When it comes to bold predictions, Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell is the last guy on the team you would imagine doing so. Bell, known for his work ethic and team oriented attitude, shocked many Lions fans when earlier this week predicted that he would rush for 1,200 yards this upcoming season.
"I'm going to rush for over 1,200 yards," Bell told MLive.com. "That's the minimum. If I do less than that, I'll be surprised. I'll be disappointed. Anything more than that, I wouldn't be surprised at all."
The ambition seems good, but the practicality seems slim. In three seasons with the Lions, Bell has rushed for 1,924 yards (4.1 YPC), caught 190 passes for 1,354 yards, and total of 19 TD. Bell has a tough running style without breakaway speed. Bell hasn't practiced this off-season due to a knee injury. He also underwent minor surgery to clean up his knee and Achilles in January.
Bell, who grew up in Benton Harbor, MI and attended Wayne State University. Bell was the winner of the Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, as he rushed for 2,084 yards and 29 touchdowns during his senior year. Despite such an accomplishment Bell went undrafted. Bell bounced around the league. He spent time with Buffalo, Philadelphia (twice), Indianapolis, and New Orleans before finding a home with the Lions prior to the 2012 season.
The Lions were the only team from 2005-2012 without a 1,000 yard rusher. Reggie Bush barely eclipsed that benchmark in 2013, rushing for 1,006 yards. Once again the Lions failed to have a running back hit the 1,000 yard mark in 2014 as Bell led the team with 860 yards.
Bell will have plenty of competition as the Lions drafted versatile running back Ameer Abdullah out of the University of Nebraska in the second round of the draft.