Kevan Barlow almost a Bronco (1 Viewer)

[Loco Barlow]

A rumor being talked about on sportstalk radio is that Kevan Barlow was on the verge of becoming a Denver Bronco. It's rumored that San Francisco had a standing trade offer from Denver in which Denver offered their 4th round pick for Barlow. However, the New York Jets entered the Kevan Barlow sweepstakes at the 11th hour and presented the same offer, a 4th round pick, and SF anticipating the Jets' pick would be higher in the 4th round accepted the offer from the Jets instead of Denver. Supposedly Shanahan was miffed by the way SF handled the trade talks and was dissapointed not to get the back he's had his eyes on for a few years.

Interesting story brewing in Denver.

 

[trader jake]

GB Skelator.

The :honda: of all-time trade rumors: Barlow a Bronco?

 

[gorf]

it is interesting if true. not so much from the barlow angle, but because it tells us something about the denver front office's feelings about mike bell.

 

[fsufan]

Anyone else tired of the Denver RB talk/situation

 

[Football Jones]

I like Mike Bell & own him in a few leagues (including a dynasty), but he's not a special back, IMO. I'm sure Shanny is probably aware of that & I wouldn't doubt the Barlow rumors are true.

MBell will have to perform above & beyond expectations to become their RB of the future. I can't see it, but as we all know, just about anything can happen in the NFL, LOL.

BTW, unless MBell lights it up this season, I expect Denver to look really hard at taking a RB in rounds 1 or 2 in next year's rookie draft.

 

[#@%&$!?]

it is interesting if true. not so much from the barlow angle, but because it tells us something about the denver front office's feelings about mike bell.

This, in addition to the interest in Moats could mean:- concerns about mike bell- concerns about rb depth behind mike: no faith in tatum carrying a full load, dayne with lingering turf toe, and cobbs/nash not being very good.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Anyone else tired of the Denver RB talk/situation

Too bad somebody is forcing you to open threads labeled as Denver rb talk.

 

[#@%&$!?]

I like Mike Bell & own him in a few leagues (including a dynasty), but he's not a special back, IMO. I'm sure Shanny is probably aware of that & I wouldn't doubt the Barlow rumors are true.

MBell will have to perform above & beyond expectations to become their RB of the future. I can't see it, but as we all know, just about anything can happen in the NFL, LOL.

BTW, unless MBell lights it up this season, I expect Denver to look really hard at taking a RB in rounds 1 or 2 in next year's rookie draft.

1. We don't know this.2. Denver has been fine with the likes of Droughns, Anderson, Olandis Gary

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

 

[Kit Fisto]

Even more reason to stay far, far away from the Denver RB circus this year.

People taking Mike Bell in the 1st round of dynasty leagues is killing me!

 

[gorf]

it is interesting if true. not so much from the barlow angle, but because it tells us something about the denver front office's feelings about mike bell.

This, in addition to the interest in Moats could mean:- concerns about mike bell

- concerns about rb depth behind mike: no faith in tatum carrying a full load, dayne with lingering turf toe, and cobbs/nash not being very good.

good point

 

[AnonymousBob]

I like Mike Bell & own him in a few leagues (including a dynasty), but he's not a special back, IMO. I'm sure Shanny is probably aware of that & I wouldn't doubt the Barlow rumors are true.

MBell will have to perform above & beyond expectations to become their RB of the future. I can't see it, but as we all know, just about anything can happen in the NFL, LOL.

BTW, unless MBell lights it up this season, I expect Denver to look really hard at taking a RB in rounds 1 or 2 in next year's rookie draft.

1. We don't know this.2. Denver has been fine with the likes of Droughns, Anderson, Olandis Gary

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

I don't think Droughns, Anderson or Gary were scrubs.

 

[Mmen of Steel]

A rumor being talked about on sportstalk radio is that Kevan Barlow was on the verge of becoming a Denver Bronco. It's rumored that San Francisco had a standing trade offer from Denver in which Denver offered their 4th round pick for Barlow. However, the New York Jets entered the Kevan Barlow sweepstakes at the 11th hour and presented the same offer, a 4th round pick, and SF anticipating the Jets' pick would be higher in the 4th round accepted the offer from the Jets instead of Denver. Supposedly Shanahan was miffed by the way SF handled the trade talks and was dissapointed not to get the back he's had his eyes on for a few years. Interesting story brewing in Denver.

