Lions' Bell seeks breakout season

[dragondawg]

Lions' Bell seeks breakout season

Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK -- Tatum Bell started training camp Thursday with the status he wanted all offseason -- as the Detroit Lions' starting tailback.

Bell was acquired in an offseason trade with the Denver Broncos. An injury to Kevin Jones, the starting tailback the previous three seasons, created an opening for Bell.

Bell showed again Thursday that he intends to be more than an insurance policy for the Lions. His speed was apparent in the first practice in full pads, and he intends to use it to keep the No. 1 job.

"I feel good coming in as the starter," Bell said. "It was a good trade for me. I think I still have some value. Now I have to look forward to having a breakout year here."

Bell played three seasons in Denver and went over the 1,000-yard mark in 2006. He was a second-round draft pick in 2004.

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was eager to see Bell practice in pads.

"It didn't slow him down a bit," Martz said. "What we're doing in the running game is what he's used to doing."

Quarterback Jon Kitna also was impressed.

"He's a talented runner," Kitna said. "He's a great addition to our offense."

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070726/UPDATE/707260463

[bronco militia]

yawn.......

[FantomForce]

Good luck Tater

[Hotrod]

Hold on to the rock Tater

[Beej]

"It didn't slow him down a bit," Martz said. "What we're doing in the running game is what he's used to doing."


Ya mean fumbling? ;)

[Cito Pelon]

Best of luck to TB.

[socalorado]

Turf toe by the 2nd preseason game. On the PUP by christmas.....

[BlaK-Argentina]

I wish him luck, I liked him till he started fumbling like crazy.
Buuut, if he didn't "breakout" in Denver, I doubt he does it there.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Tatum Two Toes getting a shot in Detroit. Well, have fun on the carpet, remember to pick your feet up.

[Stormontheplains]

They must have had a flag football game to be impressed, we know he can't handle traffic!!!

[Garcia Bronco]

Fum_Bell knows what he needs to do

[Arkie]

Tatum Bell had a chance to have a breakout year in Denver. He may start the season and give them a good running back committee, but Kevin Jones is better.

[Rock Chalk]

Good luck Tatum.

[55CrushEm]

Better luck in Detroit, Tater......you rock fumbling, hold-out.

[broncosteven]

Lions' Bell seeks breakout season

Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK -- Tatum Bell started training camp Thursday with the status he wanted all offseason -- as the Detroit Lions' starting tailback.

Bell was acquired in an offseason trade with the Denver Broncos. An injury to Kevin Jones, the starting tailback the previous three seasons, created an opening for Bell.

Bell showed again Thursday that he intends to be more than an insurance policy for the Lions. His speed was apparent in the first practice in full pads, and he intends to use it to keep the No. 1 job.

"I feel good coming in as the starter," Bell said. "It was a good trade for me. I think I still have some value. Now I have to look forward to having a breakout year here."

Bell played three seasons in Denver and went over the 1,000-yard mark in 2006. He was a second-round draft pick in 2004.

Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was eager to see Bell practice in pads.

"It didn't slow him down a bit," Martz said. "What we're doing in the running game is what he's used to doing."

Quarterback Jon Kitna also was impressed.

"He's a talented runner," Kitna said. "He's a great addition to our offense."

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070726/UPDATE/707260463

Notice no mention of his RECEIVING ability!

Good luck TB!

[Atlas]

Best of luck. The Lions along with the Texans I'll watch when the Broncos aren't playing.

[bpc]

This song has been sung over and over about Bell. We are all still waiting. If anybody is going to get him going it would be Martz and that astro turf. Still, he is just one big hit away from becoming his timid old self again.

Martz should have experience working with Bell. After all he did help draft Trung Candidate who was like a carbon copy of Tatum.

[cutthemdown]

Bell doesn't really fumble a ton, but his fumbles came at the worst time possible so they stick out really bad. His biggest problem is his durability. It just seems to me every time they talked about him during season there was a but after it. Tatum Bell is expected to start but his toe may keep him out. Tatum Bell will play But his shoulder may force him to miss carries etc etc.

[Requiem]

He has a chance to showcase his speed there and be a nice weapon under Martz. I've always liked the kid, so I'm pulling for him. Good luck!

[Denver Crush]

Any fumbling is too much. Good riddance if you ask me.

[dbfan4life]

Everytime Tatum touched the ball, it was an adventure. Can't say he didn't provide any excitement.

[NaptownChief]

He could do well there....As I long contended to you guys that he was pretty much a Trung Candidate clone...Not much other than a fumbling speed back but it did work well in Martz's system.

[Kaylore]

Bell seeks breakout season
Jeez, how many times have we read that headline? Thirty?

[Orange_Beard]

Good Luck.

[Requiem]

Jeez, how many times have we read that headline? Thirty?

It depends on if you can read or not. ;) :twokisses

[KipCorrington25]

He needs to also break a tackle sometime in the next century before he "breaks out."

[BlaK-Argentina]

Everytime Tatum touched the ball, it was an adventure. Can't say he didn't provide any excitement.

He was awesome in 2005. He won the Redskins game all by himself.

[ward63]

I like him, but doesn't Martz understand that the RB needs to catch the ball in his offense. Anyways, good luck TB, thanks for taking George Slob and giving us a good corner.

[Northman]

I like him, but doesn't Martz understand that the RB needs to catch the ball in his offense. Anyways, good luck TB, thanks for taking George Slob and giving us a good corner.


No doubt. Tatum might have speed but he is no Marshall Faulk.

[SoCalBronco]

Good luck to Tater Bell.

[skunk]

good riddance tatum bell - you will not be missed


a recap:
wanted number 7 (didn't understand why it wasnt a good idea)
held out
hurt his wittle hand
couldnt run up the middle
couldnt catch
couldnt block
got hurt more
doesnt understand football
fumbled
sux

:flower:

[BroncoBuff]

Good luck Tater

Agreed ... and yet another controlled experiment in "Shanahan: RB Builder."

Just like Olandis and Clinton before him, it will be interesting to see how he fares. The Lions do have some serious new beef on the O-Line, so no excuses, Tater.




BTW - Clinton might seem like a good RB in Washington, but his YPC is almost 1 full yard lower in 3 years there than in 2 years here :thumbsup:

[Broncos_OTM]

Man is it me, or does he say that EVERY Stinking year. i liked him at about 10 or so carries a game any more then that and he was a risk. wish we couldnt have kept him to offset henry.

[Broncos_OTM]

He needs to also break a tackle sometime in the next century before he "breaks out."i do remember him carrying ray lewis for 7 or so yards. at a very important time.

[broncs2bowl]

tbell good luck to him....but I thought Jones would start over him, great to see him get the starting nod, appy for the guy

[dumpy]

After watching him break down at DW funeral, hope he has a huge year.

[Atlas]

He needs to also break a tackle sometime in the next century before he "breaks out."

On 3rd and 9 he drug ray lewis 3 yards for a first down.

[Atlas]

After watching him break down at DW funeral, hope he has a huge year.


Great post. Tater is a class guy and we should all be rooting for him.

Rep to you my friend.

[Dr.5280]

Hell of a run Tater. Except you left the ball in the backfield. Remember, next play carry the ball with you.