Bell needs to deliver to make Broncos' risk worth it

[PatsWin2002]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/11800206.htm

Posted on Thu, Jun. 02, 2005

Bell needs to deliver to make Broncos' risk worth it

BY DAVID RAMSEY

The Gazette

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - (KRT) - Tatum Bell offered plenty of promise last season with his outlandish speed, his can't-touch-me dance moves and his ability to thrill teammates - and terrify opponents - with the threat of scoring each time he touched the ball.

This season we'll see if he can keep those promises.

The Denver Broncos declined to take an earth mover to their offense in the offseason, choosing to stick with an attack that barely sneaked into the playoffs and then did little to help in the horrific season-ending surrender at Indianapolis.

The Broncos did wave goodbye to their leading rusher, Reuben Droughns, in an apparent handoff of the starting job to Bell.

If Bell delivers, Coach Mike Shanahan will resemble a, well, Mastermind.

If Bell stumbles, the Broncos' offense will fizzle and it could be a long, long football season on the Front Range.

Quarterback Jake Plummer requires a dazzling sidekick. He must get help from Bell's fleet feet or you can count on Jake the Snake making big additions to his mountain of career interceptions.

Bell, a second-year player from Oklahoma State, shrugged his shoulders Thursday as he considered the weight of expectations.

He rushed for 396 yards last season, averaged 5.3 yards per carry, scored three touchdowns, but he knows it was a mere cameo appearance.

This year, the ball could be in his hands all the time.

That's just where he wants it.

"I want to be the man," he said after a workout at the Broncos' practice field. "They didn't get me to come here and sit on the bench. I want to play.

"I want to establish myself as a household name. I'm just focused on being the man."

He could shine in the role. Bell blazes with the ball in his hand, running an honest 4.3-second 40, and he's the kind of runner who keeps his eyes on the end zone.

He always has a chance to bust one for 80 yards.

"I know I can be a home-run threat on any play," Bell said. "I can break a big one on running plays. I can break a big one on passes."

If Bell is beginning to sound a bit too much like Clinton Portis, who always seemed ready to hug himself, don't worry. He talks in a hushed voice, as if he's just stating the facts, and he knows he still has much to prove.

"In my mind," he said, "I still haven't done nothing."

He offered flashes last season, but that's all. He was often careless with the ball, and showed a troubling habit of suffering injury. He stumbled around with hamstring, rib and shoulder troubles.

Serving as the man in the Broncos' backfield is a perilous job. Shanahan isn't the kind of coach who worries about overworking his runners. Bell might lack the size and durability for the task.

He spent the offseason, he said, diligently eating and lifting weights. He ate a tasty array of fried pork chops, smothered pork chops and thick steaks. He punished himself in the weight room.

He added 12 pounds to his 5-foot-11-inch frame and weighs 217 pounds.

"It's in between fat and muscle," he said, laughing as he considered his weight gain. "Really, it's pretty much good weight. I'm holding it pretty good."

---

© 2005, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

[MajikMan7]

DAVID RAMSEY
If Bell stumbles, the Broncos' offense will fizzle and it could be a long, long football season on the Front Range.

What a moron this David Ramsey guy is, does he even know the Broncos have Ron Dayne, Mike Anderson, and Maurice Clarett on the team? If Bell does stumble the Broncos offense wont fizzle.

[2KBack]

How idiotic, I can't believe people get paid for articles like this. I mean come on, it is a running joke that Denver churns out 1000 yard runners. How many back-ups were turned into superstars for a season? Olandis, Anderson, Droughns, Denver will get it's rushing yards.

[DariusGoingDeep]

i believe bell will have a great year...you can probably count on him missing 2-4 games, but he will still have a great year. the twelve extra pounds will help him stay healthy, and if any of that is fat...he will lose it in training camp...leaving solid muscle

[SoCalBronco]

http://broncos.gazette.com/gazette_images/bells.jpg

Go Tatum Go!

And, as always, the article is much appreciated, thanks PatsWin.

[sirhcyennek81]

well that is kinda a well, duh. Broncos will run the ball, be it clarett or be it bell. someone will get 1300 yards.

[Cito Pelon]

What stands out is Bell said last year over and over, "I want to be the man. I want to be the no-question TB." And he said it again. He's not particularly loud about it, he doesn't seem to answer any questions about anybody else other than himself.

