Raiders Name Fumbling Drill After T. Bell

[The Hamburgler]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070908/SPORTS01/709080340/1048

There are times in sports when having something named after you is considered an honor, such as the Heisman Trophy, the Stanley Cup or the Cy Young Award.

Then there are times when having something named after you isn't such an honor, such as the Tatum Bell Drill.


The Oakland Raiders took a swipe at the Lions' running back this week by naming a fumble-recovery drill after him. Last year, while playing with Oakland's AFC West rival, Denver, Bell had a career-worst five fumbles -- all of which he lost.

News of the dubious honor didn't sit well with Bell on Friday.

"I'm a little ticked off," he said. "Maybe it's motivating (for) them. I don't know why. I ain't never had a fumble against them, so I don't know why they feel it's a problem. Oh, well. I'm going to look forward to playing them."

Bell pointed out that in his three seasons with Denver, the Broncos had a 5-1 record against the Raiders. Bell's fumbling history isn't a concern for him, or, it appears, for Lions coach Rod Marinelli, who said Friday that Bell likely would start Sunday.

"No, it ain't an issue at all," Bell said. "I'm not thinking about it or nothing. I'm just going to go out and play my game, get a couple of dirty words in to some of the players."

And he might not limit his discourse to guys in black jerseys.

"From the beginning of the game to the end of the game you might catch me out there jawing with a lot of those guys, maybe the coaches, too," he said. "I'm going to find one of the defensive coordinators and tell him how I feel about it."

Actually, there's only one defensive coordinator and Bell knows him well. Rob Ryan was the coordinator at Oklahoma State when Bell played for the Cowboys, and Ryan even showed Bell around the campus during a recruiting trip.

"So I know him and I always talk to him before the game," Bell said. "This time it's going to be a little bit hard for me."

Given equal time to devise a drill that he would choose to name after himself, Bell thought for a moment. The Tatum Bell Touchdown Drill was suggested. Bell smiled.

"That sounds good: touchdown drill," he said. "I would do that and then go over and mess with their bench or something on the sideline."

[JoRo]

I'd tell him to get over it its not like its not his own fault for fumbling that much

[McKeough]

Here's to hoping Tatum runs all over the Raiders, and gets a couple TD's. I'd like to see him do well this year.

Oh, and, ain't ain't ain't!

[Spice 1]

Here's to hoping Tatum runs all over the Raiders, and gets a couple TD's. I'd like to see him do well this year.

Oh, and, ain't ain't ain't!

Oakland's secondary is touted as one of the best. We find out how good tomorrow. They need to concentrate on the "Mike Martz is going to throw the ball 55 times drill".

[denverfan24]

they should name it after jordan

.....after the hit by ian gold

[GREATEST SHOW ON TURF 2000]

"Then there are times when having something named after you isn't such an honor, such as the Tatum Bell Drill."

hahahahahaha

i dont know why i find that line so funny

[Bowlensbest3233]

Who's laughing now?

The Lions' offense abused the Raiders' vaunted D. The Raiders were so bad that George Foster looked like a decent right tackle.

[Spice 1]

Oakland played like they believed they might actualy compete this year. Then in the 4th quarter they remembered that they suck, and everyone hates them. Maybe they can move Jamarcus Russel to line backer. If he ever actualy becomes an Oakland Raider that is.

[BarkdogRX7]

Tater ran all over the Oakland D, he knows em better than anyone else, and at least he got Foster, so he is somewhat familiar with how he blocks. I loved when he put the nail in the coffin at the end of the game and took like 7 beers thrown a him like a champ and gave it back to the worthless Oakland fans... good job Tater, I want you to hit 1100 this year!

[BroncosorBust]

Tater ran all over the Oakland D, he knows em better than anyone else, and at least he got Foster, so he is somewhat familiar with how he blocks. I loved when he put the nail in the coffin at the end of the game and took like 7 beers thrown a him like a champ and gave it back to the worthless Oakland fans... good job Tater, I want you to hit 1100 this year!

Oh yeah, that was hilarious! Just basically needing to kneel down, he stuffs it in and flaunts it in front of the Radiers fans, good stuff! I thought the fans were going to come over the wall at him, wish they had, only to be ejected. Way to go Bell, have a good year in Detriot.

[Emancipator]

Bell should be pleased with his performance.

Raiders should keep their mouth shut about naming drills after players (calling out another player from a team).

Just motivation for the player. Good for you Tatum. Way to go. I don't want to hear about this Tatum Bell fumbling drill again.......not til we play them .