OT Bell. Depth finally...

[DenverBill]

Finally! Thanks OBD a bit late but better than nothing!

[DrizzyFiasco]

Fowler is our center I guess

I can live

at least we have some OT depth now in case Peters goes down...

[speedracer216]

has he ever played center?

[Cheesus]

http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/draftguys-tv/profile---demetrius-bell---ol?autoplay=true

great pick!

[CAS22]

I'm sure there will be a few walk on free agents as well, we hope.......

[DenverBill]

LOL!

I never expected a "replacement" for Fowler this year. but a replacement for Fowler after learning a year or two.

[vanloaner]

looks like a guy with a lot of upside,, has only been playin football since 2005 and only on the Oline 2 years

[Sack 'em Good]

Definitely a good depth pick in the 7th round..

Very happy with that one!

[speedracer216]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/442266

Overview Exciting raw talent with the size, athletic ability and rapid improvement to warrant the patience needed for development. Signed with Northwestern State on a basketball scholarship and has only played organized football since 2005. Originally played defensive end, but was quickly switched to left tackle and has developed into an All-American honoree. Raw as they come, but scouts love his upside.
Analysis

Positives: Long armed, athletic build with plenty of room for additional growth … Trim build for an offensive lineman with good overall muscular development in his upper and lower … Good overall athlete … Good initial quickness off the snap, in pass protection to mirror and when blocking at the second level … Quick hands which could become very effective with further development … Significant improvement in three seasons with the athleticism to continue development.

Negatives: Raw as they come … Quality of competition a concern … Lacks the bulk and necessary strength to compete at the NFL level at this time … Gets by on his quickness, but lacks explosiveness in his initial hand punch and the anchor to handle effective bull rushers … Hasn't learned yet to play with leverage.

High School Bell earned Shreveport Times Player of the Week honors as a senior, as well as an honorable mention All-American in Street & Smith Magazine … played under coach Johnny Jackson and NSU alumnus Dan Weaver at Summerfield High in Claiborne Parish … MVP in District 1-C in senior year averaging 17.75 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game … All-district pick all 4 years, earning first-team honors for final three and Defensive Player of the Year his junior season … part of a 33-7 state championship team during freshman year … also involved in Future Business Leaders of America and FCA.
Personal Son of Gloria Williams … Three siblings, Monisha (19), and twins Chassity and Chauncey Williams (18).

[CAS22]

Overall: Bell attended Northwestern State on a basketball scholarship, and had never so much as worn a helmet when he decided to try out for the football team in 2005. Playing defensive end in his first season ('05), he logged 11 tackles, all in a single game. He was moved to left offensive tackle only weeks before the 2006 season opener, and went on to start 22 consecutive games over the next two seasons ('06-07). He played three seasons for the Demons basketball squad (2004-05 through 2006-07). Bell is a developmental small school prospect who has the frame, initial quickness and agility to develop into a reliable backup or adequate starter at left tackle for a team that does a lot of zone blocking. However, he isn't strong, big or explosive enough at this point to play a substantial role so he projects as a seventh round pick.

[Lirdoco]

This is a great pick, I liked this kid when I read about him. Now on to Velasco

[DenverBill]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/442266

Overview Exciting raw talent with the size, athletic ability and rapid improvement to warrant the patience needed for development. Signed with Northwestern State on a basketball scholarship and has only played organized football since 2005. Originally played defensive end, but was quickly switched to left tackle and has developed into an All-American honoree. Raw as they come, but scouts love his upside.
Analysis

Positives: Long armed, athletic build with plenty of room for additional growth … Trim build for an offensive lineman with good overall muscular development in his upper and lower … Good overall athlete … Good initial quickness off the snap, in pass protection to mirror and when blocking at the second level … Quick hands which could become very effective with further development … Significant improvement in three seasons with the athleticism to continue development.

Negatives: Raw as they come … Quality of competition a concern … Lacks the bulk and necessary strength to compete at the NFL level at this time … Gets by on his quickness, but lacks explosiveness in his initial hand punch and the anchor to handle effective bull rushers … Hasn't learned yet to play with leverage.

