Age: 23
College: Georgia
Height: 6’1” Weight: 236
Prelude:
Bell was
chosen by the Steelers in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft (39th
overall) to compete for the inside linebacker position vacated by Levon
Kirkland. While he was slow in picking up pass coverage skills, he showed from
training camp that he was suited to the starting lineup with his explosive
speed and pass rushing ability. He became the first rookie to start a
season-opening game for the Steelers since Hall of Fame MLB Jack Lambert in 1974.
2001 Season Summary
Appeared and
started in all 16 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – 9 [19, tied with six others]
Most sacks,
game – 2 at Kansas City 10/14, vs. Jacksonville 11/18, vs. Cleveland 1/6
Interceptions
– 0
Fumble
recoveries – 0
Forced fumbles
– 1
Tackles – 69
Assists – 13
Postseason: 2 G
Sacks – 1
Interceptions
– 0
TD – 0
Awards &
Honors:
NFL Rookie of
the Year: Sporting News
NFL Defensive
Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
2nd
team All-NFL: AP
Pro Bowl
Steelers went
13-3 to finish first in the AFC Central while leading the NFL in fewest overall
yards allowed (4137) and rushing defense (1195 yards) and the AFC in fewest
points allowed (212). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Baltimore Ravens (27-10).
Lost AFC Championship to New England Patriots (24-17).
Aftermath:
Bell was
nagged by an ankle injury in 2002 that caused him to miss four games and robbed
him of some of his effectiveness. While he bounced back to play in every game
in ’03, he was still far better against the run than in dropping back into pass
coverage. However injuries, most notably a sports hernia that required surgery,
limited Bell to just three games in 2004 and, released by the Steelers, he
moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs. His three seasons in Kansas City were
ultimately disappointing as he lost his starting job and continued to be nagged
by injuries. Forced to retire in 2007, he ended up with 20.5 sacks in seven
seasons – just 11.5 following his first year – and his Pro Bowl selection in
2001 was his only one. In all, he failed to fully live up to the outstanding
potential he displayed during his Rookie of the Year season.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by
a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper
Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the
league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
[Updated 2/5/14]
[Updated 2/5/14]
