About Tatum Bell.... (1 Viewer)

[Da Guru]

I am not a Mike or Tatum owner. I keep reading Tatums owners crying.. I now know why.

Tatum Bell having 250 career carries in 2 seasons has a 5.3 ypc average. Since I stay away from Denver RBs that really blew me away.

Reading that stat line is really is puzzling what is going on in Denver.

 

[cracKer]

Reading that stat line is really is puzzling what is going on in Denver.

Tatum Bell = speedMike Bell = productionMike Shanahan =

 

[KevT]

Da Guru, Tatum's stats have been posted several times in other threads. I don't know the exact stats but it goes something like this:

carries 1-10 = really good

carries 10-20 = bad

carries 20+ = terrible

edit:

From nfl.com

carries 1-10 = 128 attempts 6.2 average

carries 10-20 = 45 attempts 2.9 average

carries 20+ = 0 attempts

Not that many attempts above 10 carries, so maybe the stats are misleading a bit.

 

[Rushmore]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

 

[SSOG]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

That wasn't the only shot Tatum Bell's ever had to be the main ballcarrier.There was training camps and preseason in 2004. When Droughns slowed down at the end of '04, Bell had another shot. Then there was training camps and preseason 2005. Then there was week 1 of the 2005 season, and again in week 2 of the 2005 season, and then again in week 17 of the 2005 season. Then there was training camps and preseason 2006. Trust me, Tatum's had plenty of opportunities to win the starting RB role.People criticise Shanahan (often unfairly) for a lot of different things... but the one thing you cannot criticise Shanny for is playing games. He has a long and proven history of playing the players who give his team the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan has cut Maurice Clarett (who he was lambasted for drafting), Jed Weaver (who he had just given a $1+ million signing bonus to and who never played a single snap with the team), and Dwayne Carswell (who was one of 5 remaining players from the SB team and a real fan/player/coach favorite). He has given starting jobs to undrafted rookies and oft-cut players over high draft picks and veterans. I guarantee you, Tatum Bell has had plenty of chances to win the starting job. Shanahan does not "have it out" for Tatum. If he believed that playing Tatum gave his team the best chance to win, he'd play Tatum. If Tatum doesn't have the starting job, he has no one to blame but himself.Seriously, if he wasn't such a prima donna, totally unwilling to get dirty and block, he'd probably already be starting by now.

 

[Englishteacher]

Da Guru, Tatum's stats have been posted several times in other threads. I don't know the exact stats but it goes something like this:carries 1-10 = really goodcarries 10-20 = badcarries 20+ = terribleedit:From nfl.comcarries 1-10 = 128 attempts 6.2 averagecarries 10-20 = 45 attempts 2.9 averagecarries 20+ = 0 attemptsNot that many attempts above 10 carries, so maybe the stats are misleading a bit.

I believe his career high in carries is 17.

 

[brakeyawself]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

That wasn't the only shot Tatum Bell's ever had to be the main ballcarrier.There was training camps and preseason in 2004. When Droughns slowed down at the end of '04, Bell had another shot. Then there was training camps and preseason 2005. Then there was week 1 of the 2005 season, and again in week 2 of the 2005 season, and then again in week 17 of the 2005 season. Then there was training camps and preseason 2006. Trust me, Tatum's had plenty of opportunities to win the starting RB role.People criticise Shanahan (often unfairly) for a lot of different things... but the one thing you cannot criticise Shanny for is playing games. He has a long and proven history of playing the players who give his team the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan has cut Maurice Clarett (who he was lambasted for drafting), Jed Weaver (who he had just given a $1+ million signing bonus to and who never played a single snap with the team), and Dwayne Carswell (who was one of 5 remaining players from the SB team and a real fan/player/coach favorite). He has given starting jobs to undrafted rookies and oft-cut players over high draft picks and veterans. I guarantee you, Tatum Bell has had plenty of chances to win the starting job. Shanahan does not "have it out" for Tatum. If he believed that playing Tatum gave his team the best chance to win, he'd play Tatum. If Tatum doesn't have the starting job, he has no one to blame but himself.Seriously, if he wasn't such a prima donna, totally unwilling to get dirty and block, he'd probably already be starting by now.

