SAINT_MICHAEL

The only problem with this is a 70% chance of showers and snow likely with a high of 43 for Saturday in Seattle. Not ideal conditions for running a spread O

PASAINT26

Are there any veteran Backs out there? Willie Parker or Larry Johnson?

Rugby Saint II

I guess we'll see a lot of short passes to counter a lack of a running game. Multiple receiver sets with quick ball delivery.

neugey

That can be dangerous if done too often. Still thinking about the pick 6 in the last game we played vs Atlanta.

Mardigras9

Hopefully, don"t want to depend on Reggie for the load.......

Mardigras9

Hopefully an upgrade, as long as he holds on to the ball and we don"t lose points to turnovers from his lack of time in a running back position this year. Makes me nervous.

foreverfan

03/24/2010 - Wayne State running back Joique Bell made the trip up to Mount Pleasant to go through a full workout, including position drills. Bell, who has had disappointing 40-yard dash times in the 4.6 and 4.7 range at the NFL scouting combine and his pro day, ran another slow time Wednesday. One scout had it at 4.82 and another in the high 4.7s. "Jerry Rice and Walter Payton ran slow 40 times too," Bell said. "Did you ever see Jerry Rice get caught from behind? Football speed is a completely different thing. It's like you have that extra gear to run away from guys. "I just hope people look at my entire body of work and my tape. I was in the top 3 percent in nearly all the other drills at the combine." One scout said Bell (5-11, 220) should stop running the 40-yard dash. He'll have at least two more chances to run it before the draft, though. Bell has private workouts scheduled with the Chiefs on April 1 and Lions on April 14. "I've been hearing I can go anywhere from the third round to the sixth round," he said. - Tim Twentyman, The Detroit News

Inside: Well-developed upper and lower bodies give him strength to get tough yards inside. Sidesteps penetrating defenders, able to find a hole and accelerate to it. Presses the line but has the good vision to bounce a play outside when the B-gap closes. Will push the pile near the goal line and keep fighting for yards after contact.

Outside: Patient runner who could succeed in a zone scheme. Very good balance and will spin off a tackle or put his hand down to keep himself upright. Runs with the ball in either hand, although he can get a bit loose with it in the open field (four fumbles in '09). Has the speed to get to the corner against Division II defenses but will have a harder time doing so against NFL competition. Lacks breakaway speed or a second gear once in the open, but smaller defenders have a tough time tracking him down without the perfect angle.

Breaking tackles: Strong runner in trash who keeps legs churning until he's on the ground. Runs with a lean that prevents straight-on collisions and makes smaller defenders bounce off him. Tough for defensive backs to bring down in the open field and can leap over cut tackles. Can jump high over the pile near the goal line or dive into the end zone from a few yards out.

Blocking: Will need to prove himself in pass protection, as he has limited experience and hasn't faced NFL-caliber defenders coming after quarterback. Effort is there, however, and he has the low center of gravity and strength to stand his ground. Receiving: Usually catches the ball with his hands, although the pace on those passes isn't NFL-caliber. Typically used on screens and throws into the flat, but is willing to run crossing patterns and make catches in traffic. Good vision and toughness after the catch, but faster, stronger NFL defenders will be more difficult to avoid in the open field. Intangibles: Highly regarded among his teammates and coaches as an unselfish leader by example. Came from tough childhood in a very poor Michigan town to succeed. On schedule to graduate with a Criminal Justice degree.

Bell has rushed for 2,000-plus yards in each of the past two seasons. That's impressive at any level of football. For his 2,084-yard, 29-touchdown effort in 2009, he won the Harlon Hill Award Trophy as the best player in Division II. Bell exploded onto the scene with 2,065 yards in his redshirt freshman year, earning the AFCA All-American status he also received in 2009. In between those historic bookend seasons, he managed mortal-like numbers (1,427 yards in 2007 and 1,152 in 2008), giving him 6,728 rushing yards and 89 touchdowns for his career in addition to 79 receptions for 918 yards and eight more scores. His total all-purpose yardage (8,055, which includes 409 return yards) and scoring total put him ninth and fifth in NCAA history in any division. The four-time first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection dominated at a lower level of competition and has some ball security issues. He also failed to put up a great 40 at the Combine (4.68). But his shuttle times were on par with quick back Jahvid Best in Indy, and scouts see a lot of good things in his game that any successful NFL back needs: strength, balance, effort and enough speed to hit holes quickly. Don't be surprised if his name is called relatively early on draft Saturday.

2019 Death of a Parrot.

saintsfan1976

I pray that we're in a position to get Bell enough reps vs the chickens. He'll need for the next matchup.

PASAINT26

Sure wish it was Mike Bell.

niteadept

Well, Saints made household names out of PT and Ivory. Will wait a couple of games before I learn to spell his first name. Come on Bell, here's your chance to be part of something special.