Tatum Bell’s third NFL season was a lot like the Broncos’ as a whole, with peaks scaled, but valleys traversed.
The good? Tatum Bell stretched the Broncos’ run of consecutive seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher to five, became the sixth different Bronco to rush for 1,000 yards in the Mike Shanahan era and helped the team average 134.5 yards per game on the ground, good for eighth in the league.
But Bell also suffered fumbles in the last three games and endured lingering turf-toe problems.
Bell managed to recover from the turf-toe problems to notch back-to-back 100-yard games in December that put him on track for 1,000 yards. But a second-quarter fumble at Arizona that was a returned for a touchdown seemed to mark a demarcation point; from that point forward, Mike Bell had the majority of the Broncos’ rushing yards and would score thrice in Weeks 15-17, while Tatum Bell’s season-ending hat-trick would be of the worst kind a tailback can endure.
Nevertheless, he got enough chances and opportunities to break the 1,000-yard milestone. He remained in the starting lineup, and by early in the San Francisco game on New Year’s Eve, he seemed to have reversed his struggles.
“After (the Cincinnati) game, (Head Coach Mike Shanahan) told me, ‘It’s all good; put it behind you; you’ve got to learn to get over that stuff,’” Tatum Bell said before the Broncos’ season finale. “(That’s) stuff (that) I already know. I know if I fumble I won’t be in there for a series or two.
“Especially if I fumble and Mike goes in there and does well — (then) I sure won’t be in there.”
His third fumble in as many games to close the year bore that out.
Before he fumbled early in the fourth quarter against San Francisco on Dec. 31, he’d touched the football 14 times, while Mike Bell had handled it on three occasions. From that point forward, Bell got the football 11 times via runs or receptions, while Tatum Bell only saw the football once.
Three years have taught Tatum Bell one lesson above all others for Broncos runners — that ball protection is priority No. 1. Ensuring that he doesn’t ever endure another spate of fumbles like he had last month could determine how much he’ll see the football in the future.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Before injuring a toe against Cleveland on Oct. 22, Bell ranked third in the league with 97.5 rushing yards per game … In that same span from Weeks 1 through 7, Bell averaged 4.7 yards per carry, which was third-best in the league among backs with at least 100 rushes to that point, only bettered by the New York Giants’ Tiki Barber (5.0 yards per carry) and Atlanta’s Warrick Dunn (4.8 yards per rush) … Denver went 1-3 in games in which he broke the 100-yard milestone, but 8-5 overall in the 13 games in which he started and played.
NEXT: Safety Sam Brandon.
Tags: 2006 Season Review, Offense, Running backs, Tatum Bell
Its to bad Tatum’s season ended the way it did, I really really like this guy. I always thought he had a 1800 yard season in him. Its just he has no consistency. I really wish he had it in him game in and game out. Im one of the few that would rather have Tatum back there then Mike, but the way its going I dont really see that happening. I was glad he got his 1000, but I sure wish he’d tighten up his game a bit.
-tha jOKER
I never thought he had the toughness to get anything more than 1000 yards. It’s the one tap and hit the ground thing that drove me to Mike Bell’s camp as far as “Who is the better tailback”. I just don’t see the desire to win from Tatum that I see from Mike.
I’ve enjoyed his exciting runs and big play ability, but I hope we decide to go another way next year. The draft is a good place to start. We all know how Shanahan loves young runners. Tatum might be past his prime in Shanahan’s eyes. Personally, I think Shanahan will keep recycling through running backs until he finds the next TD. He probably knows our scheme won’t win championships without that calibur of running back.
I don’t necessarily like the two back system, but running backs like LT, LJ, and Shaun Alexander are hard to come by. And I think a running back like that is the only way we’ll get the championship returned to Denver. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later because we are going to be losing some key veterans to retirement within the next few years.
I jumped on the band wagon with this guy early, but he does more east-west than north-south. There we times when the camera would be out wide and I could tell by the way he was dancing around in the hole who was out there.
The Broncos have small, agile linemen that open the hole for a small window of opportunity — he’s gotta hit the hole in that window or it’s shutting. Mike is a guy that runs downhill and gets through the window. Can Tatum get through? Sure he can, you don’t have a thousand yard season without hitting the hole, but I’m with riddler he COULD have had 1800 had he stayed healthy and and run downhill.
Personally I think the competition at back is good, it’s healthy for 2 guys to be pushing each other and fighting to get more. Now if we can get the rest of the machine firing on all cylinders …. we might be on to something!!
Tatum is an alright back, but he had his chance to prove himself over and over again. He is just too inconsistent. I personally think that we should trade him along with Plummer. I respect Jake and Tatum for how they handled being replaced, but I think there time is up in Denver. I am not going to bash Tatum here though. Instead, lets give props to the other Bell. I really like Mike Bell. The kid is very consistent, and he will only improve the more chances he gets. I hope the Broncos do not waste another high draft pick at RB because Mike CAN carry this team. Tatum danced too much and he was injury prone. In addition, Mike Bell did a terrific job as a receiver. He was OK as a blocker, but still way better than Tatum. We forget, Mike was a ROOKIE this year, and he still did a great job. The one thing you usually see with rookies is inconsistency. You may see a spark, but it quickly burns out. Mike Bell was consistent. AND, he held onto the ball. He only fumbled a few times all year. What else should
Broncos’ fans want from a back. He is consistent, durable, strong, a good receiver, a decent blocker (which will improve), and he secures the ball. The big plays will come too. He broke a few plays this year despite having fewer chances than most starters around the league. I don’t know about you, but I would rather have a RB consistently get 4-5 yards than a back that dances around and usually gets 1 or 2 yards with the occasional 10 yard scamper. One last point. This kid really wants to be a Bronco. A lot of guys play for the paycheck or their own glory, but Mike doesn’t seem to be selfish. He is a team player, and I hope he stays that way. Please Mike (Shanahan), do NOT draft another running back before the 5th round. We need help on defense, especially at defensive end and tackle. Mike Bell has the potential to be great, not just average. Give him a chance. He was already great in his rookie season, despite Plummer’s ineffectiveness. With a better passing attack, the running game will only improve.