Loco -- you are one funny dude. This topic was hot a few days back; butwe all jumped ship to listen to you extoll the vitures of the #4 WR in Dallas (Hurd):doink:

 

[rascal]

Pretty sure Denver doesn't have a fourth to trade but whatever.

 

[zamboni]

Anyone else tired of the Denver RB talk/situation

I was tired of it four months ago, but I get suckered in every single time.

 

[oukurt]

Lets get back to your Sam Hurd 1100/8 prediction. You kind of left us hanging the other night on this one.

 

[#@%&$!?]

I like Mike Bell & own him in a few leagues (including a dynasty), but he's not a special back, IMO. I'm sure Shanny is probably aware of that & I wouldn't doubt the Barlow rumors are true.

MBell will have to perform above & beyond expectations to become their RB of the future. I can't see it, but as we all know, just about anything can happen in the NFL, LOL.

BTW, unless MBell lights it up this season, I expect Denver to look really hard at taking a RB in rounds 1 or 2 in next year's rookie draft.

1. We don't know this.2. Denver has been fine with the likes of Droughns, Anderson, Olandis Gary

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

I don't think Droughns, Anderson or Gary were scrubs.

Didn't say they were scrubs, but I wouldn't call any of them 'special'. Post Broncos: Gary had to compete for a backup role in Det & Anderson may lose out to Musa Smith to backup Jamal. Droughns, though, is doing well.

 

[fsufan]

Anyone else tired of the Denver RB talk/situation

I was tired of it four months ago, but I get suckered in every single time.

i am more tired of trying to figure out who the starting RB will be. Best to stay away.

 

[zamboni]

i am more tired of trying to figure out who the starting RB will be..

Easy - it's Bell

 

[SSOG]

Anyone else tired of the Denver RB talk/situation

No, but I'm tired of the Barlow/Denver talk. It's like the rumor that won't die.

I like Mike Bell & own him in a few leagues (including a dynasty), but he's not a special back, IMO. I'm sure Shanny is probably aware of that & I wouldn't doubt the Barlow rumors are true.

MBell will have to perform above & beyond expectations to become their RB of the future. I can't see it, but as we all know, just about anything can happen in the NFL, LOL.

BTW, unless MBell lights it up this season, I expect Denver to look really hard at taking a RB in rounds 1 or 2 in next year's rookie draft.

1. We don't know this.2. Denver has been fine with the likes of Droughns, Anderson, Olandis Gary

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

I don't think Droughns, Anderson or Gary were scrubs.

Gary was a scrub. He was a scrub in Detroit, and got beaten out for a roster spot by Shawn Bryson, Artose Pinner, Corey Schlesinger, and Stephen Trejo. Droughns was another guy who got cut by Detroit- he was beaten out for a roster spot by Aveion Cason, Rafael Cooper, Autry Denson, Richard Huntley, Corey Schlesinger, James Stewart, Stephen Trejo, and Lamont Warren. I do think that Mike Anderson is very much overrated, and actually a very good RB, though.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Olandis Gary got hurt so we'll never know how good he may or may not have been post Denver. Droughns possibly never got the proper opportunity in Detroit, he's done quite well with the Browns. When was the last time they had a 1,000 yard rusher?

C'mon SSOG, I'm surprised to see you throw those guys under the bus so to speak. Yes, anybody is better once they're in Denver. But you must have some semblance of talent to keep from flopping (Quentin?).

As far as Mike Anderson, he's not the youngest guy in the NFL and while we may never know how good he could have been in his prime on another team, what he did in Denver was impressive.

 

[Kit Fisto]

i am more tired of trying to figure out who the starting RB will be..

Easy - it's Bell

Today....

 

[zamboni]

i am more tired of trying to figure out who the starting RB will be..

Easy - it's Bell

Today....

Tomorrow, too. And probably for the forseeable future, a Bell will start.

 

[SSOG]

Olandis Gary got hurt so we'll never know how good he may or may not have been post Denver. Droughns possibly never got the proper opportunity in Detroit, he's done quite well with the Browns. When was the last time they had a 1,000 yard rusher? C'mon SSOG, I'm surprised to see you throw those guys under the bus so to speak. Yes, anybody is better once they're in Denver. But you must have some semblance of talent to keep from flopping (Quentin?). As far as Mike Anderson, he's not the youngest guy in the NFL and while we may never know how good he could have been in his prime on another team, what he did in Denver was impressive.