Tatum Bell is a nancy.

 

[GiantsRule]

Reading that stat line is really is puzzling what is going on in Denver.

Tatum Bell = speedMike Bell = productionMike Shanahan =

What flavor Kool Aid is that? Can I have some?

 

[qimqam]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

That wasn't the only shot Tatum Bell's ever had to be the main ballcarrier.There was training camps and preseason in 2004. When Droughns slowed down at the end of '04, Bell had another shot. Then there was training camps and preseason 2005. Then there was week 1 of the 2005 season, and again in week 2 of the 2005 season, and then again in week 17 of the 2005 season. Then there was training camps and preseason 2006. Trust me, Tatum's had plenty of opportunities to win the starting RB role.People criticise Shanahan (often unfairly) for a lot of different things... but the one thing you cannot criticise Shanny for is playing games. He has a long and proven history of playing the players who give his team the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan has cut Maurice Clarett (who he was lambasted for drafting), Jed Weaver (who he had just given a $1+ million signing bonus to and who never played a single snap with the team), and Dwayne Carswell (who was one of 5 remaining players from the SB team and a real fan/player/coach favorite). He has given starting jobs to undrafted rookies and oft-cut players over high draft picks and veterans. I guarantee you, Tatum Bell has had plenty of chances to win the starting job. Shanahan does not "have it out" for Tatum. If he believed that playing Tatum gave his team the best chance to win, he'd play Tatum. If Tatum doesn't have the starting job, he has no one to blame but himself.Seriously, if he wasn't such a prima donna, totally unwilling to get dirty and block, he'd probably already be starting by now.

I can name I few pretty good runnung backs who weren't able to lock down a starting job in the first couple of seasons. Let's see there is LJ (Remember the Diapers?)Sean Alexander (Behind an aging Ricky Waters)Tiki BarberSteven Jackson Ahman Green Priest Holmes Rudi JohnsonLamont Jordan There are very few RBs in the NFL that start day 1 and don't share carries. Tatum Bell has been extremely productive in the time that he has played. His playing time went up from his 1st season to 2nd season and it looks like that trend will continue this year.I beleive Tatum was slowed quite a bit by injuries in his rookie season. I don't know about his work habbits or his attitude but he is clearly the most talented RB on this team.

 

[Brock Middlebrook]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

That wasn't the only shot Tatum Bell's ever had to be the main ballcarrier.There was training camps and preseason in 2004. When Droughns slowed down at the end of '04, Bell had another shot. Then there was training camps and preseason 2005. Then there was week 1 of the 2005 season, and again in week 2 of the 2005 season, and then again in week 17 of the 2005 season. Then there was training camps and preseason 2006. Trust me, Tatum's had plenty of opportunities to win the starting RB role.People criticise Shanahan (often unfairly) for a lot of different things... but the one thing you cannot criticise Shanny for is playing games. He has a long and proven history of playing the players who give his team the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan has cut Maurice Clarett (who he was lambasted for drafting), Jed Weaver (who he had just given a $1+ million signing bonus to and who never played a single snap with the team), and Dwayne Carswell (who was one of 5 remaining players from the SB team and a real fan/player/coach favorite). He has given starting jobs to undrafted rookies and oft-cut players over high draft picks and veterans. I guarantee you, Tatum Bell has had plenty of chances to win the starting job. Shanahan does not "have it out" for Tatum. If he believed that playing Tatum gave his team the best chance to win, he'd play Tatum. If Tatum doesn't have the starting job, he has no one to blame but himself.Seriously, if he wasn't such a prima donna, totally unwilling to get dirty and block, he'd probably already be starting by now.

I can name I few pretty good runnung backs who weren't able to lock down a starting job in the first couple of seasons. Let's see there is LJ (Remember the Diapers?)Sean Alexander (Behind an aging Ricky Waters)Tiki BarberSteven Jackson Ahman Green Priest Holmes Rudi JohnsonLamont Jordan There are very few RBs in the NFL that start day 1 and don't share carries. Tatum Bell has been extremely productive in the time that he has played. His playing time went up from his 1st season to 2nd season and it looks like that trend will continue this year.I beleive Tatum was slowed quite a bit by injuries in his rookie season. I don't know about his work habbits or his attitude but he is clearly the most talented RB on this team.

