Tatum Bell's vision

[watermock]

He's playing well, but damn...Joe T. was talking him up and they showed THREE plays when he had only the safety to beat and ran straight into him and made the same weak move to the right and was tackled the exact same way. He had one man to beat all three times.

He could of juked the Safety all three times as he had speed and was completely in the open field. He just seemed content to run right to the safety. They were nice 20 yard plays, but one decent cut, he's gone to the races all three times. Two of the three times, he had a man trying to occupy the safety! and still managed to run right into him. His vision has improved alot, but damn...those were very long runs just there for the taking. All three times he broke slightly to the right when all three times the obvious cut was to the left.

[freak6]

He's playing well, but damn...Joe T. was talking him up and they showed THREE plays when he had only the safety to beat and ran straight into him and made the same weak move to the right and was tackled the exact same way. He had one man to beat all three times.

He could of juked the Safety all three times as he had speed and was completely in the open field. He just seemed content to run right to the safety. They were nice 20 yard plays, but one decent cut, he's gone to the races all three times. Two of the three times, he had a man trying to occupy the safety! and still managed to run right into him. His vision has improved alot, but damn...those were very long runs just there for the taking. All three times he broke slightly to the right when all three times the obvious cut was to the left.

Tatum is a track runner in pads. But that YPC is good to go.

But based upon your concern I emailed him this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzGgvI1z2EI

tutorial video.

[Bronco Billy]

I saw this against NE. He should be gone to the races. It's not even like he was pressed against the sideline, he was between the hash marks. Hopefully, he watches film of himself and learns from previous mistakes.

[watermock]

All three plays were between the hash marks I think. I wasn't looking for a reason to complain at all. It seemed like he would just follow his block in the wrong way for some damn reason. You bust it outside when you read the safety.

Hasn't he been taught to read the leading shoulder yet? You just go to the opposite shoulder. I know is is easy from a keyboard, but it's so damn obvious. The Safety has to turn his hips and if your somewhat on him, you can take his jock strap with you.

You make the cut against the forward shoulder. It's incredibly basic. All you have to do is make the cut early enough your not laid out with a big hit. Simple if your in the open field against a single defender. Now I'm sure that there were chasers, but ummm...doesn't he have breakaway speed? I remember one term called "T.D. has broken it to the outside and is running along the sideline. He cuts it back in and gets another 8.

[BroncoMan4ever]

I have noticed him running into other defensive players this year as opposed to juking them. I can't help but think that he is trying to prove all the people who said he can't break tackles and doesn't like contact wrong. He is out there trying to level people lately. His vision is still his weakness but it is getting better. Hopefully over the year it gets even better and he is breaking those runs wide open.

[fatcard]

At least he admitted it... i saw it mentioned somewhere that Rod told him he should have had 200 that day...and he agreed.

[ozomulsion]

Tatum is a track runner in pads.

That's the dumbest thing I've heard this week.

[WABronco]

I've seen it too. I'm not complaining though...not with the way he's played so far. He's proven that he can bust the big one, so there's no reason to be worried, IMO.

I've also noticed his patience behind the OL. Can't say I've ever seen consistent patience from Tatum, 'til now.

[Dedhed]

If Tatum had vision it wouldn't be fair to the rest of the league. There were at least 2 runs against NE that should have gone to the house, but I'll take what we're getting from him and run to the bank.

Tonight will be a big test for Tatum. The yards are going to come tough, and if he performs he'll silence the doubters more profoundly than the NE game.

[Florida_Bronco]

Tatum is also the true starter for the first time in his career, so he's still going to be learning. Shanny and Turner will get him squared away real soon.

[meangene]

If Tatum had vision it wouldn't be fair to the rest of the league. There were at least 2 runs against NE that should have gone to the house, but I'll take what we're getting from him and run to the bank.

Tonight will be a big test for Tatum. The yards are going to come tough, and if he performs he'll silence the doubters more profoundly than the NE game.

That lack of vision / instincts has been his problem all along. I'm not sure you can really "learn" that. He has learned patience, however, and that has made a big difference. Tonight will be a great test to see how far he has come. Don't think he'll ever be an elite runner in the NFL but, perhaps, he can become an effective starter which is more than I ever thought he'd be.

