Week 1 Denver RB (1 Viewer)

[phillzphan]

According to new info;

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sectio...&id=2573404

HC Shanahan Mum On Starting Tailback

AP, ESPN.com - [Full Article]

HC Mike Shanahan is not saying who will be the Broncos starting RB against the Rams on Sunday. RB Mike Bell was given the nod early in the preseason, but reports are that RB Tatum Bell has responded well to the challenge and he could start. The darkhoarse is RB Cedric Cobbs who led the team in rushing during the preseason. It's anyone's guess who will get the start, but what really matters is who gets the bulk of the carries for the Broncos, right now it appears Mike Bell has a slight edge over Tatum Bell and Cobbs.

Shanny is not going to say anything about the situation right now and we have to wait until the game starts. Sure, we knew this was coming, but what do we do now? Especially if we own both Bells?

Personally, I feel that Tatum is the safer start because either way he should be getting some COP carries. and in the DEN system those could be very good numbers. Thats the downside. Upside is him starting, of course.

Also, the good thing about picking the DEN situation this week is they're going up against the Rams. Doesn't make it as risky of a gamble.

 

[Ever Present Lurker]

I'm of the opinion that Mike Bell will have about 3/5 of the carries. As such, if you have to play a Denver RB, you might as well play the odds...

 

[Dutch Kincade]

I'm of the opinion that Mike Bell will have about 3/5 of the carries. As such, if you have to play a Denver RB, you might as well play the odds...

Agreed 100%. Playing Tatum is more of a hopeful move than a smart move.

 

[Hellfire Snail]

I'm starting Tater in one of my twelve teamers. I'm not convinced it's smart or stupid but I feel pretty okay. There's little doubt he's going to have some big games this year...I think the Rams are just as liable to provide him with one as any team.

 

[The Jacket]

As such, if you have to play a Denver RB, you might as well play the odds...

Odds? What odds?All signs (being that Bell is the only player to have proven a thing) point to Tatum Bell. It'd be hopeful to play a guy like Mike Bell or Cedric Cobbs because they had a nice preseason or because they had glowing reports in July. Bell has delivered, and against a defense like the Rams, there's no reason why he won't do so again.

 

[cr8f]

As such, if you have to play a Denver RB, you might as well play the odds...

Odds? What odds?All signs (being that Bell is the only player to have proven a thing) point to Tatum Bell. It'd be hopeful to play a guy like Mike Bell or Cedric Cobbs because they had a nice preseason or because they had glowing reports in July. Bell has delivered, and against a defense like the Rams, there's no reason why he won't do so again.

He didn't deliver near the goal line last year.

 

[Traders2001]

As such, if you have to play a Denver RB, you might as well play the odds...

Odds? What odds?All signs (being that Bell is the only player to have proven a thing) point to Tatum Bell. It'd be hopeful to play a guy like Mike Bell or Cedric Cobbs because they had a nice preseason or because they had glowing reports in July. Bell has delivered, and against a defense like the Rams, there's no reason why he won't do so again.

He didn't deliver near the goal line last year.

He delivers for 10 carries then he loses yardage on the next 10 ( That s is problem no consistency and cant break any tackles ) that is why he is not considered as a starter but a change of ppace third down back.

 

[moleculo]

As such, if you have to play a Denver RB, you might as well play the odds...

Odds? What odds?All signs (being that Bell is the only player to have proven a thing) point to Tatum Bell. It'd be hopeful to play a guy like Mike Bell or Cedric Cobbs because they had a nice preseason or because they had glowing reports in July. Bell has delivered, and against a defense like the Rams, there's no reason why he won't do so again.

all signs point to Mike Bell getting a majority of the carries. This is based on training camp reports, 4 pre-season games, and quotes throughout the pre-season from Shanahan touting MBell as the starter. The recent smoke around the starter has to do with keeping the Rams on edge - it's pure gamesman ship on Shanahans part. This isn't the first time he has done this, and it won't be the last time.The only thing Tatum Bell has delivered, by the way, is the ability to be an excellent change of pace back - a home run hitter who can come up with the big play, but can't consistantly move the chains.That being said, I'm not gonna guarantee MBell outscores Tatum. Picking the hot hand will be an interesting endevour all year.

 

[moleculo]

My stratgey is to not waste brain cells thinking about it until Sunday morning

My strategy is to kill those brain cells eventually ( )anyways, so what is the difference?

 

[aldelgreco]

My stratgey is to not waste brain cells thinking about it until Sunday morning

you will probably have to get your lineup submitted by thursday afternoon in most leagues, right?

 

[Guinis72]

I would probably lean towards starting Tatum. He's the only known commodity on the team (over 5 yds per carry the last 2 yrs). To me, the fact that M Bell got the starts and majority of carries in preseason is more a function of Shanny trying to see what he had. IMO, for a guy to get a majority of carries and not be named as the outright starter does not bode well for him. I would guess at about a 50/50 split in carries with Tatum having more potential to rip off a big run. No one ever really knows what Shanny's plans are though!!

 

[JAA]

Strategy is both RBs should have excellent opportunity to put up big numbers in week 1.

My take is that Shanny "not naming a #1" after naming Mike the #1 is that in fact Tatum will be the #1.

 

[Steelers4Life]

Here's another guess...

Cedric Cobbs will begin the year as the the goal-line back with Mike Bell getting about 2/3 of the carries and Tatum getting 1/3.

It won't be Tatum at the goal-line because he's not that type of runner, and I think Cobbs will get the nod over Mike Bell because he's bigger, stronger, and runs more powerfully (at least according to the Denver announcers he does).