High School Bell earned Shreveport Times Player of the Week honors as a senior, as well as an honorable mention All-American in Street & Smith Magazine … played under coach Johnny Jackson and NSU alumnus Dan Weaver at Summerfield High in Claiborne Parish … MVP in District 1-C in senior year averaging 17.75 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game … All-district pick all 4 years, earning first-team honors for final three and Defensive Player of the Year his junior season … part of a 33-7 state championship team during freshman year … also involved in Future Business Leaders of America and FCA.
Personal Son of Gloria Williams … Three siblings, Monisha (19), and twins Chassity and Chauncey Williams (18).


Thanks Speed!!

[Luka_GoBills]

Sounds like they are attempting to build another Jason Peters. Not a bad idea.

[Cheesus]

Next Peters.

[Buddo]

Actually looks like an interesting 'prospect/project'. I'd say that Kugler is carrying on in the same vein as Mouse, in that he'd rather have coachable raw talent to work with, than the half finished article you usually get.

[Mike's Bills]

Athletic, raw, former basketball player- he's a project but so was Jason Peters

[lynchisthefuture]

This guy isn't depth, he is a project. The backup situation is just as bad as it was before the draft started.

[mini16]

I love the pick!

[AlexanderTheBill]

This is a good pick!

Part of the commentary about this guy on SI.com consists of:

Relatively new to football, Bell has made major improvements in the past two seasons. He must improve his overall football strength and master the details of his position, yet he offers a good amount of upside potential.

Sounds like a project but once he gets his technical skills together he will be fine.

[Patriots Suck]

Gotta like it solid depth

[Billsfanatbirth]

I don't like this pick. I am not a combine guy, but he only put up 10 reps on the 225 press. He is an o-lineman, some QB's put up more than that. I think you have to have more strength than that

[CAS22]

chester adams would have been a better pick, the bears picked him right after the bills took bell........

[Buffaloboy12]

I don't like this pick. I am not a combine guy, but he only put up 10 reps on the 225 press. He is an o-lineman, some QB's put up more than that. I think you have to have more strength than that

That's why they have strength and conditioning coaches in the NFL. They'll get him into a program to strengthen him up. Most likely he'll end up on the practice squad which will be a good thing. Being relatively new to football our coaches can teach him to play the way we want and he'll learn it in our system. The guy has a lot of upside and I think this is a very good pick that could pay off in the next couple years.

[The Wendigo]

Perfect developmental guy. We'll need a bit of luck on June 1st to have our backups in place for '08 though.

[OLDTIMEAFLGUY]

LOL!

I never expected a "replacement" for Fowler this year. but a replacement for Fowler after learning a year or two.


...hope the Gaddis kid from 'Nova gets a longer look in TC....thought he played well in pre-season vs Detroit......

[vanloaner]

This guy isn't depth, he is a project. The backup situation is just as bad as it was before the draft started.

I thought Kirk Chambers did an decent job filling in for Peters in the Eagles game

[shaunta53]

This kid is also the son of NBA future hall of famer Karl Malone...

[speedracer216]

This kid is also the son of NBA future hall of famer Karl Malone...

really? do you have proof for that cuz my best buddy is a jazz fan and it would be hilarious to send him a link or something

hahaha. the mailman jr. playin tackle for the bills.

"hey e'rybody, dis here demetrius bell." haha

[TigerJ]

This guy isn't depth, he is a project. The backup situation is just as bad as it was before the draft started.

I agree that he isn't depth right now. I don't think he's a bad player to pick up in round 7, but he's not going to help the Bills this season. If the Bills wanted tackle depth, they would have to have gotten it before round 7, Maybe Matt Murphy will be ready to back up the tackles by the time the season starts.

[Whitner]

Come on guys this was the dumbest pick in the world, why would you take a guy who is going to COMPETE for the practice squad?? makes no sense KING DUNLAP Was on the board when we took this guy, KING was a LT started in the SEC. makes no sense this guy could have been a free agent, Since when do teams draft practice squad players?? we could have taken KING then signed this guy to a FA deal along with 4 or 5 of our other second day picks LOL

[shaunta53]

King Dunlap cant even get out of his own way and has limited upside as well. Bell has amazing athleticism and can be used on special teams on return units and as a wedge buster. Its a 7th round pick, its not like we burned a 4th on him...