RB Le'Veon Bell's Visit to Valley Ranch

[IAmLegend]

IRVING, Texas – Le’Veon Bell could fit the Cowboys’ need for a bruiser as backup running back, capable of handling a full load at any point.

That’s why the Cowboys are one of two teams, along with the Jets, that the former Michigan State star running back said he’s visited so far. Bell was one of 30 players to take a pre-draft visit with the Cowboys.

“The running backs coach (Gary Brown) was very impressed,” Bell said on 105.3 FM The Fan. “He loved the way I can catch the ball. He loves the way I move, especially being a bigger guy. He loves the way I can get in and out of my cuts. I did my thing at Pro Day and in my individual workouts with the Cowboys, and I’m going to continue to impress.”

Bell made his first trip to see the Cowboys facilities this offseason and said he had a great two-day visit, describing the stadium as “unbelievable.” He talked to owner/general manager Jerry Jones, as well as executive vice president Stephen Jones and head coach Jason Garrett.

“They said they want another guy there to be a No. 2 guy who can eventually compete for a starting job,” Bell said. “They said basically they want two starting running backs. That’s what they’re looking for, and I feel like I can bring that to any team in the NFL.”

Bell, who ran for 1,793 yards last year, is on most draft boards as a third or fourth round pick, but he’s been told he could go even higher. He said he’s heard he could even jump into the first round, because of everything he can add to a team.

“I’m the biggest guy of all the backs, probably, height and weight, I can catch the ball out of the backfield just as good as any back,” he said. “I can get tough yardage just as good, if not better, than any back. There’s a lot of things that I can bring to a team. I played a lot of special teams, punt returner, kick returner. There’s a lot of things I can bring to a team, so much value. I’m a bigger guy, so pass protection would be a big plus for me, being able to block bigger linebackers and defensive ends at times.”

The running back grew up in Ohio, but he always watched former Jets running back Curtis Martin, even though his family consisted mostly of Steelers fans.

The Steelers and Jets are among the teams that have shown interest in Bell, along with the Cowboys, Colts and Texans. But Bell, who has friends who are Cowboys fans, doesn’t have a preference in his location or his role. He just wants an opportunity.

“I’m OK with whatever role,” Bell said. “I just want to get drafted and get into camp and compete. Once I compete, I just want a fair chance.”


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...State-RB/219c7525-510b-4053-9ab6-44b770116f5d


I like this kid a lot. Hope we draft him or Johnathon Franklin in the 3rd.

 

[egn22]

whats the knock on this guy? my brother loves him and is praying we get him, thinks he's 1st round talent. i've been reading 3rd round earliest. but he seems like the complete package. not sure what he lacks.

 

[kirkjrk]

I noticed today on nfldraftscouts.com that Bell moved up in his overall ranking from 116 to 66. That's from yesterday to today. Also Franklin-UCLA--from 77 to 54 and M. Ball from 92 to 60. Don't know what's going on over there but many many players are moving around in their rankings, but none as drastic as the running backs. ?????

 

[DFWJC]

This draft is really deep in rounds 2-5 for RBs. It's perfect for Dallas.
Yes to Bell!

 

[danielofthesaints]

Fingers crossed he is still there in the 4th. I think a 3rd is too high for him. He just doesn't have enough of that straight line speed that I would want in a back in the top 3 rounds, but for the 4th, I would gladly take a bruiser back that is surprisingly athletic and can pass block and catch the ball out of the backfield well.

 

[TheSport78]

Love this guy in the 3rd round. He's a more complete Marion Barber without the character issues.

 

[DFWJC]

I noticed today on nfldraftscouts.com that Bell moved up in his overall ranking from 116 to 66. That's from yesterday to today. Also Franklin-UCLA--from 77 to 54 and M. Ball from 92 to 60. Don't know what's going on over there but many many players are moving around in their rankings, but none as drastic as the running backs. ?????

Bummer.

There was a group of 5-6 backs that all seemed underrated, imo.
I was hoping we could snag a good backup or rotation guy in the 4th or 5th round. I badly want us to use the 1st three rounds on the Oline, Dline, Safety if the value is right.

 

[Teague31]

Wouldn't be surprised at all if we take him in the 3rd.

 

[newlander]

whats the knock on this guy? my brother loves him and is praying we get him, thinks he's 1st round talent. i've been reading 3rd round earliest. but he seems like the complete package. not sure what he lacks.

......including 7 games in person. The only thing he lacks is breakaway speed. He is not and never will be a home run hitter that can take it to the house. But that's IT fellas: size, quicks (note his outstanding 10 yard shuttle time), character, toughness and VERY good feet for a man his size.

