Observations and Quotes

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When told he couldn't have the jersey No. 7 that he wore during four outstanding seasons at Oklahoma State, he turned to No. 26. Never mind the fact that Clinton Portis recently took that jersey to back-to-back seasons with more than 1,400 yards; to Bell, the traded running back was "out of the picture." Just minutes after his selection, Bell shared his plans with the world.

"My goal is to lead the league in rushing," Bell said in April. "I don't want to come in and just average the minimum and get 100 yards. I want to play hard every game.

"I don't want to just be an Average Joe."

He hasn't backed down since.

From the Denver Bronco website


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If the Lions don't end at three their streak of seasons with double-digit losses, it won't be for a lack of talent on offense. Quarterback Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in 2002, doesn't have many excuses, because he has Charles Rogers, the second selection in last year's draft; Roy Williams, the seventh pick in the first round this year; and tight end Stephen Alexander to throw to, as well as another first-round pick, Kevin Jones, to whom to hand the ball. Jones slipped to the 30th selection, and the Lions traded up with the Chiefs so they could take a running back in the first round for the first time since 1988 (Barry Sanders). The poor 40 times that hurt Jones's draft stock (for that he can thank his father, who trained him) may have helped the Lions land a steal. "I don't care what that 40 time said, I'll put it on everything: He's one of the fastest backs in the league," guard Damien Woody said. "If he gets out in the open, it's a done deal. I've never played with a running back with that type of talent. All he needs is a crack to get into the open." As for the 6-foot-2-inch, 217-pound Williams, Woody said he possesses "Randy Moss-type skills."



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