Former George Rogers Clark and Eastern Kentucky University standout Yeremiah Bell signed a free-agent contract with the New York Jets recently following a nine-year career with the Miami Dolphins. Bell inked a one-year deal worth $1.4 million, which includes incentives and signing bonuses.
Bell answered a few questions with Newark Star-Ledger reporter Conor Orr and offered his thoughts on sigining with the Jets.
What are your first impressions of being with the Jets?
“I always knew it was one of the top-ranked defenses in the league, but it's really exciting once you get to go through it and you get to see all the moving parts of it. You get to see all the great players in front of you, how the defense schemes itself up, and you know exactly how we're trying to attack people. And when you see the guys we've got already going at the level that everyone is going at, that's very exciting.”
Have you been surprised by any of your teammates so far?
“Of course you have the normal guys — I mean, it's a great honor to play alongside (Darrelle) Revis and (Antonio) Cromartie and E-Smitty back there. But when I watch tape and I see those guys on the D-line, I'm just impressed. It seems like it's everybody up there; I mean, those guys are getting after it. They're running games up there, they're getting to the quarterback, they're working the hand moves, and it's really something special to see on tape.”
Have you had any goals in particular for this offseason?
“My goal is just to learn this defense inside-out so when I'm out there, I can be comfortable in my way of thinking. I want to come and fit in with this defense any way I can and just make sure I know my stuff, because if I know my stuff, then I know I'll be fine and I'll be able to help these guys. But if I don't know my stuff and I'm out there trying to feel everything, I can't be myself.”
What are your plans for the break?
“I'm just going to go back to Kentucky, that's where I'm from. I'm going to go back there and spend some time with my family before training camp starts. That's what I usually do, just try and get that family time in because once training camp starts, the only time you really get is phone time. They'll come up some and see me, but my kids will be in school. Hopefully they'll be up here a little bit and get to check out a few games.”
———
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan on Bell:
“Yeremiah Bell gets it done,” Ryan said on the team’s website. “Yeremiah is as fast as he needs to be. There were times when I talked to Tony (Sparano) about Yeremiah, we wanted to put him back there but because of their situation they decided it was best for them to put him down in the box and it’s hard to argue with that one when you see the impact plays that he makes and the type of plays he makes. With us, we were looking for all around safeties and I think we have three right now that I feel really good about.”
Bell answered a few questions with Newark Star-Ledger reporter Conor Orr and offered his thoughts on sigining with the Jets.
What are your first impressions of being with the Jets?
“I always knew it was one of the top-ranked defenses in the league, but it's really exciting once you get to go through it and you get to see all the moving parts of it. You get to see all the great players in front of you, how the defense schemes itself up, and you know exactly how we're trying to attack people. And when you see the guys we've got already going at the level that everyone is going at, that's very exciting.”
Have you been surprised by any of your teammates so far?
“Of course you have the normal guys — I mean, it's a great honor to play alongside (Darrelle) Revis and (Antonio) Cromartie and E-Smitty back there. But when I watch tape and I see those guys on the D-line, I'm just impressed. It seems like it's everybody up there; I mean, those guys are getting after it. They're running games up there, they're getting to the quarterback, they're working the hand moves, and it's really something special to see on tape.”
Have you had any goals in particular for this offseason?
“My goal is just to learn this defense inside-out so when I'm out there, I can be comfortable in my way of thinking. I want to come and fit in with this defense any way I can and just make sure I know my stuff, because if I know my stuff, then I know I'll be fine and I'll be able to help these guys. But if I don't know my stuff and I'm out there trying to feel everything, I can't be myself.”
What are your plans for the break?
“I'm just going to go back to Kentucky, that's where I'm from. I'm going to go back there and spend some time with my family before training camp starts. That's what I usually do, just try and get that family time in because once training camp starts, the only time you really get is phone time. They'll come up some and see me, but my kids will be in school. Hopefully they'll be up here a little bit and get to check out a few games.”
———
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan on Bell:
“Yeremiah Bell gets it done,” Ryan said on the team’s website. “Yeremiah is as fast as he needs to be. There were times when I talked to Tony (Sparano) about Yeremiah, we wanted to put him back there but because of their situation they decided it was best for them to put him down in the box and it’s hard to argue with that one when you see the impact plays that he makes and the type of plays he makes. With us, we were looking for all around safeties and I think we have three right now that I feel really good about.”
