For Whom the "Bell" Tolls? Beware, the Bell might toll for us

[SCP]

Fat bastards are often an afterthought among many football fans that love fantasy football and flashy highlight clips of skill players.  Thank god we have a coaching-short wearing sumbitch that values the big man.  I contend that Byron Bell has a higher probability of being resigned by the Panthers than he does of signing elsewhere.  When you consider the FA market and the draft, perhaps this is more of a blessing than some Panther fans want to admit.  In an ideal world, we would find the next Anthony Munoz to replace Bell.  Does Bell suck a majority of his snaps?  Certainly does.  Does he have horrible technique?  Some of the worst in football.  Does he know the offense and did he improve as his right guards play improved?  Yes.  Bro’s, he might just be the best option at LT for us prior to the draft. 

 

Source of list: @walterfootball (Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2015)

 

Bryan Bulaga, OT, Packers. Age: 26.  
@walterfootball: Bryan Bulaga is one of the top right tackles in the NFL. He was missed last year when he tore his ACL, but he rebounded in 2014, as it appeared as though he was never injured in the first place.

 

SCP’s Commentary:  Get the fug out of here with your pipe dreams, we aren't signing this guy and he's not an LT anyway.

 

Doug Free, OT, Cowboys. Age: 31.  
@walterfootball: Doug Free was so awful during the 2012 season that there was speculation that he would be released. The Cowboys kept him, and it paid off, as he has been a very solid right tackle over the past two years, especially in run blocking.

 

SCP’s Commentary:  One year of playing well because he had a great young group of 4 next to him. He’d have a similar situation here but I remember a Doug Free that sucked major ass just two years ago.  Worth a FA contract?  If he leaves Dallas it’s going to be because he doesn’t want to take a pay cut.  Survey says, suck it Doug.  No thanks.

 

Michael Roos, OT, Titans. Age: 32.  
@walterfootball: Michael Roos can still block well, but he's a 32-year-old coming off knee surgery. He'll be a risky signing, but could potentially still serve as a decent blind-side protector.

 

SCP’s Commentary:  32 years old with knee issues.  You want to sign this guy through his 36th birthday?  Would he be willing to sign a two year deal to groom his younger replacement?  If you had to wear Gettleman’s nippleshorts, would you put your moose knuckle on the table for this guy?  I would not.  Additionally, the guy also wears long sleeves all of the time which annoys the hell out of me.

 

King Dunlap, OT, Chargers. Age: 29.  
@walterfootball: King Dunlap shocked the world by playing extremely well in 2013. He took a step backward this past season, but was still a solid blind-side protector, especially down the stretch.

 

SCP’s Commentary:  King Dunlap has been a middle of the road player for most of his career.  He has a QB that makes pretty quick decisions in San Diego.  I would be OK with signing King but I would bet San Diego resigns him.

 

Joseph Barksdale, OT, Rams. Age: 27.  
@walterfootball: Joseph Barksdale is a decent right tackle. He blew open big running lanes for Tre Mason this past season, but struggled a bit in pass protection, surrendering seven sacks.

 

SCP’s Commentary:  He is basically Bell with more experience and better technique.  He struggles with speed rushers and is a better run blocker than pass protector.  He would be more expensive than Bell but probably would not annoy the fan base as much.  I doubt Barksdale has as many “stand and watch” plays as Bell, who seems to excel at missing an assignment and then taking the rest of the play off as he watches what could have been his man destroy our sexy QB.

 

Jeremy Parnell, OT, Cowboys. Age: 29.  
@walterfootball: The Cowboys didn't have a drop-off in blocking when Doug Free got hurt late in the year. That's because Jeremy Parnell played well when asked to start. Jerry Jones expressed confidence in Parnell in the past, telling the media that the former Ole Miss product is ready to "take the next step."

 

SCP’s Commentary:  He’s 6’6” and filled in nicely on an offense that was clicking with a solid running game.  I think this guy is fools gold. Not worth a big contract just to replace Bell.

 

Michael Oher, OT, Titans. Age: 29.  
@walterfootball:  What happened to Michael Oher? He played well early in his career but he has regressed each year. He still has great talent, so perhaps he'll find some way to turn it around, but he shouldn't get any sort of contract like the 4-year, $20 million deal he received last offseason.

