Broncos sign Tatum Bell

[armchair scout]

I guess when you spend a second round pick on a guy, it makes sense to give him a second chance. We seem to have just cleared a turnover problem, so if his fumblitis continues, I think his leash should be short. Hopefully he is holding on to a ball at practice, at home, and when he goes out. Welcome back Tatum. Good luck and please hang on to the ball.

[berlownacyo7s]

mehhh. I guess I would rather have him running the ball than some practice squad dude.

[njyz]

"I'm humbled," Bell said. "I didn't think I was going to get another chance, to be honest. I thanked coach [Mike] Shanahan for giving me this chance. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll play special teams. I'll play center. I'll do whatever it takes to help the Denver Broncos win."

Them's just words, but them's the words you'd like to hear. He's got some impressive natural abilities, so I'm hoping the past two years have served him a wakeup call - and that he's learned fundamentals like taking the football with you as you bullet down the field are, well, fundamental to being pro.

[MindField]

He is going to be watching Peyton Hillis play.

[The Experience]

He is going to be watching Peyton Hillis play.

I doubt it........ They said he has a high possibility of starting...

[Overtime]

well let's hope it'll give us a much needed spark!!!

we can use all the help we can get.

[MindField]

I doubt it........ They said he has a high possibility of starting...

Who is 'they'?

I live in Denver and have not heard that at all.

[stnzed]

"They" say a lot of things.......

[armchair scout]

I saw that one of 'they' was John Clayton speculating that he could get around 15 carries if he is healthy this week. I like the move for depth, especially after the 'humbled' comment. Hillis will need help this week as we need to keep Atlanta's offense off the field. Selvin Young, when healthy, being backed up by Bell doesn't sound bad.

I keep coming back to the same thought, Why is Kevin Smith in Detroit? He wore a Broncos cap pre-draft for chrissakes. The kids gonna waste away up there.

[CoryWinget81]

I keep coming back to the same thought, Why is Kevin Smith in Detroit? He wore a Broncos cap pre-draft for chrissakes. The kids gonna waste away up there.

Yeah. 24k should have been here. Its time Mike. Get a good sturdy back, and not these patch up projects. Stop using the bondo and buy a Buick.

[meangenegjco]

Best Free Agent Available

When you have four running backs on IR and your opening day running back is un able to play because of a groin injury, It seems resonable to sign the best free agent available to fill the void caused by those injuries. Tatum Bell isn't the best running back in the NFL or even on the Broncos but he is the best free agent available. It gives the Broncos a chance of keeping in the playoff race until Selvin Young is healthy enough to play.

[HORSEPOWER 56]

Ya know, I really didn't like this when I heard about it. Why Tatum Bell? I probably wouldn't have had the bad taste in my mouth had the whole Johnson/stolen luggage thing not happened - but it did and I'm surprised anyone, especially Denver, would sign him.

But... desperate times call for desperate measures and let's be honest - we are desperate. He knows the system and did rush for over 1000 yds in a season where he only played 13 games. I've seen him cough up fumbles at the worst times, but I've NEVER seen him fumble on back-to-back carries like Hall did vs NE.

Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll at least play close to the level he did before - which was far from bad. I'll take a 4.9 ypc average any day. No matter what anyone thinks, Bell is faster than any RB on the roster (including Selvin who can't stay healthy, anyway) and the ability to always hit the home run will only help the passing game.

All in all, I just don't think we got worse with this signing. That's what's really important.

[MindField]

I saw that one of 'they' was John Clayton speculating that he could get around 15 carries if he is healthy this week. I like the move for depth, especially after the 'humbled' comment. Hillis will need help this week as we need to keep Atlanta's offense off the field. Selvin Young, when healthy, being backed up by Bell doesn't sound bad.

I keep coming back to the same thought, Why is Kevin Smith in Detroit? He wore a Broncos cap pre-draft for chrissakes. The kids gonna waste away up there.

It's going to be Hillis getting this game to show what he can do, period.

Tater is not going to be in great NFL shape....he's been hawking cell phones for several weeks at the Aurora Mall for crying out loud.

Bottom line is Hillis will get the first shot...what he does with it will determine how much of a shot Tater gets down the road.

[armchair scout]

It's going to be Hillis getting this game to show what he can do, period.

Tater is not going to be in great NFL shape....he's been hawking cell phones for several weeks at the Aurora Mall for crying out loud.

Bottom line is Hillis will get the first shot...what he does with it will determine how much of a shot Tater gets down the road.

*fantasizes about John Riggins and wonders what it would be like if Hillis was like Riggins and also caught 75 passes per year. I'm happy we got him...Hillis that is. Get healthy Selvin. We'll have to wait and see about Bell.

[bjohnson1969]

Tatum is better han any back we currently have on the team! Hillis is a good solid back but I don't think he is a game breaker or can hit the homerun. I like him better a fullback definitely not my starter at the RB position. Selvin Young is overrated by you guys on the board. Not impresessed with him at all. Tatum does have problems with fumbling and running between the tackles but is a threat each time he touches the ball. Ill take Tatum any day over what we currently have!