FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - Le’Veon Bell and Adam Gase might need to loosen up after some sudden tension on and off the field.
Bell was pulled out of the New York Jets’ scrimmage practice Wednesday as a precaution because Gase said the star running back’s hamstrings felt “a little tight.”
Well, an apparently unhappy Bell took to social media shortly after the coach’s video call and declared he’s totally fine.
“Ain’t nothin wrong with my hamstrings,” Bell insisted on Twitter.
Bell participated in two series in practice and had one carry and one catch, but then ended up watching the rest of the scrimmage from the sideline as Frank Gore and rookies La’Mical Perine and Pete Guerriero handled the backfield duties.
“I’ll always have to hold him back and be like, ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go back out there,” Gase said. “That’s why we pulled him out. He won’t do it on his own. He’ll keep going out there until somebody else pulls him out.”
So, that’s what happened during the scrimmage. And, Bell wasn’t a fan.
“It’s tough to stay loose when you do a bunch of standing around……& I’m used to GOINGGG,” Bell wrote in another post on Twitter.
Bell has often said he likes getting lots of carries to get himself in a rhythm during games. But when a Twitter follower pointed out that this was only practice, the veteran running back countered that he needs the on-field action now.
“Exactly…I PRACTICE for a GAME!!!” Bell wrote. “I need to PRACTICE to be great in GAMES!!! duh.”
The Jets have had several players deal with hamstring issues through the first part of training camp, including rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims and veteran cornerback Pierre Desir. So, Gase and the trainers wanted to err on the side of caution with Bell to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself on the practice field.
Bell’s immediate response and strong retort about his physical condition could be something to watch. The relationship between the running back and coach has been scrutinized over the past year, particularly when Bell suggested late last season he was underutilized at times.
Both Gase and Bell have also been complimentary of each other, though, with the two-time All-Pro raving a few weeks ago about the coach and shot down any doubts as to whether they have an issue. He also insisted they’ve never had any disagreements.
“I love Coach Gase,” Bell said. “I don’t understand what the allegations are about me and Coach Gase. Me and Coach Gase, we get along fine.”
Meanwhile, Perine had his most impressive practice of camp with a few long runs. The fourth-round pick out of Florida had a 79-yard touchdown run during which he juked safety Bradley McDougald before zipping his way to the end zone. He added another run of 30-plus yards for a big gain - with Bell watching from the sideline.
Also, Gore took most of the first-team snaps after Bell went out and showed off some spring in the step of his 37-year-old legs.
“He looks the same as he did 12 years ago.” said Gase, who was on the 49ers’ staff when Gore played there. “I can’t explain it. It’s unbelievable how, when I watch him, I flash back to 2008. He looks the same. I don’t know how. It doesn’t make sense, but Frank has been one who refuses to listen to what anybody else says.
“He goes out there and he’s an old-school football player. He looks good. His burst looks good. His vision is never going to change. It’s going to be like that when he’s 60. Frank is special.”
NOTES: The starting offense and defense both struggled during the scrimmage. “Time’s running out,” Gase said. “We’ve got to get this cleaned up as soon as possible.” … RG Greg Van Roten left with an oblique injury. Jonotthan Harrison replaced him with the starters. … Gase said LB Tarell Basham will be sidelined a few weeks with an ankle injury. … Mims appears closer to returning to practice. He was doing some light jogging before the team’s scrimmage. … WR Lawrence Cager, who had a few impressive days, will have an MRI on his injured knee. The undrafted rookie out of Georgia was hurt Tuesday and the Jets didn’t think it was serious. But Gase said Cager’s knee swelled overnight. … OL Cameron Clark, a fourth-rounder out of Charlotte, returned to practice after missing several days with a shoulder injury. … Desir, WR Breshad Perriman (knee), CB Brian Poole (dehydration), DL Jabari Zuniga (quadriceps), S Matthias Farley (hamstring) were among those who remained sidelined.
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