Cards seem to finally have running game
Bob Baum, The Associated Press
December 23, 2009
Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) is stopped by Lions safety Louis Delmas (26) and defensive tackle Grady Jackson (90) at Ford Field in Detroit. Dec. 20, 2009.
Ken Whisenhunt has so wanted a punishing ground game since the day he took over as Arizona coach three seasons ago.
He might finally be getting one.
The emergence of rookie Beanie Wells, coupled with the hard-hitting Tim Hightower, has made the running game an increasing threat as Arizona won its second straight NFC West title.
The Cardinals are still going to throw, of course. It's just that the defense won't be able to concentrate as much on pressuring Kurt Warner and defending Pro Bowl receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
Whisenhunt: Arizona to play to win final 2 games
"That Beanie Wells is terrific. I think Tim is a heck of a back, too," said St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo, whose Rams are at Arizona on Sunday. "That's quite a complement when you have the two of them."
Wells, the No. 31 pick overall out of Ohio State, remains behind Hightower in the starting lineup, but that's mostly a formality. Wells had his first NFL 100-yard game last Sunday, gaining 110 in 17 carries in Arizona's 31-24 victory at Detroit, including a 33-yarder to set up the winning touchdown.
Wells has gained 703 yards in 153 carries, an average of 4.6 per attempt. Among NFL rookies, only Denver's Knowshon Moreno has gained more (879) ? and he has 71 more carries.
"He has made huge strides and done a lot of good things in his first 14 weeks," quarterback Kurt Warner said, "but we just believe there's going to be a lot more on the horizon and bigger and better things he's going to do with us."
