Broncos bring back Tatum Bell, release Glenn Martinez

by John Bena on Nov 11, 2008 3:15 PM MST in Roster Moves Comment 23 comments

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday signed free-agent running back Tatum Bell and waived wide receiver Glenn Martinez, Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced.

Bell (5-foot-11, 213 pounds) is a fifth-year running back who begins his second stint with Denver, which selected him in the second round (41st overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft from Oklahoma State University. He spent his first three seasons with the Broncos before he was traded to Detroit on March 2, 2007, and played for the Lions last year before he was released by the club on Sept. 2.

In 47 career games (19 starts), he has rushed 525 times for 2,524 yards (4.8 avg.) with 14 touchdowns while catching 61 passes for 362 yards (5.9 avg.). Among running backs with at least 500 carries since 2004, Bell's 4.8-yard rushing average ranks third in the NFL. His 4.9-yard rushing average (481-2,342) during three seasons in Denver also represents the second-best career mark in club history among players with at least 250 carries.

During his final year with the Broncos in 2006, Bell started all 13 games played and registered the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career with 1,025 yards on 233 carries (4.4 avg.) with two scores. He started all five games played with the Lions last year, rushing 44 times for 182 yards (4.1 avg.) with one touchdown and catching 14 passes for 63 yards (4.5 avg.).

Bell finished his collegiate career at Oklahoma State ranked sixth in the school history in career rushing yards (3,409). He attended DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas, and was born on March 2, 1981.

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Not a bad pickup considering he’s familiar with the system and has the ability to break a big run. Hopefully he can hold onto the football and not his teammates’ bags.

by muellator on Nov 11, 2008 3:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Glenn

I’m bummed about Martinez…he did a solid job being a role WR when we were thin.

by sadaraine on Nov 11, 2008 3:30 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

his drops hurt him though

by Sneaky Sean on Nov 11, 2008 9:11 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Kerry Colbert

I heard on ESPN today that Kerry Colbert was released by the seahawks. So we recieved a 5th round(I believe) for a WR that in turn gets released by the team we traded him. What an awesome trade

by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 11, 2008 3:38 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Glenn

I agree it’s to bad about Glenn. I think he has been a hard worker for Denver. It’s got to be rough getting picked up and released multiple times in a season. Welcome back Tatum do us proud. Well that should make this Sunday a interesting game to watch. Hopefully we can find the winning combo in our backfield. I would still like to see Hillis get his shot.

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Nov 11, 2008 3:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we should pick up Colbert so we can trade him to someone else.

by ThorpeBroncosfan on Nov 11, 2008 3:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Tatum's second stint with the Broncos after playing in Detroit

Similar to Chauncey Billups second stint with the Nuggets after playing in Detroit and the Nuggets are 2-0 since the pickup. Maybe this is a sign of things to come?

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano

by DesertBroncoFan on Nov 11, 2008 4:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I like it

Its fortunate that a back who knows the broncos’ system was available. I can’t really think of another back that i would feel as confident in as Bell in this situation. If he can hang on to the ball, the bronco running game might not suffer that much compared to earlier this season.

by argive on Nov 11, 2008 5:11 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

The most important question:

What number will he wear? 26 is taken by Jack MF’in Williams, and 28, his Lions number, is currently under the ownership of IPed Michael Pittman. So what will Bell choose? Let the lottery begin!

It was once said that a million monkeys typing at a million computers could reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the internet, we know that is not true.

by papigrande on Nov 11, 2008 5:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Looks like it's 40.

Very “meh” selection. 40 is a fullback number unless it’s worn by Gale Sayers, and Tatum Bell is no Gale Sayers. I thought he’d take 29, a better number for a small scat back. Also, fellow new backfield additions PJ Pope, Alex Haynes, and Cory Boyd have taken 31, 38, and 30, respectively. I like Pope’s and Haynes’ but Cory Boyd can’t wear 30. That’s Terrell Davis’ number. Not yours.

It was once said that a million monkeys typing at a million computers could reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the internet, we know that is not true.

by papigrande on Nov 11, 2008 5:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose its better than nothing but I seem to remember that he had a bad case of the "dropsies!'

I hope he got over that.

by metalman5050 on Nov 11, 2008 6:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I'm bummed about both

It’s kind of humbling when check MHR during the day and you suddenly see we resigned a player I hoped we’d play against and spank later on.

Then you find out we released Martinez.

I was always a fan of Martinez, not so much as a WR but as a PR. With Royal seeming to be back for all the KR’s I would have liked to see Martinez pick up the PR duty as he did have a healthy 11.2 yard average.

There is no 'Ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.
Chuck Norris destoryed the periodic table because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

by nickt84 on Nov 11, 2008 6:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Martinez played tough on ST

and he has more upside than D-Jack. I hope we resign him.

by Arctic Bronco on Nov 11, 2008 6:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I was bummed about Martinez for the same reason you give.

I understand getting Tatum Bell for the reason that he is familiar with the system…..just as long as he holds onto the ball and makes the most of his second chance Shanny gave him. I also hope he stays healthy as well. I mean at least be somewhat productive for the remainder of the season because I don’t want to be doing this RB shuffling for the next two months or so.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 5

by weazel on Nov 11, 2008 7:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I was bummed about Martinez for the same reason you give.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 5

by weazel on Nov 11, 2008 7:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Posted this twice? Oops, my bad.

If possible, someone can delete one of these.

"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan

Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 5

by weazel on Nov 11, 2008 7:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Bell could return kicks...

Just a thought, I mean he certainly has the speed. And since he’s now wearing Gale Sayers’ number…

It was once said that a million monkeys typing at a million computers could reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the internet, we know that is not true.

by papigrande on Nov 11, 2008 7:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you nick

It all starts in the trenches HT 11/11/08

by firstfan on Nov 12, 2008 12:15 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

with hall out

that is a distinct possibility. if young gets healthy(doubt it), then tatum is just depth. i mean like 5th string, or something. good move, in my opinion. maybe he can add some pop to the offense on screens and such, and i still believe hillis will be the main guy, which is great, and his backup was just signed. i just hope he is in decent shape, and he is a bit of an injury risk, but who isn’t on this team? the gym bag? laughable, yes, but nothing compared to b-marsh’s antics. fingers crossed on selvin, though, he is a better back

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by davecheffy on Nov 11, 2008 7:49 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Tatum is Back...

Don’t leave any baggage unattended. Also he should be required to carry a football everywhere he goes. If someone on the team can strip him and give the ball to Shanny consequences should be had!

Now seriously. Run fast Mr. Bell!

"People ask me, 'What did you think about the draft picks?' I said, 'Dude, I don't watch.' I'm still kind of bitter," Smith said. "Some guys got drafted and they ain't played football in 15 years and I'm still waiting to get drafted. I'm still waiting to hear my name." -Rod Smith

by The Heat on Nov 11, 2008 10:26 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

from Pride of Detroir

Dressing as Tatum Bell for Halloween.

Funny stuff!

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

by DesertBroncoFan on Nov 12, 2008 1:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Bly

Does it make the Bly trade better since Detroit released Bell (who was traded) and we got to pick him back up for “free”?

Victor Frankl:

What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

by wyoeng on Nov 12, 2008 11:32 AM MST reply actions 0 recs