Bell has all the tools. There's one question in my mind. He tripped over his own feet twice last year under the spotlight, is that going to happen again?

[Atlas]

I'm not worried about Bell at all. He is going to be great.

[Play2win]

Tatum will lead the league in Rushing.

Is there even a Doubt?!?

[Taco John]

Quarterback Jake Plummer requires a dazzling sidekick. He must get help from Bell's fleet feet or you can count on Jake the Snake making big additions to his mountain of career interceptions.



Man I sure hope that Jake can get it together this year... :'(

[fontaine]

Man I sure hope that Jake can get it together this year... :'(

Either way, I think, in next year's draft you'll get your wish Taco and Jake will have the type of competition there that you always wanted.

He definitely needs to get his game in gear though. He has struggled without Sharpe/Portis but a lot of his mistakes are his own fault.

He threw half of his ints (10) on first down when there wasn't a blitz on, with just 4 DL. A standard defense in other words and 10 of his overall ints came from short passes (less than 10 yards) so his arm strength, pass rush doesn't come into it. He has tons of room for improvement, and yes, bell/rice and our young players will help him out but ultimately Jake biggest improvement has to come from within.

[-Slap-]

How idiotic, I can't believe people get paid for articles like this. I mean come on, it is a running joke that Denver churns out 1000 yard runners. How many back-ups were turned into superstars for a season? Olandis, Anderson, Droughns, Denver will get it's rushing yards.

A 1000 yard back isn't a superstar. It just means he averaged 63 yards a game. A superstar can gain you tough yards against a good defense in a game that really counts and then do it all over again next week. We've only really had one of those guys in recent history and his initials were TD.

I tend to agree with the notion that our season largely depends on Bell (or possibly Clarett) developing into a big time back.

[Rock Chalk]

How idiotic, I can't believe people get paid for articles like this. I mean come on, it is a running joke that Denver churns out 1000 yard runners. How many back-ups were turned into superstars for a season? Olandis, Anderson, Droughns, Denver will get it's rushing yards.

Yeah, Denver does churn out 1000 yard backs. True enough, but of those 1000 yard backs, there have been three that would be 1000 yard backs anywhere in the league. TD, CP and TB.

[clarker]

Either way, I think, in next year's draft you'll get your wish Taco and Jake will have the type of competition there that you always wanted.

He definitely needs to get his game in gear though. He has struggled without Sharpe/Portis but a lot of his mistakes are his own fault.

He threw half of his ints (10) on first down when there wasn't a blitz on, with just 4 DL. A standard defense in other words and 10 of his overall ints came from short passes (less than 10 yards) so his arm strength, pass rush doesn't come into it. He has tons of room for improvement, and yes, bell/rice and our young players will help him out but ultimately Jake biggest improvement has to come from within.How many of those 20 were balls hitting recievers right in the hands, them tipping them right into a defender's hands.

Don't get me wrong, we all know Jake makes more than of share of bonehead plays but those recievers have to improve on their focus as well.

Example in the second Chargers game we all know that the throw to Rod in the endzone was on Jake. He should have thrown that either out of the endzone when it wasn't as wide open as they thought it would be or throw it in a better spot, where Rod would be the only one with a shot at it.

But at least 2 or 3 of his other INT's were balls in that game, hit his recievers in the hands and should have been easy catches.

I would be if you were to be fair and look at that at least 5-6 of his picks were like that. Say it was only 5, that gives him a 27-15 TD to INT ratio. Before the season if you asked most reasonable fans of any QB if they would have taken it. And with the 15 picks, the Jake bashers (which I can be one of at times) should still be happy.

Now if the recievers have a better year(I mean they went and got Rice for a reason) and Jake cuts out those 5-7 picks that were a result of him being a dumb a**, he should have a good season.

But even if he still throws it up for grabs 2-3 times a game, if his recievers have better hands his INT's should go down.

[fontaine]

How many of those 20 were balls hitting recievers right in the hands, them tipping them right into a defender's hands.

Don't get me wrong, we all know Jake makes more than of share of bonehead plays but those recievers have to improve on their focus as well.

