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Broncos release ex-starter Mike Bell

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 21, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.

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Running back Mike Bell was released by the Broncos.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky

Running back Mike Bell was released by the Broncos.

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Mike Bell finally has gone from the doghouse to the outhouse.

The one-time Denver Broncos starting running back, whose playing time diminished last season after a switch to fullback, was released Monday as the club began making room for rookie signings.

Denver inked fourth-round pick Kory Lichtensteiger, a center from Bowling Green, to a four-year, $2.19 million deal that includes a $484,250 signing bonus.

The team also was closing in on terms with the second of their fourth-round selections, Kent State cornerback Jack Williams. And with 80-man roster restrictions in place, Denver had to make some moves, since unsigned rookies were not counted toward the roster limit.

Rookie kicker Garrett Hartley was released along with Bell.

The Broncos now have seven of nine draft picks under contract leading up to Thursday's reporting date to training camp, with first-round pick Ryan Clady (Boise State) and second-round wideout Eddie Royal (Virginia Tech) the exceptions.

Bell, 24, wasn't drafted out of Arizona in 2006 but produced like a first-day selection. He ran for 677 yards and scored eight touchdowns, but after a promising start to the '07 preseason, hurt his shoulder, ended up getting passed by Selvin Young on the depth chart and then was switched to fullback. He appeared in just five games at his new position and notched only six overall carries.

After a critical fumble on his lone rushing attempt in a Nov. 25 loss at Chicago, Bell was declared inactive for the remainder of the season and any trade value was diminished.

"He put himself on the map with the Denver Broncos, and if not for them, wouldn't have had the opportunity to show what he's capable of in this league," said Josh Luchs, Bell's co-agent along with Steve Feldman. "Whether it's today, tomorrow or a week from now, we feel Mike will be on a team that gives him the chance to play the position he wants to play. But it's a rough time now."

The timing, three days before camp starts, could hinder Bell. There's also a glut of free-agent running backs still unsigned.

"He's a clean prospect without a lot of tread on his tires, and he's been productive in the not so distant past," Luchs added. "So I think he has value."

Hartley's departure leaves Matt Prater as the lone player at the position in wake of veteran Jason Elam's departure in free agency. Denver still could add a veteran leg if Prater falters during camp, but the team has been happy with his off-season showings to date.

Comments

  • July 21, 2008

    4:02 p.m.

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    Dynamicdave writes:

    I had a feeling that he would be cut. I said as much in prior blogs. He made a mess of what started as a productive career. It's not going to hurt us. Not now, now that we have a real FB in Hillis. Also hillis is known for his blocking ability. Selvin is better then Bell, in my books, anyways. Someone will pick him up.

  • July 21, 2008

    6:26 p.m.

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    Pigskin writes:

    "The team also was closing in on terms with the second of their fourth-round selections, Kent State cornerback Jack Williams .... The Broncos now have seven of nine draft picks under contract leading up to Thursday’s reporting date to training camp ...."

    So, which is it? Are they closing in on terms, or is Williams signed?

  • July 21, 2008

    6:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Pigskin, this is the latest article I could find.:

    All but four Broncos are under contract, ready to report in four days for the start of the 2008 training camp.

    The four players happen to be the Broncos' top four 2008 draft choices.

    Representatives for first-round pick Ryan Clady, second-round selection Eddie Royal and fourth-rounders Kory Lichtensteiger and Jack Williams will resume serious negotiations with Broncos executives today.

    The Broncos hope to have one or two of those draft picks signed by Tuesday and all four by Thursday night, when all players are to report for their first training camp meeting. The Broncos' first camp workout will commence at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

    The easiest part of rookie negotiations is the guarantee/signing bonus. Using the standard 3.12 percent increase from last season, Clady, who will begin training camp as the Broncos' starting left tackle, can expect a five- or six-year contract worth about $19 million with a guarantee of at least $10.6 million.

