Cowboys to Sign OT Demetress Bell, QB Alex Tanney, WR Lavasier Tuinei

[Rockport]

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story...cowboys-intend-add-demetress-bell-source-says

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Really like this move, especially if he outplays Free and we can trade or cut Free. Even if he does not, he is great depth.

Demetress Bell in Cowboys' plans
Updated: July 19, 2013, 12:46 PM ET
By [URL='http://search.espn.go.com/archer_todd/'] Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

OXNARD, Calif. -- The Dallas Cowboys intend to fill one of their four roster openings once they get to California with veteran offensive tackle Demetress Bell, according to a source.

Bell, who started five games last year in Philadelphia, would have to pass a physical before the deal becomes official.

He signed a five-year deal with the Eagles last year worth nearly $35 million but was released in February in a salary-cap move. The Cowboys had been in contact with Bell's agent as they worked through Doug Free's pay cut earlier in the spring and finally came to an agreement.

continue reading: http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/9492077/dallas-cowboys-intend-add-demetress-bell-source-says
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[MichaelWinicki]

Bell was awful last year...

Just how awful?

He makes "Doug Free look good" kinda awful.

He's had one sorta-OK season... sorta. The rest of the time he's been a below average player.

I think the only way he makes the final roster is due to injuries.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Bell was awful last year...

Just how awful?

He makes "Doug Free look good" kinda awful.

He's had one sorta-OK season... sorta. The rest of the time he's been a below average player.

I think the only way he makes the final roster is due to injuries.

Please keep in mind that Bell didn't have the pleasure of being coached by Callahan and may thrive in his zone blocking scheme...

 

[WoodysGirl]

Archer also reported the Cowboys plan to sign quarterback Alex Tanney rather than former Alamo Heights and Rice standout Chase Clement and wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/nfl/2013/07/cowboys-reportedly-set-to-sign-former-nba-stars-son/

 

[Mr Cowboy]

The "Mailman's" son. He hasn't been very good for a while.

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

No way he can be worse than Free... That dude has been stealing money from day 1.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

Bell was awful last year...

Just how awful?

He makes "Doug Free look good" kinda awful.

He's had one sorta-OK season... sorta. The rest of the time he's been a below average player.

I think the only way he makes the final roster is due to injuries.

I agree Bell was awful last year. But the year before in Buffalo he was good enough to garner a $35 million contract from Philly. Maybe he's hungry enough being out on the stree to regain some of his form and be useful. No matter, it's a great "kick the tires" signing in my opinion. You can never have too many OTs.

 

[Alexander]

Bell was awful last year...

Just how awful?

He makes "Doug Free look good" kinda awful.

He's had one sorta-OK season... sorta. The rest of the time he's been a below average player.

I think the only way he makes the final roster is due to injuries.

Cannot disagree here. He was so bad King Dunlap beat him out after the first preseason game when the Eagles gave him a starting tackle-type contract. He can play either side, so I suppose that is the charm. No harm in finding out if last season was an abherration.

 

[Alexander]

No way he can be worse than Free... That dude has been stealing money from day 1.

Bell would have stolen about as much from the Eagles as Free already has if they had allowed him to. Instead, he was due $9.5 this season and the Eagles cut him to avoid paying him a penny.

 

[xwalker]

No way he can be worse than Free... That dude has been stealing money from day 1.

I pulled up the game from last year where he started against Dallas on the Coaches Film from nfl.com.

He didn't look any worse than Free, IMO. He was reasonably good on most plays but had some occasional whiffs.

Something looks odd about his footwork, but I'm not an expert in that area.

 

[NorthwestDallas40]

I pulled up the game from last year where he started against Dallas on the Coaches Film from nfl.com.

He didn't look any worse than Free, IMO. He was reasonably good on most plays but had some occasional whiffs.

Something looks odd about his footwork, but I'm not an expert in that area.

Just found this post from last year. This could explain Bell's regression with the Eagles and why his footwork looked odd to you. With more traditional Callahan technique, maybe he regains his form.

Under Eagles OL coach Howard Mudd, LT Demetress Bell explained that he's learning a "completely new" blocking technique from what the Bills taught.
Most offensive line coaches teach the "vertical step," in which a tackle steps backward to cut off the pass rusher. Mudd "abhors" the vertical step, and teaches linemen to "attack." "It's aggressive," Bell said of Mudd's scheme. "It's nothing like I've been taught my first four years in the league. It's totally opposite. ... But I like it. I think it works into my favor, being athletic."

 

[IAmLegend]

Yay another below average OT!

 

[AbeBeta]

Like the Bell move -- any time you can get someone who has good tools but hasn't really figured out how to play yet it is decent gamble. I doubt he ends up making in the team but he's certainly got more of a shot than any of the UDFA Tackles still out there.

I know folks don't realize this but we only have 5 OTs in the roster right now. I know we plan to give Parnell a bunch of snaps in the pre-season but you just can't play without six if we want to limit Tyron

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Yay another below average OT!

Yeah, I can't believe the Cowboys didn't sign any of the many pro-bowl level free agent tackles!

 

[Alexander]

I know folks don't realize this but we only have 5 OTs in the roster right now. I know we plan to give Parnell a bunch of snaps in the pre-season but you just can't play without six if we want to limit Tyron

You need to have at least second string caliber play from your backup talent to be able to evaluate adequately. Edawn Coughman is more of a RT, so this could be helpful.

Putting Darrion Weems against better quality rushers for two and three quarters at a time could make Orton look worse, who makes judging the WRs harder and so on.

We saw part of this problem in minicamps. Evaluation cannot be done in a vacuum.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Like the Bell move -- any time you can get someone who has good tools but hasn't really figured out how to play yet it is decent gamble. I doubt he ends up making in the team but he's certainly got more of a shot than any of the UDFA Tackles still out there.

I know folks don't realize this but we only have 5 OTs in the roster right now. I know we plan to give Parnell a bunch of snaps in the pre-season but you just can't play without six if we want to limit Tyron

I like the Bell move only because he can become the swing tackle if he outperforms either Free or Parnell in TC. I don't see it happening, though, so he is more likely a camp body or insurance if someone goes down.

 

[reddyuta]

bell has to be the worst tackle in the nfl.

 

[AbeBeta]

I like the Bell move only because he can become the swing tackle if he outperforms either Free or Parnell in TC. I don't see it happening, though, so he is more likely a camp body or insurance if someone goes down.

Having insurance is far better than not.

See 2012 training camp, filed under "center"

 

[rash]

Bell was awful last year...

Just how awful?

He makes "Doug Free look good" kinda awful.

He's had one sorta-OK season... sorta. The rest of the time he's been a below average player.

I think the only way he makes the final roster is due to injuries.

Couldn't disagree with you more. Bell looked very solid toward the end of last season. He is a big strong dude that could fit into any system; I think he can be a poor man's Jonathan Ogden if he believes in himself and in Callahan.

Great job Jerry! Great job!