New insight into the DEN RB situation

[Bronco Billy]

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Selected items in bold that provide some clues:

 

Shanahan still not tipping his hand

 

Starting tailback is up in air; Mike Bell ready no matter what

 

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

September 7, 2006

 

ENGLEWOOD – Mike Bell isn't sure he'll be starting in the Broncos backfield Sunday in the opener.

If he is, the undrafted rookie is fairly certain he knows what the St. Louis Rams defenders will be thinking when they cast their attention in his direction in his NFL debut Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.

 

"That I'm young, inexperienced and everything's going to be 100 miles per hour and I'm not going to know what I'm doing," Bell said Wednesday. "Some of it's true. Some of it's not true."

 

The Broncos' choice to delay a public decision on the No. 1 back - as well as withholding the information from the three candidates, who don't expect to know their fates until the weekend - seems to be directly related to the team's interpretation of what's fact and fiction.

 

The organization can't do anything about Bell's lack of time in the pros, but it can make sure he firmly grasps the game plan before anointing him the starter over Tatum Bell and Cedric Cobbs.

 

Still, all signs point to a scenario with the former University of Arizona player leading the way, based on the team's preseason and training camp rotations and behind-the-scenes chatter the past several days.

 

That is, provided Mike Bell doesn't stumble in practices.

 

"I just really don't know at this time," coach Mike Shanahan said Wednesday. "I'm not trying to be coy."

The younger Bell doesn't appear to be obsessing about such matters. The only spin he seems interested in is making sure his head doesn't do that once game time comes.

 

"If I continue to worry about who's the starter and this and that, it's easy to get distracted," he said. "And I don't want to get distracted. There are a lot of things on my plate. I just want to worry about practicing and knowing the scheme, so if I am the starter, I can help the team win."

 

If Mike Bell wins out, he would become the third Broncos rookie in the past 40 years to start the season at running back. Terrell Davis started at tailback in 1995 against the Buffalo Bills and gained 70 yards. Floyd Little had 4 fewer yards against the Boston Patriots on Sept. 3, 1967.

 

Yet in both examples, the Broncos weren't entrusting the position to a first-year player coming off a near-Super Bowl season. Not only did the Broncos reach the AFC Championship Game last season, but nearly all their starters are back. So taking a chance on a rookie in that environment in some circles is being viewed as a gamble.

 

But Shanahan takes comfort in the fact the team's zone rushing system has produced four 1,000-yard rookie backs - Davis (1,117 in 1995), Olandis Gary (1,159 in 1999), Mike Anderson (1,487 in 2000) and Clinton Portis (1,508 in 2002).

 

"I don't think it's a risk, whoever goes in there," Broncos assistant head coach Mike Heimerdinger said. "We all have confidence in Mike Bell, and if he's the guy, it's a decision we'd all feel. He's shown he knows how to run. He finds holes, then he gets you the extra yards. He's shown he knows what to do."

 

Rams coach Scott Linehan said Mike Bell seems to fit the mode of previous Broncos success stories, so there's no great mystery why the rookie has made inroads so quickly.

 

"Everybody's looking for that all-elusive guy who can do everything, the Reggie Bushes of the world who can be receivers, running backs, whatever," Linehan said. "And this guy makes a cut and heads north and south. And I know that's what the Broncos want out of their running backs. It's a great fit."

 

One scenario that likely can be ruled out is using all three backs in a rotation. The Broncos tried that last season against the Kansas City Chiefs and found it difficult to get the players into rhythm.

 

The two Bells in practice this week apparently have rotated snaps, with Cobbs inserted on occasion. It's the same pecking order utilized during the preseason.

 

That hints strongly Cobbs will be cast in a wait-and-see mode until needed, much like Ron Dayne last season, with the other backs playing the lead.

 

Tatum Bell has his sights set high personally, regardless of what the coaches eventually announce.

"I know I'm going to play, so whenever I get in, I want to be productive," said Tatum Bell, whose 5.3-yard average is the second-highest mark in Broncos history, behind Portis (5.5), among players with at least 100 rushes. "I don't know when and what time or what series I'm going to play, but I feel like I'm going to get 1,000 yards regardless this year.

