The Stench Of Kenny Bell
August 11th, 2017
Time to separate.
Kenny Bell may be long gone but his memory lingers.
Bell was a much-hyped wide receiver from Nebraska that the Bucs thought they stole in the fifth round in 2015. Mired in a run-based offense, the Bucs thought they had a gem, and at worst, Bell could be a special teams warrior like he was with the Cornhuskers. He even came with the stamp of approval of long-time Nebraska season ticket-holder Ron Licht, the father of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
In underwear football, Bell was the second coming of Antonio Brown. An All-Pro. But once the pads came on, Bell turned into a pink dolphin and vanished. Almost in desperation last year, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter tried Bell as a kick returner in preseason and his first attempt at fielding a kick was fumbled.
Bell was soon jettisoned from One Buc Palace.
So with the memory of Bell tattooed in his hard drive, Licht held his breath as third round pick Chris Godwin lit up the Bucs in underwear football this spring.
Though Licht didn’t say it, you could easily read between the lines Licht was scared he might have another Bell on his hands, so Licht discussed with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller of SiriusXM NFL Radio this week.
“Chris Godwin was lights out during OTAs,” Licht said. “So I was crossing my fingers all summer that would translate to training camp when we put the pads on. And he hasn’t disappointed, that’s for sure. He has had a lot of highlight days.
“He is just very consistent. We love the approach that he takes. He is very professioal. He is like a 10-year vet in the way he prepares and the way he takes care of his body.
“We are looking for big things from him and the way it looks, the way he is playing right now, he will contribute in some way, shape or form.”
Now a lot of what Licht said is pure Street and Smith hokum, where every player in training camp is a valued starter. Thing with Godwin is, he has passed every test and at worst he is a No. 3 receiver for the Bucs entering preseason (you could make a logical point that Adam Humphries is also a No. 3 receiver; just a different skillset).
For Godwin to bury the stain of Bell, it would be nice for him to have least three catches this preseason against a team wearing a different colored jersey.
August 11th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Godwin will get some chances tonight – and its a good bet he takes advantage of them.
August 11th, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Once D-Jax is gone, Godwin will be lining up opposite Evans as WR2
August 11th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
@2Love and Warrick Dunn CHILL PILL BRO hasn’t even got a pass yet when it matters LOL
August 11th, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Sammy Watkins just got traded to the Rams!!!!!!!
August 11th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
I mentioned this in a post last night. This kid was one of the first draft prospects the Bucs were looking into. Suppose to go mid second, dropped liked OJ. Kenny went in the fifth. And finally Kenny was drafted by Mark “Rockstar” Domink not the draft king Jason Licht. He’s legit.
August 11th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Bell was drafted by Licht. Not Dom
August 11th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Kobe is really worried about preseason game 3 vs Clev defensive coord POS greg williams
headhunter coach was blitzing in the 4th quarter last night
our starters play till the 3rd quarter vs clev pre game #3….
We need our boys to stay injury free from this maniac
August 11th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
Kobe
Finally something I can agree with you on ^^^^^^
August 11th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
This post by Joe made my heart drop into my stomach because it’s true. I fell for it too.
I don’t think it will be the same this time (fingers crossed).
August 11th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
I still think he could have done better on kick returns. That fumble pretty much took him out of everything from then on. He had a good returner history, so obviously he had some skills.
But it’s water under the bridge now.
August 11th, 2017 at 2:04 pm
I actually agree w/ Kobe too.
Unless the #1s look absolutely terrible, there is no reason to have them in the game past half time.
August 11th, 2017 at 2:10 pm
Here the thing, Godwin is not being rolled out as a bad ass like KB was. SO in all honesty. Outside of the hope we have for him and our team.
The expectations are simple. Show up do your job and get better everyday.
I like KB still. Same with our Kicker(s) whats his name.
Bottom Line. He cant do any worst than KB and with less hype he is sure to impress if and when he shows up.
LOVE THIS GUY…… And KB should be given another shot down the line… His skills are palatable… Just needed a little less attention paid to him…. Same same with our young kicker
August 11th, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Mike Evans GOAT
I could’ve sworn it was Dom. Thanks for proving me wrong. I guess Jason keeps getting older in this organization every year. I suppose that’s how time works. Still, Godwin sure as hell aint no Bell.
August 11th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
Why does every poster reply to me start with…
Finally agree with…
Cant believe to say this…
I actually agree…
Im changing my alias to
“I cant believe its not butter” Kobe Faker
August 11th, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Godwin is the TRUTH, just watch! I watched his film, these eyes have seen him in person as well. I l see a PRO, straight up! I’m all aboard the CG12 bandwagon. Can’t wait to see him play tonight;))). Kenny Bell shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence. Sorry.
August 11th, 2017 at 3:29 pm
I do not get the comparison. Bell was a very late round pick who didn’t fall to us…he was a gamble…throw a dart at the board.
Godwin was a high second round talent who fell to us in the 3rd. We can give Bell some benefit of the doubt being a receiver on running Nebraska teams but clearly Godwin was a far better player in college.
August 11th, 2017 at 3:55 pm
@Soe
Bell was in the same draft as Winston, Marpet, Smith, and Kwon
August 11th, 2017 at 4:10 pm
I see there is at least one remnant of the Kenny Bell mob (JAB83) 😔
August 11th, 2017 at 4:41 pm
Bama fans love penn state. This kid has the good man.
Go lions
RTR
August 11th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
Chris Godwin reminds me a lot of Mohammed Sanu.
I wanted us to sign Sanu but Godwin is better because he is way cheaper!
Godwin is gonna be a legit #2 to Mike Evans in 2-3 years barring injury.
My Penn State buddy said everybody LOVED him when he was there.
He has true 4.5 speed on the field, he plays like he’s 6-3 even though he’s 6-1.
Godspeed Mr. Godwin! (what a name for our team!)
God bless everybody.
August 11th, 2017 at 5:28 pm
Teacherman…Godwin ran a 4.41 at the combine, if he had ran at his pro day he probably would’ve be high 4.3s since pro days are always faster
August 11th, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Looking at the bigs in the defensive trenches to set the pace tonight.
Our starting LT should be aware that the other team has monsters waiting to dog JW. Time to step-up or sit-down.
More Kenny Bell laments are really sad.
Blaming KB for not living up to media driven OTA hype?
He’s moved on…we should too.
Otherwise…BAD MOJO..
Good Luck, Kenny Bell.
OTOH, Joe Mixon is in the house tonight.
Game Changer..??
Thank YOU NFL Network for covering tonights game…!!
August 11th, 2017 at 5:33 pm
Good point, Kobe.
G.williams is nasty. I hope we unleash the Sweezy on him. I’m excited to see Sweezy in action. We need a bringer of the nasty to the O-Line. Much like Rob Ayers impact on the mentality of our D-Line
August 11th, 2017 at 6:05 pm
Godwin would have been a higher draft prospect if he had a decent QB throwing the ball to him at Penn State. I saw that in person or on the TV every week since I am a Penn State fan and live in……Pennsylvania. That QB had no arm at all and everything was a horrible rainbow throw. Godwin rarely got to catch a pass in stride.
Having said all that, I am not worried if he shows some jitters tonight.