Bell less likely to return to Bills as tackle adds visits

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The free-agent bus for Demetrius Bell certainly has a lot of stops planned on its route for a new contract.

The third-year tackle was slated to meet with the Steelers Friday, on the heels of a meeting with the Packers, with a quick stop in Philadelphia planned, as well. That makes five teams Bell has met with since becoming a free agent (not counting the Bills), and any hopes of Bell returning to Buffalo next season may be dwindling.

Bell’s meeting with the Eagles may be the one to watch, especially given the news that Jason Peters, arguably the NFL’s most talented tackle, will not return this season due to surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles.

With the Eagles’ offensive attack relying mainly on quarterback Michael Vick’s scrambling ability, not to mention running back LeSean McCoy’s contribution, Philadelphia will need a strong replacement, and Bell is at the top of the list in terms of available tackles, although the Eagles will probably be looking at his health, as well.

Bell’s original contract with the Bills, which ran out at the end of the 2011 season, was a four-year, $1.7 million arrangement. He may be currently shopping around for the biggest payday out available, or perhaps trying to start a bidding war with the Bills for more money.

Being one of the most talented tackles left in free agency may help him in that respect, but it’s unlikely that Buffalo will dole out a large check after the signings of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. That goes double for Pittsburgh as well, who are currently tight to the salary cap.

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