Example in the second Chargers game we all know that the throw to Rod in the endzone was on Jake. He should have thrown that either out of the endzone when it wasn't as wide open as they thought it would be or throw it in a better spot, where Rod would be the only one with a shot at it.

But at least 2 or 3 of his other INT's were balls in that game, hit his recievers in the hands and should have been easy catches.

I would be if you were to be fair and look at that at least 5-6 of his picks were like that. Say it was only 5, that gives him a 27-15 TD to INT ratio. Before the season if you asked most reasonable fans of any QB if they would have taken it. And with the 15 picks, the Jake bashers (which I can be one of at times) should still be happy.

Now if the recievers have a better year(I mean they went and got Rice for a reason) and Jake cuts out those 5-7 picks that were a result of him being a dumb a**, he should have a good season.

But even if he still throws it up for grabs 2-3 times a game, if his recievers have better hands his INT's should go down.

I hear you but man, that's the name of the game isn't it?

For every tipped ball by a WR that led to an int there were also errant passes that Watts/Rod made great catches on.

You gotta take the good with the bad if you don't have a guy like Moss who'll catch anything thrown in his general vicinity.

I agree with your point though, our young WRs will have to improve but Jake threw too many damn ints on first down and in short passes (less than 10) yards and that's bread and butter west coast offense.

[clarker]

As for Bell needing to come up big or the offense would suck and the season would lost, well that is what they said about Griffen last year.

After 10 years of trotting 1,000 rusher after 1,000 rusher, people would learn that the Broncos are pretty good at running the ball. Hell only two of those backs, IMO have had blue chip talent(Terrell Davis and Clinton Portis).

I am more worried about a endzone threat that we can count on than if Bell works out or not. The Broncos can move the ball between the 20's as good as any team in the NFL. What makes them a notch below the Chiefs and Colts on offense in their terrible red zone production. To many FG's for Elam and not enough TD's.

[ozomulsion]

well that is kinda a well, duh. Broncos will run the ball, be it clarett or be it bell. someone will get 1300 yards.

What a homer you are to think a guy can be out of football for two years and rush for 1300 yards. In his rookie season no less. If Bell goes down we are in trouble.

[watermock]

Thats why Jerry Rice was brought in. If passes bounce of his hands, then we know to move to a high draft choice.

[clarker]

What a homer you are to think a guy can be out of football for two years and rush for 1300 yards. In his rookie season no less. If Bell goes down we are in trouble.I don't think it is being a homer to say that if Bell doesn't have a good year, then Clarett will. I will add on that if Bell and Clarett don't turn out or get hurt, Denver will get their rushing yards. History backs me up.

Going into last season, no team, had rushed more times, for more yards and for a better YARDS PER CARRY, than the Broncos, since 1995 when Shanny took over as head coach. I don't think they did anything last season to drop very far, if at all in those stats.

One way or the other the Broncos will rush the ball this year, they always do.

[clarker]

Thats why Jerry Rice was brought in. If passes bounce of his hands, then we know to move to a high draft choice.Youl lost me on that one, sorry.

[Garcia Bronco]

"The Denver Broncos declined to take an earth mover to their offense in the offseason, choosing to stick with an attack that barely sneaked into the playoffs and then did little to help in the horrific season-ending surrender at Indianapolis."

Huh...."sneaked into..."

LMAO

[clarker]

This guy who wrote this makes it sound like trading Droughns is on the same level, as say trading Walter Payton in his prime.

I think he is putting to much value on Droughns. Not only do I think Shanny thought Bell would be better than Droughns, I think Shanny saw his hold out comming. If Shanny would put up the cash for Clinton Portis, who has light years more talent, then he sure as hell wasn't going to deal with a RB who hadn't did anything in his 5 year career until he got a luck break to run for the Broncos.

[fontaine]

This guy who wrote this makes it sound like trading Droughns is on the same level, as say trading Walter Payton in his prime.

I think he is putting to much value on Droughns. Not only do I think Shanny thought Bell would be better than Droughns, I think Shanny saw his hold out comming. If Shanny would put up the cash for Clinton Portis, who has light years more talent, then he sure as hell wasn't going to deal with a RB who hadn't did anything in his 5 year career until he got a luck break to run for the Broncos.


Let's differentiate what exactly Droughns did as the primary back.