[Archie]

Tatum has looked better this year then any in his career. He's not where I'd like him to be. He has lacked that open field running vision you would like every back to have. But - he is doing a much much better job finding his holes along the line and getting solid run production for the team on nearly every down.

[ozomulsion]

That lack of vision / instincts has been his problem all along. I'm not sure you can really "learn" that.

His vision has only gotten better.

[Man-Goblin]

I will only be happy when Tatum Bell obtains X-ray vision, and possibly invisibilty, but that's another thread.

[Steve Sewell]

Tatum is a track runner in pads. But that YPC is good to go.

But based upon your concern I emailed him this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzGgvI1z2EI

tutorial video.

My goodness, how old are those kids? Pretty impressive for a little guy.

[Requiem]

Mock, I do hate on you -- but I've noticed that as well. I had to ask myself why he didn't try and juke them, and still can't answer that question, but I have noticed he's becoming more patient and is letting his blocks develop in front of him. I think his vision is improving, but I do agree he could have broke longer runs had he tried and juked his defender. I'm not sure if it's hard for him to slow and and try that when going that fast ahead or what the deal is, but hopefully we'll see him take one to the house tonight. :)

[cmhargrove]

I think that Tatum's "vision" can also be related to him working on his other problem -- fumbling. I think he goes into protect mode,, instead of game break mode. Within a few games, I think he will loosen up again if he keeps holding onto the ball, that should allow him to make more explosive cuts and break some bigger runs.
He's got a lot on his plate, but hopefully he holds on to the ball tonight. I would love to see a big 50-60 yard touchdown from Tatum. I would also like to see some great pass protection - it will be interesting to see him pick up linebackers tonight.

[GonzoLays]

He's playing well, but damn...Joe T. was talking him up and they showed THREE plays when he had only the safety to beat and ran straight into him and made the same weak move to the right and was tackled the exact same way. He had one man to beat all three times.

He could of juked the Safety all three times as he had speed and was completely in the open field. He just seemed content to run right to the safety. They were nice 20 yard plays, but one decent cut, he's gone to the races all three times. Two of the three times, he had a man trying to occupy the safety! and still managed to run right into him. His vision has improved alot, but damn...those were very long runs just there for the taking. All three times he broke slightly to the right when all three times the obvious cut was to the left.

I think we all can agree he is no Justin Fargas.

[Florida_Bronco]

I think that Tatum's "vision" can also be related to him working on his other problem -- fumbling. I think he goes into protect mode,, instead of game break mode. Within a few games, I think he will loosen up again if he keeps holding onto the ball, that should allow him to make more explosive cuts and break some bigger runs.
He's got a lot on his plate, but hopefully he holds on to the ball tonight. I would love to see a big 50-60 yard touchdown from Tatum. I would also like to see some great pass protection - it will be interesting to see him pick up linebackers tonight.

1 fumble for every 61 carries (5 fumbles in 306 career carries) is probably around what most NFL running backs average.

[Rock Chalk]

I think that Tatum's "vision" can also be related to him working on his other problem -- fumbling. I think he goes into protect mode,, instead of game break mode. Within a few games, I think he will loosen up again if he keeps holding onto the ball, that should allow him to make more explosive cuts and break some bigger runs.
He's got a lot on his plate, but hopefully he holds on to the ball tonight. I would love to see a big 50-60 yard touchdown from Tatum. I would also like to see some great pass protection - it will be interesting to see him pick up linebackers tonight.

Again with the fumbling myth.

[Gcver2ver3]

Tatum is also the true starter for the first time in his career, so he's still going to be learning. Shanny and Turner will get him squared away real soon.

exactly....

the guy is FINALLY the featured guy....for the 1st time of his career..

give him time to get more acclamated....there are plenty of times btw i see a good RB mess up a chance to stretch a run for more yards and not do it...it happens..

i'm happy with what he's done...he'll break some soon enough...

[watermock]

I think we all can agree he is no Justin Fargas.

Actually, Fargas is averaging 9 yards a carry behind a horrible line in limited carries. It's always been injuries, not talent.

[GonzoLays]

Actually, Fargas is averaging 9 yards a carry behind a horrible line in limited carries. It's always been injuries, not talent.


Really? I didn't know he was a pussy too! I just thought he flat out sucked.

