Clayton: Mike Bell should start for Denver on Sunday (1 Viewer)

[Thumper]

According to ESPN's John Clayton Mike Bell will start on Sunday for the Broncos. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[yellowdog]

Mark Schlereth said M. Bell would be the Rookie of the Year with 1200 yards rushing and 12-15 TDs. If anyone at ESPN has any Broncos info, it would him.

 

[Avery]

According to Chris Mortensen, Chris Simms was the best QB he has seen in training camp all year!

Sorry.

I thought this was the thread where we put the baseless predictions and comments of the ESPN football braintrust.

 

[SammyJankis]

I fully expect Mike Bell to start Sunday and get many chances to succeed. I also think its entirely possible that a string of ineffective games and or fumbling issues could open the door for Cedric Cobbs.

I wonder if the year plays out and neither of the three backs is effecetive if this will cause Shannahan to rethink his "we can just stick any RB in there and he'll become a top back strategy"?

 

[WarRedbirds]

From Rotoworld "Last Minute Decisions" --> Link

I tentatively believe Tatum Bell will start in Week 1 at St. Louis. I firmly believe he’ll receive the majority of the touches in Denver’s mysterious backfield. Listed starter Mike Bell has been working on kick returns in practice, a sign Denver may be planning to install Tatum as their primary ball-carrier, at least for the opener. Tatum, who will be running on turf against a Rams defense that’s annually soft against the run, is a phenomenal play in leagues that use a flex position. He can be a starter in two-tailback leagues over question marks like Clinton Portis and Jamal Lewis.

Has anyone seen this information from any other sources, is Mike Bell really working with special teams?

 

[SSOG]

From Rotoworld "Last Minute Decisions" --> Link

I tentatively believe Tatum Bell will start in Week 1 at St. Louis. I firmly believe he’ll receive the majority of the touches in Denver’s mysterious backfield. Listed starter Mike Bell has been working on kick returns in practice, a sign Denver may be planning to install Tatum as their primary ball-carrier, at least for the opener. Tatum, who will be running on turf against a Rams defense that’s annually soft against the run, is a phenomenal play in leagues that use a flex position. He can be a starter in two-tailback leagues over question marks like Clinton Portis and Jamal Lewis.

Has anyone seen this information from any other sources, is Mike Bell really working with special teams?

Yes, but he's not the primary kick returner, he's a backup kick returner (#3, iirc). Besides, in the past, Denver has demonstrated a willingness to use starters on special teams. Darrent Williams, Reuben Droughns, and Rod Smith have all returned kicks in the past three seasons while they were starters.

 

[moleculo]

From Rotoworld "Last Minute Decisions" --> Link

I tentatively believe Tatum Bell will start in Week 1 at St. Louis. I firmly believe he’ll receive the majority of the touches in Denver’s mysterious backfield. Listed starter Mike Bell has been working on kick returns in practice, a sign Denver may be planning to install Tatum as their primary ball-carrier, at least for the opener. Tatum, who will be running on turf against a Rams defense that’s annually soft against the run, is a phenomenal play in leagues that use a flex position. He can be a starter in two-tailback leagues over question marks like Clinton Portis and Jamal Lewis.

Has anyone seen this information from any other sources, is Mike Bell really working with special teams?

I know he was early on...checking box scores- one punt return in week one, no other ST plays of note. I haven't read anything about this in any of the Denver papers, and all the Denver writers expect MBell to start. I think that the above rotoworld advice is bad.

 

[WarRedbirds]

From Rotoworld "Last Minute Decisions" --> Link

I tentatively believe Tatum Bell will start in Week 1 at St. Louis. I firmly believe he’ll receive the majority of the touches in Denver’s mysterious backfield. Listed starter Mike Bell has been working on kick returns in practice, a sign Denver may be planning to install Tatum as their primary ball-carrier, at least for the opener. Tatum, who will be running on turf against a Rams defense that’s annually soft against the run, is a phenomenal play in leagues that use a flex position. He can be a starter in two-tailback leagues over question marks like Clinton Portis and Jamal Lewis.