Yes he had great holes to run through. That's on our system. Yes, Turner and co molded him into a good cut back runner.

BUT, after he hit the hole he gained momentum going downhill, and dragging tacklers and bouncing off the first hit was ALL ON HIM. There were plenty of times a 7 yard gain should have been a 4-5 yard one but Droughns made it happen by keeping his legs pumping at all times. This is backed up by the fact that with Q back there, he got stopped for no gain or a loss more times per run than Droughns did.

Yes, it would have been a lot tougher for Droughns to get that 1k someplace else but he ran hard and I have no doubt that if the Cleveland line does their part then he'll gain at least 1k there as well if he's the primary back.

[Sodak]

Clinton Who?

[Atlas]

Clinton Who?


I don't know who they are talking about. I think he used to be President or something.

[BigPlayShay]

What stands out is Bell said last year over and over, "I want to be the man. I want to be the no-question TB." And he said it again. He's not particularly loud about it, he doesn't seem to answer any questions about anybody else other than himself.

Bell has all the tools. There's one question in my mind. He tripped over his own feet twice last year under the spotlight, is that going to happen again?

TD slipped/tripped a few times as well. So did CP. Tatum will be good. I am sure that drafting Clarett lit a fire under his ass as well.

[clarker]

Let's differentiate what exactly Droughns did as the primary back.

Yes he had great holes to run through. That's on our system. Yes, Turner and co molded him into a good cut back runner.

BUT, after he hit the hole he gained momentum going downhill, and dragging tacklers and bouncing off the first hit was ALL ON HIM. There were plenty of times a 7 yard gain should have been a 4-5 yard one but Droughns made it happen by keeping his legs pumping at all times. This is backed up by the fact that with Q back there, he got stopped for no gain or a loss more times per run than Droughns did.

Yes, it would have been a lot tougher for Droughns to get that 1k someplace else but he ran hard and I have no doubt that if the Cleveland line does their part then he'll gain at least 1k there as well if he's the primary back.He ran hard no doubt, but he also wore down as the season went along because he couldn't make anyone miss.

Terrell Davis could run people over if he had to( see his second TD in Super Bowl XXXII, for example) but he also made people miss. Portis couldn't run anyone over but he could run low enough to slither for extra yards when he ran between the tackles.

Droughns had a good season, but the Broncos have had good seasons from other RB's under Shanny and I see no reason to think another Back can't have a good season as well.

Droughs is a hard runner, but don't make it sould like we traded Walter Payton or Terrell Davis, before his knee injury.

[ozomulsion]

I don't think it is being a homer to say that if Bell doesn't have a good year, then Clarett will. I will add on that if Bell and Clarett don't turn out or get hurt, Denver will get their rushing yards. History backs me up.

I never said Denver wouldn't be able to run the ball if Bell goes down. I said Clarett won't rush for 1300 yards even if Bell goes down early in the season.
We need Bell to stay healthy. Tell me man. What's the history on college running backs who sit out 2 strait years and then come in and rush for 1300 yards thier rookie year?


Going into last season, no team, had rushed more times, for more yards and for a better YARDS PER CARRY, than the Broncos, since 1995 when Shanny took over as head coach. I don't think they did anything last season to drop very far, if at all in those stats.

One way or the other the Broncos will rush the ball this year, they always do.

Now you're just playing state the obvious. I don't like that game.

[fontaine]

I never said Denver wouldn't be able to run the ball if Bell goes down. I said Clarett won't rush for 1300 yards even if Bell goes down early in the season.
We need Bell to stay healthy. Tell me man. What's the history on college running backs who sit out 2 strait years and then come in and rush for 1300 yards thier rookie yea?.

I hear what you're saying but I'm sure a similar question could have been asked of Mike Anderson who didn't play sports in high school, was RB for two years in Utah and the next year went on to the NFL rookie of year with a (then) franchise record 1400+ yards for a rook.

I know Anderson's situation was different that MoC's but Anderson played ball in Utah which wasn't exactly a shining bastion of RB glory.

If Turner thinks MoC can do it then I have no doubts.

[clarker]

I really care what game you do or don't like. You had your take and I had my take on yours. It wasn't anything personal, I just didn't agree with you take that we would be dead if Bell got hurt. If you don't want people to comment on what you say, don't post on a public message board.

