Mike Shanahan likes to start up controversy. Especially at the running back position, which every year in itself is a fantasy football owner's nightmare. We all know that Denver's running game is consistently going to be great, but which back is it going to be? It was Terrell Davis for several years, but since then, it has been a trademark for Shanahan to keep trying to find a running back.
Early in the preseason, Shanahan decided to name Mike Bell as his starting running back. Instant reaction was kind of surprising. Figuring that Bell was undrafted rookie free agent that was just battling for a roster spot. So as fantasy drafts started happening in August, Mike Bell all of the sudden was the hot choice to take in the fourth or fifth round.
Is this the biggest mistake going on in fantasy football drafts? Yes, it is.
Shanahan is doing nothing but stirring up Tatum Bell. Tatum is too talented to not be the feature back or at least carry the ball significantly. He had a great yards per carry average last season, and an equally satisfying amount of touchdowns. The only reason Shanahan named Mike Bell the starter was to get Tatum that extra motivation to use his abilities to the fullest. There have been numerous reports about how Tatum's work ethic is not where it should be. That move should have gave Tatum Bell the boost he needed. If you've noticed in the preseason, Tatum has been still getting carries, and in the last preseason game, outdid Mike strongly.
It's sad to say, but Shanahan and the Broncos have no investment for Mike Bell. His measly rookie free agent contract leaves him as an easy target to let go whenever. Sure, Bell can be utilized as a change-of-pace back if Ron Dayne cannot do it. Bell is a solid back at running in the tier blocking system of the Broncos. He excelled quietly in the Pac-10 at the University of Arizona, and even had a 200-yard rushing game against UCLA last season. The biggest problem, though, with Mike Bell that won't go away is his fumbling problems. They plagued him at the collegiate level and back then you could see how it affected his mentality.
Entering with the Broncos, he has been feeling great. All the media is on him with this great story of being an undrafted free agent to a starter. That assumption was too early, and horrible to put in the mind of this youngster. As soon as things start going down a bit for Mike Bell, he is guaranteed to lose his carries and that confidence will be sucked away dramatically.
This whole scenario is making fantasy owners look like fools by drafting Mike Bell as early as he has been going lately. Shanahan played this perfectly. He gave the media a story to devour a month before the NFL season, and in turn, the media over played it to the consumer. "Who's Mike Bell?" was on every sports channel and that caused unnecessary inflation of his fantasy stock.
Either way you look at it, the Broncos' running situation was ugly to evaluate for fantasy purposes. Unless you happened to nab both Bells, you very well may be stuck and hurting at running back all season long. Getting the compensation at your other positions will be impossible to make up for that poor draft move. Start working the waiver wire as star running backs and such openings appear.
After the first few weeks of the season, Mike Bell is going to be unheard of.
Zack Cimini is a guest columnist and is the founder and editor-in-chief of NotJustaAame.com, a fantasy sports site dedicated to helping fantasy sports players succeed.
September 2, 2006
brooklynite237:
Thank god i had picked T Bell My running back corp is so thin to begin with (McGahee and Cedrick Houston) i cannot afford for Tatum not to play. Hopefully i will get my hands on Reggie Bush. I believe he is going to be a huge fantasy player for years to come/.
September 3, 2006
Brad:
I think you’re wrong for a number of reasons. Tatum may earn the starting job down the line but hasn’t yet. Mike outplayed Tatum in 3 of the 4 preseason games including the final game. All that said, Mike should not be drafted before the 7th round. He could lose the starting job at anytime but has earned it up until now.
September 3, 2006
Ron Dayne:
Put the crack pipe down, Zack! Mike is the man, and he will be ALL year bar injury. He has the every-down-back size that Tatum lacks and Shanahan so desires. Man, if you saw him everyday in camp like me you’d agree 100%. FYI, Tatum was named after Tatum O’Neal …. nuff said!!! P.S. If you know anyone looking for a fat-back tell’m to give me a holla!!! Hugs, Ronnie
September 3, 2006
Rosco:
Zack
You got the head where the sun ain’t shining. Mike Bell is the dude. Did you pick Dayne & Tatum in your draft so you’re trying to make yourself feel better?
September 7, 2006
Zack Cimini:
Suddenly the halting talk right before Sunday’s game of Mike Bell starting has come into question. If no one saw this coming you’ve got to remember who is the Broncos coach.
He plays zen games like Phil Jackson, and they’re only trying to light a flame under Tatum. Whether that has occured or not we’ll be seen soon, but there is no way Mike Bell lasts as starter. He had fumbling problems in college and they’ll continue