Mike Bell: Should He Stay or Should He Go Now?

by Dave Cariello on Mar 17, 2010 6:00 AM CDT

By now we've all heard the news that Mike Bell has gotten an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles, a one-year deal worth $1.7 million. Mad props to Grumps for his coverage of all the action yesterday. But since there's absolutely nothing else to discuss, we may as well talk about it a little more.

When Bell made his first free agent visit to Seattle over a week ago, I asked all of you whether you thought the Saints would let Mike Bell sign with another team. Eighty-one percent of you thought they would and I agree with the majority. I wouldn't be surprised if Bell wasn't in a Saints uniform next season. In fact, I'm probably more surprised that he's garnered so much interest in the free agent market, but not having any draft pick compensation attached to you will do that. Now that Bell has signed an offer sheet with the Eagles, the Saints have one week to match the offer or let Bell walk. We're going to find out who was right and who was wrong.

It would seem pretty obvious that if the Saints really cared about Mike Bell remaining a Saint, they wouldn't have made such a low tender and at such a late date. But as the Times-Pic speculates, maybe the team really does want Bell and were just being a little cute with the numbers...

It's also possible that the Saints were gambling that they could keep him for less money, but that they'll be willing to up the ante now that they're hand is being forced.

Perhaps. It would be a smart move. I still doubt it, however, and don't expect the team to match.

Just for old times sake, I'm gonna throw up another poll asking if you think the Saints will let Mike Bell walk, the same question asked eleven days ago. It will be interesting to see if results remain the same or if opinion has changed now that the hour is actually upon us and more details have been revealed.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Poll

Will the Saints let Mike Bell sign with the Eagles?

Yes

658 votes

No

159 votes

817 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

bell is replaceable

this is suprising to me that its getting this much attention

of course, as dave says, there really isnt much else out there.

"if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth" Bob Marley

by sernycrusher on Mar 17, 2010 6:59 AM CDT reply actions

Let the punk wear green on St. Patty’s Day.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Mar 17, 2010 7:45 AM CDT reply actions

gonzo

we have a younger version and have enough draft picks to make up for his loss. if you were to ask me this question last off-season, the answer would’ve been NO. 3 draft picks in the entire draft (or was it 4), we needed to spend picks on D, now I think we can draft some running back depth in the later rounds if Mickey really wants it, Lynell Hamilton is younger than Bell and isn’t fumble prone.

Let him walk and for the record, if Hargrove gets a huge deal from Detroit, let him walk too, a 3rd round pick from Detroit=a 2nd rounder, it’s the 66th pick, there’ll be some good players still available and we all know how good our management is at picking late rounders. Carl Nicks, Marques Colston, Jahri Evans, Thomas Morstead, Zach Strief, the list goes on

by AKAY47 on Mar 17, 2010 7:51 AM CDT reply actions

As much as I hate to reward douchebaggery...

Give Bell’s money to Sharper. He’s the one player left in free agency that I’d hate to see leave.

"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.

by VAsaintsfan on Mar 17, 2010 7:57 AM CDT reply actions

They wont match

That’s admitting they tendered him too low and could have got some some picks out of it

Bring the wood

by bondcrash on Mar 17, 2010 8:08 AM CDT reply actions

Not too low = no offer. Do you really think Philly (or anyone) would be willing to part with a 2nd round pick for Bell? That was their only other option. On top of which, they used that option on Pierre Thomas, another undrafted RFA. Outside of extending one of these contracts before it expired, the fact that they ran parallel pretty much guaranteed that one or the other would left dangling at no compensation. I think it’s safe to say they protected the one that mattered most.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Mar 17, 2010 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree but could have tendered him a third maybe???

Bring the wood

by bondcrash on Mar 17, 2010 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions

no forget about that brain fart - he was undrafted

Bring the wood

by bondcrash on Mar 17, 2010 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions

From what I understand, 2nd or original selection (read: no compensation) are the only two designations that apply to undrafted players.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Mar 17, 2010 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Not entirely sure about that

I may be wrong… but wasnt Miles Austin undrafted?

Anyway Bell couldnt go for a third rounder thats for sure

Bring the wood

by bondcrash on Mar 17, 2010 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Hmm, you’re right. But the Saints used their higher tenders on Brown and Evans anyway, so it really doesn’t matter.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Mar 17, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

No, any player can get any tender.

What matters is that there is no tender for “4th round” or something like that. You can only pick the round with the top three tenders (1st & 3rd tender, 1st-only tender, & 2nd-only tender). After that, the remaining tender price is really cheap but you only get the original round, which on an undrafted player means nada.

Actually, there is a fifth option where a player who made a lot of money the previous year could be tendered at the lowest level for “right of first refusal only” even if they were originally a higher draft pick. This can allow you to escape the mandatory 110% increase in salary otherwise required with any other tender. Few people use it, but an example of how it could have been used was on Sproles. He was a franchise player last year and got a lot of money. With the 1st & 3rd tender that he actually got he’ll make about 7.5M this year. But SD could have put the ROFRO tender on him instead and paid him only 1.07 million. They just wouldn’t get anything if he signed elsewhere.

For those who can't remember the uncapped FA rules, this link's for you.

by FriarBob on Mar 17, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

did someone say chicken tenders?

"I have all of the love in the world for Darren Sharper. I just don't have all the money in the world for Darren Sharper." Mickey Loomis

by HansDat on Mar 17, 2010 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

"Just for old times sake, I'm gonna throw up"

You sure have a strange way of reminiscing, David.

"I was not on the boat in question." -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on Mar 17, 2010 8:22 AM CDT reply actions

he's not the only one

check this out

it’s a 30-second clip with all the action after :14, so hang in there

"I have all of the love in the world for Darren Sharper. I just don't have all the money in the world for Darren Sharper." Mickey Loomis

by HansDat on Mar 17, 2010 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

"yeah... that's disgusting" [in the voice of The Ladies Man]

speaking of The Ladies Man…

Here’s my favorite scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc35g1FkwuY (NSFW)

Pigs have flown! Hell has frozen over! The Saints HAVE WON the Superbowl!!

by Dan Kelly on Mar 17, 2010 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Let him go.

He had, what, 600+ yards last season? Granted, in our system no one gets a lot of yards, but he impressed me on only a couple of occasions. A younger set of legs can be had in late draft.

"Don't ever sell your saddle, cause life's a long, long ride."- Randy Travis

by SaintShark on Mar 17, 2010 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

Wow

Right now it’s the exact same breakdown. 81% think he’s gone.

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by Dave Cariello on Mar 17, 2010 9:54 AM CDT reply actions

$1.7 million will buy a lot of cleats

Hey, if someone is willing to pay him that much, good for him. I think the Saints have enough depth at running back that paying Bell that much for one season might be overpaying. But I’m no GM and even my fantasy team RBs are terrible year after year.

by Nabb1 on Mar 17, 2010 9:58 AM CDT reply actions

Mike Detillier says that Vargas is a much better

Runner, Blocking back, and reciever than Bell and if he is OK physically, he would be a great asset to the Saints Locker room as well. Better athlete all the way around….just older.

My Magnificent Black and Gold Warriors

by saint-sly on Mar 17, 2010 6:03 PM CDT reply actions