I don't know the history of RB's who haven't played in two straight years. From what I know Clarett is a one of kind case. If that is the case, there is no history to say that he could rush for 1,3000 yards if he had to. But then again, that would mean there is no history that says he can't as well.

Droughns had no record of doing what he did last year either.

BTW, if I'm just stating the obvious, then why are you worried at all. If what I said was so obvious, you should already know that Denver will have a 1,300 yard (or better) rusher in 2005.

[Atlas]

I really care what game you do or don't like. You had your take and I had my take on yours. It wasn't anything personal, I just didn't agree with you take that we would be dead if Bell got hurt. If you don't want people to comment on what you say, don't post on a public message board.
.

If Bell, Anderson, Q and Clarret all go down with injuries that means Dayne is going to be the one to gain 1,400 yards. It's as simple as that.

[ozomulsion]

I really care what game you do or don't like. You had your take and I had my take on yours. It wasn't anything personal, I just didn't agree with you take that we would be dead if Bell got hurt. If you don't want people to comment on what you say, don't post on a public message board.

I took nothing personal. That comment was in jest.

I don't know the history of RB's who haven't played in two straight years. From what I know Clarett is a one of kind case. If that is the case, there is no history to say that he could rush for 1,3000 yards if he had to. But then again, that would mean there is no history that says he can't as well.


Droughns had no record of doing what he did last year either

Anderson and Droughns both have good work ethic. Clarett came to the combine out of shape and then quit when he didn't run well. I have no reason to believe he'll run well right out of shoot.

BTW, if I'm just stating the obvious, then why are you worried at all. If what I said was so obvious, you should already know that Denver will have a 1,300 yard (or better) rusher in 2005.

I'm sure the majority of people know about those stats you posted. I still feel Bell is the only one who can post 1300+ yards.

[Rock Chalk]

I don't think it is being a homer to say that if Bell doesn't have a good year, then Clarett will. I will add on that if Bell and Clarett don't turn out or get hurt, Denver will get their rushing yards. History backs me up.

That IS homer. Clarett hasnt played football in 2 years. If Bell goes down, we are f*cked this year. Now Im not saying Clarett wont find a niche here in Denver, orif Bell goes down that Clarett is not going to be able to run at all, but he is not going to be anywhere NEAR as effective as Bell at any point in this season.

Going into last season, no team, had rushed more times, for more yards and for a better YARDS PER CARRY, than the Broncos, since 1995 when Shanny took over as head coach. I don't think they did anything last season to drop very far, if at all in those stats.

One way or the other the Broncos will rush the ball this year, they always do.
Other than the comma happiness of this second part, this is pretty decent take.

[clarker]

That IS homer. Clarett hasnt played football in 2 years. If Bell goes down, we are ****ed this year. Now Im not saying Clarett wont find a niche here in Denver, orif Bell goes down that Clarett is not going to be able to run at all, but he is not going to be anywhere NEAR as effective as Bell at any point in this season.

Other than the comma happiness of this second part, this is pretty decent take.My main point was that if Bell gets hurt, I don't think Bell goes down, they are not dead. Hell, the Bills are only asking for a 3rd round pick for Travis Henrey(sp?) right now.

I don't know how Clarett will do, but I don't see how anyone can be suprised if he did real well in Denver. His 40 time means very little to me, TD ran a slow 40 time, so did Jerry Rice for a WR. That he quit after not putting up a good time does concern me, but still it was the last pick of the 3rd round not the last pick of the 1st. As some one who follows both Miami and Michigan in college ball let me tell you the kid can play. I don't know how much the lay off will hurt him of course, but as some one else pointed out, Mike Anderson only played 1 more year of college ball than Clarett and he did pretty good. Bottom line there in no one who can say for sure how good or not good he will be, but my faith is not in any one back. It is in the system that turned late round draft choice after late round draft choice into 1,000+ backs for 10 years now.

[ozomulsion]

I hear what you're saying but I'm sure a similar question could have been asked of Mike Anderson who didn't play sports in high school, was RB for two years in Utah and the next year went on to the NFL rookie of year with a (then) franchise record 1400+ yards for a rook.

I know Anderson's situation was different that MoC's but Anderson played ball in Utah which wasn't exactly a shining bastion of RB glory.