I'm not trying to throw them under the bus, I'm just saying, Gary probably never would have amounted to anything outside of Denver, and I'm not so convinced that Droughns is that great, yet. He only averaged 4 yards per carry last year, which really is not that impressive. His DVOA stats were really poor (39th in DPAR, 41st in DVOA). Both of them were actually pretty mediocre even when they were IN Denver (again, going off of DVOA and DPAR, they were the two worst runners under Shanahan). My experience and memories of them tell me pretty much the same thing- they weren't anything special.Mike Anderson, on the other hand, was certainly special. Looking at his DVOA and DPAR again, he was clearly only behind Portis and Davis in the succession of Shanahan runners (and not much behind Portis, at that). His success rate was phenominal. I really felt watching him perform that he was SUBSTANTIALLY better than Droughns or Gary, and that he could have been a star somewhere else, but was content to be a role player here in Denver.

 

[fsufan]

i am more tired of trying to figure out who the starting RB will be..

Easy - it's Bell

Today....

Tomorrow, too. And probably for the forseeable future, a Bell will start.

there will be another RB this time next year

 

[Kit Fisto]

i am more tired of trying to figure out who the starting RB will be..

Easy - it's Bell

Today....

Tomorrow, too. And probably for the forseeable future, a Bell will start.

there will be another RB this time next year

Count on it.

 

[Statorama]

Anyone else tired of the Denver RB talk/situation

Yes. Have been for several years now.

 

[Traders2001]

Great for the Broncos they dodged a bullit since Barlow is a lousy , worthless RB.

 

[AnonymousBob]

IF this rumor is true (big if), what is it telling us?

Shanahan really big on Barlow or really down on his current backs?

 

[Traders2001]

it is interesting if true. not so much from the barlow angle, but because it tells us something about the denver front office's feelings about mike bell.

Anyway , except ftom the Jets ( organization that does nt have a clue , who would want Barlow as a starter )So this has to be BS ,Mike Bell has been very good in camp , and is surely a better RB then BArlow .I think he gets a real good shot .Tatum cant break a tackle , yes he gets those big runs once in a while when there is a hole the size of the grand canion but otherwise Tatum Bell is 1 yd and a cloud of dust . THat is why he will never be a starter ib this league.

 

[EBF]

Mike Bell has been very good in camp , and is surely a better RB then BArlow .

Mike Bell is a mediocre NFL RB. He will be replaced within a year. The hype is out of control.

 

[Traders2001]

Mike Bell has been very good in camp , and is surely a better RB then BArlow .

Mike Bell is a mediocre NFL RB. He will be replaced within a year. The hype is out of control.

Did you see him run . are you on the Bronco organization.If he is lousy what does it tell us about Tatum Bell .

 

[EBF]

Did you see him run .

Yes. I had Bell on my college dynasty team for the past two years. I feel comfortable saying that his talent level is well below the average NFL starter. No one on these boards would know his name if it weren't for the fact that he landed in a perfect situation.

If he is lousy what does it tell us about Tatum Bell .

Tatum Bell looks like a niche player at this point. Let's be realistic here folks, Mike Bell has managed to beat out Tatum Bell (no career 1,000 yard seasons and apparently considered a change-of-pace back by his own coaches), Ron Dayne (a bust of epic proportions), and Cedric Cobbs (a former fourth round pick who had already been waived by his original team). It's a nice story. He might have a solid season, but people are getting carried away.This not a special player that we're talking about. The Broncos have added multiple running backs each offseason for the past two or three years. My guess is that they'll do it again next year and that Mike Bell has a very slim chance of keeping his starting job (even if he holds it through this year). A motivated Barlow would have no trouble beating out Mike Bell. Barlow has shown that he can be successful with the right workload and a decent supporting cast. He's not a world beater, but he's a good back, which is why the Jets chose to trade for him when there were a handful of RBs available on the market.Mike Bell is winning playing time over a handful of scrubs and washouts. That doesn't make him an above average NFL RB. 32 teams had a chance to watch him up close at the Senior Bowl. None of these teams was willing to use a seventh round pick on him. That should tell you just about all that you need to know. And before you compare him to Priest Holmes, I'll point out that Holmes was a backup in college, whereas Bell was a two or three year starter with plenty of opportunities to prove himself to NFL scouts.

 

[qimqam]

I like Mike Bell & own him in a few leagues (including a dynasty), but he's not a special back, IMO. I'm sure Shanny is probably aware of that & I wouldn't doubt the Barlow rumors are true.

MBell will have to perform above & beyond expectations to become their RB of the future. I can't see it, but as we all know, just about anything can happen in the NFL, LOL.

BTW, unless MBell lights it up this season, I expect Denver to look really hard at taking a RB in rounds 1 or 2 in next year's rookie draft.

