For much of the preseason, Demetress Bell spent his days working his way into shape just to practice. He failed the team’s initial conditioning test after signing with the Cowboys in July and didn’t participate in team drills until last Tuesday. But there he was Saturday, playing right tackle with the backups.
“I was glad to get back out there,” Bell said. “I needed it. I was all over the place at times. But everything kind of came together. I still have a long ways to go. I am nowhere where I need to be.”
Bell was able to play for an extended period because reserve right tackle Jermey Parnell didn’t play. The additional exposure was welcomed by Bell, who said he has to get better as the season approaches.
Owner Jerry Jones, however, seemed pleased with what he saw from the sixth-year veteran.
“I didn’t see anything glaring,” he said. “What I did see was somebody very big out there. He was bigger out there comparatively speaking with the two teams standing out there than he seems to be in training camp. He’s sure got size.”
But Bell, listed at 311 pounds, expressed hope he’d shed weight in the near future.
“I still need to get in playing shape,” he said.
“I was glad to get back out there,” Bell said. “I needed it. I was all over the place at times. But everything kind of came together. I still have a long ways to go. I am nowhere where I need to be.”
Bell was able to play for an extended period because reserve right tackle Jermey Parnell didn’t play. The additional exposure was welcomed by Bell, who said he has to get better as the season approaches.
Owner Jerry Jones, however, seemed pleased with what he saw from the sixth-year veteran.
“I didn’t see anything glaring,” he said. “What I did see was somebody very big out there. He was bigger out there comparatively speaking with the two teams standing out there than he seems to be in training camp. He’s sure got size.”
But Bell, listed at 311 pounds, expressed hope he’d shed weight in the near future.
“I still need to get in playing shape,” he said.