With the notable exception of Tiki and Priesty, these guys played behind Holmes, Watters, Faulk, Watters, and CMart - some of the cream of the cream of the crop for RBs of this area. Wasn't Priesty also an undrafted rookie like Mike Bell?

 

[qimqam]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

That wasn't the only shot Tatum Bell's ever had to be the main ballcarrier.There was training camps and preseason in 2004. When Droughns slowed down at the end of '04, Bell had another shot. Then there was training camps and preseason 2005. Then there was week 1 of the 2005 season, and again in week 2 of the 2005 season, and then again in week 17 of the 2005 season. Then there was training camps and preseason 2006. Trust me, Tatum's had plenty of opportunities to win the starting RB role.People criticise Shanahan (often unfairly) for a lot of different things... but the one thing you cannot criticise Shanny for is playing games. He has a long and proven history of playing the players who give his team the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan has cut Maurice Clarett (who he was lambasted for drafting), Jed Weaver (who he had just given a $1+ million signing bonus to and who never played a single snap with the team), and Dwayne Carswell (who was one of 5 remaining players from the SB team and a real fan/player/coach favorite). He has given starting jobs to undrafted rookies and oft-cut players over high draft picks and veterans. I guarantee you, Tatum Bell has had plenty of chances to win the starting job. Shanahan does not "have it out" for Tatum. If he believed that playing Tatum gave his team the best chance to win, he'd play Tatum. If Tatum doesn't have the starting job, he has no one to blame but himself.Seriously, if he wasn't such a prima donna, totally unwilling to get dirty and block, he'd probably already be starting by now.

I can name I few pretty good runnung backs who weren't able to lock down a starting job in the first couple of seasons. Let's see there is LJ (Remember the Diapers?)Sean Alexander (Behind an aging Ricky Waters)Tiki BarberSteven Jackson Ahman Green Priest Holmes Rudi JohnsonLamont Jordan There are very few RBs in the NFL that start day 1 and don't share carries. Tatum Bell has been extremely productive in the time that he has played. His playing time went up from his 1st season to 2nd season and it looks like that trend will continue this year.I beleive Tatum was slowed quite a bit by injuries in his rookie season. I don't know about his work habbits or his attitude but he is clearly the most talented RB on this team.

With the notable exception of Tiki and Priesty, these guys played behind Holmes, Watters, Faulk, Watters, and CMart - some of the cream of the cream of the crop for RBs of this area. Wasn't Priesty also an undrafted rookie like Mike Bell?

Yep and Tatum Bell also played behind an aging solid Veteran Mike Anderson and split time with him.

 

[rock753]

Who is Priesty?

 

[Brock Middlebrook]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

That wasn't the only shot Tatum Bell's ever had to be the main ballcarrier.There was training camps and preseason in 2004. When Droughns slowed down at the end of '04, Bell had another shot. Then there was training camps and preseason 2005. Then there was week 1 of the 2005 season, and again in week 2 of the 2005 season, and then again in week 17 of the 2005 season. Then there was training camps and preseason 2006. Trust me, Tatum's had plenty of opportunities to win the starting RB role.People criticise Shanahan (often unfairly) for a lot of different things... but the one thing you cannot criticise Shanny for is playing games. He has a long and proven history of playing the players who give his team the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan has cut Maurice Clarett (who he was lambasted for drafting), Jed Weaver (who he had just given a $1+ million signing bonus to and who never played a single snap with the team), and Dwayne Carswell (who was one of 5 remaining players from the SB team and a real fan/player/coach favorite). He has given starting jobs to undrafted rookies and oft-cut players over high draft picks and veterans. I guarantee you, Tatum Bell has had plenty of chances to win the starting job. Shanahan does not "have it out" for Tatum. If he believed that playing Tatum gave his team the best chance to win, he'd play Tatum. If Tatum doesn't have the starting job, he has no one to blame but himself.Seriously, if he wasn't such a prima donna, totally unwilling to get dirty and block, he'd probably already be starting by now.