Tatum is an alright back, but he had his chance to prove himself over and over again. He is just too inconsistent. I personally think that we should trade him along with Plummer. I respect Jake and Tatum for how they handled being replaced, but I think there time is up in Denver. I am not going to bash Tatum here though. Instead, lets give props to the other Bell.
Mike Bell is going to be great. The guy is very consistent, and he will only improve with time. Please, do not waste another high draft pick at RB because Mike CAN and will carry this team. Tatum danced too much and he was injury prone. He was also inconsistent. Mike Bell did a terrific job as a receiver. That might be the thing that impressed me the most, other than his ability to hold onto the ball. He was OK as a blocker, but still way better than Tatum. We forget, Mike was a ROOKIE this year, and he still did a great job. The one thing you usually see with rookies is inconsistency. You may see a spark, but it quickly burns out. Mike Bell was consistent. AND, he held onto the ball. He only fumbled a few times all year. What else can be expected from a back. He is consistent, durable, strong, a good receiver, a decent blocker (which will improve), and he secures the ball.
The big plays will come too. He broke a few plays this year despite having fewer chances than most starters around the league. I don’t know about you, but I would rather have a RB consistently get 4-5 yards than a back that dances around and usually gets 1 or 2 yards with the occasional 10 yard scamper. One last point. This kid really wants to be a Bronco. A lot of guys play for the paycheck or their own glory, but Mike doesn’t seem to be selfish. He is a team player, and I hope he stays that way.
Please Mike (Shanahan), do NOT draft another running back before the 5th round. We need help on defense, especially at defensive end and tackle. Mike Bell has the potential to be great, not just average. Give him a chance. He was already great in his rookie season, despite Plummer’s ineffectiveness. With a better passing attack, the running game will only improve.
Well, I don’t often say this, and this one of course is only in hindsight -but Coach Shanahan made a mistake. It would have been better to use Mike Bell as the main running back, and Tatum Bell as the 2nd guy who comes in for a few plays. Seemed pretty clear to me and others, even before this season, that Tatum doesn’t have the toughness to be the main guy. He has in past seasons excelled at coming in as the backup for guys like Mike Anderson, and rushing for 70 yards on 7 carries. Stuff like that. I think it was just last season that Shanahan said he felt like Tatum was best when he touched the ball 10-15 times a game. I think that’s still true. Nothing wrong with ringing both Bells again next year – just have Mike take the bulk of the load, and use Tatum as the backup. He’s quick as anything and he’s fast. He makes a lot of great plays out there. Tatum is a good rusher, and as someone mentioned if we could trade him and Plummer (who is still a good QB), we should do it. They are good players that just don’t fit in an a starting role for the Broncos anymore, I don’t think.
Reviewing Tatum’s season overall – the man gained 1,000yards. That means he did a good job. The fact that he’s in the same division as guys who are known by their initials means he’ll never get any credit. On the other hand, some years I think anyone could rush for a thousand with the Broncos. He’s a good runner, and would would great as a back, he just shouldn’t be the main guy.
Remember Tike Barbar from the Giants. Fumbles! I think Tatum needs to be coached the way they did with Tiki and he needs to put more heart and discipline into EVERY PLAY like it’s his last. I am not trying to bash him because I think he could turn out to be in the top 3 to 4 Running Backs in the league with the right attention and coaching. Mike filled in great for a Rookie but Tatum has the speed and moves and if Mike can workout on his speed, watch out Tatum, your job might be watching more than participating. I wish them the best of luck to both. Until one of them decide who wants it more and we get our O-Line situated better I don’t think that anyone will have fear of our running attack like the past. With that in mind, Cutler has his work cutout. But what a arm and aim to work things out with.
ever since i saw this guy run for the state of oklahoma, i have been with this guy a hundred percent. i thought he was just what denver was lacking in their offense…a home-run hitter…his blazing speed is unprecedented. the only other backs that have it are bush and m. bennett. unfortunately, i failed to recognize that tatum is not a good fit to denver’s traditional running style like terrell davis was. i am still gonna cheer for tatum, but i don’t think denver has what it takes to go all the way until they get a full-game guy in the backfield…..adrian peterson???? we couldn’t get that lucky…. maybe mcFadden????
I LOVE the idea of havin Mike be the man and Tatum be the back up!!!!
Tatum Bell we can’t count on often. Mr. Bell gets injured a lot when we need him. Small back that has speed but we need a every down power back.
I thought Tatum would of been a great choice for us. Broncos have been know to make some great running back. There are some that just dont fit into this type of offence.
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