Chiefs sign kendrall bell

[lazarus]

KANSAS CITY AGREES TO TERMS WITH UFA LB KENDRELL BELL

Mar 08, 2005, 1:26:21 PM



Kansas City Chiefs President Carl Peterson announced on Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms of a seven-year contract with unrestricted free agent LB Kendrell Bell. As per Chiefs policy, no other terms of the agreement were made available.

“I’m pleased to conclude this negotiation with (Bell’s representative) Todd France,” Peterson commented. “I enjoyed it because we both wanted to get a deal done and I think that this is a very good contract for both parties. We’re pleased to acquire Kendrell’s services and we think he will make an impact for the Chiefs in 2005 and beyond. He’s a quality football player, as well as a quality person.”

“Kendrell is very excited about joining the Chiefs and believes he can make a huge impact on the defense,” France stated. “I can tell you that the entire process, working with Carl and (Executive Vice President/Assistant GM) Denny (Thum) was a great experience. The Chiefs are a first-class organization.”

Bell (6-1, 257) has played in 47 regular season games (44 starts), recording 255 tackles (206 solo) and 18.0 sacks (-145.0 yards). He also owns one interception (61 yards), a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and five passes defensed. The University of Georgia product has also seen duty in four career postseason contests (three starts), owning 25 tackles (20 solo) and a sack (-1.0 yard).

The 2001 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Bell originally entered the NFL as a second-round selection (39th overall) of Pittsburgh. He earned a Pro Bowl invitation in his inaugural pro campaign with the Steelers after producing 88 tackles (74 solo), 9.0 sacks (-84.0 yards) and a pair of forced fumbles. He was also a second-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press in 2001 and was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month in both October and November of that year.

The Augusta, Georgia native enjoyed his best all-around pro season in 2003. That year he was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl after racking up 108 tackles (88 solo) to rank second on the squad. He also accumulated 5.0 sacks (-36.0 yards), an interception, three passes defensed and a forced fumble.

Bell posted 153 tackles (95 solo), 7.0 sacks, five forced fumbles and 14 QB pressures during his collegiate tenure at Georgia. As a senior in 2000, he was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection when he started the final 10 contests of the year at middle linebacker, ranking second on the team with 92 tackles (53 solos). He also added 2.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, an interception, three passes defensed and two QB pressures.

Bell joined the Bulldogs following a two-year stay at Middle Georgia Junior College where he registered 132 tackles and 6.0 sacks as a sophomore after rushing for 689 yards as a fullback during his freshman campaign. An all-state selection in football as a senior at Laney High School in Augusta, Georgia, he also lettered in basketball and track during his prep career.

[CAChiefsFan]

Lord Hallelluja, now just give us a solid corner a good draft and we will be on our way. It's about time I had been working on my CP assasination plan

[Dennis]

CAChiefsFan said:

Lord Hallelluja, now just give us a solid corner a good draft and we will be on our way. It's about time I had been working on my CP assasination plan

Go ahead and finishing signing Hartwell and then work on the cornerback position. There are lots of cornerbacks in the draft .

[Chieftain]

Amazing Grace, At least we signed someone. I've never seem him play so, I hope you guys are right about him.

[CAChiefsFan]

Like I said what I saw was in 2003 when he had his best year so far. He became one of my favorite players not on the Chiefs. There is alot of potential and seeing what Gunther did with the underachieving LB's in Tennessee it makes me excited. I get the concerns about injuries but it's not like the guys we had didn't get injured last year. Bell for half a year is an improvment over last year. All free agents are a gamble but I think this one has the most upside if he can shed the injuries. Everyone wanted Trotter like crazy and the last time he got a big contract he had a terrible year, followed by the surgery on both knees this past year. I think he was much more of a risk. I would love it if we could still land Smoot and Hartwell though I think this is probably the end of Carl's moves. If that did happen we could have more freedom with draft choices. Then we could trade down in the first, get back a third pick and get Mike Williams or Bryant McFadden at the end of the 1st round.

[Splat420]

I cant belive it its about time. Who knows if he can stay on the field but when he does hes great!

[Primusgod]

Bell is a very fast LB with a good head on his shoulders. He can tackle well and cover when needed. He's a great addition to the D. I just hope they aren't done. I think it was a mistake to let Rolle get away. I'd still like to see us sign Hartwell and TWO corners.

[CAChiefsFan]

Well there are really only two left being Surtain and Law, if we get one of them and that's a huge IF we won't get the other they are too expensive. I read a story on the Chiefs website that after signing Bell talks have been broken off with Hartwell so that is doubtful as well. To me it looks like Bell and Crouch are going to be the offseason moves that Carl makes this year plus whatever we draft.

[icepick64]

The chiefs had me scared for a minute there, the whole afc west was getting much better except them, but I really think Bell is going to be a huge impact player right away, now they NEED corner help, they just got slammed all year on the passing game, I really think surtain is the way to go, maybe give up a draft pick for him, come on Peterson, hit us a home run!