The Broncos are a team with a lot of baggage; and they found just the right running back to help them with that.  Tatum Bell's best move this season was absconding with Rudi Johnson's bag after being let go by Atlanta.  Initially Bell denied it, apparently he didn't know the locker room had security tapes.  He continues to insist it was just a misunderstanding.

The Broncos conducting an open tryout for running back

The Broncos selected Bell with their second round draft pick in 2004.  He had reasonable numbers his rookie year with about 400 yards and 5.3 yards per carry.  His second year he and Mike Anderson teamed up well and he produced close to 1,000 yards, still averaging over 5 per carry.  In 2005 he had three fumbles, but only lost one.  In 2006 however he made a whopping five fumbles in 233 carries.  The Raiders named their fumble recovery practice the 'Tatum Bell Drill'; invariably a bad sign. 

Despite fair numbers, that was likely the end of the line as the Broncos traded him and offensive lineman G. Foster off to Detroit for CB Dre' Bly.  Bell has continued to be frustrated in his quest for more touches, in 2007 he ran for only 182 yards as Kevin Jones recovered earlier than expected.  He was rumored to have asked Detroit for a trade, but he denied that saying he just expressed his frustration at K. Jones early recovery.  Despite that, Bell did sign another one year contract with the Lions this year, but reports were that he showed up to camp out of shape; that was when the luggage incident came about an the Lions dropped Bell for Johnson.  Bell has been a good back, and as desperate as the Broncos are at RB this may end up being a good pickup as long as he doesn't become a distraction.  It does make me appreciate LTs sure hands and sterling character.