If Turner thinks MoC can do it then I have no doubts.

It's all about being in shape and used to some kind of game speed. I agree plenty of people doubted Anderson but not even close to the same reason as to why I doubt Clarett will do very good this season.

[bendog]

It's being able to recognize and p/u a blitz. He won't even be on the field with Jake until he proves he can do that.

[orange 4 life]

What a homer you are to think a guy can be out of football for two years and rush for 1300 yards. In his rookie season no less. If Bell goes down we are in trouble.

no ozo, we probably arent.

sure, i think bell is our best option also, but let me ask you this:

if i told you BEFORE last season that we'd trade portis and lose anderson and griffin to injury, would you have said we were in trouble then too?
we werent. reueben stepped in and ran for well over 1000.

it aint just clarett my friend.
we also have anderson and griffin coming back.
if bell goes down, someone else will take the baton and do just fine.
maybe not AS well, but good none the less.

now if PLUMMER goes down (knock on wood) you can kiss the season good bye.

jake

[Taco John]

How many of those 20 were balls hitting recievers right in the hands, them tipping them right into a defender's hands.



Real close to the same number of balls who he threw off target, the receiver managed to get a finger on it, tipping it into the defenders hands.

Jake isn't known for his accuracy.

[Taco John]

Example in the second Chargers game we all know that the throw to Rod in the endzone was on Jake. He should have thrown that either out of the endzone when it wasn't as wide open as they thought it would be or throw it in a better spot, where Rod would be the only one with a shot at it.

But at least 2 or 3 of his other INT's were balls in that game, hit his recievers in the hands and should have been easy catches.



I don't buy that at all... There's maybe one INT in that game that I'd put on a reciever. There were three that I know were Jake.

The worst was Jake's TERRIBLE pass to Putzier. Man what a gut-wrenchingly bad pass...

That game, the division championship, was lost because Jake came with his D game.

[Taco John]

no ozo, we probably arent.

sure, i think bell is our best option also, but let me ask you this:

if i told you BEFORE last season that we'd trade portis and lose anderson and griffin to injury, would you have said we were in trouble then too?
we werent. reueben stepped in and ran for well over 1000.

it aint just clarett my friend.
we also have anderson and griffin coming back.
if bell goes down, someone else will take the baton and do just fine.
maybe not AS well, but good none the less.

now if PLUMMER goes down (knock on wood) you can kiss the season good bye.

jake

I agree with all of this... Our running game is tight. I'm not the least bit concerned about it. Our defense... Who knows. There is some concern there, but being that we were a top five defense last year, I'm not nearly as concerned about it. But you're right on with the Plummer take. Our season will go as Plummer goes.

[DBroncos4life]

I don't buy that at all... There's maybe one INT in that game that I'd put on a reciever. There were three that I know were Jake.

The worst was Jake's TERRIBLE pass to Putzier. Man what a gut-wrenchingly bad pass...

That game, the division championship, was lost because Jake came with his D game.


The one that bounced of Putz hands twice? Yeah that pass was ugly but it didn't help that Putz thought he was playing volleyball and kept tipping the ball into the air.

[orange 4 life]

I don't buy that at all... There's maybe one INT in that game that I'd put on a reciever. There were three that I know were Jake.

The worst was Jake's TERRIBLE pass to Putzier. Man what a gut-wrenchingly bad pass...

That game, the division championship, was lost because Jake came with his D game.

wow.

"gut wrenchingly bad"?

is that right taco?
it wasnt perfect, but it hit BOTH his hands.
if thats "gut wrenching" bad, your expectations are plain nuts.

..and we lost the colts game because of jake?

taco, taco, taco.
we've been down this road before brother.

thats a "gut wrenchingly" awful take, and EVERYONE besides yourself knows that.
youre on an island by yourself there pal.
if you believe that delusion its fine with me, but please stop pushing it on others who knows its a crock of sh!t.

jake

[orange 4 life]

I agree with all of this... Our running game is tight. I'm not the least bit concerned about it. Our defense... Who knows. There is some concern there, but being that we were a top five defense last year, I'm not nearly as concerned about it. But you're right on with the Plummer take. Our season will go as Plummer goes.

we agree on that!!