1. We don't know this.2. Denver has been fine with the likes of Droughns, Anderson, Olandis Gary

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

Actually Dayne is worse than reported ... his toe has nothing to do with it.

 

[Topes]

Pretty sure Denver doesn't have a fourth to trade but whatever.

You are correct. Maybe when SF realized Denver didn't have a 4th, they balked.

 

[thecardiackid]

Lets get back to your Sam Hurd 1100/8 prediction. You kind of left us hanging the other night on this one.

noooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

 

[Kleck.]

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[SSOG]

Mike Bell has been very good in camp , and is surely a better RB then BArlow .

Mike Bell is a mediocre NFL RB. He will be replaced within a year. The hype is out of control.

Olandis Gary and Reuben Droughns were mediocre NFL RBs who were replaced within a year, too. Dynasty, I agree- MBell is overrated. Redraft, I'd call him underrated. Which is how it always is- Denver RBs are always underrated in redraft and overrated in dynasty. Always.

 

[Armando]

I feel for you people using high dynasty picks on Mike Bell.

 

[pizzatyme]

SSOG, how is Denver's Cap situation? I'm just wondering why they wouldn't have persued Edge in the offseason if they were so worried about their current RBs?

Not that Edge was the only possibility, but man, Skeletor is driving me nuts with this stuff! haha

Seems like they could have used a known commodity in Edge more than an injured Javon Walker?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I'm not writing this because I'm a Mike Bell lover but the people who say he is not special or not of NFL caliber did not see him play in college, or don't understand the complexities of playing for a bad college team when draft day comes.

Arizona had one of the worst offensive lines in college football during Bell's stay and they were behind an awful lot. He still managed 3100 yards and a 4.5 yard per carry (5.0 the past two years) average that included two 1000 yard seasons. He had three 100 yard games against arch rival Arizona St when the chips were on the table, and over 200 against Washington in 2003. If you look deeper into his game by game stats the reason he didn't rush for more yards is because he wasn't given the opportunity.

Bell is 6'1" and 220 pounds with good vision and a burst. He is a decent receiver, he attacks the gap, and he plays hard. His one issue is fumbling and he must overcome that because Shannahan in particular will have none of that. But physically this guy does have the gifts to succeed and he was overlooked to a great degree not by his workouts but by being the guy who was off the radar.

Also Droughens was a Detroit Lions castoff and although I think he is a good back, he is no better talent wise than Mike Bell. Mike Anderson may have been the anomaly but we can never be sure. All i know is that if a RB has good skills in the Denver system, he is likely to succeed and then some. Terrell Davis was a sixth round pick so most people just thought he was a reach at the time. What is so different about Terrell Davis and Mike Bell? Not too much.

Will Bell be great? Who knows but there is no reason to think he won't be good with his physical ability and his history. In a better college situation Bell would have been on everyone's radar because he would have likely ran for 1500 yards a year. Denver probably found a jewel that just needs to be polished to fit into their zone blocking running game that RBs thrive in. I'd say Mike Bell has an above average opportunity to succeed in Denver with one caveat:

He needs to hold onto the football.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I like Mike Bell & own him in a few leagues (including a dynasty), but he's not a special back, IMO. I'm sure Shanny is probably aware of that & I wouldn't doubt the Barlow rumors are true.

MBell will have to perform above & beyond expectations to become their RB of the future. I can't see it, but as we all know, just about anything can happen in the NFL, LOL.

BTW, unless MBell lights it up this season, I expect Denver to look really hard at taking a RB in rounds 1 or 2 in next year's rookie draft.

1. We don't know this.2. Denver has been fine with the likes of Droughns, Anderson, Olandis Gary

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

I don't think Droughns, Anderson or Gary were scrubs.

Gary wasn't a scrub? Watch football at all? Gary's highest rushing total for any one year outside of that year in Denver is 380 yards. Droughens was a castoff from the Lions no less and Anderson was an obscure player at best. Mike Bell is probably a better prospect than any of those guys were.

 

[EBF]

I'm not writing this because I'm a Mike Bell lover but the people who say he is not special or not of NFL caliber did not see him play in college, or don't understand the complexities of playing for a bad college team when draft day comes. Arizona had one of the worst offensive lines in college football during Bell's stay and they were behind an awful lot.

