Mike Bell (running back)

Last updated

Mike Bell
No. 20, 30, 21, 40, 22, 26
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1983-04-23) April 23, 1983 (age 41)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: Tolleson (AZ) Union
College: Arizona
Undrafted: 2006
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:395
Rushing yards:1,475
Receptions:33
Receiving yards:258
Total touchdowns:14
Player stats at PFR

Michael Steven Bell (born April 23, 1983) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 2006 to 2010. Bell was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and later played for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Arizona. Bell had several accomplishments throughout his career, including winning Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts as a member of the Saints.

Contents

Early life

Bell went to Desert Horizon before playing for Tolleson Union High School a western suburb of Phoenix, where he both became the second player in Arizona history to have rushed for over 2,000 yards in back to back seasons, as well as obtaining the second-highest career total of 4,692 yards rushing in Arizona. He was named Player of the Year in his senior year by The Arizona Republic . [1]

College career

Bell played college football for the University of Arizona, where he rushed for 3,163 yards and 17 touchdowns in four years, three as the starter. In his senior year, he rushed for 153 yards in sixteen attempts in a surprising 52–14 rout of the then-undefeated UCLA Bruins. Bell is third all-time in the college's history in rushing yards.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+1⁄8 in
(1.83 m)		221 lb
(100 kg)		30.00 inches9.25 inches4.52 s4.16 s6.91 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)		23 reps
Height, Weight, 40-yard dash, shuttle and 3-cone drill measurements from NFL Scouting Combine. [2]

Denver Broncos

Bell entered the 2006 NFL draft, but went undrafted. He was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2006, by the Denver Broncos.

Bell had a very strong training camp, and before the Broncos first preseason game, Bell was promoted to the starting tailback position. This promotion shocked many, as it was presumed that either Tatum Bell or Ron Dayne would win the Broncos' starting job. However Tatum Bell ended up as the starter for the first regular season game, with Mike Bell also getting carries in a backup role.

During week 8 of the 2006 season, in which the Broncos played the undefeated Indianapolis Colts, Tatum Bell was taken out with a turf toe. Mike Bell was put in and ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns in just one half, averaging nine yards per carry. He started week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but only gained 28 yards on 17 attempts. He was made inactive by coach Mike Shanahan in week 10 against the Oakland Raiders. Bell led the Broncos with eight rushing scores.

On July 21, 2008, he was released by the Broncos.

Houston Texans

Bell signed with the Houston Texans on July 31, 2008. [3] However, he was waived on August 8.

New Orleans Saints

Bell was signed by the New Orleans Saints on November 19, 2008, after running back Aaron Stecker was placed on injured reserve, and appeared in four games during the season, totaling 13 carries for 42 yards with one touchdown. Most extensive action came at Detroit, December 21, with four carries for 26 yards and his first touchdown as a Saint, a leaping, one-yard plunge. He also added a 14-yard reception in the contest.

During the 2009 season, Bell saw more extensive action with the Saints. He was part of a three-man running back committee with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. He led the team in carries with 172 and gained 654 rushing yards, good for 3.8 yards per carry. He scored 5 touchdowns. He had two carries for four yards in Super Bowl XLIV which the Saints won on February 7, 2010.

Philadelphia Eagles

On March 16, 2010, Bell was tendered an offer sheet for a one-year contract worth $1.7 million from the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Saints had the option to match the offer within seven days. [4] The Saints did not match the offer, and Bell became a member of the Philadelphia Eagles on March 23.

Cleveland Browns

Bell was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for running back Jerome Harrison on October 13, 2010.

Detroit Lions

On August 9, 2011, Bell signed with the Detroit Lions, but was waived on August 29.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Jackson</span> American football player (born 1983)

Steven Rashad Jackson is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Rams, where he spent his first nine seasons. In his final three seasons, he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons from 2013 to 2014 and the New England Patriots in 2015. Named to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams during his Rams tenure, Jackson is the franchise's all-time leading rusher.

Tatum Antoine Bell is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damien Nash</span> American football player (1982–2007)

Damien Darnell Nash was an American football running back who played for the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He died after the 2006 season, his only season with the Broncos.

The 2005 season was the Denver Broncos' 36th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 46th overall. The Broncos closed out the 2005 regular season with a 13–3 record, the franchise's second-best number of wins of all time and their third best win percentage ever. They won their first playoff game since their 1998 Super Bowl-winning season. Although they eliminated the defending back-to-back Super Bowl champion New England Patriots to end their hopes of becoming the first NFL team to three-peat, and became the first team to eliminate a defending back-to-back Super Bowl champion in the playoffs since the 1994 San Francisco 49ers(which Mike Shanahan was coincidently the offensive coordinator), they failed to get to the Super Bowl, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the eventual champions, in the AFC Championship game. The Broncos were expected by many to make the Super Bowl for the first time in the post-John Elway era. Denver would not make the postseason again until 2011 under Tim Tebow's leadership or another Conference championship until 2013, under the leadership of Peyton Manning whom the Broncos acquired in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Eckel</span> American football player (born 1981)

Kyle Eckel is an American former professional football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005 and won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints, beating the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football at Navy.

DeDe Dorsey is a former American football running back. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Lindenwood.

Parrish "P. J." Hill Jr. is a former American football running back. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Hill was a member of the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins of the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keiland Williams</span> American football player (born 1986)

Keiland Terrell Williams is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Louisiana State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Ball</span> American football player (born 1985)

Lance Ball is a former American football running back. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at the University of Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Torain</span> American football player (born 1986)

Ryan Devon Torain is a former American football running back. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football at Arizona State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Tolbert</span> American football player (born 1985)

William Michael Tolbert is an American former professional football fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Tolbert was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He was also a member of the Carolina Panthers, where he was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. He signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2017 after being released by the Panthers.

Lynell Hamilton is a former American football running back who has most recently worked as a graduate assistant at San Diego State University. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at San Diego State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Gable</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

C. J. Gable is a former Canadian football running back. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football for the University of Southern California Trojans. He has also been a member of the Denver Broncos (NFL), Nebraska Danger (IFL), and Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Edmonton Eskimos (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LeGarrette Blount</span> American football player (born 1986)

LeGarrette Montez Blount is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football at the University of Oregon after transferring from East Mississippi Community College. Not selected in the 2010 NFL draft, he began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Mailei</span> American football player (born 1986)

Marcus Anthony Mailei is a former American football fullback. After playing college football for Weber State, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He was a member of the New Orleans Saints from 2009–2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kahlil Bell</span> American football player (born 1986)

Kahlil Edward Bell is a former American football running back. He played college football at UCLA. Bell was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He was also a member of the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Green Bay Packers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joique Bell</span> American football player (born 1986)

Joique Dewayne Bell Jr. is a former American football running back. He played college football at Wayne State. Bell was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

Terrell Anthony Watson is a former American football running back. He played college football at Azusa Pacific. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elijah Holyfield</span> American football player (born 1997)

Elijah Esaias Holyfield is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He is the son of former heavyweight world champion boxer Evander Holyfield.

Adrian Killins Jr. is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the UCF Knights. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) and Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

References

  1. ↑ "30 Mike Bell, Running Back". Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2007.
  2. ↑ Mike Bell, RB, Arizona - 2006 NFL Draft Scout Profile Archived 2007-08-25 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "Texans sign ex-Broncos running back Mike Bell". July 31, 2008.
  4. ↑ Bowen, Les (March 16, 2010). "Bell Signs Sheet with Birds". Philly.com. Retrieved March 16, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.