Lastly, he can really catch the ball out of the backfield and his ball security is exceptional. I don't have the EXACT stats but I only remember him losing one fumble in 3 years and dropping 2 passes....that's it. Kid is nails, but his rise might make it impossible for us to snag him unfortunately. PLEASE lord don't let him go to the Steelers. Just could be their next 'BUS'.....fans in Pittsburgh sure seem to think so.

 

[newlander]

Wouldn't be surprised at all if we take him in the 3rd.

.....and before the combine and his pro day I would have said he'd be there...but I'm not so sure anymore. Sounds like Jerrah and Co. like him though: they rolled out the red carpet.:starspin

 

[Hardline]

Marshawn Lynch II

 

[Thatkidbob]

Love this guy in the 3rd round. He's a more complete Marion Barber without the character issues.

To what do you refer? The dress code incident?

On Bell: He gets caught from behind a lot, runs very upright, and with significantly less power than one would expect from a guy his size. He seems to rely more on his quickness than anything else, and I wonder how that will pan out for him in the NFL.

But what do I know? All I've seen is a couple highlight films.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Love this guy in the 3rd round. He's a more complete Marion Barber without the character issues.

Don't recall Barber ever having character issues coming out of Minnesota...

 

[RS12]

Daniel Jeremiah ‏@MoveTheSticks 6h
Le'Veon Bell is a good fit for the pro game...His ability to block/catch has some pass happy teams excited.
Expand

 

[tyke1doe]

whats the knock on this guy? my brother loves him and is praying we get him, thinks he's 1st round talent. i've been reading 3rd round earliest. but he seems like the complete package. not sure what he lacks.

Break-away speed.

 

[Avenging Hayseed]

whats the knock on this guy? my brother loves him and is praying we get him, thinks he's 1st round talent. i've been reading 3rd round earliest. but he seems like the complete package. not sure what he lacks.

Bell is one of my favorite backs in the draft. The other is Monte Ball. Like them both equally,....but they are different kind of backs.

Im a huge Wisconsin Badger fan but in OUR CASE I think Bell would be a little better fit for our team based upon what we are trying to do " be more physical" and being paired with Demarco. Think those guys would make one hell of a rough and tumble tandem for years to come.

As far as the knock on Bell there is only one that stands out to me. Not an east/ west guy AT ALL. You have to keep this guy running down hill, north south. Thats where he REALLY is capable of doing his damage. Ive watched him in epic games against the Badgers. When UW clogs the middle and strings him out he simply does not have the hops to do much with the rock, although he is still a real load to bring down.


But north/south ? He can be devastating!

 

[Gaede]

I really want us to get Bell.

For me, it's a tossup as to who I want more--Stepfan Taylor, Le'Veon Bell or Jonathon Franklin. I think they are all great players and would, in time, become our starting RB.

 

[egn22]

i like Stepfan's style of running a lot and he's my personal favorite. i think the 40 time was a fluke and he's gonna be great in the NFL.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

In my opinion, this draft is chalk full of solid backs that can tote the rock in dependable fashion behind decent blocking. Lacy is at the top of that list, followed by some combination of Bell, Ball, Taylor, etc.

I've watched a lot of Bell in the last couple days, and my thoughts are similar to what I see what the others mentioned... he needs blocking. He's big, strong, good vision, power, but only rarely creates on his own. If there's a hole, he's more than qualified to hit it. But these types of players can be had in the later rounds IMO.

The "creators," the guys who can kill you in space and threaten a defense... those are the guys I'd like to team with DeMarco. Not a "3rd down" or "change of pace back" per se, but a guy who does have more special athletic traits but is also capable of being the full time guy if need be. Those guys are Franklin, Bernard and Ellington.

My order:

1. Lacy
2. Franklin
3. Ellington
4. Bernard
5. Bell
6. Ball
7. Randle
8. Taylor

 

[AZ_Cowboys_Fan]

I know what you're saying and Bell is definitely not an East-West kind of back but remember, neither is Alfred Morris and he did ok last year. Granted, he benefited from having RG3 as a read option threat but even without that he would've done just fine I think.

In my opinion, this draft is chalk full of solid backs that can tote the rock in dependable fashion behind decent blocking. Lacy is at the top of that list, followed by some combination of Bell, Ball, Taylor, etc.

I've watched a lot of Bell in the last couple days, and my thoughts are similar to what I see what the others mentioned... he needs blocking. He's big, strong, good vision, power, but only rarely creates on his own. If there's a hole, he's more than qualified to hit it. But these types of players can be had in the later rounds IMO.

The "creators," the guys who can kill you in space and threaten a defense... those are the guys I'd like to team with DeMarco. Not a "3rd down" or "change of pace back" per se, but a guy who does have more special athletic traits but is also capable of being the full time guy if need be. Those guys are Franklin, Bernard and Ellington.

My order:

1. Lacy
2. Franklin
3. Ellington
4. Bernard
5. Bell
6. Ball
7. Randle
8. Taylor