I can name I few pretty good runnung backs who weren't able to lock down a starting job in the first couple of seasons. Let's see there is LJ (Remember the Diapers?)Sean Alexander (Behind an aging Ricky Waters)Tiki BarberSteven Jackson Ahman Green Priest Holmes Rudi JohnsonLamont Jordan There are very few RBs in the NFL that start day 1 and don't share carries. Tatum Bell has been extremely productive in the time that he has played. His playing time went up from his 1st season to 2nd season and it looks like that trend will continue this year.I beleive Tatum was slowed quite a bit by injuries in his rookie season. I don't know about his work habbits or his attitude but he is clearly the most talented RB on this team.

With the notable exception of Tiki and Priesty, these guys played behind Holmes, Watters, Faulk, Watters, and CMart - some of the cream of the cream of the crop for RBs of this area. Wasn't Priesty also an undrafted rookie like Mike Bell?

Yep and Tatum Bell also played behind an aging solid Veteran Mike Anderson and split time with him.

playing behind MA and Ron Dayne and now Mike Bell is not the same as running behind 1st ballot HOFers.

 

[Ned]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

That wasn't the only shot Tatum Bell's ever had to be the main ballcarrier.There was training camps and preseason in 2004. When Droughns slowed down at the end of '04, Bell had another shot. Then there was training camps and preseason 2005. Then there was week 1 of the 2005 season, and again in week 2 of the 2005 season, and then again in week 17 of the 2005 season. Then there was training camps and preseason 2006. Trust me, Tatum's had plenty of opportunities to win the starting RB role.People criticise Shanahan (often unfairly) for a lot of different things... but the one thing you cannot criticise Shanny for is playing games. He has a long and proven history of playing the players who give his team the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan has cut Maurice Clarett (who he was lambasted for drafting), Jed Weaver (who he had just given a $1+ million signing bonus to and who never played a single snap with the team), and Dwayne Carswell (who was one of 5 remaining players from the SB team and a real fan/player/coach favorite). He has given starting jobs to undrafted rookies and oft-cut players over high draft picks and veterans. I guarantee you, Tatum Bell has had plenty of chances to win the starting job. Shanahan does not "have it out" for Tatum. If he believed that playing Tatum gave his team the best chance to win, he'd play Tatum. If Tatum doesn't have the starting job, he has no one to blame but himself.Seriously, if he wasn't such a prima donna, totally unwilling to get dirty and block, he'd probably already be starting by now.

I can name I few pretty good runnung backs who weren't able to lock down a starting job in the first couple of seasons. Let's see there is LJ (Remember the Diapers?)Sean Alexander (Behind an aging Ricky Waters)Tiki BarberSteven Jackson Ahman Green Priest Holmes Rudi JohnsonLamont Jordan There are very few RBs in the NFL that start day 1 and don't share carries. Tatum Bell has been extremely productive in the time that he has played. His playing time went up from his 1st season to 2nd season and it looks like that trend will continue this year.I beleive Tatum was slowed quite a bit by injuries in his rookie season. I don't know about his work habbits or his attitude but he is clearly the most talented RB on this team.

With the notable exception of Tiki and Priesty, these guys played behind Holmes, Watters, Faulk, Watters, and CMart - some of the cream of the cream of the crop for RBs of this area. Wasn't Priesty also an undrafted rookie like Mike Bell?

Yep and Tatum Bell also played behind an aging solid Veteran Mike Anderson and split time with him.

reach much? anderson is nowhere near the level of those other guys above...tatum is soft. you cant coach toughness...

 

[Traders2001]

I'd like to see Tatum get a legitimate shot. I remember last year when they let him be the main ball carrier late in the season, but not only was it against a 3-4 Defense, but it was against the SD Chargers who shut down most backs that faced them.

