BELL ADJUSTING TO THE CANADIAN GAME

By Ian Hamilton, Leader-PostOctober 5, 2009Be the first to post a comment

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders rookie offensive tackle Joel Bell has proved time and again this CFL season that he’s a quick learner.

You can put emphasis on the “quick” part. The latest example of the 6-foot-7, 315-pounder’s speed occurred during the Roughriders’ 19-16 loss to the host B.C. Lions on Friday.
“You know when we threw that pass to (slotback Weston) Dressler and he broke it at the end when we tied the game up?” Roughriders offensive line coach Bob Wylie said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “(Bell) was out in front of Dressler — and he came from the other side of the field!

“Here’s a guy who just played four quarters of football and he’s out in front … That shows you a little something about the character and the determination he has to become a better player.”
Bell, 24, signed with the Roughriders on July 5 after being released by the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. After two weeks of learning the ropes, the rookie out of Furman University was inserted into Saskatchewan’s starting lineup — and he’s been a fixture ever since.

“I’m definitely grateful,” Bell said. “They took a chance on me as a rookie. It was new playing Canadian football, so I had to get used to it.

“Every practice, you try to find one more thing to get better and try to build every week,” he added. “I’m playing a lot better every game. Every once in a while I mess up, but I’m getting more consistent. It’s going well.”

The Roughriders started the season with Bobby Harris at right tackle, but he moved to left tackle when Belton Johnson was injured. Matt O’Meara played the next two games at right tackle before Bell replaced him.

Since then, right guard Marc Parenteau has seen Bell grow into the position.
“He asks a lot fewer questions, especially during the cadence, which helps me out because then I don’t have to think for him during the cadence,” Parenteau said.

“He was thrown in there after he was here for about three weeks. I’ve tried to make things as easy on him as possible from the beginning so he wouldn’t have to think so much. He could just play. He’s come a long way.”

Wylie agreed, pointing to Bell’s improved film study, preparation and attention to detail.
“All the little things that make a better player,” Wylie said. “Now Joel just needs to play. I could put you through all the drills you want and I could show you all the film I want, but unless you’re playing, you’re not getting any better.”

That has allowed Bell to improve his technique and adjust it to the CFL game. Having the defensive linemen a yard off the ball was the main thing that forced an alteration of his blocking style, but he has become more comfortable with his game.

“You can’t just come in here and in a week learn the perfect technique because it’s all repetition,” Bell said. “You can’t be thinking about it when you’re playing. You just have to get it to where the technique comes naturally.”

Bell has had some rough outings — he struggled in his first meeting with the Lions on Aug. 7, which he said Tuesday was primarily because of the crowd noise and his inability to hear the snap count in BC Place Stadium — but his size, technique and preparation have helped him become more consistent.

Some are surprised by how well Bell has done, but he doesn’t count himself among that group.
“I always expect more of myself than I actually do,” he said. “I’m always happy when I have a good game, but I’m always trying to get better no matter what. You have to, until you’re the best O-lineman in whatever league you’re playing in.

“But I’m not really too worried about that. I’m just worried about us having a good season.”

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com