[watermock]

Actually, most players would of given up after the injuries he suffered in college. He's got a leg that can't get thru a metal detector at the airport without alarms going off. You're a complete moron as usual. Was TD a pussy too when he fought injuries? This bashing of me just because I thought he might be a good pick on draft day gets old. Like other people here didn't champion certain players on draft days. STFU. I didn't yell for the guy in Round one or something. He was taken in round 4.

How about the love affair with a long departed RB named Q by certain people who was also a 4th rounder? Or Slappy's infatuation with Terry Pierce? Players come and go all the time. All I did was state a fact about his YPC average, something you can't deny. He's got a 5.3 average behind a piss poor line. I'm not touting him, I never bring him up actually. I also wanted Kevin Jones and he's averaging 3.6 YPC. He certainly wasn't taken in the 4th round.

[bendog]

good thing he plays for the faide. They're not gonna win on the road, so he can stay home without even trying to get through security

[cmhargrove]

1 fumble for every 61 carries (5 fumbles in 306 career carries) is probably around what most NFL running backs average.

I understand what you are saying, I'm not trying to bash Tatum. However, if you listened to Shanahan in the preseason, he was the one making insinuations about the fumbling, so it was Shanahan's statements (about both Tatum and Mike) that I used in my opinion. It was something to the effect of "if you can't keep hold of the ball, you won't be playing long in this league." I think I am pretty close on the quote.
Back to my original point, I think Tatum is thinking harder about protecting the ball, and that keeps him from playing a little more "freely" with his speed. It's not a knock, but I think it could be a good analysis.
I am a Broncos fan, and an Oklahoma State fan, so you probably won't find someone who wishes Tatum better than I do.
If you feel the analysis is still off line, you might check Shanahan's comments to both backs during camp and the preseason. He made a big deal about fumbling and holding on to the starting job.

[Man-Goblin]

I understand what you are saying, I'm not trying to bash Tatum. However, if you listened to Shanahan in the preseason, he was the one making insinuations about the fumbling, so it was Shanahan's statements (about both Tatum and Mike) that I used in my opinion. It was something to the effect of "if you can't keep hold of the ball, you won't be playing long in this league." I think I am pretty close on the quote.
Back to my original point, I think Tatum is thinking harder about protecting the ball, and that keeps him from playing a little more "freely" with his speed. It's not a knock, but I think it could be a good analysis.
I am a Broncos fan, and an Oklahoma State fan, so you probably won't find someone who wishes Tatum better than I do.
If you feel the analysis is still off line, you might check Shanahan's comments to both backs during camp and the preseason. He made a big deal about fumbling and holding on to the starting job.


After the New England game Tatum was talking about how he was trying to be more patient by following his blocks waiting for holes to develop. That's pretty different from the Tatum we know from his first two years. How many times on runs between the tackles would he just sprint kamakazee style to where the hole should have been and hope to break it? I like patient Tatum and hope he continues to play that way.

Although, a nice big run every now and then ain't too shabby either...I think as time goes on he'll learn to be both a game breaker and a patient back. Er, at least I hope so.

[Cito Pelon]

He's playing well, but damn...Joe T. was talking him up and they showed THREE plays when he had only the safety to beat and ran straight into him and made the same weak move to the right and was tackled the exact same way. He had one man to beat all three times.

He could of juked the Safety all three times as he had speed and was completely in the open field. He just seemed content to run right to the safety. They were nice 20 yard plays, but one decent cut, he's gone to the races all three times. Two of the three times, he had a man trying to occupy the safety! and still managed to run right into him. His vision has improved alot, but damn...those were very long runs just there for the taking. All three times he broke slightly to the right when all three times the obvious cut was to the left.

Bobby Turner yelled at him about that all last year on the sideline after he didn't bust ones just like that for a TD. I said at the time that's being a little hard on the guy, since he did have that lightning burst to get to that point. If I remember correctly, Tatum tended to blow him off a little bit. This year, apparently TB is at least listening, and that may be what got him the starting job.

TB's done a good job this year. MB also. Denver has some good backs. I think people see plays like you mentioned, and they want more, but to me I figure the back has to get to that point and you may as well be happy with that.

[GonzoLays]

Actually, most players would of given up after the injuries he suffered in college. He's got a leg that can't get thru a metal detector at the airport without alarms going off.