He wont get a legitimate shot . Why .....Because he is not a starting RB ( every coaches know ) he is a change of pace third down back .The reason he wont start ( I think they would even start Cobbs ahead of him ) is inconsistency he will have a 25 yds run followed by 5 x 1,5 yd run ( it still gives him a nice ypc but it doesnt get the job done ) he cant break tackles and does nt get the tough yards ( is that enough as far as reasons are concerned not to be the featured guy )

 

[JuniorNB]

Tatum Bell has world class speed.

He gets a lot of his long runs when the defense has been on the field for a couple quarters and he comes in fresh.

He is a known fumbler and he is a very weak blocker.

Believe me, Shanahan wants to win. He is not purposely limiting his "great running back" in order to screw fantasy owners.

Tatum might average 5.3 yards per carry, but if he carried it 25-30 times per game, it would be much, much less than that. Plus, Plummer would probably be in traction and Denver would be 5-11.

The Broncos brass sees has seen Bell for three years. That is a ton of practices and scrimmages. They see a lot more than any of us do.

NEWSFLASH: Mike Shanahan wants to win games. He plays his guys as much as he feels it will contribute to that cause.

Also, two years ago, Chatman averaged more yards per carry than Tomlinson in San Diego. See what I'm saying?

 

[j3r3m3y]

tatum is soft. you cant coach toughness...

It is my understanding that it also has to do with blocking assignments and blitz pickups not his running ability at this point. Eveyone in Denver knows Tater can run, but Shanny isn't about to let Jake get knocked to the sideline because a RB missed a blocking assignment.

 

[qimqam]

All of these replies make it sound like Tatum Bell will not touch the field.

Bell should have around 225-250 touches this season which = HUGE numbers for T.Bell

 

[Da Guru]

It is obvious that Tatum Bell is much more talented than Mike. Mike looked slow today.

 

[Marc Levin]

playing behind MA and Ron Dayne and now Mike Bell is not the same as running behind 1st ballot HOFers.

What game was that again????

 

[jon_mx]

All of these replies make it sound like Tatum Bell will not touch the field.Bell should have around 225-250 touches this season which = HUGE numbers for T.Bell

T. Bell will be lucky to break 1000 yards. Good numbers but not huge.

 

[Marc Levin]

It is obvious that Tatum Bell is much more talented than Mike. Mike looked slow today.

I don't necessarily agree with that, but I do think THE most telling carries for TB came in the fourth - MBell was on the bench for the rest of the game - I specifically reference the 3rd and 3 call to TB - a run play up the middle where TB took on a defender and fell forward for the first down.That kind of faith in TB afte he had fumbled earlier in the game, when combined with Shannie giving him the start today, is EXTREMELY telling of Shanahan's mind set right now.

 

[Marc Levin]

All of these replies make it sound like Tatum Bell will not touch the field.Bell should have around 225-250 touches this season which = HUGE numbers for T.Bell

T. Bell will be lucky to break 1000 yards. Good numbers but not huge.

Sig bet that?I think TB is HIGHLY LIKELY to break 1G rush yards. He was a decent bet to do so when Mike Bell was named the starter, but now that he won the start over a healthy Mike Bell and got 100 yards in the game, he's and EXCELLENT bet to get 1G rush yards.

 

[T Bell]

All of these replies make it sound like Tatum Bell will not touch the field.Bell should have around 225-250 touches this season which = HUGE numbers for T.Bell

T. Bell will be lucky to break 1000 yards. Good numbers but not huge.

Which half of the season are you talking about, buddy?

 

[GoL]

It is obvious that Tatum Bell is much more talented than Mike. Mike looked slow today.

I don't necessarily agree with that, but I do think THE most telling carries for TB came in the fourth - MBell was on the bench for the rest of the game - I specifically reference the 3rd and 3 call to TB - a run play up the middle where TB took on a defender and fell forward for the first down.That kind of faith in TB afte he had fumbled earlier in the game, when combined with Shannie giving him the start today, is EXTREMELY telling of Shanahan's mind set right now.

They played every other series. At no point did either get back to back series so how telling can the 4th quater carries be?Mike Bell's conversion on 4th & 1 and at the goal line could be just as meaningful, but honestly I think we could see a similar scenario every week.M Bell 58 rush - 30 rec - 1 TDT Bell 103 rush - 1 FumbSuch a shame those numbers aren't combined.

