RealGM

Packers work out cornerback Bell, sign him

By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Nov. 23, 2009 7:07 p.m.

Green Bay -- The only free agent player the Green Bay Packers worked out Monday was cornerback Josh Bell, a former Denver Broncos backup who started five games in place of Champ Bailey last year.

According to a source with access to the NFL transaction wire, Bell, a second-year pro, worked out for the team on Monday. Coming out of college, the 5-11, 180-pound Bell ran a 4.5-second, 40-yard dash.

He was cut by the Broncos Sept. 10 after suffering a knee injury and signing a settlement.

Bell is a second-year pro from Baylor who signed with the Broncos as a rookie free agent in 2008. He spent time on Denver's practice squad last year before being promoted to fill in for Bailey. He finished with 43 tackles and four pass breakups in nine games for the Broncos.

Though not the biggest corner, Bell showed himself to be a willing hitter and unafraid of giving run support. He was considered part of the Mike Shanahan regime and after injuring his knee in training camp new coach Josh McDaniels decide to let him go.

There are not a lot of cornerbacks with talent left in the pool. The New Orleans Saints signed former Packer Mike McKenzie and the Dallas Cowboys signed Evan Oglesby, a former Baltimore Raven.

Assuming Bell has signed with the Packers, it's questionable how soon he could contribute. The Broncos switched to a 3-4 defense under coordinator Mike Nolan this year, but it's a little different than the 3-4 the Packers run.

UPDATE: Bell has signed a deal with the Packers and will be at practice Tuesday, according to Bell's agent, Fred Lyles.

Lyles said that Bell had the Broncos roster made but injured his knee in the final exhibition game and the Broncos couldn't keep him on the roster while he rehabilitated. He said Bell has fully recovered from the knee injury and he expects him to play on Thursday against the Lions.

He said Bell is extremely smart -- he was a chemistry major at Baylor -- and should be able to pick up the system quickly. He signed a two-year deal.

MickeyDavis wrote:Put anyone and everyone ahead of Bush on the depth chart.

eagle13 wrote:This guy will be nickel back in 2 weeks. Hunch he'll be OK plus he only has to beat out bush.

Wade-A-Holic wrote:Man, I'd love to bring in Justin Miller to give our return game a potential boost. I'd like to see the Packers give Ikegwanu a look, too. I always loved how physical he was at Wisconsin.

MrLynch07 wrote:

Wade-A-Holic wrote:Man, I'd love to bring in Justin Miller to give our return game a potential boost. I'd like to see the Packers give Ikegwanu a look, too. I always loved how physical he was at Wisconsin.

Is Ike not on an active roster? Cuz if he isn't i entirely agree, theres nothing to lose and much to gain. Its almost a larry johnson signing in the sense that, we could bolster our performance, and only have to sign him for half a year with high potential for things to work out for the better. And if things do work out, then sign them multi year for cheap.