By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
March 23, 2010, 9:45PM
New Orleans Saints spokesman Greg Bensel confirmed that the team has decided not to match the Philadelphia Eagles’ contract offer to restricted free agent tailback Mike Bell, meaning he will no longer be a Saint as of Wednesday.
Bell signed a one-year, $1.7 million offer sheet with the Eagles last week, which included $500,000 guaranteed and a no-trade clause through Aug. 1. The Saints had one week to match the offer or let him go. They decided to let him walk, in part because they have a lot of money invested at the tailback position, which includes Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas and emerging third-year power back Lynell Hamilton.
Bell’s agent Josh Luchs said the move to Philadelphia will be “bittersweet” for the tailback, who resurrected his career with the Saints as a fourth-year pro in 2009.
“He has a lot of respect for the (Saints) organization and (Coach) Sean Payton and (General Manager) Mickey Loomis. He has a lot of gratitude for the opportunity they gave him. And he has a love affair with the fans there,” Luchs said. “But he has such a small window to capitalize on the window of opportunity to take his career that was resuscitated by the Saints to another level.”
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