It’s a startling admission from Edwards that Bell, a player desperately coveted last year by defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, hasn’t claimed a job yet. Cunningham viewed Bell as the explosive, playmaking linebacker the Chiefs lacked at the time.

If the position truly is competitive, the Chiefs will soon have to make a decision. Tonight’s preseason game against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium is the final exhibition game for the Chiefs, who begin the regular season a week from Sunday at home against Cincinnati.

Fox is trying to force the Chiefs to make a decision they would probably rather not make. They lavished a big contract on Bell last year, while Fox was a third-round draft pick in 2004, so using Fox over Bell is an admission they made a bad decision to sign the veteran.

“Every game is important for me, especially since I’m coming off an injury,” said Fox, who was lost for the season after hurting a knee in the second game last year. “I wanted to make sure they know I’m 100 percent ready to go and there’s nothing wrong with my knee.”

Edwards and Cunningham spent much of the early offseason touting Bell as crucial to their plans to reverse the team’s defensive fortunes.

The Chiefs said they didn’t see the real Bell last year because of groin and shoulder problems that forced him to miss most of the 2004 season with Pittsburgh.

“I’m gradually getting better,” Bell said. “I feel optimistic. I’m real hard on myself. I’ve thought a lot about last year. I’ve been able to practice and play in the preseason games, which is better than last year. I’m pretty happy about that.

“I feel better physically. I’m able to run. Last year, I really couldn’t do that. I feel tons better.”

Specifically, Edwards and Cunningham wanted to feature Bell’s pass-rushing skills. He had been at times a disruptive pass rusher for the Steelers and the team promised Bell would be part of their rush plans, perhaps as a hand-on-the-ground end.

The Chiefs haven’t shown that yet. Bell comes out in most passing situations in favor of nickel back Benny Sapp.

Edwards hinted it could still happen.

“There are a lot of different things you can do on defense,” he said. “We haven’t shown a lot yet. You never know. It could happen someday, maybe sooner (rather) than later.”

The addition of defensive end Tamba Hali as the first-round pick in late April may have changed at least some of the Chiefs’ plans for Bell. Hali was the featured pass rusher in his first preseason game last week against St. Louis.

The Chiefs used him occasionally as a stand-up rusher in the middle of their line.

“We have a ton of things we can do,” Bell said. “Gun has worked Tamba Hali into a lot of things. He’s trying to get him to be a stand-up guy and a down guy. Some of the things he’s doing, I’m going to do the same thing, basically. Gun has him doing it and I’m kind of like the backup.”

If the Chiefs aren’t going to use Bell as a pass rusher, Fox may be the better option. He has made more preseason plays than Bell.

“He was doing well last year before he got hurt,” middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell said of Fox. “I knew he had some talent. He’s coming on strong, had a good camp. He’s got a chance to be a real good player.”

Fox returned in the offseason uncertain where he might fit in under a new head coach or what he might have lost with the injury.

He was pleasantly surprised at both.

“I didn’t lose too much with the injury as far as mobility,” Fox said. “Now I feel like I’m a smarter player because I got to sit back and study the game for a year. So I’m in better shape than last year.”

The Chiefs may wind up using a lot of four-linebacker formations using both Fox and Bell. They used four linebackers some last year before Fox’s injury.

“We have an array of people,” Bell said. “We should use all of the talent we have.”

Hammock Parties · 08-31-2006, 11:59 AM

I beat Teicher by a week. NYAH!

Radar Chief · 08-31-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bell

I’m real hard on myself.

Uh, huh, huh, he said “hard on”. :Elvis:

Mr. Laz · 08-31-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

The Chiefs said they didn’t see the real Bell last year because of groin and shoulder problems that forced him to miss most of the 2004 season with Pittsburgh.

“I’m gradually getting better,” Bell said. “I feel optimistic. I’m real hard on myself. I’ve thought a lot about last year. I’ve been able to practice and play in the preseason games, which is better than last year. I’m pretty happy about that.

“I feel better physically. I’m able to run. Last year, I really couldn’t do that. I feel tons better.”

the chiefs do this crap all the time ...

they get downright pissed off when anyone doubts what they say but we are always getting the "we had problems last year ... but now we are ok"

they insisted that Bell was healthy when we signed him and everyone who didn't believe it wasn't a true fan.

now we get to hear about how Bell is FINALLY healthy now.

Goonther was all happy-happy about his head coach and his assistant coaches UNTIL they left ....... then they were the reason for our defensive problems.

does anyone over at arrowhead have an honest bone in their body?

...... seriously.

keg in kc · 08-31-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

they insisted that Bell was healthy when we signed him and everyone who didn't believe it wasn't a true fan.