 

"If I'm starting, of course, I ain't no All-Pro, but I feel I can get it. And if I'm coming off the bench, I'm going to be extra strong to get it. That's been my whole mind frame. I've got to stay hungry. And if I do become the man, I really have to stay hungry to stay on top."

 

National pundits have commented the Broncos running game as a whole could suffer because of inexperience and lack of a premier lead back.

 

The Broncos view it as strength in numbers and they have the capability to again be a top-five rushing team, as it has been for nine of the past 11 seasons.

 

"There won't be no drop off," Tatum Bell promised.

 

Added Mike Bell: "You've got to understand that this team demands winning and running the ball successfully. So I feel if I'm in that situation, I'll have no choice but to run the ball hard and do what's expected of me. Or they'll find someone else who can do it."

 

*****************************************************************

 

By the sounds of the information here, we're looking at the same situation as last year, with M Bell replacing M Anderson as the featured RB, T Bell in the CoP role, and Cobbs playing the Dayne role.

 

In short, nothing has changed since the 2nd week of preseason.

Edited September 7, 2006 by Bronco Billy

[Savage Beatings]

I've been thinking about this... I know Shanny likes to play these mind games with his opponents to keep them guessing while preparing to play the Broncos, that's fine with me... he has no obligation to fantasy football. But do you think this is fair to his players? If I were one of those RB's I would not want to get stringed along for a week thinking I've got a chance to start, and then get benched right before kickoff.

 

Am I offbase about this? I certainly could be. It just seems like it could end up being a morale killer for the RB corps IMO.

[Bronco Billy]

I've been thinking about this... I know Shanny likes to play these mind games with his opponents to keep them guessing while preparing to play the Broncos, that's fine with me... he has no obligation to fantasy football. But do you think this is fair to his players?

 

 

Make no mistake: Shanahan, his staff, and his team all know who is starting Sunday at RB - only a fool would think otherwise. This is a mind yump aimed at STL, and in an offhand way at we FF geeks.

[redknightsgoingdown]

Bronco- what's your thoughts on Cobbs?

[Savage Beatings]

Make no mistake: Shanahan, his staff, and his team all know who is starting Sunday at RB - only a fool would think otherwise. This is a mind yump aimed at STL, and in an offhand way at we FF geeks.

 

 

 

That's cool then... as long as the players involved know the score. I guess they are just playing dumb about it for Shanahan's sake.

[Hat Trick]

Make no mistake: Shanahan, his staff, and his team all know who is starting Sunday at RB - only a fool would think otherwise. This is a mind yump aimed at STL, and in an offhand way at we FF geeks.

 

 

Yup, most definately. Imagine what Shanarat would do to Mike Bells confidence if he demotes him and goes with Tatum off the bat after being appointed starter and doing pretty darn good. I just don't see that happening.

[Bronco Billy]

Bronco- what's your thoughts on Cobbs?

 

 

My thoughts? I think it was a mistake to cut Dayne & keep Cobbs. I don't like what Cobbs has done in his previous pro career, and he has proven absolutely nothing against 1st string Ds, whereas Dayne has. Add to that Cobbs having a reputation for a bad attitude in NE (and he has shown that he is both very arrogant and dumber than a tree stump in interviews here in DEN) while Dayne has been nothing but a good soldier, even when he lost the #1 spot to M Bell.

 

I don't see Cobbs as anything better than a band aid if M Bell gets hurt - and Damien Nash is still hanging around on the DEN practice squad - and I liked the way Nash both ran & acted better than Cobbs this preseason.

 

But then again, Shanahan has shown time & again that he knows RBs better than anyone else in the NFL, so its awfully hard for me to go sideways from him here. It's his thoughts that matter, after all.

[Big Ernie McCracken]

I got both Bell's last night in a tough draft. The uncertainty in the situation let me get MB in the 6th and TB in the 8th. I hate the muddy waters but I love the huge potential.

Edited September 7, 2006 by Big Ernie McCracken

[bigrocks]

In my mind, this entire situation is ridiculous. What does Shanahan think he is gaining by not naming a starter at RB? If I am the STL D-coordinator, does it really impact the way I approach the game to know its TBell as opposed to MBell starting? No... Denver runs the ball the same way regardless of who is the starting RB.

 

If we are talking QB, that's a different story. But Shanahan still clings to his own "genius" label, and believes he is outsmarting everyone.

 

You go Mike...

[Bronco Billy]

In my mind, this entire situation is ridiculous. What does Shanahan think he is gaining by not naming a starter at RB? If I am the STL D-coordinator, does it really impact the way I approach the game to know its TBell as opposed to MBell starting? No... Denver runs the ball the same way regardless of who is the starting RB.

 

If we are talking QB, that's a different story. But Shanahan still clings to his own "genius" label, and believes he is outsmarting everyone.

 

You go Mike...

 

 

I'd have to disagree. If I know T Bell is starting and getting the majority of the carries, I don't have to worry nearly as much about runs between the tackles as I do if M Bell is starting. T Bell does not run through trash well and goes down on initial contact pretty easily. That allows me to spread my LBs a bit more, both to take away the edge & to pass cover better. If M Bell is starting, I can't cheat my LBs outside and have to honor the inside run a lot more.

[Bronco Billy]

link

 

Here’s some more info, from Jeff Legwold, who is awfully savvy on the Broncos:

 

1 Can Mike Bell really be the man in the backfield?

 

There are times when Broncos coach Mike Shanahan will drift into his "best players will play" mantra and folks' eyes might start to glaze over. But in another piece of proof positive for the pile, there is Bell. Bell is an undrafted rookie who was elevated to the starting running back spot - he had been running third on the depth chart at the time - in the second week of training camp. Shanahan likes power in his running backs and he likes elusiveness - what he usually terms as "that little wiggle." He has used more than one back at times in his Broncos tenure to try to get those things in the offense, but in Bell, Shanahan thinks he has both. …

 

report card

 

• RUSHING OFFENSE: They pounded out 652 rushing yards in four preseason games, averaged 4.8 yards per carry as a team and had four running backs average at least 4.3 yards per carry, and three backs who averaged at least 5.1 yards per carry. Often the preseason is about quality, not quantity. The Broncos are going to run the ball with purpose - they always have during Mike Shanahan's watch. The only question in their preseason performance was they had some trouble against the defensive starters in the two most aggressive defensive fronts they faced - the Lions and Texans. But they still pounded it at the Lions 32 times and 31 times against the Texans. They stay committed, and that's more than half the battle when it comes to running the ball. Shanahan elevated Mike Bell to the top spot on the depth chart early in camp, and aside from some nervousness in Detroit - Bell didn't take care of the ball when he fumbled after he turned his back to the line of scrimmage – Bell certainly has performed well enough to keep the job. He remains the best combination of toughness, elusiveness and reliability through the week on the practice field. Mike Bell and Tatum Bell, the more explosive of the two, likely are looking at a rotation similar to that of Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson last season.

Edited September 7, 2006 by Bronco Billy

[Steelhead]

[wildcat2334]

ehh- no thanks. As a UA guy- wait til Mike lays it down a few times and see where this is at........

 

So glad I don't have any part of the Bell mess in any leagues. Not even week 1 and the whole Shanny RBBC mess bores me.

[The Wolf]

This is really good stuff...and you've spoken about Legwold in the past as having a solid read on the team and Shanny in particular. I am starting Mike Bell with confidence.

[Randall]

I'm leaning toward Gore this week, but do like Bell this eason. He looks good.

[PaulOttCarruth]

ehh- no thanks. As a UA guy- wait til Mike lays it down a few times and see where this is at........

 

 

 

Good insight for Bell owners. Don't overlook the fumbling issues he's had in the past. Nothing will get Bell in the doghouse quicker than putting the ball on the ground. I like the guy an have him in one league, but it's good to have perspective.

[Primetime9287]

I'm gonna keep Ronnie in the lineup this week and look to see how this situation plays out. I think MB has more upside to have a better game but I will kick myself in the @$$ harder if Ronnie blows up on the bench than if Bell does.