ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) -Broncos rookie Josh Bell is a cornerback who aspires to one day be a chemist.
Naturally he takes a scientific approach to his play, as if it were a lab experiment.
Through trial and error, Bell has concocted a fruitful formula as he fills in for Champ Bailey, who’s sidelined by a torn groin and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Buffalo.
Although Bell got a late start, signing with Denver on Sept. 24, he swiftly worked his way into the lineup.
That’s because he’s constantly analyzing his results.
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 this weekend, then Bell will be back to playing in the nickel package and special teams.
h as Bell has enjoyed starting the last five games, he can’t wait for the eight-time Pro Bowl player 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 just might return, saying his chances of playing are “pretty good.”
“I feel like I’ve made tremendous strides the last two weeks, so I’m very optimistic,” Bailey said.
If not, then his spot is in capable hands.
“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, such as recrystallization. He relentlessly would 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.
“I told Muhsin he schooled me,” Bell said. “I told him that because he kept me off balance. I was reacting to him.”
ctice 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.
“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.”
That applied off the field, too. People know Bell now, calling out his name as he arrives at the stadium.
“My cousin told me, ‘You’ve got to realize you’re not a regular person anymore,”’ said Bell, who is from Dallas. “But I don’t like to live the glamorous life of notoriety. I’m that regular person.”
One who has a penchant for science. It started when he was 7 years old and was asked what he wanted to be when he was older.
“Football player,” he answered.
Not realistic, he was told.
“A scientist,” he quickly responded.
He’s following through on both plans.
Bell needs only physical chemistry, calculus 3 and a couple of lab classes to earn his degree at Baylor, and he’s vowed to start finishing his coursework in the offseason.
“Science intrigues me,” he said. “When I retire from my long and prosperous career in the NFL, I’d love to teach chemistry, maybe a little pre-calc, in high school.”
‘s hoping that’s a ways away.
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