dberce1

Kind of a shame, I thought he'd be a steal for cheap after failing the physical:

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.�

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/03...kendrell_bell/

saintswhodi

Chiefs obviously are desperate. When was the last time this guy played a whole season? And how much must Hartwell want to not be signed yet?

JKool

Yeah, what is the deal with Hartwell? He must be looking for a boat-load of money. I understand that the Seahawks and the Bengals are still considering him, but I haven\'t heard much else.

I say bring him down here. If it turns out he is a bit on the slow side, we can always play him at SLB!

The fact that there are no rumors about a LB is starting to make me think the Howard trade might be for a vetran LB after all. I don\'t think that the Darius thing is going to happen, and even if it did, I can\'t see how it wouldn\'t favor the Jags.

Maybe we can get Bullock...

[Edited on 8/3/2005 by JKool]

"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks

saintswhodi

I\'m all for him. Trotter ain\'t that fast, and he was dominant. And Hartwell can shed a blocker, which is more important than speed for a MLB IMO. Look at Urlacher. One of the fastest LBs in the league, but you get a body on him and he is out of the play. Bring Hartwell in, let\'s do it.

GoldenTomb

I would call it a good pickup. Sure the guy failed a physical, but he isn\'t fully recovered from his injury. If he is in preseason and he\'s still hurting, then they should worry. If he gets there injury free, then he\'s a hell of a player. It\'s a calculated risk. I don\'t think that they are desperate though.

LKelley67

pat kirwan had a good comment that the wave of free agent signing was so frenetic that a lot of the big money got sucked out fast. the market for the remaining linebackers and cornerbacks could turn much more to the buyers side with each signing.

smoot had a standing $10million signing bonus offer with washington that has been reportedly been withdrawn by the team.

we dont have minnesota like money to spend but another defensive player sure seems needed when you are dead last in defense. a point i have overemphasized perhaps that i will again is this- think how much better the team and the d in particular were those last 4 weeks, 25% of the season. just using that month it was top 5-like defense. BUT even tho that was the case to end the season they still finished dead last overall. very badly last in some categories. that certainoly deserves the response of one other player that could at least contend for a starting spot. who i am not even so picky about... just help!
the best trade partner for a lb imo is houston. they gave jamie sharper permission to negotiate a trade. he looks like pretty even value for howard. their goals for the draft thusfar would be OT and DE. they could grab barron or brown in the draft and have their other greatest need addressed with howard.

saintswhodi

The guy played 3 games last year. I think they are desperate. The market is drying up for big names. Sure he could pay off, but if the Steelers are happy to see him go, there must be something more wrong with him than is known. They have had several visits, and no signings and needed to get something done. IMO, it\'s a desperation move to get a big name defensive FA in.

Danno

I don\'t understand why we also haven\'t made any desperation moves.

Sedrick Hodge-Probably gone.
Darren Smith-Are depends padded?
Derrick Rodgers-Aging fast, really fast
Roger Knight-Special teamer, but not realy special
Orlando Ruff-Orlando Ruff
These 5 are basically street free-agents.
That leaves us with only 3 keepers.
James Allen-12 pathetic games, 4 good ones. Who knows who the real James Allen is.
Colby Bockwoldt-Promising, should get better
Courtney Watson-Promising, should get better

I personally think we\'re more desperate than the Chiefs. I wouldn\'t mind a desperation move at LB right about now.

saintswhodi

I am with you Danno, trust me. But not for Kendrell Bell. If we have to, I would overpay for Hartwell to get him in here, but not anyone else. Or give up a 4th for Witherspoon from Carolina cause he is a RFA. I think a 4th was required.

mutineer10

I jumped off the Kendrell Bell bandwagon pretty quickly, but if KC didn\'t overpay, they could still laugh last by signing him. The likelihood of that happening - Bell playing an entire season and performing well - is slim to none. He was a force in his day, but those injuries leveled him quick.

I\'m glad we didn\'t move on him...

As for desperate signings, I\'ve about made up my mind to wait on the draft. The list of interesting FA LB\'s is dwindling fast, and those remaining are likely still free because of unrealistic demands. Keeping my fingers crossed until late April...