    In line for four-year contracts are Royal, who is expected to be the team's top punt and kick returner; Lichtensteiger, a backup center and guard; and Williams, a cornerback. The signing bonuses will come in at about $1.44 million for Royal, $490,000 for Lichtensteiger and $450,000 for Williams.

    The Broncos' front office is taking extra precautions in contract language because of NFL cases involving Michael Vick and Ashley Lelie. Those cases have caused agents for the four unsigned Denver players to pause.

    Should the Broncos reach agreements with their top four draft picks by Thursday night, they hope to resume negotiations Friday with backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey on a contract extension

  • July 21, 2008

    9:36 p.m.

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    MarcoPolo writes:

    Tough break, Mike. Hope you find a better opportunity with another team.

    It's the failure to acquire a good kicker that's going to kick the Broncos in the ___ this season.

  • July 21, 2008

    11:59 p.m.

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    boblarryj writes:

    So the Broncos let go of their only other kicker just before camp. They have made Matt Prater (#5) the undisputed, starting place-kicker for the Broncos 2008 season.

    Matt's is now with his third NFL team, with a total of four games under his belt. He is an outstanding (sarcasm) 1 for 4 in attempted field goals. Is it really a good idea not having ANY competition for this guy in camp?

    We go from possible hall-of-fame kicker in Jason Elam to Mr. 1 for 4. Ironically, the team that cut him for missing those three FGs....the Atlanta Falcons...where he worn jersey #1.

    I guess Atlanta wanted the real thing...now we're stuck with a real bad thing. NO KICKER!

  • July 22, 2008

    12:06 a.m.

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    boblarryj writes:

    Sorry...correction FOURTH NFL team in 2 years. Isn't Mike Vanderjagt still out there?? He's gotta be better than this guy.

  • July 22, 2008

    4:31 a.m.

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    jr_mcmillin writes:

    I liked Bell, I guess because it was a good story when he made the team.... Undrafted guy works his butt off to make it... I must have missed it on his problems, I know he didn't want to move to fullback, but was he really a problem? To bad, I liked him. Hopefully he'll get another chance to show what he can do.

  • July 22, 2008

    7:17 a.m.

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    BroncoRick69 writes:

    Predicting that Mike Bell was going to be cut was like predicting the sun is going to come up tomorrow. He fumbled the ball when given a chance, and just got lost in the shuffle after that. You simply cannot put the ball on the ground when there are so many others waiting for the opportunity that you just wasted by doing so. Our kicking situation will be fine. We have more offensive weapons, and Jay is a lot healthier this season. We aren't going to have to rely on late game field goal kicking heroics to win games as much. Mike Vanderjagt is now happy playing for the CFL.

  • July 22, 2008

    8:04 a.m.

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    jmdeshazer writes:

    "Sorry...correction FOURTH NFL team in 2 years. Isn't Mike Vanderjagt still out there?? He's gotta be better than this guy."

    Refer to the situations with Javon Walker and Travis Henry for why he isn't wearing a Broncos' uniform. He poisons locker rooms like these guys did.

  • July 22, 2008

    8:27 a.m.

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    MileHigh_in_TO writes:

    Elam had a great run but in all sports, eventually you have to make a change....I think Prater will do O.K and I don't think he will have as many dramatic kicks as Elam did last year....and by the way, as a Bronco fan living in Toronto (TO) let me tell you that Vanderjagt is not the answer! He has no leg strength and In his first game he missed 3 field goals so I'll take my chances on Prater. I like our backs and I think that both Young and TORAIN will both have big years!

  • July 22, 2008

    8:35 a.m.

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    R8R_H8R writes:

    Very sad to see Mike Bell released. He fumbled a FEW times, not many at all. Over-blown by shannyhanny. Mike could've developed into a steady, not spectacular, running back for the Denver Broncos. Un-like that CHUMP T-Henry, Mike Bell was EAGER TO WORK, he was EXCITED AND GRATEFUL for the opportunity to play ball. Even IF the Bronc's find a top knotch tail back, Mike Bell would be an outstanding back up. Reliable steady 5-10 carries per game reliever. He did not get a decent chance. Rookies make mistakes. Imagine if they dumped Elway for rookie mistakes?

