Die Macht » A Binghamton.How much he will hit after going so long

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Joique Bell could be headed for one big weekend.Bell picks up his masters degree in sports administration at Wayne State University on Saturday. The next day, he could make his season debut with the Detroit Lions in his return after they cut him in February.Its funny that my first week back here is the same week that I graduate, he said Wednesday.Desperate for depth in its banged-up backfield, Detroit brought Bell back by signing him Tuesday.The NFC North-leading Lions (8-4) might need Bell to play against the last-place Chicago Bears (3-9) on Sunday at Ford Field, less than a mile from where he expects 30 to 40 family members and friends to attend his commencement.Detroits starting running back, Theo Riddick, didnt practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury and his backup, Dwayne Washington, was limited because of an ankle issue. Ameer Abdullah began the season as the teams No. 1 running back, but he has been out with a foot injury since Week 2. That leaves Bell and Zach Zenner as the Lions only healthy running backs on the roster.Even though Bell is joining the team so late in the year, he did play for offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter last season in a similar offense.Its coming back to me and the more I look at stuff and Im like, `Oh, OK. I remember that, Bell said. When I go out there, Ill be able to play comfortably and I wont have to think as much.Bell insisted he wasnt surprised when the Lions new general manager, Bob Quinn, released him less than a year after he signed a two-year deal with former GM Martin Mayhew. In fact, Bell said he kept in touch with Quinn before and after Chicago signed him earlier this season. He had three carries for 6 yards on Oct. 2, when the Bears beat the Lions, and didnt run the ball once over the next three games before being cut.When I left the Bears, I texted (Quinn) back and said, `Bring me home, Bell recalled. He sent me a text the other day and said, `Do you want to come home? I said, `Yeah. My heart has never left here. My family is here. I played most of his career and built my foundation here.Bell, who is from Benton Harbor, Michigan, won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2009 at Wayne State, but that wasnt enough to get him drafted.After playing sparingly for Indianapolis and Philadelphia, he did enough well as a runner and receiver with the Lions to sign a $9.3 million, three-year contract in 2014.We certainly know what his traits are, Detroit coach Jim Caldwell said. Hes always been a very, very positive guy. A very, very good locker-room guy. Lot of energy. Loves to play the game. And hes a good, tough runner as well. Hes alright with the ball in his hands throwing it to him, also. There a number of different things that he can do.And soon, Bell will add another accomplishment to his resume when he walks across a stage in front of a crowd he is proud to say will include his 11-year-old son, Jordan.I always preach to the kids that Im trying to mentor, or kids that come to my camp, how important education is, he said. I dont want to tell them to do something that I havent done. So for me to come back to my alma mater and to finish my masters degree there and to be able to have my son there, thats probably one of the greatest experiences Ill ever have as a father.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Larry Lage at http://www.twitter.com/larrylage Mathieu Perreault Jersey . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Kyle Connor Jets Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. http://www.jetsauthentic.com/authentic-patrik-laine-jets-jersey/ . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Dustin Byfuglien Jets Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Blake Wheeler Jets Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. NEW YORK -- Jose Reyes trotted over to third base at the beginning of batting practice, ready to take his grounders during infield drills with the New York Mets.All at once, the four-time All-Star shortstop was in a brand new spot and yet right at home.Reyes rejoined his original team on Tuesday and received a warm welcome back from fans at Citi Field in his first major league game since serving a 59-day domestic violence suspension. Batting leadoff against the Miami Marlins, he quickly doffed his helmet to a cheering crowd -- some fans stood and applauded -- when he stepped to the plate in the first inning.Just called up from the minors, Reyes faked a bunt and whiffed on three pitches against left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, tipping a high fastball into the mitt of catcher Jeff Mathis for strike three.But for the 33-year-old switch-hitter, simply slipping on a Mets uniform felt great.I still dont believe that Im here again. Im happy, Reyes said before the game. Like I said, coming back here, it feels like Im home. I feel comfortable. When I feel comfortable, Im going to perform. Nothing for me now to worry about. I sleep in my own bed. Feels like Im with a family here in New York.Reyes, who still resides nearby on Long Island, acknowledged he wasnt sure what sort of reception he would get in the wake of his domestic violence penalty, though New York fans were very supportive when he began his minor league assignment with Class A Brooklyn on June 26.A fan favorite in Queens for years, he publicly apologized again Tuesday and said people deserve a second chance in life.I know theres going to be some people that are going to hate me, Reyes said. I understand that. I put myself in that situation, like I said before. But (anyone) who knows me from the bottom of their heart, they know that Im not that kind of person.The speedy Reyes played for the Mets from 2003-11 and holds franchise records for stolen bases (370) and triples (99). He has said he always wanted to stay, but New York didnt make much of a push to retain him when he became a free agent.Reyes left after winning the 2011 NL batting crown and signed a $106 million, six-year contract with Miami. He was traded in November 2012 to Toronto and then last July to Colorado, which released him after he completed his domestic violence suspension this year.Major League Baseball imposed the punishment after Reyes got involved in an altercation with his wife in Hawaii last October that initially resulted in a criminal charge, which was later dropped.Many at Citi Field seemed ready to give Reyes his second chance. Even MLB embraced the homecoming narrative by tweeting that Reyes is BACK in Queens wwith a smiley face emoji and photos of fans with signs supporting the infielder.ddddddddddddHe was a part of this franchise for so long that the chances of him getting a second chance here are better because of his history here and how much we loved him, said Erica Kastel, 22, from Commack. We are more willing to accept him. Its like hes coming home.Not all fans in the crowd of 29,477 were as forgiving, though.I dont think its appropriate, said Katie Conners, a mother from Islip who attended the game with her young son. I think if somebodys been charged with a domestic violence crime, they should not be rewarded with however much money to play a professional sport.After he was cut by the Rockies, Reyes signed a minor league contract with the Mets to play his way into big league shape and batted a combined .176 (6 for 34) in two games with Brooklyn and nine for Double-A Binghamton.How much he will hit after going so long without facing major league pitching remains to be seen, but Reyes certainly gives the Mets an element of speed theyve been sorely lacking.He started at third base Tuesday night, his first big league appearance anywhere other than the middle infield. Reyes shifted to the hot corner in the minors while preparing to fill in for Mets captain and longtime teammate David Wright, likely out for the season following neck surgery.New York manager Terry Collins said Reyes also will be used to spell shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera occasionally and could even see time in center field soon, an idea that was agreeable to Reyes.Wilmer Flores, productive for the past month while subbing for Wright at third, will move back into the utility infield role New York envisioned for him before the season. He batted cleanup and started at second base Tuesday to give Neil Walker a rest and is expected to spell James Loney at first on Wednesday.Flores will remain a big factor against left-handed pitching, Collins said.To make roster room for Reyes, the Mets optioned infielder Matt Reynolds to Triple-A Las Vegas and transferred Wright to the 60-day disabled list.Back with the Mets for the first time in five years, Reyes wore his familiar No. 7 after Travis dArnaud agreed to give it up. The catcher, an Indianapolis Colts fan who switched to No. 18 in honor of Peyton Manning, said he thought it was the right thing to do because Reyes has much more big league service time and it was important to him.Reyes said he has a surprise gift in store for dArnaud as a thank you, but both players chose to keep the details private for now. ' ' '