Has anyone seen this information from any other sources, is Mike Bell really working with special teams?

Yes, but he's not the primary kick returner, he's a backup kick returner (#3, iirc). Besides, in the past, Denver has demonstrated a willingness to use starters on special teams. Darrent Williams, Reuben Droughns, and Rod Smith have all returned kicks in the past three seasons while they were starters.

Damn...so Rotoworld guy is reading into this a little too much to make his story...it seems.

 

[Englishteacher]

I fully expect Mike Bell to start Sunday and get many chances to succeed. I also think its entirely possible that a string of ineffective games and or fumbling issues could open the door for Cedric Cobbs.I wonder if the year plays out and neither of the three backs is effecetive if this will cause Shannahan to rethink his "we can just stick any RB in there and he'll become a top back strategy"?

seeing as it hasn't burned him yet I doubt it.. he could just look harder the next year. If you look at Denver's last two drafts, they went CB heavy in 2005 and WR heavy in 2006, both serious team needs. I really think Shanny addresses the RB position last or close to it. If someone enamors him I wouldn't say he wouldn't draft RB's, he's drafted tater and Clarett pretty high, but they look at positions strategically and RB just doesn't seem that high in priority status. In addition, the Broncos are pretty strapped against the cap and going for a big money RB doesn't seem likely. Droughns did well for them but when he asked for $$$ they just sent him along his way. A rookie RB might make better sense as the first few years of his contract would be cheaper and would fit a possible "window" for this team. However, the essentials for Shanny's RB appear to be simpler and more fundamental than some teams. Run Ball between the tackles. Hold onto the football. Block. Execute the 3-4 yard runs. (as opposed to: make guys miss, can get to the corner, breakaway speed)

 

[ren hoek]

I think in any case, both Bells are a solid start against the Rams tomorrow.

Also, we should have an okay idea of the Denver RB situation at the conclusion of tomorrow's game, which is nice. Particularly if it's MBell..

 

[Da Guru]

If Shanny said that then Tatum Bell is a lock for 100 and a score!

 

[OregonDuck90]

This is a pretty easy one... let someone else in your league deal with the Denver RB hassle...

 

[oukurt]

This is a pretty easy one... let someone else in your league deal with the Denver RB hassle...

And see you next week for OU - Oregon! Looking to make the trip out if I can.

 

[WarRedbirds]

This is a pretty easy one... let someone else in your league deal with the Denver RB hassle...

These are the kind of situations that might not cost you too much, and could pay off big. I bought my lottery ticket (Mike Bell) in the 5th round of a 14 team league.

 

[Oils_well]

This is a pretty easy one... let someone else in your league deal with the Denver RB hassle...

These are the kind of situations that might not cost you too much, and could pay off big. I bought my lottery ticket (Mike Bell) in the 5th round of a 14 team league.

I did the same....In a 14 teamer this pick wont cost me the draft but it sure could win it. I also scored Norwood and he also could have a huge impact from the 10 slot

 

[Liquid Tension]

From Rotoworld "Last Minute Decisions" --> Link

I tentatively believe Tatum Bell will start in Week 1 at St. Louis. I firmly believe he’ll receive the majority of the touches in Denver’s mysterious backfield. Listed starter Mike Bell has been working on kick returns in practice, a sign Denver may be planning to install Tatum as their primary ball-carrier, at least for the opener. Tatum, who will be running on turf against a Rams defense that’s annually soft against the run, is a phenomenal play in leagues that use a flex position. He can be a starter in two-tailback leagues over question marks like Clinton Portis and Jamal Lewis.

Has anyone seen this information from any other sources, is Mike Bell really working with special teams?

Yes, but he's not the primary kick returner, he's a backup kick returner (#3, iirc). Besides, in the past, Denver has demonstrated a willingness to use starters on special teams. Darrent Williams, Reuben Droughns, and Rod Smith have all returned kicks in the past three seasons while they were starters.

This is correct, I remember Rod Smith returning punts at 35+ years of age. As an owner I hated that injury risk.