Mike Bell

Mike Bell had the most carries (2nd most rushing yards) for the New Orleans Saints in the 2009 regular season. As 2nd string running back, Bell was often called on in short-yardage situations. In his 172 rushing attempts during the '09 season, he gained 654 yards (3.8 avg), scored 5 touchdowns and only fumbled twice. Bell had two rushing attempts in the 2010 Super Bowl (XLIV), gaining 5 yards. Going into the off-season, Bell is a restricted free agent.

200910 was Bell's 4th season in the NFL. He was undrafted in 2006 after standout high school and college experiences. The Denver Broncos signed him and he had one of the best rookie seasons ever for an undrafted free agent running back (see "Career Highlights", below). However, he felt "betrayed" that the Broncos switched him from tailback to fullback, gained weight and became a self-described malcontent (see "Quotes" section, below), prompting the Broncos to play him sparingly in 2007 and waive him in 2008. He spent a short time playing for the Houston Texans before the Saints picked him up mid-season 2008 to add some depth in the backfield.

Bell was an outstanding player in high school and in college, earning consensus All-America and State Player of the Year honors in HS, and 2nd Team and Honorable Mention All-PAC-10 honors while at the University of Arizona.

Bell had a standout season as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2006. His 677 rushing yards that year were the 4th most for an undrafted rookie in the NFL (since modern draft started in 1967), and only one 2006 rookie topped his 8 rushing touchdowns.

Before that, Bell was the first player in University of Arizona history to lead the team in rushing four consecutive seasons, and was named 2nd Team, All PAC-10 as a sophomore (2003), and an Honorable Mention selection for (2005). In high school, Bell was a Consensus All-America and was Arizona's Player of the Year, as selected by The Arizona Republic. He rushed for 4,692 yards in high school, second-highest in Arizona history.

After the 2010 Super Bowl, Bell was asked about Coach Sean Payton's decision to attempt an onsides kick to open the 2nd half: He doesn't care what anyone thinks, Saints running back Mike Bell said. He's all man. It's good to see someone break the mold and isn't just another cookie-cutter coach. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/jensen/2035234,CST-SPT-sean08.article

"I don't blame them for cutting me; I would've cut me, too." --Mike Bell, looking back on why the Denver Broncos cut him in 2007 after having a notable rookie season (as an undrafted free agent) in 2006. He described himself as an egotistical malcontent who gained too much weight and became a cancer in the locker room after the Broncos moved him from running back to fullback. ""I felt like I was betrayed, and I felt like I didn't even want to play anymore," Bell recalled after practice Tuesday. "That's why I gained all that weight — not only because I was playing fullback, but because I just didn't care and almost just let myself go." http://azstarnet.com/sports/article_bdb6a2a8-d608-533b-8241-5ce5c7602182.html

• Consensus High School All-America, 2001-02 http://www.mikebell30.com/

• Honorable Mention, All PAC-10 Team, 2005 http://www.mikebell30.com/