INGLEWOOD, Calif. — One year ago, Markquese Bell was being converted to linebacker by Dan Quinn for a Dallas Cowboys' defense that was in desperate need of depth at the position in the wake of then rookie DeMarvion Overshown suffering a torn ACL. Now moved back to safety by Mike Zimmer, Bell is playing like his hair is on fire and the nearest extinguisher is empty.
In the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams, Bell not only delivered a game-high nine combined tackles, but also an interception on Stetson Bennett while narrowly missing another two takeaways in the air.
It seems he's primed for what could be a breakout season in 2024.
"I just gotta give credit to my teammates because they made my job a lot easier," he said following the matchup against the Rams. "Being out there with elite athletes and great teammates, it allows me to fly around like I like to do."
Zimmer's defense, in all, had four interceptions on the day and, instantly, any talk of the potentiality of the usually takeaway-proficient unit seeing a possible downturn in that category going forward began suffering a swift death on Sunday.
Along with Bell, interceptions were had by Jason Johnson, Brock Mogensen and fellow defensive back Eric Scott.
It doesn't look like they've lost a step when it comes to giving their offense extra possessions.
"That's all we preach," said Bell. "We're a defense that gets the ball. If we don't take the ball away, we feel like we didn't reach our goal. Our goal [today] was three, and we got past our goal.
"All of us."
The plan by Zimmer for Bell is allowing him to play free and it's off to a sizzling start, and the Cowboys' defensive coordinator has everyone full bought-in for a variety of reasons including, per Overshown, the fact Zimmer was calling plays against the Rams without looking at his call sheet.
He'd often call the play based upon what he saw from the Rams' offense in real time.
"It's the type of defense that he brings and the type of culture that he brings to the team," said Bell of his new coordinator. "He has a great scheme and we love it. We love it. It's gonna work, it's gonna work.
"We're putting it in and it's fresh, and we have our edits about it but when you see it in real life, it works."
A product of FAMU, Bell continues to prove their is talent outside of the larger collegiate programs in the country and he's helping to turn eyes toward HBCUs across the country, one play at a time.
"I'm just glad that I can put a spotlight on HBCU's because there's a lot of guys that are down there that deserve an opportunity that don't really get it," he said. "I just hoping I can bring the light to those HBCUs."
There can be little to no doubt that he's doing exactly that, and that Zimmer's defense will help to make sure he continues to.