 

SCP’s Commentary:  He has regressed every year and is now injured.  He is Byron Bell with more name recognition because of Sandra Bullock. 

 

Derek Newton, OT, Texans. Age: 27.  
Derek Newton played some of the best football of his career down the stretch in 2014, but it's hard to trust him to remain consistent in pass protection.

 

SCP’s Commentary:  Ask yourself if this is who you want to sign to replace Byron Bell?

 

The rest of @walterfootball’s FA tackle list.

 

Eric Winston, OT, Bengals. Age: 31. 
Austin Pasztor (RFA), OT, Jaguars. Age: 24. 
Chris Hairston, OT, Bills. Age: 26. 
Byron Bell, OT, Panthers. Age: 26. 
Corey Hilliard, OT, Lions. Age: 30. 
Ryan Harris, OT, Chiefs. Age: 30. 
Byron Stingily, OT, Titans. Age: 26. 
Don Barclay (RFA), OT/G, Packers. Age: 26. 
Marshall Newhouse, OT, Bengals. Age: 26. 
Tyler Polumbus, OT, Redskins. Age: 30. 
Oniel Cousins, OT, Buccaneers. Age: 31. 
Tom Compton (RFA), OT, Redskins. Age: 26. 
Jason Fox, OT, Dolphins. Age: 27.  
Willie Smith, OT, Chargers. Age: 28. 
Garry Williams, OT, Panthers. Age: 29. 
Mike Harris (RFA), OT, Vikings. Age: 26. 
Mike Johnson, OT, Falcons. Age: 28. 
James Brewer, OT, Giants. Age: 27. 
Bradley Sowell (RFA), OT, Cardinals. Age: 26. 
Bryce Harris (RFA), OT, Saints. Age: 26. 
Jonathan Scott, OT, Falcons. Age: 26. 
Darrion Weems (RFA), OT, Cowboys. Age: 26. 

 

Pick your poison fellow internet message board bro’s.  The FA list ain’t pretty and drafting a starting caliber LT at 25 is pretty unlikely.  If I am Dave Gettleman, the pride of Poughkeepsie, NY, and I am peeking out over my elastic waistband at my list of FAs and draft prospects at the LT position, I am really considering offering Bell a low end contract after he tests the FA market.  At least in Bell we have a known commodity for 2015.  A known commodity that has some familiarity with his RG and the OC.  I do not overpay for a guy that is marginally better than Bell which is what we are starring at in FA.

[PantherKyle]

No. We need something new.

[blackcat]

I'm fine if he's on the team, he does add depth and experience, but I don't want him on the field unless he HAS to be.

[jfo89]

The imagery in your posts is beautiful.

[SCP]

No. We need something new.

Who though? The top tier guys (and this year it seems the bar is low for top tier) are going to want market value contracts. I don't see anybody on that list that I'd sacrifice a lot of cap space for just to replace Bell for the sake of replacing Bell.

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Well at least we can...uh...fug... (takes another shot of whiskey)

[Kuech the Sneak]

Gotta think they'll sign one of them, going another year with bell at LT is frightening. Roos is a solid option if he doesn't retire, dunlap too but I think San Diego retains him

[Jeremy Igo]

Bell is an upcoming guest on the Huddle Podcast...

[KendrickPanther]

I would bring in a veteran Right Tackle, draft Left Tackle high, Draft tackle and guard late. Sign Bell as a versatile backup plan. Make Chandler prove he deserves to be a part of this team. I think that is the best case scenario for us. If Bell is your backup plan you are going to be ok. If Frenchy Foucalt is your backup plan, run up your credit card at the ABC store.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I would probably take a shot with Roos on a one or two year deal but I agree that list is pretty terrible. There aren't many true LTs in the draft either, they're nearly all RT only guys.

[Nick_81]

I've been thinking this for a while, just not been brave enough to speak it in public.  Bell may very well be the best available option.  FA market is poo, and I don't see any rookies coming out that could win the spot... against... Byron Bell.  Let's hope DG finds us a middle round surprise.

[Mr. Scot]

Bell is an upcoming guest on the Huddle Podcast...

Well that could be...interesting

[Kuech the Sneak]

But pretty much everyone but oher is a better option than bell

[SCP]

But pretty much everyone but oher is a better option than bell

They are in a vacuum. But factor in the contracts they will be in search of. Do you offer one of these guys free agent LT money just to replace Bell?