the inevitable mike bell thread (1 Viewer)

[phillzphan]

Mike Bell looked good. Damien Nash looked almost as good. I'm not sure Tatum has looked nearly as good..

Mike and Damien really just look like they fit the system. They look like Broncos backs of the past and it just works. I can't see the Broncos, especially with him hurting, go back to Tatum for a predominate role this season. Further, I have a feeling that if they can't work him into that change of pace role, he'll be booted after this season. While both Bells might be + Nash, at this point I'd say Tatum has the best chance.

As far as the COP back goes, I don't even know if it'd work with Tatum for Mike Bell. Mike Bell is not the Mike Anderson or Rueben Droughns that has a lack of speed/a bruiser. The actual "change of pace" just might not be large enough with Mike as compared to the other recent Denver backs.

I'm going to go out on a limb -- I think we'll see VERY little of Tatum for the rest of the year. The wildcards that could bring him back are health, or "tryouts" for the inevitable offseason trade.

disclaimer: i own the bells + nash. i am objective.

 

[PsychoMan]

i hold mike bell on all my rosters, but am consistently afraid to actually start him. even if the general consensus thought mike bell would continue to start, i would STILL worry about starting him ... i'm basically holding onto him so no one else can capitalize on his potential for success

 

[superbeck1]

I too have held him this whole season but was afraid to start him. With a flex position on our rosters I amy be inclined to put him in there. Be interesting to see what happens Thursday.....

 

[perry147]

i hold mike bell on all my rosters, but am consistently afraid to actually start him. even if the general consensus thought mike bell would continue to start, i would STILL worry about starting him ... i'm basically holding onto him so no one else can capitalize on his potential for success

I am going the same thing but with the injuries this week I think I might be forced to start him.I think Shanahan wants a back with break away speed and power but more also he wants one who is durable. Tatum Bell is fast and has shown he has the power but he always breaks down. Mike Bell looks to me to be a good candidate for the rest of this year but not the permanent starter.

 

[packersfan]

I would disagree that Tatum hasn't looked as good. He looked real good before his injury. But I agree that Mike Bell should be the starter going forward. I don't see any way Tatum returns to health this season and I think he may need a miracle just to look decent considering how horrible he looked against the Colts and Raiders. But given the comments from the NBC crew last night it sounds like Shanahan is still committed to Tatum so we'll see what happens this week.

 

[Texican]

Is Cobbs officially out of the picture?

 

[Banger]

Anyone who thinks they know who the Denver workhorse will be next week let alone the rest of the season is kidding themselves. Could be Nash (looked better than Bell last night IMO), M. Bell or Tatum if he's healthy enough to play.

The problem is that if M. Bell is the starter and gets 5 carries for 10 yards and Shanny brings in Nash for a series and he tears off a 10 yard run all the sudden he's getting the ball for the rest of the game. Who starts is meaningless, it's all about the hot hand in that particular game so basically you are rolling the dice.

 

[Banger]

I'm going to go out on a limb -- I think we'll see VERY little of Tatum for the rest of the year. The wildcards that could bring him back are health, or "tryouts" for the inevitable offseason trade.

I don't see this as a possibility at all. Why would anyone trade for him? He's on the what is regarded as one of the best running teams in the league and has two td's and a pedestrian 4.3 ypc (on that offense). The success of M. Bell 4.4 - 5 tds and the other various walk-ons in this offense illustrates it's the offense/scheme's and not the backs as reason for their rushing success.Plus Denver is in a dogfight now for a playoff spot, so showcasing for offseason trades is not even a consideration at this point. They need to win games and with games @KC, Sea, @ SD in their next few games they have no margin for error.

 

[phillzphan]

Is Cobbs officially out of the picture?

how many more times does he need to be deactivated to tell you that? IMO, yes, its safe to assume that hes at best #4 behind bells + nash.

 

[phillzphan]

I'm going to go out on a limb -- I think we'll see VERY little of Tatum for the rest of the year. The wildcards that could bring him back are health, or "tryouts" for the inevitable offseason trade.

I don't see this as a possibility at all. Why would anyone trade for him? He's on the what is regarded as one of the best running teams in the league and has two td's and a pedestrian 4.3 ypc (on that offense). The success of M. Bell 4.4 - 5 tds and the other various walk-ons in this offense illustrates it's the offense/scheme's and not the backs as reason for their rushing success.Plus Denver is in a dogfight now for a playoff spot, so showcasing for offseason trades is not even a consideration at this point. They need to win games and with games @KC, Sea, @ SD in their next few games they have no margin for error.

No teams would be interested in the potential of a player in their system who had 4.2-4.3 speed at the combine, is young, almost had a 1000 yard season as a COP back, had led the league in YPC through 9 games and has been groomed by the Denver rushing game? HE had turftoe, but that certainly will not be the reason to negate all of those positives.

 

[Banger]

I'm going to go out on a limb -- I think we'll see VERY little of Tatum for the rest of the year. The wildcards that could bring him back are health, or "tryouts" for the inevitable offseason trade.