[ozomulsion]

no ozo, we probably arent.

sure, i think bell is our best option also, but let me ask you this:

if i told you BEFORE last season that we'd trade portis and lose anderson and griffin to injury, would you have said we were in trouble then too?
we werent. reueben stepped in and ran for well over 1000.

it aint just clarett my friend.
we also have anderson and griffin coming back.
if bell goes down, someone else will take the baton and do just fine.
maybe not AS well, but good none the less.

now if PLUMMER goes down (knock on wood) you can kiss the season good bye.

jake

Did you see how Plummer did with Portis? Did you see how Plummer did without Portis? It's like that.

[orange 4 life]

Did you see how Plummer did with Portis? Did you see how Plummer did without Portis? It's like that.

he had a few more tipped balls, and a few more interceptions.
he also had much worse field position.

other than a FEW select throws, he did about the same.

no matter HOW you spin it, 27 td's and 4100 yards is pretty damn good.

[ozomulsion]

he had a few more tipped balls, and a few more interceptions.
he also had much worse field position.

other than a FEW select throws, he did about the same.

no matter HOW you spin it, 27 td's and 4100 yards is pretty damn good.

I'm not saying it wasn't good. But I truely believe he was a better QB when he had a homerun type threat averaging 5+ YPC in the backfield for whatever reason. Besides the Bengal game he was amazing in 2003. He was very good last year but certainly not amazing. IMO

[orange 4 life]

I'm not saying it wasn't good. But I truely believe he was a better QB when he had a homerun type threat averaging 5+ YPC in the backfield for whatever reason. Besides the Bengal game he was amazing in 2003. He was very good last year but certainly not amazing. IMO

oh i completely agree ozo.

i think we'll definately be BETTER if bell is in the lineup, and i think plummer will have a much easier time.

still, i think its overstating to say "we're in trouble" if bell goes down.
if he goes down we'll have to scramble a little more and the defense will need to step up, but my point was that its not a night and day difference.

[ozomulsion]

oh i completely agree ozo.

i think we'll definately be BETTER if bell is in the lineup, and i think plummer will have a much easier time.

still, i think its overstating to say "we're in trouble" if bell goes down.
if he goes down we'll have to scramble a little more and the defense will need to step up, but my point was that its not a night and day difference.

I can live with that. :)

[clarker]

Real close to the same number of balls who he threw off target, the receiver managed to get a finger on it, tipping it into the defenders hands.

Jake isn't known for his accuracy.No, Jake is not known for accuracy, but I think he is better than most people give him credit.

I'm not talking about the pass to Putzier( I remember it, but not well enough to comment about) but a reciever has to be able to make the catch that isn't right between the numbers or over the shoulder and in stride. Some times they do have to reach back or leap foward or reach up to grab it.

Just because a reciever has to leap up because the get the pass, it is no excuse to let it bounce off your hands. Even if it is not the perfect pass, if you can get two hands on it, they should catch it.

I'm not trying to excuse Jake, he makes his share of bonehead plays. But the recievers other than Rod and Ash didn't have their best years. If they had, we would not have signed Jerry Rice.

I could have made this post alot shorter, by just asking does every pass have to be picture perfect before a reciever is held accountable. If it hits both their hands they should catch it. Look at Elway's pass to Vance Johnson at the end of the famed Houston 1991 play off game. That had to be one of the worst passes John ever threw(he even said that) but it hit Vance in both hands and even though it was a hard pass to catch, he did. That was his job.

[clarker]

I hear you but man, that's the name of the game isn't it?

For every tipped ball by a WR that led to an int there were also errant passes that Watts/Rod made great catches on.

You gotta take the good with the bad if you don't have a guy like Moss who'll catch anything thrown in his general vicinity.

I agree with your point though, our young WRs will have to improve but Jake threw too many damn ints on first down and in short passes (less than 10) yards and that's bread and butter west coast offense.
I'm not talking about the passes that it would take a half Jerry Rice, half Lynn Swann to catch.

I am talking about the pass that is slightly behind, or high. Like the pick that Elway threw in Super Bowl XXXIII. It wasn't a perfect pass, a little behind Sharpe, but he did get both hands on it and let bounce right off his paws and into the hands of Falcon defender. Jake had a few of those last year along with the ones he just threw up for grabs. He has to work on that, but the recievers have to catch the ones that are not perfect as well. They can't say well it wasn't between the numbers or it didn't hit me right in stride. If it hits you in the hands, catch it.

