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Is everybody making too big a deal out of one fumble? Maybe. But this is an interesting read about how the Broncos are trying to make sure it doesn't become a habit:
I'm looking forward to the next game to see how he responds. I just hope he isn't thinking too much about the fumble. Sometimes that will just make it worse.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...nfl&id=2550580
DENVER -- The fumble hasn't stripped any of the confidence in Denver Broncos running back Mike Bell.
"It's a freak accident," said Bell, who coughed up the football on his first drive in the preseason opener against Detroit last week.
But he realizes the surest way to lose his grip on the No. 1 running back spot is to keep putting the ball on the ground. Tatum Bell is making a late push for the job and Ron Dayne is a contender, although he's currently sidelined with a banged-up toe.
"I've got to focus on lowering my pads and protecting the ball," Bell said. "I'm still going to run the way I always do."
His always-keep-the-legs-churning running style earned him the promotion in the first place. Before Friday's fumble, Bell hadn't put the ball on the ground since his senior year when Arizona played Oregon. He still had 167 yards rushing in that Oct. 22, 2005, contest.
"It's been a while," Bell said of the time between fumbles.
Bell wasn't expecting the jarring hit from Detroit linebacker Paris Lenon. It came from the side as he was trying to squeeze out a few more yards. What he has learned is to expect the unexpected.
Hits came come at any time, from any direction. Bell found that out during Tuesday's practice. He was headed down the sideline, the play all but over, when linebacker Al Wilson smacked him. Bell flew through the air, landed with a thud and then got up and headed up the field. He held on to the football.
"He got me when I wasn't looking," Bell said. "He's a big-time competitor, I've got to be aware next time."
Wilson figured to receive an earful from coaches about the hit.
"We'll see what the coaches say when they see it on film," Wilson said. "Just trying to make a little contact."
If admonished for a little contact above and beyond the call of training camp, the coaches will also pat Wilson on the shoulder and thank him for putting a lick on the kid.
While there's been no official edict, the hitting of Bell appears to have been ratcheted up a notch.
"Our backs have to get used to contact," safety Nick Ferguson said. "We wrap him up and put a hat on him. ... You're not trying to hurt guys because he may be the guy we expect a lot out of."
Do the Broncos expect a lot out of Bell?
"Yeah," Ferguson said.
One fumble won't spell the end of Bell's dreams of being the lead back for Denver. Just look at Clinton Portis for proof. The former Bronco fumbled three times in a preseason game against Arizona in 2002, and still went on to rush for 1,508 yards that year.
Yet it provides little consolation for Bell. Not with Tatum Bell running with a sense of purpose. Also coming up fast is Cedric Cobbs, who had 42 yards on 11 carries in his preseason opener.
"The competition is amazing," Mike Bell said. "I've got to work extra hard. They're pushing me every day. Any slight mistake and they can move up."
Bell won't relax even for a play. It's late in training camp and he's still running every handoff out an extra 30 yards downfield.
Even if he starts the season opener Sept. 10 at St. Louis, he won't let his guard down.
"I'm never going to feel relaxed," Bell said. "Not with the competition around."
DENVER -- The fumble hasn't stripped any of the confidence in Denver Broncos running back Mike Bell.
"It's a freak accident," said Bell, who coughed up the football on his first drive in the preseason opener against Detroit last week.
But he realizes the surest way to lose his grip on the No. 1 running back spot is to keep putting the ball on the ground. Tatum Bell is making a late push for the job and Ron Dayne is a contender, although he's currently sidelined with a banged-up toe.
"I've got to focus on lowering my pads and protecting the ball," Bell said. "I'm still going to run the way I always do."
His always-keep-the-legs-churning running style earned him the promotion in the first place. Before Friday's fumble, Bell hadn't put the ball on the ground since his senior year when Arizona played Oregon. He still had 167 yards rushing in that Oct. 22, 2005, contest.
"It's been a while," Bell said of the time between fumbles.
Bell wasn't expecting the jarring hit from Detroit linebacker Paris Lenon. It came from the side as he was trying to squeeze out a few more yards. What he has learned is to expect the unexpected.
Hits came come at any time, from any direction. Bell found that out during Tuesday's practice. He was headed down the sideline, the play all but over, when linebacker Al Wilson smacked him. Bell flew through the air, landed with a thud and then got up and headed up the field. He held on to the football.
"He got me when I wasn't looking," Bell said. "He's a big-time competitor, I've got to be aware next time."
Wilson figured to receive an earful from coaches about the hit.
"We'll see what the coaches say when they see it on film," Wilson said. "Just trying to make a little contact."
If admonished for a little contact above and beyond the call of training camp, the coaches will also pat Wilson on the shoulder and thank him for putting a lick on the kid.
While there's been no official edict, the hitting of Bell appears to have been ratcheted up a notch.
"Our backs have to get used to contact," safety Nick Ferguson said. "We wrap him up and put a hat on him. ... You're not trying to hurt guys because he may be the guy we expect a lot out of."
Do the Broncos expect a lot out of Bell?
"Yeah," Ferguson said.
One fumble won't spell the end of Bell's dreams of being the lead back for Denver. Just look at Clinton Portis for proof. The former Bronco fumbled three times in a preseason game against Arizona in 2002, and still went on to rush for 1,508 yards that year.
Yet it provides little consolation for Bell. Not with Tatum Bell running with a sense of purpose. Also coming up fast is Cedric Cobbs, who had 42 yards on 11 carries in his preseason opener.
"The competition is amazing," Mike Bell said. "I've got to work extra hard. They're pushing me every day. Any slight mistake and they can move up."
Bell won't relax even for a play. It's late in training camp and he's still running every handoff out an extra 30 yards downfield.
Even if he starts the season opener Sept. 10 at St. Louis, he won't let his guard down.
"I'm never going to feel relaxed," Bell said. "Not with the competition around."
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