CLEAR AS A BELL
Jets coaches enamored by new RB's work ethic and team-first mentality
L E’VEON Bell knows the eyes are on him.
When you have been firstteam All-Pro twice in your career, been to three Pro Bowls, rushed for more than 5,000 yards in your career and have averaged more yards from scrimmage than Jim Brown, teammates tend to pay attention to what you do.
Things have not gone as well on the field as the Jets and Bell had hoped so far, but they are raving about what he has been off the field. No one practices harder than Bell, coaches and teammates say. He has been attentive in meetings and is doing his best to set an example for the younger Jets.
“I definitely try to practice my tail off,” Bell told The Post. “I always practiced like that, even when I was a rookie and nobody was looking at me. Now that I know people are watching, I have to show this is the way you’re supposed to practice.”
Even when he has been his most tired or sore, Bell tries to set the example.
“After the games when we come in on Mondays, I’ll be real sore, but when we run I try to win every rep,” he said. “Naturally, I know people are watching, and that’s going to help the next person win the next rep and make them better.”
When the Jets signed Bell to a four-year, $52.5 million contract in March, there were some people inside the organization who were a little nervous about how he would fit in. He was coming off an ugly contract standoff with the Steelers that led some to believe he was a “me” guy. He also seemed to get unfairly lumped in with his former Steelers teammate Antonio Brown as two Pittsburgh malcontents.
But Bell has won over his new coaches and teammates with a positive approach, even as things have not gone well for the team and for him at the start of this season. In the first few games, he was getting hit behind the line of scrimmage on nearly every carry. Things were a little better last week against the Cowboys, but he has scored just two touchdowns (one receiving) and rushed for 256 yards.
It would be understandable if Bell were frustrated and griping about the offensive line, but coaches say he has been the opposite.
“He’s been awesome,” coach Adam Gase said. “He’s great during games, he’s unbelievable during practice. His work ethic is outstanding. He’s probably one of the most positive, energetic guys we have in this building. He’s the one talking, ‘We’re close, we’ve just got to keep working, keep working.’ He’s setting the right example for everybody else.”
Something that caught the attention of the coaches came in the game against the Eagles two weeks ago. The Jets were losing 24-0 when wide receiver Vyncint Smith ran an end-around for a 19-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Not only did Bell throw the key block to spring Smith, he was the happiest guy on the field when Smith scored. Despite enduring a butt-kicking, Bell was genuinely happy for his young teammate and that the team had scored.
Bell has remained upbeat throughout these first six weeks and keeps saying they are close to getting the running game rolling.
“It’s football, and I understand that we’re getting better,” Bell said. “I can sense it. In the third and fourth quarter of that Cowboys game, I was feeling it. I’m starting to get some seams. I’m starting to get some holes. Now, I’m starting to see them. They were prepared for the run because obviously we need to try to run the time out. We were still able to get efficient runs.”
Bell will spend Monday afternoon playing “Call of Duty” before heading to MetLife Stadium to face the Patriots. The Jets are a 9½-point underdog against the defending champs, but that does not faze Bell.
“We have a great opportunity to shock the world,” he said.
All eyes will be on Bell … as usual.