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Giants like the sound of Bell
May 17 , 2005
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Alex Bell '05 enjoyed a successful
minicamp with the Giants and earned
an invitation to New York's
preseason camp. |
GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart senior guard Alex Bell (Wallkill/Modena, N.Y.) attended the NFL’s New York Giants’ minicamp, May 6-8. The 6-foot-3, 330-pounder made enough of an impression on Head Coach Tom Coughlin, a native of nearby Waterloo, and his staff to earn an invitation to Giants’ preseason camp.
Bell, whose signing was officially announced by the Giants today, was encouraged by his performance during minicamp.
“Minicamp went well,” Bell said. “The first day was a little rough, but each day got better. To find out I could play at that level was a good feeling.”
Named to three All-America teams, including the American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com first-teams, Bell will be one of 80 players attempting to make the Giants’ 53-man roster when camp opens on July 29, at the University of Albany.
“I’m looking forward to going to training camp to prove I belong, but going to camp is not my goal,” Bell said. “Making the 53-man roster is my goal.”
Bell did not allow a sack in his final two seasons as a Statesman. His pass blocking skills could be just what the doctor ordered for the Giants, who ranked near the bottom of the NFL in total offense (24th), passing yards (27th), and sacks allowed (fourth most).
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Alex Bell '05 and his teammates celebrate Team USA's 23-3 win over Mexico in the 2004 Aztec Bowl. (Photo by Todd Bell/AFCA) |
Hobart’s 2005 Francis L. “Babe” Kraus ’24 Memorial Award (most outstanding senior athlete) winner, Bell led the Statesmen to a 9-2 record, the program’s third consecutive Liberty League Championship, and a third consecutive postseason berth (NCAA Tournaments in 2002 and 2004 and an ECAC Bowl Championship in 2003).
Bell paved the road for the Statesmen to set team records for passing yards (2,302), passing touchdowns (31), total offense (4,501), touchdowns (50), and points (364) in 2004. Hobart’s offensive line reduced the number of sacks it allowed from 43 in 2003 to 25 in 2004, despite playing one more game this year.
Bell and the Statesmen led the Liberty League in rushing offense (199.9 yds/g) and scoring (33.1 ppg). Extremely nimble for his size, Bell was even used as a running back, à la Refrigerator Perry, as a first-year, scoring a pair of 1-yard touchdowns in 2001.
Highly decorated, Bell represented Hobart on Team USA in the 2004 Aztec Bowl, a senior all-star game against a team of Mexican college all-stars. He was a four-time All-Liberty League pick, a three-time Football Gazette All-East selection, and a two-time All-ECAC Northwest honoree.