Name: Michael Steven Bell Height, Weight: 6’0″, 225 lbs. Position: Running back Age, Experience: 25, 3 College: Arizona

Mike Bell came on strong for the Denver Broncos in 2006 as an undrafted free agent, running for 677 yards and 8 touchdowns in a part time role behind Tatum Bell. The elder Bell was traded following that season, which looked to open a possible door for Mike to have a bigger impact. Then the Broncos added free agent Travis Henry and undrafted RBs Selvin Young and Andre Hall, both who trumped him on the depth chart.

The Good: 2006. Bell’s high leaping, endzone-finding ability had a lot of fans excited after 2006, although to many it was clear he was not an every down back. He became the fifth undrafted running back in league history to run for over 500 yards in his rookie season.

The Bad: 2007. Bell’s follow up to 2006 saw him carry the football a whopping 6 times, gaining 3 yards and fumbling once. He was declared inactive for much of the season.

Status: Signed through 2008… Bell will have to work hard to earn back a roster spot this year. The Broncos kept all their runners from last year and added draft picks Ryan Torain and Peyton Hillis.

Now we invite you, the reader: Can Mike Bell make a strong return, or are his best days behind him?

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• Ryan Clady already has a teammate-dubbed nickname – ‘Sweet Feet.’ [Yahoo! Sports]
• More on the topic.  [Rocky Mountain News]
• Good news – Tony Scheffler‘s foot was not re-fractured and the tight end can start practicing again in 2 weeks or so.  [Rocky Mountain News]
• But if it stays hurting, his loss will be Nate Jackson‘s gain.  [Denver Post]
• Dewayne Robertson is done for QB Camp – all “according to plan.”  [Denver Post]
• The Denver Broncos front office shows that the need for charity work never ends.  [DenverBroncos.com]
• Bill Williamson is back to his old ways – predicting the Broncos’ next move without a smidgen of evidence.  [Hashmarks]

Below are a few photos from yesterday’s Darrent Williams statue unveiling ceremony.  You can see the full gallery at the team’s official site.  Also, be sure to check out DenverBroncos.com and CBS4 Denver for video stories on the event.

• Photo Gallery [DenverBroncos.com]
• Video Story [DenverBroncos.com]
• Video Story [CBS4 Denver]

From what I can tell, the inscription at the base reads: “…a former Club Kid, he had a special place in his heart for the Boys and Girls Club.”

Name: Jordan Beck Height – Weight: 6’2″, 233 lbs. Position: Linebacker Age – Experience: 25, 4 College: Cal Poly/SLO

Jordan Beck joined the Denver Broncos midseason 2007 and made an immediate impact on special teams. Replacing linebacker D.D. Lewis, who had yet to tally a tackle on the season, Beck came on strong from the start and tallied 3 special teams stops in his first two games. He followed that up by recovering an onside kick in his third game against Detroit. Beck was a 3rd round pick by the Falcons in 2005.

The Good: Beck is a special teams ace who brings a lot to that part of the field. He finished with 10 special teams tackles, good for 2nd on the team, even though he only played in 10 games.

The Bad: Beck has seen very limited action at the pro level outside of special teams work. Suffered a foot injury his rookie season during the 4th preseason game and placed on Injured Reserve.

Status: Signed through 2008… Special teamer… The Broncos brought in around 20 guys right after the season ended, and all of these players will be trying to earn a valuable roster spot on special teams. Beck will have to work hard to keep his current spot.

Now we invite you, the reader: Does a special teamer alone deserve a roster spot, or does Beck need to bring more to the table?

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What is going on with the Denver Broncos?  This offseason has been nothing more than an injury-riddled continuation of 2007.

In 2007, the Denver Broncos suffered more lost man games than any other season in Mike Shanahan‘s tenure.  In 2008, we’ve already seen Brandon Marshall severe tendons and nerves in his arm, Jay Cutler being diagnosed with diabetes, Travis Henry missing practice due to a hamstring, and Tony Scheffler missing a month or more due to an aggravated foot injury.

When is enough, enough?  The offensive line should be improved with the return of Nalen and Hamilton, along with some solid competition at the tackle spots.  But will this MASH unit be able to conjure up any plays behind them?

