Broncos rookie Josh Bell is a cornerback who aspires to one day be a chemist. So naturally he takes a scientific approach to his play, like it was an experiment in the lab.
Through trial and error, Bell has concocted a fruitful formula as he fills in for the injured Champ Bailey, who’s been sidelined with a torn groin and is listed as questionable for the game Sunday against Buffalo.
Although Bell got a late start, signing with Denver on Sept. 24, he has proven to be a quick study, swiftly working his way into the lineup. That’s because he’s constantly analyzing his results, just like in chemistry class.
Hypothesize. Verify. Apply.
“Everything is ‘if-then’ with me,” said Bell, who’s just a few credits shy of his chemistry degree at Baylor University. “If you practice at a high level, then the results will show up in the game. If you do this, then a receiver will have to do that. That’s my basic mentality on everything—’if-then’ statements.”
If Bailey returns Sunday, then Bell will be back to playing in the nickel package and special teams. He’s all right with that. As much as Bell has enjoyed starting, he’s just like everybody else around Denver: He can’t wait for the eight-time Pro Bowler to get back on the field.
“I get in his ear and tell him, ‘Come on, man, you need to be starting,'” Bell said.
Bailey respects the play of Bell, who’s started the last five games.
“For a rookie to come in here after the season started, you wouldn’t expect him to have a chance to play much,” Bailey said. “He’s a confident player and believes in what he does. I love the way he prepares and the way he goes out there and plays, because he doesn’t think he can get beat by anybody. I like that.”
In chemistry class, Bell was intrigued by slow reactions, like recrystallization. He would relentlessly work on an experiment for hours, just to fully understand the properties behind the process. The same goes for his work on the field. There, he’s all about fast reactions, like keeping up with Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith last weekend in a loss to Carolina. He struggled with the veteran receivers, and wanted to understand the reasons why.
“I told Muhsin he schooled me,” Bell said. “I told him that because he kept me off balance. I was reacting to him.”
A problem solved—don’t be kept off balance.
The 23-year-old Bell went through training camp with San Diego before being waived and picked up by the Broncos in September, and he was placed on the practice squad. He was signed to the active roster a month later. Now, he’s receiving an education on the fly, picking up plenty of pointers from Bailey in practice. He’s applying his knowledge as quickly as he can.
“You get out there and you get a real life Steve Smith and you’re like, ‘Man, I thought Steve Smith was going to run by me every play,'” Bell said. “He’ll lull you to sleep and then jog right by you and catch a pass. … (You) learn as the games go by what (receivers) do to you, and adjust.”