I remember that press conference where Goonther said Bell was healthy and anybody who said otherwise was a liar and not a real fan of the Chiefs. Then he ripped his sleeves off, donned his gold glasses and went to worship at the altar of the great Scanlon.

Ahh, the good ol' days.

shaneo69 · 08-31-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

“I’m gradually getting better,” Bell said. “I feel optimistic. I’m real hard on myself. I’ve thought a lot about last year. I’ve been able to practice and play in the preseason games, which is better than last year. I’m pretty happy about that.

“I feel better physically. I’m able to run. Last year, I really couldn’t do that. I feel tons better.”

This still doesn't sound all that reassuring to me. Great, he can finally run now that his groin/sports hernia has healed, but apparently his shoulder is still messed up because I haven't seen him try to make a tackle yet this preseason.

**Iowanian** · 08-31-2006, 01:39 PM

I think Gunther is trying to save Face by making Bell the starter.

Watching preseason games so far, Fox has been all over the place, making plays from sideline to sideline. They'd have to show me on tape why Bell should start over Fox for me to think it was legit.

Spicy McHaggis · 08-31-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaneo69

This still doesn't sound all that reassuring to me. Great, he can finally run now that his groin/sports hernia has healed, but apparently his shoulder is still messed up because I haven't seen him try to make a tackle yet this preseason.

Yeah, I'm definately not getting the impression the guy is 100%. He might not ever be again.

Spicy McHaggis · 08-31-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I think Gunther is trying to save Face by making Bell the starter.

Watching preseason games so far, Fox has been all over the place, making plays from sideline to sideline. They'd have to show me on tape why Bell should start over Fox for me to think it was legit.

What's reassuring to me is that Fox has earned the starting spot this offseason, much more than Bell has lost it. If Bell were healthy and making plays I still think Fox would be giving him a run for his money.

Hammock Parties · 08-31-2006, 01:44 PM

I'm going to be friggin' pissed if Bell is the starter.

Spicy McHaggis · 08-31-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I'm going to be friggin' pissed if Bell is the starter.

If he does it is at least in part to Gun's ego.

Hydrae · 08-31-2006, 01:59 PM

We need to find a wide body to plug in at NT and go with a 3-4 so that Bell can play inside where he was able to be an impact for the Steelers and put Fox on the outside where he obviously belongs. Otherwise, let's try to trade Bell outta here.

HC_Chief · 08-31-2006, 02:06 PM

Too bad we don't have the DTs for a switch to 3-4; we have 4 starting quality LBs (DJ, Mitchell, Fox, Bell - in that order).

We could go light & mobile on the line w/ Allen, Hali, and one of the DT scrubs, but that plays against the strength of our DEs.

brent102fire · 08-31-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

the chiefs do this crap all the time ...

they get downright pissed off when anyone doubts what they say but we are always getting the "we had problems last year ... but now we are ok"

they insisted that Bell was healthy when we signed him and everyone who didn't believe it wasn't a true fan.

now we get to hear about how Bell is FINALLY healthy now.

Goonther was all happy-happy about his head coach and his assistant coaches UNTIL they left ....... then they were the reason for our defensive problems.

does anyone over at arrowhead have an honest bone in their body?

...... seriously.

I don't believe so! Atleast you know all the people at Arrowhead could have a bright future in Politics. They would be a perfect fit in Washington, DC...

sedated · 08-31-2006, 02:14 PM

I said after Trent's 24 INT year that he deserved one more year to prove that he is a player. Bell deserves the same.

but if he comes out and looks like his same fat-@ss ineffective self, cut ties and be done with it.

