Bell and Keiser shine as undrafted free agent rookies for the Panthers

[rayzor]

both did incredibly well for being udfa's and i would even say just for being rookies.

bell played like a rookie. except for the most elite OTs coming out of college (which is only a few of even those taken int he first round) they all look like they are on roller slates if they are asked to play a significant amount of the time. they get an abnormal amount of false starts (rookie issue), holding calls (another rookie thing), and a good few sacks and QB pressures allowed....because they are rookies playing against more experienced Dlines.

if he has to start next year or at some point in the future...if he gets a significant amount of PT, i'm not going to be too worried because i'm sure that after he gets a full off season to work he'll be better.

should i count on it? probably not as i think we do need to upgrade the Oline, but i don't think it is near the priority that other things on the team are.

[Keep Pounding]

I thought Bell did good for a rookie, especially with the lockout and everything, the story about how his brother died hits a soft spot, as my brother was taken from me too. Im cheering for him to be a starter for several seasons.

[natty]

Keiser is a great guy to have in rotation. I think the biggest thing for our DL is to have some depth so guys can stay fresh. Our D always broke in the 4 quarter, we need guys that can give a second wind.

[Rags]

Byron had five false start penalties, five holding penalties, and 4 sacks allowed. No.

he was an undrafted free agent without otas or anything

he had some bad games but late in the season you rarely heard his name.

[frash.exe]

seriously with how much the huddle shits on bell i assumed he gave up a lot more than 4 sacks

now i don't know how many pressures and knockdowns he was responsible for (sacks don't tell the whole story) but 4 sacks allowed is pretty remarkable for an undrafted rookie who started 12 games regardless of how the offseason was

[rainwater]

he was an undrafted free agent without otas or anything

he had some bad games but late in the season you rarely heard his name.

You didn't hear his name as much because the Panthers changed their protection. Having to leave extra people in to protect that side really hurt the offense. Olsen was probably affected the most. It doesn't matter if he was drafted or not. He was the weakest link on the offensive line this past season and the Panthers have to upgrade at that position. Bell can be a solid backup, but if he is forced to start the entire season, I don't think it will be good.

[Nicbsbll2]

seriously with how much the huddle poos on bell i assumed he gave up a lot more than 4 sacks

now i don't know how many pressures and knockdowns he was responsible for (sacks don't tell the whole story) but 4 sacks allowed is pretty remarkable for an undrafted rookie who started 12 games regardless of how the offseason was

Well, if our QB was anyone but Cam Newton, Bell probably does give up a lot more than 4 sacks.

[Panthro]

Wat

[rayzor]

Well, if our QB was anyone but Cam Newton, *insert name of pretty much any rookie OT asked to start regardless of when they were drafted* probably does give up a lot more than 4 sacks.

fixed.

[ed bell]

There seems to be a certain type of fan that can't fathom a player developing and improving into a solid starter....rookies don't enter the league and show all of their future potential. It's a process and the coaches are the ones in charge of deciding whether a player will develop into something useful for the team.

Can Bell develop into a full time starter? I'd have to say why not? I think we have something special with this kid despite some of the mistakes he was making on the field.

[prowler2k8]

You didn't hear his name as much because the Panthers changed their protection. Having to leave extra people in to protect that side really hurt the offense. Olsen was probably affected the most. It doesn't matter if he was drafted or not. He was the weakest link on the offensive line this past season and the Panthers have to upgrade at that position. Bell can be a solid backup, but if he is forced to start the entire season, I don't think it will be good.

IIRC Rivera and the staff feel Bell's future is @ G. He'd be a great competition for Schwartz for the RG spot going into TC or as a future replacement for Wharton when his contract expires.

[pantherclaw]

Like them both. They played well for rookies.

I see keiser playing a bigger role than bell, but it's hard to predict how a player will develop.

[prowler2k8]

There seems to be a certain type of fan that can't fathom a player developing and improving into a solid starter....rookies don't enter the league and show all of their future potential. It's a process and the coaches are the ones in charge of deciding whether a player will develop into something useful for the team.

Can Bell develop into a full time starter? I'd have to say why not? I think we have something special with this kid despite some of the mistakes he was making on the field.

Good points. There's been more than a few players like Bell that developed into solid starters e.g. Victor Cruz, Antonio Gates, James Harrison and Kurt Warner to name a few.

[Keith Moons Liver]

bell was terrible. you can qualify it with whatever excuses you want, but at the end of the day he was one of the worst starting offensive linemen in the league. shame on our front office for putting us in a position where we needed to rely on such players so extensively.