This is the Broncos’ skinny on Tatum Bell: He is too skinny from the hips down.
He runs it up in there in traffic and you tackle him, you tip him and he falls over. He relies too heavily on his awesome raw talent. His focus and fearlessness wane. He has not yet exhibited the fire and year-round work habits of a stellar pro. He is too susceptible to injury. He is not an every-down back.
But they absolutely love his explosion. His speed.
This is Tatum Bell’s response:
“I’ve got to keep earning people’s trust around here,” he said after the Monday morning practice. “I do not want to be a third-year back in the making. My rookie year, I was up and down and learning the ropes and got caught off guard. I did not make the transition to the pros well. Last year, I did better but I left yards on the field. I expect big things this year. I’ve got big plans. And I’m not going to get them being the No. 2 back. I’m set on earning the No. 1 spot.”
Of all of the Broncos stories in a year full of gripping ones, how much Bell ascends and grows could top them all.
The zenith is spellbinding.
For all of his shortcomings, this 25-year-old running back is an exceptional talent. He started one game last season, yet gained 921 rushing yards. There is no NFL back since Bell entered the league in 2004 from Oklahoma State who has a better average yards per carry than his 5.3.
Only one back in Broncos history – Clinton Portis at 5.5 – has a better career average than Bell.
Ron Dayne is listed as the Broncos’ starting tailback.
Bell follows.
Rookie Mike Bell from Arizona has created a buzz.
But if you ask who is the Broncos’ most talented back, who is the one who would keep defensive coordinators on their heels before games and during them, the answer to both is Tatum Bell.
In his first two seasons, Bell has been a part of a Broncos rotation at running back that is difficult to fault. Actually, over the past 11 seasons, no team comes close to the Broncos’ 100-yard rushing games (82) or total rushing yards (25,022, an average of 142.2 rushing yards per game).
The Broncos view the NFL rushing game as a 3- and 4-yard push per play. Bell is a go-the-distance guy. But can he get the tough yards on third down? Is he rugged enough to consistently handle pass protection?
Does he best serve the team by sprinkling him in and letting him gash a defense once it has been belted and softened?
I know this: One reason the Broncos lost to Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game was because Bell was not a central part of that game. When the games get that big, the talent across the board that even and fierce, you need a difference maker on the field with the ball in his hands in a variety of ways.
This is tricky stuff. Bell is regarded at this stage in his career much as Tiki Barber was with the Giants. The Giants early on with Barber insisted he was not an every-down back. It took them awhile to treat him as such. Once they did, Barber broke loose. And never looked back.
Does some players’ confidence come when others show confidence in them? Is Bell one of those players whom you truly do not know what he can do until you push him to the limit with opportunity? Until you give him the ball 20-plus times a game?
Do you reward him to get the best from him and, in turn, give your team the best chance to win?
Or make him earn it all in practices and in work ethic before the reward?
I have a feeling with Bell that he simply needs to be given the ball. A lot. And just get out of the way.
But this is not the way the Broncos do things.
Thus, it is up to Bell in this training camp, in these upcoming preseason games to make it happen.
He may be one of those slow growers who get a little closer to being the total package in this, his third pro season. And then next year, in the final year of his contract, with that hanging over his head, finds that it all clicks. The running comes so easily for him. The Broncos coaches say this is a back who just by showing up can get you 1,000 yards.
They want more.
So does Bell.
“I’m getting my body where it should be, year-round,” Bell said. “I fumbled on a goal-line play in practice earlier. The coaches jumped all over me. They expect better. I do. They want me stronger at the goal line and in short yardage. I agree with that. I’m going to give it. They want me to flat-out earn it.”
I believe he can do it.
And keep it.
Staff writer Thomas George can be reached at 303-820-1994 or tgeorge@denverpost.com.