08-31-2006, 11:48 AM
Coogs In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Northern Kansas Casino cash: $1544349	Teicher: Fox vs Bell... Didn't see this posted. Sorry if re-post. Sounds as if Gun wants Bell to win out since he pimped for him so hard... ____________________________________________________________ Fox in the hunt for job Linebacker is giving Bell plenty of competition for a starting position. By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The Chiefs waited patiently last season for the free agent supposed to make the biggest splash to make any kind of impact at all. It never happened for linebacker Kendrell Bell. He looked like a player coming off a year of inactivity and was only seventh on the team in tackles. The Chiefs stayed with Bell in part because they had no alternative. This year, they might have one. Keyaron Fox leads the Chiefs in preseason tackles and, based solely on their summer work, probably deserves to start over Bell at right linebacker. That, too, hasn’t happened yet. Bell, except for brief periods at training camp, has been the starter. Coach Herm Edwards is at least promoting the Bell-Fox battle as competition. “No one has said, ‘I’m the guy’ yet,” Edwards said. “Both of them are playing well. You feel like you have four starting linebackers — and that’s never bad to have — and if you play all four, that’s fine. If we have to keep doing that during the season, we’ll keep doing that.” It’s a startling admission from Edwards that Bell, a player desperately coveted last year by defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, hasn’t claimed a job yet. Cunningham viewed Bell as the explosive, playmaking linebacker the Chiefs lacked at the time. If the position truly is competitive, the Chiefs will soon have to make a decision. Tonight’s preseason game against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium is the final exhibition game for the Chiefs, who begin the regular season a week from Sunday at home against Cincinnati. Fox is trying to force the Chiefs to make a decision they would probably rather not make. They lavished a big contract on Bell last year, while Fox was a third-round draft pick in 2004, so using Fox over Bell is an admission they made a bad decision to sign the veteran. “Every game is important for me, especially since I’m coming off an injury,” said Fox, who was lost for the season after hurting a knee in the second game last year. “I wanted to make sure they know I’m 100 percent ready to go and there’s nothing wrong with my knee.” Edwards and Cunningham spent much of the early offseason touting Bell as crucial to their plans to reverse the team’s defensive fortunes. The Chiefs said they didn’t see the real Bell last year because of groin and shoulder problems that forced him to miss most of the 2004 season with Pittsburgh. “I’m gradually getting better,” Bell said. “I feel optimistic. I’m real hard on myself. I’ve thought a lot about last year. I’ve been able to practice and play in the preseason games, which is better than last year. I’m pretty happy about that. “I feel better physically. I’m able to run. Last year, I really couldn’t do that. I feel tons better.” Specifically, Edwards and Cunningham wanted to feature Bell’s pass-rushing skills. He had been at times a disruptive pass rusher for the Steelers and the team promised Bell would be part of their rush plans, perhaps as a hand-on-the-ground end. The Chiefs haven’t shown that yet. Bell comes out in most passing situations in favor of nickel back Benny Sapp. Edwards hinted it could still happen. “There are a lot of different things you can do on defense,” he said. “We haven’t shown a lot yet. You never know. It could happen someday, maybe sooner (rather) than later.” The addition of defensive end Tamba Hali as the first-round pick in late April may have changed at least some of the Chiefs’ plans for Bell. Hali was the featured pass rusher in his first preseason game last week against St. Louis. The Chiefs used him occasionally as a stand-up rusher in the middle of their line. “We have a ton of things we can do,” Bell said. “Gun has worked Tamba Hali into a lot of things. He’s trying to get him to be a stand-up guy and a down guy. Some of the things he’s doing, I’m going to do the same thing, basically. Gun has him doing it and I’m kind of like the backup.” If the Chiefs aren’t going to use Bell as a pass rusher, Fox may be the better option. He has made more preseason plays than Bell. “He was doing well last year before he got hurt,” middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell said of Fox. “I knew he had some talent. He’s coming on strong, had a good camp. He’s got a chance to be a real good player.” Fox returned in the offseason uncertain where he might fit in under a new head coach or what he might have lost with the injury. He was pleasantly surprised at both. “I didn’t lose too much with the injury as far as mobility,” Fox said. “Now I feel like I’m a smarter player because I got to sit back and study the game for a year. So I’m in better shape than last year.” The Chiefs may wind up using a lot of four-linebacker formations using both Fox and Bell. They used four linebackers some last year before Fox’s injury. “We have an array of people,” Bell said. “We should use all of the talent we have.”
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08-31-2006, 11:59 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4650478	I beat Teicher by a week. NYAH! __________________ Chiefs game films
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08-31-2006, 01:39 PM	#7
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4728454	I think Gunther is trying to save Face by making Bell the starter. Watching preseason games so far, Fox has been all over the place, making plays from sideline to sideline. They'd have to show me on tape why Bell should start over Fox for me to think it was legit.
Posts: 61,539

08-31-2006, 01:44 PM	#10
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4650478	I'm going to be friggin' pissed if Bell is the starter. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 278,066

08-31-2006, 01:59 PM	#12
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2267000	We need to find a wide body to plug in at NT and go with a 3-4 so that Bell can play inside where he was able to be an impact for the Steelers and put Fox on the outside where he obviously belongs. Otherwise, let's try to trade Bell outta here.
Posts: 14,689

08-31-2006, 02:06 PM	#13
HC_Chief That's just f***in' stupid Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: suburbia Casino cash: $3687107	Too bad we don't have the DTs for a switch to 3-4; we have 4 starting quality LBs (DJ, Mitchell, Fox, Bell - in that order). We could go light & mobile on the line w/ Allen, Hali, and one of the DT scrubs, but that plays against the strength of our DEs. __________________ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
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