Alex Bell
Jeff Gersten
<snip>
Bell, who is 6-foot-2½, 328 pounds, hoped to sign a contract after the
second day of the seven-round NFL draft on April 24. He didn't. But Bell
and his agent, John Perez, kept in touch with the Giants and Green Bay
Packers.
The Giants signed Bell after he impressed them in an open
tryout during their rookie mini-camp on May 6-8. He is a longshot to
make the team, but as a Division III player Bell was a longshot to make
it this far. Only 13 former Division III players ended last season on
NFL rosters.
"Honestly, I think Alex has the potential to play in the NFL," says
Hobart football coach Michael Cragg. "He might not have the experience,
he might be raw, but he has the talent. He has great feet. You rarely
see that on a big guy. I know (the Giants) had to notice that."
<end snip>
Bob Dorgan
"Jeff Gersten" <JeffG...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:2363-428...@storefull-3255.bay.webtv.net...
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/05/18/nflc18.htm
I've seen this kid play several times. At the DIII level, he was a man among
boys.
The kid is a player. I won't be surprised if he makes it in the NFL.
Dorgan
Tom Benton
"Bob Dorgan" <dor...@fltg.net> wrote in message
news:118mkcf...@corp.supernews.com...
Sounds like a project. Probably needs a year on the practice squad. But
having a horse like that in the middle of the O-line could help the running
attack.
Dorgan
"Tom Benton" <bentont(nospam)@nycap.rr.com> wrote in message
news:peKie.29827$3b4....@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
He's certainly a long shot to make it, but I just talked to his position
coach at Hobart, and he told me the kid works hard and the Hobart staff are
all convinced he's good enough. We'll see. It would be nice to see a kid
from a small program make it.
Dorgan
Jeff Gersten
>I've seen this kid play several times. At the DIII
>level, he was a man among boys.
>The kid is a player. I won't be surprised if he
>makes it in the NFL.
Coach, here is an article from his college's newspaper.
http://www.hws.edu/athletics/hobart/showrelease.asp?id=2560
<snip>
"I'm looking forward to going to training camp to prove I belong, but
going to camp is not my goal," Bell said. "Making the 53-man roster is
my goal."
Bell did not allow a sack in his final two seasons as a Statesman. His
pass blocking skills could be just what the doctor ordered for the
Giants, who ranked near the bottom of the NFL in total offense (24th),
passing yards (27th), and sacks allowed (fourth most).
Hobart's 2005 Francis L. "Babe" Kraus '24
Memorial Award (most outstanding senior athlete) winner, Bell led the
Statesmen to a 9-2 record, the program's third consecutive Liberty
League Championship, and a third consecutive postseason berth (NCAA
Tournaments in 2002 and 2004 and an ECAC Bowl Championship in
2003).
Bell paved the road for the Statesmen to set team records for passing
yards (2,302), passing touchdowns (31), total offense (4,501),
touchdowns (50), and points (364) in 2004. Hobart's offensive line
reduced the number of sacks it allowed from 43 in 2003 to 25 in 2004,
despite playing one more game this year.
Bell and the Statesmen led the Liberty League in rushing offense (199.9
yds/g) and scoring (33.1 ppg). Extremely nimble for his size, Bell was
even used as a running back, à la Refrigerator Perry, as a first-year,
scoring a pair of 1-yard touchdowns in 2001.
<end snip>