 

[Marc Levin]

TBell started the game.

TBell finished the game.

This is not exactly the same as Hearst/Barlow. This is Shannie making a decision to start TBell, but keep him fresh. In Mike Bell's last series, Shannie called three pass plays. In TBell's series before that, he fed the ball through TBell.

I saw the entire fourth and I just read the play by play - it is abundantly clear that Shannie had more faith in TBell in the fourth than MBell. When combined with the fact that Shannie switched his starter from Mike Bell ALL preseason to TBell, and TBell player very well, I'd say this race has rounded the first turn with TB, not MB, in the lead.

 

[redman]

TBell started the game.TBell finished the game.This is not exactly the same as Hearst/Barlow. This is Shannie making a decision to start TBell, but keep him fresh. In Mike Bell's last series, Shannie called three pass plays. In TBell's series before that, he fed the ball through TBell.I saw the entire fourth and I just read the play by play - it is abundantly clear that Shannie had more faith in TBell in the fourth than MBell. When combined with the fact that Shannie switched his starter from Mike Bell ALL preseason to TBell, and TBell player very well, I'd say this race has rounded the first turn with TB, not MB, in the lead.

And BTW Shanny was using Tatum late in the game despite Tatum having lost a fumble early in the game.

 

[JuniorNB]

TBell started the game.TBell finished the game.This is not exactly the same as Hearst/Barlow. This is Shannie making a decision to start TBell, but keep him fresh. In Mike Bell's last series, Shannie called three pass plays. In TBell's series before that, he fed the ball through TBell.I saw the entire fourth and I just read the play by play - it is abundantly clear that Shannie had more faith in TBell in the fourth than MBell. When combined with the fact that Shannie switched his starter from Mike Bell ALL preseason to TBell, and TBell player very well, I'd say this race has rounded the first turn with TB, not MB, in the lead.

If Denver would have gotten one more possession, Mike Bell would have finished the game.The situation hasn't changed a bit. Shanahan has faith in both of them, and based on how each produced today, I'm sure he will continue to alternate possessions.

 

[avoiding injuries]

These Bell threads are reminding me a lot of last years threads with LJ and Priest. I think Tatum just secured a spot in flex leagues and may be a solid #2 RB for the rest of the year. Spitting carries or not.

Question: If you were drafting today, what rounds would each back go(12 teams)? I'd say Tatum in the 3rd or 4th with Mike a few later.

 

[Bojang0301]

These Bell threads are reminding me a lot of last years threads with LJ and Priest. I think Tatum just secured a spot in flex leagues and may be a solid #2 RB for the rest of the year. Spitting carries or not.Question: If you were drafting today, what rounds would each back go(12 teams)? I'd say Tatum in the 3rd or 4th with Mike a few later.

They remind me of Mike Anderson/Tatum Bell I'm guess the result is the same as well.

 

[phillzphan]

Shanny's main knock on TBell is that as the game goes on he wears down. Not the case with this game.

Even with the fumble, I think its safe to say Shanny's view has been upgraded.

 

[JuniorNB]

I can't see hopw this game would have done anything to tarnish Shanahan's view of either back. Other than Tatum's fumble and Mike's blown block, both of them played very well.

Plummer, on the other hand........

 

[KCC]

Why is it Shanahan gets singled out and blasted for using RBBC when that is the predominant strategy of most NFL coaches? Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.

 

[Futility]

TBell started the game.TBell finished the game.This is not exactly the same as Hearst/Barlow. This is Shannie making a decision to start TBell, but keep him fresh. In Mike Bell's last series, Shannie called three pass plays. In TBell's series before that, he fed the ball through TBell.I saw the entire fourth and I just read the play by play - it is abundantly clear that Shannie had more faith in TBell in the fourth than MBell. When combined with the fact that Shannie switched his starter from Mike Bell ALL preseason to TBell, and TBell player very well, I'd say this race has rounded the first turn with TB, not MB, in the lead.