  • July 22, 2008

    10:15 a.m.

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    BroncoRick69 writes:

    Mike Bell surely wasn't a rookie when he dropped the ball the last time. It was crunch time, and he put the ball on the ground. Bottom line, you have to help the team win, not help the team lose. There are 5 backs on our roster that are either faster or bigger or stronger than Mike Bell. Sentiment doesn't win ballgames. Production does.

  • July 22, 2008

    10:28 a.m.

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    hdfresh writes:

    I wonder if he hadn't fumble that one fateful day in Chicago if he would still be with the Broncos. I can see an episode of Quantum Leap where Sam goes back to prevent Mike Bell from fumbling.

  • July 22, 2008

    10:47 a.m.

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    southpaw writes:

    I didn't see Bell making the final roster, but I thought he'd be in camp to take some pounding off the starters and help carry the load on those meaningless pre-season games. Tailbacks get hit from all angles and have a short shelf life. Even shorter when they fumble all the time.

  • July 22, 2008

    11:34 a.m.

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    RustyWon writes:

    Bell was too much of an upright runner. That isn't the best style for a one cut back in our system.
    He was a good guy though. I hope he finds a home somewhere.

    At any rate, you'll forget all about him when you see Ryan Torain run in a couple weeks.

    The Broncos have had a quiet but productive off season.
    We'll be better in all phases of the game, but the glaring unknown is the lack of a proven, quality kicker.

    I hope that doesn't come back to bite.

  • July 22, 2008

    12:06 p.m.

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    denmex writes:

    bell is a guy tha was happy to be a bronco, and thats always important, his history was greate even the thing that he asked td permission to weare # 30 was greate. that being said he was the less talented rb in the team, i hope he gets a chance some where ells, he is a good kid.
    and the kicker subject, no body knows how good or bad prater is the thing is that a coach that has more than 12 yrs of expirience handel the job to a pleyer whith 4 fg tries in his career this guy needs competition

  • July 22, 2008

    1:16 p.m.

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    xbfan writes:

    This smells like another Shanahan move to try to put the blame for a really bad season on someone else's shoulders. That Chicago game should never have come down to a desperation final drive. What happened during the rest of that game? What was that Chicago kick returner's name, again? The donks will come in last in the AFC West this year.

  • July 22, 2008

    3:59 p.m.

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    Strapper60 writes:

    Hey, xbfan! Are you kidding with the "Shanahan move to try to put the blame" stuff? There's no conspiracy here. Mike Bell, who has more heart than talent, would have struggled mightily to make this team. Shanahan did him a favor cutting him now, so he has a chance to sign on with another team as training camps start.

    Bell was too slow, to upright a runner, and too inconsistent when it came to holding on to the "rock". Pro Footbal is a business, dude. No room or salary cap space for "sentimental favorites". Remember, the NFL stands for "Not For Long". It's a "what have you done for me lately" league.

  • July 22, 2008

    5:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    xbfan, LAST IN THE AFC WEST? Yeah, right, then you woke up! Get a grip and quit writing merely because you don't like the Broncos. Write when you have something to say that is within reality. We will be fighting San Diego for 1st place in the West, again. KC hasn't done anything to help themselves and the Raiders, well, they will always be the "Traiters".

  • July 22, 2008

    8:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ManginoTorreta writes:

    I feel bad for the guy, he was put in a tough situation and did the best he could. His main problem was that he had TD's moves but not his acceleration once past the first cut, and then Shanahan buried him behind Sapp as an Aaron Craver-type of fullback.

    I'm not sure if he's going to make it with another team, so hopefully he's saved enough during the last three years to put himself on the right path if his playing days are over.