So let me get this straight: You were advocating the Broncos to draft a guy who cannot pass through the metal detector at the airport without it going off unless he removes his leg? Is this true?

For some reason that just makes me laugh.

[GonzoLays]

Until Tatum Bell learns to pass block, the coaches will continue to mention the RBBC. Tatum has to be embarrassed during the film sessions when they show him trying to pass block.

[watermock]

I understand what you are saying, I'm not trying to bash Tatum. However, if you listened to Shanahan in the preseason, he was the one making insinuations about the fumbling, so it was Shanahan's statements (about both Tatum and Mike) that I used in my opinion. It was something to the effect of "if you can't keep hold of the ball, you won't be playing long in this league." I think I am pretty close on the quote.
Back to my original point, I think Tatum is thinking harder about protecting the ball, and that keeps him from playing a little more "freely" with his speed. It's not a knock, but I think it could be a good analysis.
I am a Broncos fan, and an Oklahoma State fan, so you probably won't find someone who wishes Tatum better than I do.
If you feel the analysis is still off line, you might check Shanahan's comments to both backs during camp and the preseason. He made a big deal about fumbling and holding on to the starting job.

Actually, that was pointed at Plummer after he turned the ball over 8 times in two games dating back to the Playoff loss and the opener against St. Louis. It also was a thinly veiled threat that he has a gunslinger that he's not scared to pull out of the corral.

[Florida_Bronco]

Until Tatum Bell learns to pass block, the coaches will continue to mention the RBBC. Tatum has to be embarrassed during the film sessions when they show him trying to pass block.

Since you conviently tap danced out of the George Foster thread, I'd like to bet you $100 that he is on an NFL roster next year...are you game?

[Dedhed]

That lack of vision / instincts has been his problem all along. I'm not sure you can really "learn" that. He has learned patience, however, and that has made a big difference. Tonight will be a great test to see how far he has come. Don't think he'll ever be an elite runner in the NFL but, perhaps, he can become an effective starter which is more than I ever thought he'd be.
I agree. I don't think you can be taught vision, and by and large I don't think it improves. You can be taught where to look on certain plays, but it's nowhere near the same as the natural vision as great backs.

[freak6]

My goodness, how old are those kids? Pretty impressive for a little guy.

My boy is running that reverse, he's 8, the rest are older, up to 11. He's ridiculous with the rock. Tatum could learn a thing or two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzGgvI1z2EI

[Popps]

"Vision" is why we shouldn't have let Mike Anderson go.

I love what Bell brings, but he's not a consistent runner. Anderson always got the best out of what was there.

They were a perfect compliment to each other.

[chickennob2]

Running pretty well right now.

[WABronco]

T Bell looks pretty damn good right now. Excellent cuts and I think he's showing solid awareness...

[Popps]

Anderson just belongs on this team. He looks like the better back on the Ravens' squad, in fact.

We had a great combo of consistent, powerful, and game-breaking running with Anderson/Bell. Anderson came fairly cheap, was well-liked by the team/fans and could play FB in a pinch.... and we cut him for no apparent reason.

Spilled milk, I know. I just never got that one.

Anyway, Tatum is doing his best, which has been pretty damned good so far.

[Clockwork Orange]

Watching Tatum drag Ray Lewis across the line for a first down was pretty telling. He's not the change of pace back we saw for the first two years, he's the #1 RB and he's earned it.

Great job, Tatum. :thumbs:

[Dedhed]

Watching Tatum drag Ray Lewis across the line for a first down was pretty telling. He's not the change of pace back we saw for the first two years, he's the #1 RB and he's earned it.

Great job, Tatum. :thumbs:

That 7 yards marked the best carry of his career to date.

[Florida_Bronco]

Tatum has been improving every week. I think it's obvious that he's learning much more by being the starter and being fed the rock than he ever did as a change of pace back.

Keep up the good work Tatum.

[enjolras]

No joke... that run at the end of the game has permenantly changed my perception of T-Bell... that was a big run.

[Clockwork Orange]

Tatum has 77 carries for 387 yards, a 5.0 yards per carry average, for the season thus far. That's good for 7th in the NFL in rushing yards. He's yet to crack the end zone this season, but the way he's running, it won't be long.

It's just amazing the way he's managed to look like a completely different running back once he was named the full time starter.