Last year's Demon football All-American, offensive tackle Demetrius Bell, is getting more action tonight in the Buffalo Bills' second preseason game than anybody would have expected a few weeks ago.
He played the entire second half last weekend against Washington, but was expected to be busier against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game being played in Toronto. Because of a holdout by the starting left tackle, a potentially season-ending shoulder injury to the second-team left tackle and an injury to a third tackle, the Bills had only three healthy tackles going into the game tonight.
So he is lining up against one of the best defenses in the NFL, just early in his third season ever as an offensive football player and his fourth year of football, period. Bell, you remember, came to NSU on a basketball scholarship and decided to give football a try in his basketball redshirt year of 2005, with the blessing of Demons' basketball coach Mike McConathy.
His football future blossomed so much last fall that Bell reluctantly passed on his senior basketball season to get ready for the NFL Draft last April. He was picked in the seventh and final round by the Bills, and signs indicate they see his potential and are going to be patient as he develops.
Earlier this week, Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan offered these thoughts on his blog: "No. 5 tackle Demetrius Bell ... looks very promising in camp. He has a great - and we really mean great - body. He has an ideal "power pack" (a big butt and powerful thighs). But he is very, very green, and it's unrealistic to think he can get on the field in the regular season this year. (Due to the Bills' woes at tackle) Bell better be ready for about 60 snaps against the Steelers."
By the way -- McConathy sent Bell a good luck text message on the night before the opening exhibition against Washington. Bell sent a text back: "Coach, I don't think I ever told you - thank you for allowing me to play football."
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