Released safety Yeremiah Bell has "drawn interest" from the Patriots, says Omar Kelly. The Sun Sentinel writer also confirmed the long-standing report of Philadelphia's interest in the defensive back.
Bell had 107 combined tackles, two sacks, four passes defensed, and one interception in 2011. It was his fourth consecutive season with 100 tackles. Miami decision to cut bait has at least one obvious overture: freeing 4.35 million in cap space. The team could try and sign Bell back at a lower price, though the recent pick-up of former Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson has crowded the Dolphins secondary.
What are the Patriots pros? Bell is a veteran of eight NFL seasons -- all in the AFC East. He's played for Belichick buddy Nick Saban. Other than a torn Achilles that put him on IR in 2007, he's played 16 games a year since 2005.
The list of cons is much smaller, but no less important. Bell is a liability in pass coverage. Statistics gurus at ProFootballFocus.com rank him 74th out of 87 safeties in that particular area and report a 105.5 passer rating for quarterbacks throwing at him.
Wasn't playing the ball a big problem the Patriots had already last season? Absolutely. Still, if New England could get Bell at a discount, he could be a solid addition to a secondary hurting not just for depth, but for starting talent. The Patriots have yet to deal with unrestricted free agent James Ihedigbo, who could be retained on the cheap.