That's a valid point, but it's not like the guy never had a chance to show his stuff. He played in the Senior Bowl, meaning NFL coaches had every opportunity to get a close look at him in a relatively neutral setting. They still passed.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I'm not writing this because I'm a Mike Bell lover but the people who say he is not special or not of NFL caliber did not see him play in college, or don't understand the complexities of playing for a bad college team when draft day comes. Arizona had one of the worst offensive lines in college football during Bell's stay and they were behind an awful lot.

That's a valid point, but it's not like the guy never had a chance to show his stuff. He played in the Senior Bowl, meaning NFL coaches had every opportunity to get a close look at him in a relatively neutral setting. They still passed.

They passed on Terrell Davis and Mike Anderson also. Priest Holmes was undrafted as was Antonio Gates. Rod Smith, Kurt Warner, John Randle, Jake Delhomme, and Adam Vinitieri are a few others that everyone passed on and then some. The list of undrafted or late round picks that were passed over is long. I think a lot of times just like in fantasy football, teams pass over a guy they think has a lot of potential for guys with some potential that are safer choices. Playing in the Senior Bowl increases access to a player but doesn't mean the scouts are getting all the facts. Given all the variables with Mike Bell I'd say that there is a better chance that the scouts missed than not. I think the guy will be given every opprtunity to succeed and I wouldn't bet against him. By no means am I saying he's going to be the next Terrell Davis but I do think people are either underestimating or overestimating his abilites at this point.

 

[Dman30]

Mike Bell may not be a special back, few of them actually exist (perhaps Portis is one). But after seeing what Denver made of Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Reuben Droughns........you numbskulls should realize by now that Mike Bell can easily become the next Denver 1400+ yard back and be special within that system. Some people never learn.

 

[bonesman]

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nice work there

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Every time I hear a Denver RB trade rumor, I don't think about how little confidence they have in either Bell-- I think about how much they want to get rid of Ron Dayne.

 

[nygiants56]

GB Skelator.

The :honda: of all-time trade rumors: Barlow a Bronco?

 

[TinHat]

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

fixed

 

[SSOG]

SSOG, how is Denver's Cap situation? I'm just wondering why they wouldn't have persued Edge in the offseason if they were so worried about their current RBs?Not that Edge was the only possibility, but man, Skeletor is driving me nuts with this stuff! hahaSeems like they could have used a known commodity in Edge more than an injured Javon Walker?

Denver's cap is fine. They're tight up against it, and might have to make a few cuts next year, but probably not anyone high impact (sort of like Pryce/Anderson/Putzier this year). And they certainly have the draft picks to replace whoever leaves. A couple of years they had a bunch of dead money on the books, but they devoted the last two years to clearing it off, so they can clear some space in a hurry if they want or need to. If Cutler really advances, Denver can cut Plummer at any time for something like $4 million in savings (no guaranteed money left in Plummer's contract). In other words, they don't have the cap space or the willingness to go free-spending like Washington, but they can afford a big splash or two every year. It doesn't really fit with their team-building philosophy, but they could do it if they wanted to.You're missing a very very very big point, though. Denver DOES NOT SPEND on its runningbacks. And for good reason. Clinton Portis is a phenominal runningback who I think will one day be in the HoF if he doesn't get injured. In 2003, with Clinton Portis, Denver rushed for a ridiculous 2629 yards and 20 TDs at 4.84 ypc. Of course, last year, Denver rushed for a ridiculous 2539 yards and 25 TDs at 4.68 yards per carry.Why on earth would Denver pay $4 million or more a year to a running back the caliber of Clinton Portis or Edgerrin James when they can get the EXACT SAME production out of a pair of RBs making the veteran minimum (Mike Anderson was at the veteran minimum last year, and Tatum Bell makes minimum salaries every season on his deal, iirc)?Denver doesn't worry about its running game. Its running game will be studly no matter WHO is there, so they might as well save cap space at RB so they can get better players everywhere else.

 

[#@%&$!?]

I'd speculate this is more of a depth problem & Daynes turf toe is worse than reported.

fixed

you could be right.

News: The Denver Post reports that RB Ron Dayne (turf toe) was back at practice on Wednesday and is expected to play in the team's third preseason game vs. Houston. Dayne entered training camp as the Broncos' starter but has slipped to third on the depth chart between undrafted rookie Mike Bell and slasher Tatum Bell. "The more you're out there practicing, the better off you are, especially if you're practicing well," Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan said. "You're going to get injured, and if you do get injured you've got to come back even stronger. So hopefully (Dayne) shows well in the last two (preseason) games."

Shanny doesn't sound too excited about Dayne here. Which probably explains why denver wanted barlow and now moats.