PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Bell Is No. 3 Despite a Strong Start

After an impressive exhibition season, many expected Nick Bell to take over as the top Raider tailback for the regular season.

But the 1991 second-round draft choice from Iowa has seen his role diminish each week, and he has gained only 71 yards in 19 carries.

Instead of fighting for a starting position, he sits behind Eric Dickerson and Marcus Allen.

“When you have three tailbacks, somebody gets lost in the shuffle,” Coach Art Shell said. “And Nick’s been the guy here.”

“When a guy is running good, you want to give him as many opportunities to make plays as possible,” Shell said of Dickerson’s performance during Sunday’s victory over the New York Giants.

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The Raider defense will be tested Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, who have scored at least 34 points in four of their five games. The Bills have won the last four meetings, including a 30-27 overtime victory at the Coliseum last year.