Pats to work out Mike Bell

[tombonneau]

Between the interest in Jordan & Bell, I think it's likely the Pats end up signing a vet back. I've been preaching all year that the RB4/5 spot is an easy upgrade from Evans and/or Eckel, and they could accomplish it with Bell or Jordan.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcwest/0-2-79/Pats-interested-in-Mike-Bell-.html

Pats interested in Mike Bell?
July 25, 2008 7:24 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Mike Bell, released by Denver on Monday, may work out this weekend with New England. An NFL source said the Patriots are interested in Bell and will have him work out. Bell's agent, Steve Feldman, declined to confirm the workout. Feldman did say there is interest in his client.

New England has looked at veteran running backs in recent weeks. Teams that are interested in Bell are so because of a strong rookie season in 2006. He went from an undrafted rookie out of Arizona to rush for 677 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie.

However, he rarely played last season after being converted to fullback by the Broncos. Denver cut Bell because it did not think he would make the team this summer. However, it looks like he will get interest elsewhere.

 

[Metaphors]

Between the interest in Jordan & Bell, I think it's likely the Pats end up signing a vet back. I've been preaching all year that the RB4/5 spot is an easy upgrade from Evans and/or Eckel, and they could accomplish it with Bell or Jordan.

Even assuming someone else took Evans role on special teams, do you think that Evans limited role on offense is worth replacing with Bell or Jordan? There are only about 60-70 snaps to go around and Maroney (ready for 20 carries and more catches), Morris (healthy and a good compliment to Maroney) and Faulk (gets the 3rd down and no-huddle work) are all looking for their share. Not saying it is unreasonable, but the Pats seem set at RB to me if everyone is healthy.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

IMO, he wouldn't replace Evans, he'd replace Eckel.

 

[tombonneau]

Even assuming someone else took Evans role on special teams, do you think that Evans limited role on offense is worth replacing with Bell or Jordan? There are only about 60-70 snaps to go around and Maroney (ready for 20 carries and more catches), Morris (healthy and a good compliment to Maroney) and Faulk (gets the 3rd down and no-huddle work) are all looking for their share. Not saying it is unreasonable, but the Pats seem set at RB to me if everyone is healthy.

I would assume that Jordan/Bell would be more insurance. My guess is the coaching staff saw Maroney & Morris missing time last year and knows that a combo of Faulk/Evans/Eckle is not getting it done for any significant stretch.

IMO, Jordan/Bell is a Worst Case Scenario insurance policy. And with a team this talented it is a smart policy to take out.

And while I hear you that the Pats "seem set at RB if everyone is healthy", the fact that they keep bringing in RBs says the management thinks otherwise.

 

[patsox23]

This could certainly be an exmaple of SOP for the Patriots - work guys out in case you find yourself in need of a little help when injuries crop up. It's a free look, then they put him on one of Pioli's lists.

 

[Pats726]

A young RB as insurance OR used here there?? Why not? Morris was out for the last 3 months of the season and Maroney had injury issues starting....so why NOT have another RB to help carry the load.....a good pickup if the money is right...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A young RB as insurance OR used here there?? Why not? Morris was out for the last 3 months of the season and Maroney had injury issues starting....so why NOT have another RB to help carry the load.....a good pickup if the money is right...

That was a freak injury, though, that occurred when two OLs fell on top of him. If it's fully healed, it shouldn't make much of a difference this year.

As I've said before, I think the Pats like all the RB/FBs they have, and I don't see them upgrading now.

 

[PatsFan37]

That was a freak injury, though, that occurred when two OLs fell on top of him. If it's fully healed, it shouldn't make much of a difference this year.

As I've said before, I think the Pats like all the RB/FBs they have, and I don't see them upgrading now.

As a 53-man roster upgrade, I agree, but if you can pick one up for the vet min, why not bring him into camp and let him try to make the team. If he doesn't, and he doesn't get signed elsewhere, he's better insurance than a guy who never practiced with the Pats and doesn't know any of the blitz pick-up schemes.

 

[BPF]

You can never have enough RB's in the NFL so I believe we do need to pick up one before the season begins. Jordan will be 30 this Nov and hasn't been the same since he rushed for 1,000 in 2005 for the Raiders. He's had back and knee injuries recently and doesn't run with power, he is just not the same downhill runner he was earlier in his career. It looks like he needs to have OL hold their blocks for a longer period of time now and that makes him ineffective. He lacks cutting ability to produce on his own and really can't get to the outside anymore. He still runs hard and can break some tackles but is just not the same runner he was. He is a good receiver out of the backfield but his pass protection needs lots of work. So I don't see him as a good fit.

For what the Pats are looking for I think Bell is a better and cheaper option. He is 5 yrs younger and can work on his defeciences which are his inconsistentcy at blitz pickup, accelerating through the 2nd level once he gets there, finishing runs stronger so that he breaks more tackles. Bell has the size and speed to be a solid NFL RB. He follows his blocks well and seems to get to the 2nd level consistently. He is more effective out in space than between the tackles and could be a good change of pace and insurance policy behind Maroney and Morris. Morris has only played 16 games 3x (has played 8 seasons) in his career and in those yrs he had less than 20 rushing attempts. I feel as though Maroney will shake the injury bug this yr so Bell will be more insurance for Morris although they are different style players. He didn't do well in Denver last yr as a FB and played ST's in the 5 games he was active.

 

[BPF]

I feel as though Maroney will shake the injury bug this yr so Bell will be more insurance for Morris although they are different style players. He didn't do well in Denver last yr as a FB and played ST's in the 5 games he was active.

Jordan is in town today, maybe my thinking that we need insurance for Morris is correct but I could have had the wrong player. Hey we did well with another Raiders' cast off last yr: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/07/lamont_jordan_i.html