Signing S Yeremiah Bell looks like a priority

[DolFan619]

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2008/11/signing_bell_looks_like_priori.html

Signing Bell looks like priority

After Yeremiah Bell's big Sunday, after he led the team in tackles and knocked down the tying two-point conversion and was in on Seattle's last-gasp fourth-down pass, the Dolphins safety was asked the question that's on the minds of several Dolphins in the last year of their contracts.

Are they talking contract with him?

"Yeah, they're talking,'' he said. "It's not a big issue now. It's about winning right now. But they're talking."

Two points: (1) Bell said what he's supposed to regarding winning (2) It's a big issue.

It's a touchy issue, too, as you can imagine. In fact, in the locker room, you hear players make comments about who's going to get contracts and who might not be. The three biggest names in the discussion are Bell, Vernon Carey and Channing Crowder.

The issue with Bell always has been of health, not of talent. He had nine tackles Sunday (eight solo). That should keep him in the league lead he had entering Sunday of being involved in 18 percent of his team's tackles. That's good news about him about being around the ball.

It's not necessarily good news for Crowder. Bill Parcells has made a career around big-play linebackers. Look at the great Giants teams with Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks and Pepper Johnson. But if the safety is making so many tackles, what's it say about the middle linebacker?

It's never a direct comparison because of different defenses and responsibilities and personnel. But in 2006, when Bell played with Zach Thomas at middle linebacker, Bell had 68 tackles while Thomas had 165. Through nine games, he has 71 to Crowder's 68.

Crowder has one forced fumble and two passes defensed. (Bell, by comparison, has three forced fumbles and seven passes defensed, though no interceptions). It's numbers like these you can bet Parcells and Jeff Ireland are studying in making decisions for the future.

There's a dance that goes in free agency. And it's mid-dance now so there are no conclusions. But the criteria remain the same from year to year: What are players asking? And teams offering? And what's the supply of players at that position in this off-season?

Carey presents an interesting case. He's a good, steady tackle. People have raised some eyebrows at some of his games this year. Still, can you find better on the open market? Sparano's background is offensive linemen, so he knows what he wants and if Carey can provide it.

There are no conclusions in mid-season about what decisions the Dolphins' brain trust makes in the off-season. All we know is what is being said: They're talking to Bell and don't seem to be some others.

> Posted by Dave Hyde at 8:17 AM

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I'll bet Bell and Carey get locked into long term deals but Crowder will be allowed to test the market.  Then, some team desparate for linebacking help will give him a contract similar to Morlon Greenwood's. 

[fyo]

I'm not sold on Carey. I know I'm in the minority and that Carey provides a great deal of flexibility that our coaches covet, but overall, I just don't he's worth "big bucks". If he can be signed to a reasonable contract, then great... but he's not a huge strength on our line. He's above average, but that's mainly because Ndukwe and Smiley are making way too many mistakes.

We need to draft o-line, plus we get Donald Thomas back.

[DolFan619]

  I actually see Camarillo, Crowder, and Bell getting new deals.  Carey might get the tag, or be allowed to walk.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

We need to draft o-line, plus we get Donald Thomas back.

Don't bet the farm on Donald Thomas.  He might've worked his way into the starting lineup before getting hurt, but so did Drew Mormino last season.  Look what happened to him. 

[fyo]

Don't bet the farm on Donald Thomas.  He might've worked his way into the starting lineup before getting hurt, but so did Drew Mormino last season.  Look what happened to him. 

Somehow my confidence in the new regime surpasses that which I have in the last regime.

[BigDaddyFin]

Well we need help in a whole lot of areas.  Linebacker, Corner, Safety (because we can't play pass defense for shit).  We could use some more recievers to go with Camarillo Ginn and Bess, and we sure as shit could use some offensive linemen.   You sign Bell and and Carey, it will at least help in the short run with two of those needs.