If Denver would have gotten one more possession, Mike Bell would have finished the game.The situation hasn't changed a bit. Shanahan has faith in both of them, and based on how each produced today, I'm sure he will continue to alternate possessions.

The point is that when TB was on the field, the Broncos offense ran through TB. When MB was on the field, the offense didn't run through MB. Levin's point is that Shanahan clearly had more confidence in TB to pick up yards and keep the offense moving.

 

[jafo]

I think this is the year that Tatum Bell leads the Broncos in rushing....mainly because there aren't any better options. But dude was on fire yesterday with his 6.9 YPC.

 

[02025]

maybe TB was there in the 4th Q because MB has a broken finger...

 

[JuniorNB]

maybe TB was there in the 4th Q because MB has a broken finger...

I believe they played every other series. Even in the fourt hquarter.

 

[imeimex]

Mike Bell-RB-Broncos Sep. 11 - 11:21 am et

Mike Bell fractured his middle finger Sunday and may need surgery.

Bell suffered the injury on the second play of the game, and fought through it for an impressive rookie debut. It's uncertain if Bell will miss any time, but it won't help his propensity for fumbling. The local Denver papers treated the injury as minor.

Source: Rocky Mountain News

 

[salmonstud]

Looking at the drive summaries....it looks like Bell & Bell alternated series the entire game. I would venture to guess that Shanny is going to continue RBBC until it stops working. I have both Bells in multiple leagues....I would love to see one be the primary back....but I just don't see it happening, barring injury.

 

[SSOG]

It is obvious that Tatum Bell is much more talented than Mike. Mike looked slow today.

I don't necessarily agree with that, but I do think THE most telling carries for TB came in the fourth - MBell was on the bench for the rest of the game - I specifically reference the 3rd and 3 call to TB - a run play up the middle where TB took on a defender and fell forward for the first down.That kind of faith in TB afte he had fumbled earlier in the game, when combined with Shannie giving him the start today, is EXTREMELY telling of Shanahan's mind set right now.

I'm not so sure if it was faith in TB that gave TBell the start, or lack of faith in MBell. I've posted before about Shanahan's historical mistrust of rookie RBs.

maybe TB was there in the 4th Q because MB has a broken finger...

I believe they played every other series. Even in the fourt hquarter.

Yup. It was a very clear and very simple situation- TBell and MBell each alternated series the entire game. Shanny never once deviated from that plan. Here's the play by play. It's very very clear and very simple to see- TBell played the first series, MBell played the second, TBell played the 3rd, MBell played the 4th, TBell played the 5th, and so on and so forth. The only conclusion that *I* can draw is that Shanahan is still evaluating his RBs and seeing who is better for the offense.The good news is that, as long as Shanahan keeps using both RBs this way, they should both be starter-caliber (like they were this week).

 

[moleculo]

TBell started the game.

TBell finished the game.

This is not exactly the same as Hearst/Barlow. This is Shannie making a decision to start TBell, but keep him fresh. In Mike Bell's last series, Shannie called three pass plays. In TBell's series before that, he fed the ball through TBell.

I saw the entire fourth and I just read the play by play - it is abundantly clear that Shannie had more faith in TBell in the fourth than MBell. When combined with the fact that Shannie switched his starter from Mike Bell ALL preseason to TBell, and TBell player very well, I'd say this race has rounded the first turn with TB, not MB, in the lead.

If Denver would have gotten one more possession, Mike Bell would have finished the game.The situation hasn't changed a bit. Shanahan has faith in both of them, and based on how each produced today, I'm sure he will continue to alternate possessions.

The point is that when TB was on the field, the Broncos offense ran through TB. When MB was on the field, the offense didn't run through MB. Levin's point is that Shanahan clearly had more confidence in TB to pick up yards and keep the offense moving.

I have no idea how you can come to these conclusions after watching backs rotate in and out by posession, with no deviation from a set pattern. If Shanahan had more faith in TBell's ability to keep the offense moving, TBell would not be sharing carries.To address Levin's point I bolded above: "MBells last series, Shannie called three pass plays." note - one of those plays one was a reception by MBell.

by my count, MBell had 4 targets, 4 catches. TBell had 1 target, 0 catches.