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Bellamy's Shoulder Injury to End His Season
Bullocks, Mitchell will try to fill defensive quarterback's shoes
posted September 26, 2005 - print me!
neworleansprofootball.com
Defensive team captain, veteran leader and
stalwart strong safety Jay Bellamy is one of the most valuable members of the Saints' defense. QB Aaron Brooks' counterpart
on defense, Bellamy suffered a rotator cuff injury against Minnesota and has been placed on injured reserve.
2005 second round pick Josh Bullocks and veteran Mel Mitchell will try to fill his shoes. The defense will scramble to
find a new leader in the secondary. After the entire linebacker corp was replaced in the second half in Minnesota,
those responsibilities may fall to free safety Dwight Smith, who has been a Saint for only six months in Rick Venturi's system.
Bellamy joined in 2001 after playing steadily in Seattle at both free and strong safety. The 5'11, 200 Rutgers product turned
33 in July. At this point in his career, Bellamy's career, his limitations in coverage and speed were outweighed by his leadership
on the field. Familiar with the scheme and defensive coordinator Rick Venturi, Bellamy was in his fifth season with the Saints.
Rookie Josh Bullocks has tons of speed and ballhawking ability, but is a poor tackler at this point. Mel Mitchell, a fifth-round pick of the Saints
in 2002, has struggled in defensive playing time but is a stellar special teamer.
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