Jets' Le'Veon Bell proving he is the anti-Antonio Brown

Le’Veon Bell has no regrets.

In actual fact, within the face of the worst begin to his terrific profession — with the Jets 1-5 as they journey to play the Jaguars on Sunday — Bell is embracing the adversity.

Throughout a wide-ranging interview with The Put up this week, it turned clear that the Jets star working again truly welcomes the added diploma of issue that this tough begin has introduced him.

“I’ve by no means began 1-5, so I form of have a look at as it is a nice alternative for me to indicate what kind of particular person and participant I’m to assist flip issues round,” Bell stated. “That’s how I have a look at it. I might have signed anyplace I needed. I might have gone to [a team] that was already good and helped make them a bit of higher. Or I might have gone someplace that hadn’t been successful video games and assist them win video games.

“I’m a soccer participant who loves challenges. I’ve by no means actually been on a nasty staff earlier than, and even when they have been dangerous, I felt like I used to be a adequate participant to make them higher. So, why wouldn’t I strive that on the highest degree of soccer?

“Plus, I liked the Jets rising up. Individuals suppose it was all concerning the cash, however the Jets didn’t supply me the perfect deal. They made me pleased with the supply, and this was someplace I needed to be. It was a simple resolution.’’

When the Jets signed Bell, a lot of his teammates had preconceived notions about the kind of man who was about to hitch their locker room. Bell, a longtime star who sat out 2018 in a contract dispute, was lumped into the egocentric world through which his former Steelers teammate, receiver Antonio Brown, lives.

It was assumed Bell and Brown have been one and the identical. That is human nature. Usually instances, although, human nature leads you down the mistaken path. That is the case with Bell, who as a teammate is as a lot a humble, constructive pressure as anybody within the Jets locker room has ever met.

“I actually anticipated him to be like anyone you didn’t wish to be round,’’ offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison informed The Put up. “I assumed he was going to come back in there like, ‘I’m Le’Veon Bell.’ I used to be anticipating him to have an ego. However he was the exact opposite. He’s so down-to-earth, such a chill man. He’s one of many guys.’’

Linebacker Jordan Jenkins recalled that when the Jets signed Bell, a good friend of his who’s a Steelers fan ranted in opposition to it.

“He informed me, ‘Oh, man, screw Le’Veon and AB [Brown] and all these egotistical prima donnas,’ ” Jenkins informed The Put up. “All of the little rumors of him being a nasty man or having a detrimental angle, that’s all bull [bleep]. From the primary day Le’Veon got here in right here, he was cool. He’s an awesome chief for this staff.

Bell doesn’t see stars. He doesn’t create locker-room cliques. He unites.

“He’s one of many hardest-working gamers now we have at apply,’’ offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains stated. “These are the kind of guys you want if you’re attempting to flip one thing and construct one thing. You want your highest-paid gamers to be your hardest employees.’’

On Wednesday, he was doing his traditional factor after apply — immersed in a recreation of chess on his mobile phone, bouncing across the locker room bringing teammates into it. The teammate he performs chess in opposition to most is fourth-string tight finish Trevon Wesco.

“Le’Veon is somebody who helps carry the entire staff collectively,’’ Harrison stated.

“As soon as I received right here, all eyes have been form of on me, seeing what sort of chief I’d be,’’ Bell stated. “It let individuals see my character and see what kind of chief I’m and form of opened individuals’s eyes as much as me.”

Bell acknowledged straight away how impactful the way in which he performed himself could be on his teammates.

“I at all times simply attempt to keep constructive,” Bell stated. “I would really feel completely different, however I’m not going to indicate anyone else that I really feel completely different, as a result of that may have an effect on anyone else’s temper. I’m affected person. I perceive it’s going to come back. It’s not like my expertise went away or I’m not an excellent soccer participant.”

Persistence is Bell’s advantage. The place it comes from, who is aware of? Very probably his obsession with taking part in chess.

“When you consider it, he’s form of taking part in chess on the soccer area — mentally, he fully understands what’s occurring and is anticipating the following transfer,’’ fellow working again Ty Montgomery stated.

“I’m taking part in chess after I’m taking part in soccer,’’ Bell stated. “It’s not saying I’m not gifted athletically, as a result of I’m. However I play a lot extra from the neck up.”

This has been essentially the most nice — and worthwhile — shock that Bell has dropped at the Jets. And so they’ll be higher for it. Perhaps Sunday in Jacksonville, possibly the next week. However his impression might be lasting.

For extra on the Jets, hearken to this episode of the Jets podcast, “Gang’s All Right here”: