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2006 Player Profile: RB - Tatum Bell

June 23, 2006

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Year	Team	Gms	Plays	Total Yards	Total TDs	Rush #	Rush Yards	YPC	Rush TDs	Targets	Catch	Catch Yards	Catch TDs	100 Yard Gms	1 TD Gms
2003	DNP
2004	DEN	9	84	476	3	75	396	5.3	3	9	5	80	0	3	2
2005	DEN	14	202	1025	8	173	921	5.3	8	29	18	104	0	3	4
	AVG	12	143	751	6	124	659	5.3	6	19	12	92	0	3	3

Age: 24 Years Played: 2 Height: 5'11" Weight: 213

Background:The 5-11 213 pound blazer was one of the fastest high school players in the nation when he rushed for 1,225 yards and 19 touchdowns at DeSoto High School in DeSoto, TX, having once clocked a 10.26 in the 100 meters and a 4.34 in the 40 yard dash. After being heavily recruited, Bell chose Oklahoma State over Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Bell turned heads as a reserve running back in his freshman year, breaking off a 60 yard touchdown run against hated rival Oklahoma in a nationally televised game. He went on to start three years for the Cowboys, amassing 3,409 rushing yards (sixth best in school history) and 34 touchdowns in addition to 36 receptions for 258 yards and two receiving scores in 41 career games. Bell earned consensus All-Big 12 honors in his senior season, gaining a career high 1,286 yards (6.0 avg.) on 213 carries and 16 touchdowns, leaving Oklahoma State listed fourth all time in scoring with 96 points.

The Broncos saw the speedy Bell as an ideal candidate to run behind their patented zone blocking scheme, selecting the Texas native in the second round (41st overall) of the 2004 Draft. Bell teased the Broncos with his explosive potential in his rookie season, leading all AFC rookies with 396 rushing yards on 96 carries (5.3 avg.) with three touchdowns in 14 regular season games with zero starts. He also caught five balls for 80 yards, including a 58 yard receptions against the Chiefs. Injuries to the ribs, hamstring and a third degree left shoulder separation reared their ugly heads to limit Bell’s output throughout the 2004 season.

Bell’s second year saw a marked improvement in numerous areas, setting career highs in carries (173), rushing yards (921) and touchdowns (eight), while proving surprisingly durable, playing in all but one game in 2005. Bell flashed his amazing talent in a highlight game against the Washington Redskins (10/9) when he rushed for 127 yards (his first 100 yard game as a pro) on just 12 carries, including touchdown runs of 34 and 55 yards and a week later would bust out a career long 68 yard run against the New England Patriots during his second career 100 yard rushing game, finishing with 114 yards.

What’s new for 2006: Barring Denver using a high round pick on a rookie running back in this year’s NFL draft, veteran Mike Anderson’s departure leaves Bell and the inconsistent Ron Dayne as the two main Bronco ball carriers for the 2006 season. This should bode well for a career best season in 2006 as the explosive Bell (career 5.3 yards per carry) should see a considerable increase in carries from his current average of 7.75 per game. Unless there’s a re-occurrence of health issues, it’s reasonable to expect Bell’s third year to best the current career highs set in 2004, projecting at 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns for 2006.

2005

2004

2003

Wk	Opp	R#	RY	RT	C#	CY	CT
1	@MIA	13	47		1	13
2	SD
3	KC	5	47
4	@JAX	15	60		1	6
5	WAS	12	127	2	1	5
6	NE	13	114	1	3	20
7	@NYG	8	60		2	1
8	PHI	14	107	2
10	@OAK	16	44		3	15
11	NYJ	10	34		1	6
12	@DAL
13	@KC	5	46		1	1
14	BAL	16	63		2	16
15	@BUF	12	49		1	9
16	OAK	17	71		2	12
17	@SD	17	52	3

Wk	Opp	R#	RY	RT	C#	CY	CT
1	KC	2	11
2	@JAX	4	16
3	SD
4	@TB
5	CAR	2	5
6	@OAK	6	25
7	@CIN
8	ATL
9	HOU
11	@NO
12	OAK
13	@SD	7	31	1
14	MIA	17	123	2	1	-6
15	@KC	9	50		1	58
16	@TEN	12	44		1	12
17	IND	16	91		2	16

Wk	Opp	R#	RY	RT	C#	CY	CT
DNP

Recent Priority News

11/17/08

Denver Broncos RB Tatum Bell rushed for 34 yards on seven carries in the team's Week 11 game. He should continue to be part of a running back rotation while he gets into football shape.

Huddle Up: With Bell, Peyton Hillis and P.J. Pope sharing carries, it'll be hard to put much faith in any of them. Hillis may be the best best, since he'll likely get the most goal line carries.

11/13/08

The Rocky Mountain News reports Denver Broncos RB Tatum Bell might not be in football shape just yet. "He was the only one left," joked Broncos coach Mike Shanahan when asked why he signed Bell. "Tatum has played well when he's played here. I think he's averaged around five yards ... obviously we needed someone who is familiar with our system and terminology. I don't think he's in great football shape yet, but hopefully in a short time he will be."

Huddle Up: Making off with another guys luggage provides only so much of an aerobic workout. Expect Jay Cutler and the Denver passing game to carry the offensive load for the Broncos; anything they can get from Bell or Peyton Hillis or whomever else Shanahan brings in off the street would have to be considered a bonus.

11/11/08

Updating a previous report, the NFL Network reports the Denver Broncos will sign free-agent RB Tatum Bell (Lions) after he passed his physical Tuesday, Nov. 11. He is expected to play in the team's Week 11 game.

Huddle Up: Since Bell already knows the offense, the transition period shouldn't be too difficult for him. And since the Broncos were basically down to one healthy back, look for Bell to get a lot of carries this week against Atlanta. Bell knows this is more than likely his last shot in the league; maybe that knowledge will spur him to some significant production the rest of the season. Assuming he can stay healthy, of course -- which has been a problem for just about every Denver running back.

09/06/08

Updating previous reports, Jason Cole, of Yahoo! Sports, reports free-agent RB Tatum Bell (Lions) feels NFL teams will shy away from signing him until the matter surrounding him taking Detroit Lions RB Rudi Johnson's luggage is cleared up. Bell, as reported, said he did not realize they were Johnson's bags and have since returned them. However, Johnson claims several items - including money, credit cards and underwear - are still missing. Since the incident, Bell said teams have not contacted him about coming in for a visit.

Huddle Up: Lets face it, whether the story is true or not, Tatum's career is likely over.

09/03/08

ESPNews reports free-agent RB Tatum Bell (Lions) worked out with the Houston Texans.

Huddle Up: What makes this interesting is Tatum Bell is well acclaimated to Houston's offensive scheme since it is very similar to what he operated in when he was with the Denver Broncos. With the Texans having a rash of bad luck with running backs and their best runner being a rookie with a bad toe in Steve Slaton, there is a chance Bell could stick with this team. Hopefully, he didn't bring any luggage for another player in Houston to hide when he arrives.

09/02/08

FOX 31 News in Colorado reports Detroit Lions RB Tatum Bell has been released from the team.

Huddle Up: Not a ton of news here. Rudi Johnson's signing was the death toll for Bell's time with the team. Owners who drafted early may have to make adjustments.