Tatum Bell’s transformation into becoming an NFL bell-cow back is a work in progress, but progress is being made.
In his third game as the Broncos’ primary tailback, Bell continued to show he is worthy of the job. However, glitches remain in the third-year player’s game, and he knows he must address them. They were evident Sunday night in the Broncos’ 13-3 victory over Oakland.
Early in the fourth quarter, Denver, showing its continued confidence in him, called Bell’s number on third-and-2 from its 38-yard line. He was stopped short, but he got another chance later and delivered.
With less than four minutes remaining, Bell, who had eight carries for 22 yards in the fourth quarter, picked up 9 yards to give the Broncos a second-and-1. On the next play, Bell ran for the first down as Denver ate up the clock.
“It’s really coming along. The team trusts me, and it is showing,” Bell said. “They went with me late, and that’s important. The team knows they can trust me to secure the game. That’s big to me. I have to keep working and keep fighting for those tough yards.”
Bell, who entered the game leading the NFL with a per-game average of 93 yards, finished with a game-high 83 yards on 23 carries. Oakland’s LaMont Jordan managed only 60 yards on the same amount of attempts.
Bell has learned to keep on plugging. Sunday night, Bell was satisfied the Broncos went with him eight of their 15 significant plays of the final quarter. Quarterback Jake Plummer took a knee on the final two plays. Bell also was in at the goal line Sunday night. His role as the full-time back seems airtight.
But although Bell showed he has room to grow when it comes to getting the tough yards, he is proving he is the right player in this system.
In the Broncos’ previous game, Bell caught the attention of his teammates by dragging Baltimore star middle linebacker Ray Lewis 5 yards after contact late in the game.
“Tatum is really getting those tough yards,” Broncos tight end Stephen Alexander said. “He hits the hole at full speed. He’s running with a purpose. He’s really blocking well in pass protection, which is a big deal here. I know the knock on him used to be that he didn’t run hard and he couldn’t get the big yards, but he is doing it. He helped close out the game tonight.”
Bell ran through a huge hole from 2 yards out to score a touchdown with 39 seconds to go in the first quarter.
With another conservative passing attack planned by the Broncos, Bell was an offensive focal point. Coach Mike Shanahan usually prefers the running game set the tone for the offense.
Bell said his goal is to help the Denver offense improve. Even though the Broncos are 4-1 and tied with San Diego for first place in the AFC West, the Broncos are struggling to find consistency on offense. Denver has scored just 62 points in five games. If not for a stifling defense that has allowed only one touchdown in five games, the offense might be hearing more criticism.
“Maybe it’s me,” Bell said of the offensive struggles. “Maybe I have to pick it up. We’re all going to try to get better.”
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
