The Bengals today signed G Jacob Bell, an unrestricted free agent who has been a starter for St. Louis the last four years and was a starter for Tennessee prior to his Rams tenure. Also today, the Bengals re-signed OT Dennis Roland, who has played in every Cincinnati game the last three seasons. Roland became a UFA when his Bengals contract expired on March 13.
Bell (6-5, 304; Miami-Ohio) is a ninth-year NFL player in 2012. He started the first 12 games at LG for the Rams last season, missing the last four with a knee sprain. He started every Rams game in 2010, aiding a Pro Bowl season for veteran RB Steven Jackson and an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award for QB Sam Bradford. He has 109 career games played with 100 starts.
Bell is the second guard with significant NFL starting experience to join the Bengals this offseason. On March 17, Cincinnati signed free agent Travelle Wharton, who had 99 career starts with Carolina.
“These are two tough guys who know what the game is all about,” offensive line coach Paul Alexander said of Bell and Wharton. “They are going to add to the guys we already have on board and help create a very competitive situation in the interior line.”
Roland (6-9, 322; Georgia) first entered the NFL with Dallas in 2006, but saw his first action in 2008 with Cincinnati. He is classified a fifth-year player in 2012.
Roland has seen consistent action as a “move tight end” in offensive formations calling for an extra blocker. He filled that role last season after holding the No. 1 ROT position for much of 2009-10. He has 50 career NFL games, with 28 starts.
“Dennis is very good at what he has done for us and we are glad to get him back,” Alexander said.