I don't see this as a possibility at all. Why would anyone trade for him? He's on the what is regarded as one of the best running teams in the league and has two td's and a pedestrian 4.3 ypc (on that offense). The success of M. Bell 4.4 - 5 tds and the other various walk-ons in this offense illustrates it's the offense/scheme's and not the backs as reason for their rushing success.Plus Denver is in a dogfight now for a playoff spot, so showcasing for offseason trades is not even a consideration at this point. They need to win games and with games @KC, Sea, @ SD in their next few games they have no margin for error.

No teams would be interested in the potential of a player in their system who had 4.2-4.3 speed at the combine, is young, almost had a 1000 yard season as a COP back, had led the league in YPC through 9 games and has been groomed by the Denver rushing game? HE had turftoe, but that certainly will not be the reason to negate all of those positives.

You can throw all the stats you want at me, I'm familiar with them myself. He's a decent one dimensional back. Last year he hit home run's, this year not so much. The only way a team would possibily trade for him is if they are looking for a COP back. If they are looking for a week in week out starter I don't think he's your man. Unfortunately if he's traded he can't bring the Denver system with him. He's good with gaping holes to run through but when he's in any short yardage situation or forced to break tackles he rarely does so. He's had injury question marks througout his short career and has done nothing to dispell them this year.

 

[CrossEyed]

I thought Nash looked at least as good as Mike Bell, maybe better.

 

[nola]

Tatum, if he leaves Denver, might be a good RBBC guy with Jacobs in New York.

 

[JuniorNB]

I'm going to go out on a limb -- I think we'll see VERY little of Tatum for the rest of the year. The wildcards that could bring him back are health, or "tryouts" for the inevitable offseason trade.

I don't see this as a possibility at all. Why would anyone trade for him? He's on the what is regarded as one of the best running teams in the league and has two td's and a pedestrian 4.3 ypc (on that offense). The success of M. Bell 4.4 - 5 tds and the other various walk-ons in this offense illustrates it's the offense/scheme's and not the backs as reason for their rushing success.Plus Denver is in a dogfight now for a playoff spot, so showcasing for offseason trades is not even a consideration at this point. They need to win games and with games @KC, Sea, @ SD in their next few games they have no margin for error.

No teams would be interested in the potential of a player in their system who had 4.2-4.3 speed at the combine, is young, almost had a 1000 yard season as a COP back, had led the league in YPC through 9 games and has been groomed by the Denver rushing game? HE had turftoe, but that certainly will not be the reason to negate all of those positives.

The story with Tatum was that he was a longball hitter/change of pace back who was most-effective getting ten carries a game.By giving him the starring role, and the 25 carries that goes with that, Shanahan proved that the experts were right about Tatum. He broke down. In teh proccess, Denver lost that change of pace speedster they used to have.

He won't make that mistake again next year.

Right now, he is deciding if Mike Bell or Damian Nash is the better fit for next year's starter. Tatum's role is already defined for 2007.

 

[Banger]

Right now, he is deciding if Mike Bell or Damian Nash is the better fit for next year's starter. Tatum's role is already defined for 2007.

I definitely see another RB coming into the mix, either via FA, draft or trade. Although they've been patching their way through the season, I can't see how Shanny is content with this current crop of RB's.

 

[The Z Machine]

I could see Tatum traded (NYG is a great spot for him IMO) and the Broncos trying to get a first round back in the draft. It's not usually their style as they seem to do well with the 2nd or later rounders, but maybe Shanahan wants someone more productive than MBell or Nash.

Either that or they should tank and enter the Calvin Johnson lottery (they won't make it).

Edit to add: I'm not talking about GETTING a 1st for Tatum, but rather USING their 1st to select an RB coming out.

 

[Banger]

I could see Tatum traded (NYG is a great spot for him IMO) and the Broncos trying to get a first round back in the draft. It's not usually their style as they seem to do well with the 2nd or later rounders, but maybe Shanahan wants someone more productive than MBell or Nash.Either that or they should tank and enter the Calvin Jones lottery (they won't make it).

Sure the Bronc's would like to get a 1st but it will never happen in 1 million years.

 

[Biabreakable]

The Broncos seemed very interested in aquiring Ricky Williams last offseason. I could see them pursuing him again and he could be a monster in this system. That is if Miami will let him go. Not sure Miami has gained enough confidence in Ronnie Brown to let Ricky go when they can keep him for very cheap.

The draft offers several Rbs that could be the answer in Denvers system. Mike Bell is decent for them as a backup but I don't think he is the long term answer either.

I wouldn't be suprised to see Cecil Sapp get a shot this season if/when Mike Bell struggles again.

 

[Kit Fisto]

Is Cobbs officially out of the picture?

When was Cobbs in the picture?

 

[phillzphan]

and...its even more confusing now. Where do you guys see TBell, MBell, DNash and CCobbs moving forward this year? and next?

Deciding whether its time to drop down to only the Bells...

 

[zamboni]

and...its even more confusing now. Where do you guys see TBell, MBell, DNash and CCobbs moving forward this year? and next? Deciding whether its time to drop down to only the Bells...

In the immortal words of Mr. Hand, "I...don't...know". Seriously, it's as confusing as ever, although I'd give the nod to Tatum at this point. For now.