Surprisingly, Denver calls on undrafted rookie RB to start

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, August 08, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

 Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan made an announcement regarding the team's scrutinized No. 1 running back position on Monday. Rather than naming Tatum Bell or Ron Dayne as the starter, Shanahan took a road never traveled and selected Mike Bell, which was truly a shocker to many. During April's NFL draft, Bell sat back and waited for his...
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CommentsComments: 4
 No.1
Renegade		 11:18 AM
08/08/2006
While there is a small chance that Shanahan truly wants Mike Bell to be his starter, this move is simply a wake-up call to Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne that they better start seperating themselves or else. Shanahan has done this in the past with Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell and it seemed to have worked with Anderson emerging as the starter eventually. It seems that Tatum has a world of potential but lacks the motivation required to secure the top spot.
 No.2
Michael		 06:01 AM
08/11/2006
Don't be surprised if Mike Bell starts the season as the starter and comes out in situational plays. Also, don't be surprised if he starts on the bench and if someone gets hurt in the second or third game that he comes in then and they can't get him out.That is what happened with Droughns and Portis and another player whose name I can't think if. Those are the common patterns that Shanahan has used so far with his backs. But if Mike Bell is in this position right now then you have to believe he is the "real deal" and fully capable of goig out there as a #1. With RBs you have to concede to Shanahan and the Broncos RB coach, and if he is good enough for them then he is good enough for me to have faith in. You have to wonder what they could hope to accomplish by putting a rookie ahead of the vets unless the rookie is simply better. Just doing it to inspire Tatum bell and Ron Dayne doesn't make mush sense when they can use the #1 team carries too. Shanahan has a history of playing the best players no matter what position they were drafted in or how much money they are being paid. I have seen him let bonus babies sit and bargains who have sat out of football for a year or 2 start, and I doubt he is changing now.
 No.3
Dan		 04:06 PM
08/11/2006
Lets take a look at this first preseason game and see what he does and what the other guys do and then we will know what is going on in the backfield
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