On Tuesday, Jets coach Adam Gase wasn’t ready to commit, one way or the other, to Le'Veon Bell‘s status for Thursday night’s preseason opener. Unsurprisingly, the star running back won’t playagainst the Giants, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports. Bell will take part in pregame warmups with his new teammates at his request, Costello adds. Bell has not played in a game since Jan. 14, 2018, in the Steelers’ postseason loss to the Jaguars. He missed all of last season in a contract dispute with the Steelers and signed with the Jets in free agency this spring. Does Bell need to scrape off some rust? Running back Adrian Peterson missed most of the 2014 season, playing only one game because of a suspension, and did not play in the 2015 preseason upon his return to the Vikings. But he still led the league in rushing in 2015. The Jets want to be deliberate in their approach to Bell’s return. “It is a fine line with Le’Veon,” Gase said Tuesday. “He hasn’t played in a year. At the same time, when’s the right time? Is it this game? Is it the next one? Is it the next one? Do we just not play him this preseason? Do we go through the whole time and just give him reps? All those questions are what we keep talking about.”
He talked about how he tried to hold Frank Gore out of the entire preseason last year. And while he didn't come out and say it, he kiiiiind of made it feel to me like he wanted to do something similar with Bell. Not sure how I feel about that.
I totally agree with this move. Give him another week in camp, then maybe a series or two of light work week 2, then play him with the starters week 3. This week is more about the new guys in camp.
Gase should play Sam in the 4th pre-season game. It will be against 3rd and 4th teamers, so what could possible go wrong?
How about one series for Sam tomorrow, plays the first quarter next week, first half against NO, and sits the last week. That sounds about right.....
I kind of like the move although I wanted to see him in green for one run tomorrow. Beats the moronic move by Rex to extend Sanchez and put him back in on a meaningless POS preseason game against the Giants. May be a few reps on game two and three for Bell and then on to the season. He is going to share reps during the first couple of season games and will be on tight pitch count till he is 100%. I want him to be ready to shine on game two against the Browns.
as a coach I would give Sam 10 simple tightly scripted plays that have gone well in practice in the first game and the let him get one drive to see what he can do. Lam
Guy hasn’t played in over a year. He needs to get some hits under his belt and into game shape. Gotta play him at some point this preseason imo.
don't really think this is an IQ busting decision. You just sit the guy. plain and simple. BUT he should get some work in games 2 and 3. as far as other players and their time. generally its always been starters or bubble starters would play 1 quarter in preseason game 1, 2 quarters in game 2 and CLOSE to 3 quarters in game 3. Game 4 is a wash and starters either totally sit or play a series or 2. of course other factors may play into al of this but that's the general approach that many, if not all, teams take
Week 3 is usually the dress rehearsal for the regular season. Starters usually play at least until the half and some into the 3rd Q. I would expect that is when Bell gets most of his work although he should see some action in week 2.