[Atlas]

he had a few more tipped balls, and a few more interceptions.
he also had much worse field position.

other than a FEW select throws, he did about the same.

no matter HOW you spin it, 27 td's and 4100 yards is pretty damn good.

I could spin it with 20 ints and it doesn't look near so good does it.

[orange 4 life]

I could spin it with 20 ints and it doesn't look near so good does it.

ummmm.

that was exactly the point.

it DOES look good. 27 td's and 4100 yards are very good numbers. period.

with a little better defense in a couple games we got destroyed and a few less tipped balls the numbers would look GREAT.

[Ballhawk]

ummmm.

that was exactly the point.

it DOES look good. 27 td's and 4100 yards are very good numbers. period.

with a little better defense in a couple games we got destroyed and a few less tipped balls the numbers would look GREAT.

I do not care if he throws 20 again, just win 3 more games (plus 3 in the postseason)!

[rbackfactory80]

What a moron this David Ramsey guy is, does he even know the Broncos have Ron Dayne, Mike Anderson, and Maurice Clarett on the team? If Bell does stumble the Broncos offense wont fizzle.

Seriously, these guys act like they know all the right moves, but then why are they not coaches. Oh yeah we are pretty thin at running back, whatever.

[TheReverend]

Anyone remember the last time the broncos running game fizzled for a season? Hell, fizzled at all? A couple times last year vs. the Chargers and Jax? This article is retarded. Tatum Bell will tear it up. Peroid.

Reverend out.

[DariusGoingDeep]

Anyone remember the last time the broncos running game fizzled for a season? Hell, fizzled at all? A couple times last year vs. the Chargers and Jax? This article is retarded. Tatum Bell will tear it up. Peroid.

Reverend out.

well said rev, i agree completely

[Atlas]

ummmm.

that was exactly the point.

it DOES look good. 27 td's and 4100 yards are very good numbers. period.

with a little better defense in a couple games we got destroyed and a few less tipped balls the numbers would look GREAT.

You act like tip balls are an accident or something. Jake is 6'1" and doesn't have a high over hand delivery. EVERY year Jake is going to have tipped balls that are intercepted and they count just like every other INT. So when Jake has 5 tipped ints next year are you not going to count those because they were tipped???

[Atlas]

Anyone remember the last time the broncos running game fizzled for a season? Hell, fizzled at all? A couple times last year vs. the Chargers and Jax? This article is retarded. Tatum Bell will tear it up. Peroid.

Reverend out.

The year Davis led the Broncos in rushing with like 700 yards. The running game that year wasnot that great. I think it was 2000 or 2001

[orange 4 life]

You act like tip balls are an accident or something. Jake is 6'1" and doesn't have a high over hand delivery. EVERY year Jake is going to have tipped balls that are intercepted and they count just like every other INT. So when Jake has 5 tipped ints next year are you not going to count those because they were tipped???

oh man atlas.

how many times can we go through this?

every qb has tipped balls.
tipped ball int's are a part of the game.
some are the line's fault, some are the receivers fault, some are the qb's fault.
they all count.

.....and 11 in one season is an extremely high number.

its that simple my friend. really.

if there's 5 next season (which i think is a reasonable number considering our line's size and plummers height), that would be 6 less than last season.
that wouldve been 15 int's last season.
that would mean we wouldnt be having this conversation right now.
make sense?

its not likely that we'll have 11 tipped ball int's again this year.
that means it IS likely that our interception total will decrease.

[Ballhawk]

I really think the entire interception arguement is irrelevent. Plummer did regress...period! His 2003 season was much better than 2004. I can qualify it by saying that Sharpe retired, CP went to WA, and he had a new LT and RT.

He will have no excuses this year, zero. His entire OL is returning, he had a year to play with Putz, Watts and to a lesser extent Bell. He will have solid Vets Rod, Lelie (now a Vet) and possiblly Rice who will if nothing else catch the ball and is crafty enough to settle in the soft spots on zones.

If the team stays healthy and we do not win the division and a playoff game, it is time to cut bait. Does anyone disagree with this???