STILL SEARCHING FOR GREATNESS
JETS VS. RAIDERS WEEK 12 Despite struggles, Bell says he’s happy to be a Jet
the league in terms of all those stats and fantasy stuff. He’s a big tough allaround, every-down feature back that we got as much respect for as anyone we’ve seen.”
Bell, who has battled shoulder, knee, ankle and rib issues at various points this season, just hasn’t looked like himself in green. He has a long run of only 19 yards. Some believe that his patient running style just doesn’t work behind a banged-up offensive line that has featured six different starting combinations this season.
Bell has spent an average of 2.89 seconds behind the line of scrimmage, according to Next Gen Stats, prompting some to wonder whether his running style isn’t ideal for his supporting cast. To hear some tell it, Bell doesn’t hit the hole fast enough to flourish.
That’s laughable.
Bell’s greatness depends on superior vision and change of direction. He still possesses both qualities.
“A lot of people will take the first hole they see,” Bell said. “I don’t. I’ll take the best hole I see. Some people see the first hole and they try to hit it. They might end up breaking through and getting those 12 yards. Or the D-tackle might rip off and get a tackle for no gain. With me, I’m going to be consistent. I might not get 12 yards, but I’m going to make sure I get seven. The next time, it’s going to be that same situation and I’m going to get seven again.”
Although Bell is on pace for 342 touches, Gase hasn’t maximized Bell’s varied skill set. Bell hasn’t been used nearly enough as a true receiver through the first 10 games.
He had a season-long 21-yard catch last week when lined up as a receiver, prompting some to wonder why he hasn’t been deployed that way more often.
Gase maintained this week that they’re “trying to mix it up” by putting Bell in less predictable positions, but seeing is believing. The head coach has said a lot of things since the spring that haven’t come to fruition.
Regardless, Bell might be playing the final six games of his short-lived Jets career. The team will be amenable to trading him this offseason, according to sources. Bell has a $15.5 million salary cap charge in 2020 that includes a $8.5 million base salary. He has a $2 million roster bonus due at the end of March (with another $2.5 million payout in October 2020).
The Jets would almost certainly have to pay some of Bell’s salary to make it enticing for a team to trade for him. No matter what happens, Bell has been a model teammate. He’s represented this star-crossed franchise the right way.
He has no regrets.
JETS EXTEND TE GRIFFIN
The Jets agreed to a multi-year extension with tight end Ryan Griffin, who has been a pleasant surprise for Adam Gase & Co. Griffin, who was signed just before the start of training camp, has done a solid job filling in for the injured Chris Herndon.
The seven-year veteran has 25 catches for 269 yards and a team-high four touchdowns in 10 games.
Griffin is coming off a career-high 109-yard performance in a win against Washington last week.