Hopefully Cutler’s diagnosis won’t hamper him (all signs indicate he should be fine, likely even improved)… hopefully Marshall’s recovery goes well… hopefully Henry’s pull is only a minor setback…. hopefully Scheffler can reach his potential and not let this foot injury hamper his career.

Frankly, I’m tired of “hoping” for health, and want to just see my Broncos be able to play.

• The latest on Scheffler is that he may have re-broken his foot and have to miss more time.  [Denver Post]
• Why Patrick Ramsey is a valuable backup, and why Dewayne Robertson missed practice yesterday.  [Denver Post]
• Javon Walker‘s absence leaves competition in its wake.  [CBS4 Denver]
• Darrent Williams‘ #27 will go unused once again.  [Hashmarks]
• Player quotes surrounding DWill’s statue unveiling yesterday.  [DenverBroncos.com]

One year ago today, Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler suffered a fracture in his left foot while running a route during the team’s Quarterback Camp. After a slow start to his 2007 season, he came on strong, finishing 10th in the NFL in receiving yards for tight ends. It appeared that he had overcome the injury and found a way to become one of the better tight ends in his second year.

Fast forward one year and the same foot is still giving him issues. After appearing in the team’s first practice sessions on Monday, Scheffler has been sidelined due to soreness in his left foot and is expected to miss four weeks, the Denver Post reports.

Scheffler is now wearing a boot on his left foot. He had been working out with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall in Atlanta shortly after the 2007 season was under wraps.

I was really, really excited to see what Scheffler could do with a full bill of health this season, so this news is a real downer for me. How does “soreness” come with an expected 4-week down time, anyway? There’s something else going on here.

The injury bug is already biting this team, a la 2007. Let’s hope this time the bumps and bruises are not of the lingering variety.

For those Madden-holics who can’t wait for the Broncos to regain respectability, at least in virtual form…

Name: Danny Baugher Height, Weight: 5’10”, 194 Position: Punter Age, Experience: 24, 1 College: Arizona

Danny Baugher is entering his third year in the NFL, and already he’s been around the block a few times. He joined Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent in 2006, then was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad in October, 2006. He remained with the Patriots until his release in August, 2007. From there he rejoined the Bengals for a short while before being released again, then signed with the Broncos in April, 2008. He’s yet to suit up or play a snap in the regular season.

The Good: Baugher played well in the final year of NFL Europa in 2007. There he earned all-league honors with 47 punts for 2,040 yards (43.4 avg.) while placing 15 punts inside the 20-yard line. He was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award in college, where he completed his collegiate career as Arizona’s all-time leader with 225 punts for 9,476 yards (42.1 avg.). He led the nation his senior year with a 47.5-yard average until a knee injury sidelined him after seven games.

The Bad: Shortly after the Patriots released him in 2007, Baugher was charged with assault and battery after allegedly punching his father in a fast food parking lot. He pleaded not guilty, and witness statements indicate he was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident. On the field, Baugher has yet to crack a starting lineup with two different franchises. The knee injury that undoubtedly cost him the chance to be drafted seems to have affected his game – the average distance between 2007 and 2005 is a noticeable 4.1 yards. Can he return to form?

Status: Signed an undisclosed contract in April, 2008, and will compete with Sam Paulescu for the Broncos punting role. Born in Newton, NJ on January 24, 1984.

As always, we invite the readers to tell us what they think. Is Baugher the answer at Punter, or not worth the risk?

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The Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center is set to open next Thursday, but today the Boys and Girls Club will unveil the large Darrent Williams statue that will be displayed in front of the building. Head Coach Mike Shanahan and several players are expected to be in attendance.

When asked about the statue, Broncos cornerback Domonique Foxworth had this to say:

“I’m proud of what’s come out of this situation. It’s tremendous to think that what’s become of Darrent’s life was much more positive than one negative event…. A lot of times when a tragedy like that happens, a month later, everybody forgets and moves on. I’m proud of this organization and this city for not moving on, for standing behind this, for making it happen.”

In addition to the statue unveiling today and the grand opening of the Teen Center next Thursday, Darrent’s home town of Fort Worth, Texas, will declare June 14 Darrent Williams Day in honor of their fallen citizen. Also, Williams’ mother Rosalind is starting a new charitable foundation in Darrent’s name after discovering one of her son’s notebooks. She’s asking NFL players from all 32 teams to donate a piece of sports memorabilia for a silent auction.