Deuce McAllister is gone. The Saints have an often injured Reggie Bush and a surging Pierre Thomas.
So, what gives at running back for the Black and Gold? If you ask Saints' fans to draw up their forecasted starting back field for the team, they might leave Saints running back Mike Bell of that list. After all, most NFL teams left him of their list as he went un-drafted in 2006.
The Denver Broncos found him on the un-drafted list and scooped him up as a rookie free agent. Despite not being selected in the draft, Bell posted over six hundred yards rushing as a rookie with the Broncos. In 2007 Denver moved him to fullback after the team drafted 3 running backs. Bell struggled with the transition, and Denver released him on the eve of training camp in 2008.
"I think that it was really bad on my part in how I responded to the situation," said Bell. "I was looking at it like I was owed something for what I did previously. In the NFL, it's a blessing just to be there. I should have taken it as a compliment and seen how it played out, but I got down on myself and it almost ruined my career."
After his release, Bell played in the pre-season with the Houston Texans, but didn't stick their either. Out of a job he returned to Colorado, stayed in shape and waited for another chance. In November the injury riddled Saints gave him a call. He filled in on special teams, while learning the offense, and managed to see an increased role over the last month of the season. Bell finished the 2008 campaign with 13 carries, 42 yards and 1 touchdown.
"I'm glad that coach Payton gave me another chance," said Bell. "I came in with the attitude that I would play whatever position -on offense or special teams- they wanted me to. It didn't matter," Bell said.
Bell has been a mainstay at the Saints off-season conditioning program this year. With fan favorite Deuce McAllister no longer on the team, the third running back spot is there for the taking. Bell has focused on conditioning, and attention to detail on the field. He is also spending a lot of time in the film room this off-season, as he tries to master the extensive and complex offensive scheme. It is vastly different from the one he played in as a Bronco.
"I feel much more comfortable now," said Bell. "There are some veteran guys who have been in this system for a while that are constantly feeding me and telling me what to do. I can just sit back and be confident instead of worrying about making mistakes like I was when I initially arrived last year.
With Reggie Bush rehabbing a knee injury and easing back into the fold, Bell has received more reps at running back. He has caught the eye of head coach Sean Payton. "Mike has done a good job," said Payton. "He's working in there. After Pierre Thomas you see Mike and Lynell Hamilton getting a lot of work, and then we have the two young rookie free agents, and both of those guys are picking things up. It takes a while, but I think Mike has done a good job. He has not been with us a full year yet, and I think this off-season has helped him a lot."
Though he's had a productive off-season, Bell knows that nothing is promised to him when the team opens training camp July 30th. The competition at running back looks pretty fierce. If Bell is going to be that third running back for the Saints, he will have to show his versatility on special teams, as well as on offense.
"I'm determined to take advantage of this opportunity," said Bell. "I don't know what my role will be if I make the team. I just know that every time I'm on the field, whether it be special teams, blocking or anything, I'm going to try to do the best I can and execute."
From what I've observed at mini-camp and organized team activities; Bell looks fast, strong and ready to seize what could be his last opportunity. Provided he can play special teams and hold off rookies P.J Hill and Herb Donaldson, along with 2nd year man Lynell Hamilton, Bell might just be the surprise of 2009 for the Saints.
The Saints could certainly use a "Bell cow" in their backfield after releasing their all-time leading rusher in McAllister during the off-season.
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