Notes
Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell could receive more touches at some point this season if RB Mikel Leshoure does not perform well as the complementary back to RB Reggie Bush.
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Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell may be the early favorite for the No. 3 running back job because he made plays when given the opportunity last season. Bell will have to work on his ball security if he wants to win the job.
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Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell said he has talked with special teams coach John Bonamego about the possibility of becoming the team's full-time kick returner this season. RB Theo Riddick, WR Corey Fuller and CB Darius Slay could also be candidates for the return job.
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Detroit Lions exclusive rights free-agent RB Joique Bell, FB Shaun Chapas, WR Kris Durham and SS Ricardo Silva have signed their one-year tender offers. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell has familiarity with new running backs coach Curtis Modkins, when Modkins was the offensive coordinator and running backs coach with the Buffalo Bills at the start of Bell's career. 'That was my first year, so he taught me a lot,' Bell said. 'I remember calling him after the draft, after I got picked up, and I was really eager to get started. He was able to kind of calm me down and say don't worry about it. That's the kind of guy he is. He wants you to feel comfortable. You play a lot better when you're comfortable. You're kind of at home with what you're doing. He just made me feel comfortable my first year.' Bell expects Modkins to use him in a similar capacity as he was in 2012.
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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said RB Joique Bell will continue to see more touches to infuse some life into the running game. Bell has all three of the team's runs for over 20 yards this season, and he's averaging 5.7 yards per carry. RB Mikel Leshoure had 84 yards and a touchdown the first time the team played the Green Bay Packers, and they used a lot of two-deep safeties, which gave Leshoure a distinct advantage. Leshoure is averaging 3.8 yards per tote, but leads the team with seven touchdowns. 'Him rattling off really the three explosive runs that we've had this year certainly gives him more opportunities I think in our offense, not just in the games,' Linehan said of Bell. 'I think you'll see him playing a little bit more throughout the game.'
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz seemed to indicate that RB Joique Bell has earned more of a role in the offense. 'Yeah. I mean, he's definitely made the most of his opportunities. We talked about that a little bit early of making the most of your opportunities. Joique is a guy that's done that. When that happens, you're rewarded with more opportunities,' Schwartz said.
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Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell carried five times for a team-best 47 yards in Week 12 against the Houston Texans Thursday, Nov. 22. He also posted a 23-yard scoring scamper in the fourth quarter.
Fantasy Impact: Bell didn't get a ton of work but made the most of his chances, especially late in the game.
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Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell took over the team's workload at running back in the second half of Week 8, overtaking RB Mikel Leshoure (leg). Leshoure had nine carries and three receptions through two quarters, but gave way to Bell in the second half. Leshoure had just one touch the rest of the way, while Bell racked up seven carries and four receptions for 58 total yards. 'Leshoure really wasn't an injury situation,' head coach Jim Schwartz explained. 'Joique was doing some good things for us, and we were rotating our backs through.' RB Kevin Smith was also back in the mix at running back. He was used primarily as a blocker on the 12 snaps he played, but also had a seven-yard reception and a one-yard run. Bell said ball security was a focus for him in practice after he fumbled the week prior. 'I came out this week in practice with the sole focus of ball security, ball security, ball security,' Bell said.
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Detroit Lions RB Joique Bell's role has expanded as the season has progressed and he's continued to make plays. Bell has emerged as a receiving threat for the team; he is fourth among all NFL running backs with 178 receiving yards this season. Bell has averaged almost 22 offensive snaps per game over the last four weeks and has carried the ball 19 times and caught 13 passes. His ability to break tackles and get tough yards is one of the things the coaches like about his game. He can get yards on his own. Bell's increased role has coincided with a limited one for RB Kevin Smith, who was inactive in Week 6.
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