Scouting Report: Tatum Bell

Scouting Report: Tatum Bell
by Tom Kowalski
Sunday May 25, 2008, 12:01 AM
Ed. Note: Compare Lions Insider Tom Kowalski's 2007 scouting report on Detroit Lions running back Tatum Bell with this year's report below.

Tatum Bell

2008 Scouting Report


After saying that Bell was Detroit's only running back who had the "wow factor,'' coordinator Mike Martz quickly dropped Bell on the depth chart because he didn't think he ran with enough toughness.


Bell re-signed with the Lions with the knowledge that T.J. Duckett was probably going to leave and that the Lions would likely pursue a back in the draft, which they did (Kevin Smith in the third round). While the Lions leaned toward a one-cut-and-run style last year, they're actually going to pursue that running attack this season and that might help Bell get some playing time.

Bell has good outside speed, can be explosive in the open field and is a solid receiver. The Lions, though, want to see him break more tackles on the inside.

Bell must show that he'll be enough of a factor on offense, in sharing time with Smith, that he's worthy of being active every week. Last year, because he couldn't give them anything on special teams, Bell found himself on the inactive list at end of the season.





My thoughts
Bell is not a bad back. He is a speed back who can get yards in bunches when he has some decent blocks. I think he will be mostly a 3rd down back this year and come in to give Smith a rest from time to time.