METAIRIE, La. ― With Mike Bell leaving New Orleans for Philadelphia this offseason, it would be natural to see Lynell Hamilton step into Bell’s relief and short-yardage role.
That’s at least how Hamilton’s job is being couched – this year’s Mike Bell.
But for Hamilton, a third-year running back out of San Diego State, there’s so much more to what he wants to do.
“Through training camp, you can never say, ‘OK, this is what I’m going to be. I’m going to be the short-yardage guy,’ ” Hamilton said. “Your best bet is to go in there and try to prove that you can do everything and let them put you in the role towards the end and put them where they want you to be.”
Hamilton played in nine games in 2009, starting one against Buffalo. He finished with 125 yards on 35 attempts, scoring two touchdowns. Bell, meanwhile, played in 13 games, rushing for 654 yards on 172 carries, He scored five touchdowns.
Bell played in the Super Bowl, but wearing the wrong cleats in the game and slipping on a goal-to-go situation didn’t do him any favors in a contract year.
Hamilton, on the other hand, wasn’t active for the Super Bowl win over Indianapolis.
Now with the Saints letting Bell go to the Eagles, Hamilton is the natural player to step into the third running back on the roster.
He understands the comparisons to Bell.
“That’s just part of the game,” he said. “A lot of people loved Mike Bell when he was here. They loved the way he ran. I run similar to that. I can see why people are trying to push me into that role.
“And, you know what – that’s the role I ended up having towards the end of the season so I can understand that.”
Regardless, Head Coach Sean Payton sees Hamilton as being a different back. And that might just be a good thing.
“He’s a different player, so his versatility is different,” Payton said. “He can play in the kicking game and when he got to play last year, early, it was hard for him not to get involved each week because of his ability to do other things.”
