The Hamburgler
08-02-2006, 05:14 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2537611
DENVER -- Mike Bell's helmet rolling down the field has become a familiar sight at the Denver Broncos' training camp.
The undrafted rookie running back out of Arizona has lost count of how many times he's charged into the defensive line only to emerge helmet-less.
"I need to strap my helmet on tighter," Bell laughed. "They hit hard."
And so does Bell.
The Broncos like Bell's toughness. That's why he's clawing his way up the depth chart. Bell has replaced Cedric Cobbs as the current running back du jour. Bell's running behind Ron Dayne and Tatum Bell (no relation).
Before camp began, Denver coach Mike Shanahan said the position was wide open since last year's leading rusher, Mike Anderson, was now in Baltimore. Gone with Anderson were 1,014 yards.
"I think all of our guys are able to carry the whole load," Shanahan said. "You just have to evaluate (who) you think is the most effective for your team."
Bell has been turning heads for more reasons than just losing his helmet, which he's done no fewer than four times.
"Mike's having a heck of a camp," Shanahan said. "He really has stepped up and been very impressive."
Shanahan praising a rookie doesn't happen often. When word got back to Bell, he was shocked.
"For him to mention me in the same sentence as the other running backs, it's a compliment for me and it's motivation," Bell said.
The chip on his shoulder is motivation as well. He rushed for 3,163 yards and 17 touchdowns at Arizona, and yet 14 running backs were selected during the draft without Bell hearing his name.
"I'm not going to brag about myself but I thought I was a good enough player where I could've got drafted," said Bell, who left the Wildcats as the school's fourth all-time leading rusher. "To be passed up by everybody, that kind of hurt me. I'm trying to show everyone what they're missing."
Coming into camp, Bell seemed like just another running back. Good talent, but nothing special. His only distinction was the fact he wore No. 20, the same number Maurice Clarett made popular last year.
Shanahan was high on Cedric Cobbs, who spent the 2005 training camp with New England and the regular season on Denver's practice squad. He praised Cobbs at every turn.
But then the Bell not named Tatum began to emerge. He proved he was something special.
"They're giving me opportunities so I've got to show them something," Bell said. "I've been working hard, running hard and doing what they ask me to do. They're starting to notice that."
While he's currently third string, Bell doesn't put much faith in it. He's just hoping to earn a job.
"I just want to make it, whether it's special teams, water boy or fifth string," Bell said. "When I've solidified myself on the team, then I'll try to work my way up."
For Bell, this is almost too good to be true. Bell, who lived in Denver until he was 10 years old, grew up a Broncos fan.
When he was in eighth grade, he wore a Terrell Davis jersey so often that by the end of the year it had faded.
"I never thought I had a chance to play for Denver," Bell said. "When I signed with my agent, I told him, 'If you get me to the Broncos any which way you can, I'll be the happiest man alive.' I was saying it joking around. For it to happen is a dream come true."
Bell thought about requesting No. 30 in honor of Davis, but couldn't bring himself to ask.
"That's T.D.'s number," Bell said. "I respect him enough not to wear it.
"Hopefully, I can make a name for myself."
So far he's done just that.
Sorry if this has been posted before.
GO MIKE BELL :rockon:
DENVER -- Mike Bell's helmet rolling down the field has become a familiar sight at the Denver Broncos' training camp.
The undrafted rookie running back out of Arizona has lost count of how many times he's charged into the defensive line only to emerge helmet-less.
"I need to strap my helmet on tighter," Bell laughed. "They hit hard."
And so does Bell.
The Broncos like Bell's toughness. That's why he's clawing his way up the depth chart. Bell has replaced Cedric Cobbs as the current running back du jour. Bell's running behind Ron Dayne and Tatum Bell (no relation).
Before camp began, Denver coach Mike Shanahan said the position was wide open since last year's leading rusher, Mike Anderson, was now in Baltimore. Gone with Anderson were 1,014 yards.
"I think all of our guys are able to carry the whole load," Shanahan said. "You just have to evaluate (who) you think is the most effective for your team."
Bell has been turning heads for more reasons than just losing his helmet, which he's done no fewer than four times.
"Mike's having a heck of a camp," Shanahan said. "He really has stepped up and been very impressive."
Shanahan praising a rookie doesn't happen often. When word got back to Bell, he was shocked.
"For him to mention me in the same sentence as the other running backs, it's a compliment for me and it's motivation," Bell said.
The chip on his shoulder is motivation as well. He rushed for 3,163 yards and 17 touchdowns at Arizona, and yet 14 running backs were selected during the draft without Bell hearing his name.
"I'm not going to brag about myself but I thought I was a good enough player where I could've got drafted," said Bell, who left the Wildcats as the school's fourth all-time leading rusher. "To be passed up by everybody, that kind of hurt me. I'm trying to show everyone what they're missing."
Coming into camp, Bell seemed like just another running back. Good talent, but nothing special. His only distinction was the fact he wore No. 20, the same number Maurice Clarett made popular last year.
Shanahan was high on Cedric Cobbs, who spent the 2005 training camp with New England and the regular season on Denver's practice squad. He praised Cobbs at every turn.
But then the Bell not named Tatum began to emerge. He proved he was something special.
"They're giving me opportunities so I've got to show them something," Bell said. "I've been working hard, running hard and doing what they ask me to do. They're starting to notice that."
While he's currently third string, Bell doesn't put much faith in it. He's just hoping to earn a job.
"I just want to make it, whether it's special teams, water boy or fifth string," Bell said. "When I've solidified myself on the team, then I'll try to work my way up."
For Bell, this is almost too good to be true. Bell, who lived in Denver until he was 10 years old, grew up a Broncos fan.
When he was in eighth grade, he wore a Terrell Davis jersey so often that by the end of the year it had faded.
"I never thought I had a chance to play for Denver," Bell said. "When I signed with my agent, I told him, 'If you get me to the Broncos any which way you can, I'll be the happiest man alive.' I was saying it joking around. For it to happen is a dream come true."
Bell thought about requesting No. 30 in honor of Davis, but couldn't bring himself to ask.
"That's T.D.'s number," Bell said. "I respect him enough not to wear it.
"Hopefully, I can make a name for myself."
So far he's done just that.
Sorry if this has been posted before.
GO MIKE BELL :rockon: