I was forced by my son to play fantasty football this year. I chose Beanie as my primary back on the notion that he was going to be THE GUY this year. Seems like if his body can hold up, I'll be golden.GeorgiaBuck2;2004587; said:
For Beanie Wells, the only thing that's changed is opportunity
By Adam Green/Arizona Sports
Published: October 04, 2011
Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) is tackled by New York Giants' Aaron Ross during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Beanie Wells showed promise as a rookie, rushing for 793 yards and seven touchdowns for a team that went to the playoffs.
However, his second season with the Cardinals didn't go so well, as the former Ohio State star picked up just 397 yards and two touchdowns, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry.
Needless to say, the fact that he's on pace to surpass last year's total by Week 5 of this season gives the impression that something has changed with the runner.
"I don't think anything's changed," Wells told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf Tuesday. "I go to work, I go to practice just like I have been year in and year out. I just like to think I'm getting the opportunity right now."
True, Wells is getting more carries than ever before, as he's the undisputed number one back and the options behind him are nothing to write home about, but it seems as if something's different this season.
After all, simply getting more carries wouldn't cause a player to go from possible first round bust to All-Pro in one season.
"If you go back to last year, remember last year was one of those years where I had the knee injury all year and it's something that kind of lingered," Wells said. "Right now I think you guys are just seeing a healthy me and I think it's more comparable to how I ran my rookie year."
While opportunity and health have certainly helped, they are not the only reasons Wells has gone from bust to beast.
The Cardinals drafted running back Ryan Williams in the second round of the 2011 draft, and although he is out for the year after injuring his knee in the preseason, the message his selection sent resonated with Wells.
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't," Wells said of being motivated by the move. "Whenever somebody drafts another running back, somebody at your same position, you definitely feel a little bit threatened.
"You feel like, you know what, the coaches don't feel like I can get the job done and that's how I felt."
That's certainly not the case anymore.
Cardinals' Beanie Wells looks to improve in receiving game
Catching the football is proving difficult for team's starting running back
by Kent Somers - Oct. 6, 2011
The Arizona Republic
Beanie Wells is doing a fine job running the football, gaining 321 yards in three games. Catching the football, however, has proved more difficult for the Cardinals running back.
Wells thinks he should have caught a screen pass a few weeks ago, even though the ball was high. He dropped a pass on third down at the New York Giants? 18-yard line a week ago, and fumbled a pitch near the Carolina Panthers? goal line in the season opener.
?Whenever you have a game (vs. the Giants) so close like that, you care about every little minimal mistake,? Wells said. ?What if? What if I?d have caught that pass? What if we had (pulled) the screen off? Would we have won the game?
?I don?t want to go on further in the season thinking about things like that. I?d rather close out a football game, knowing that we did everything possible to bring us closer to a victory.?
Wells has four receptions for 12 yards, but one catch accounted for 10 of those yards.
Beanie Wells feeling more comfortable in Cardinals offense
By John Boes/Arizona Sports
Published: October 11, 2011
Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells (26) is tackled by New York Giants' Aaron Ross during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX - The Arizona Cardinals at 1-4 have gotten off to a disappointing start, but running back Beanie Wells is still having success this season.
Wells has already scored six touchdowns and rushed for 381 yards at a 4.8 yards per carry.
He struggled last season with fumbling issues and even getting playing time on the field.
"Last year was a blur to me. I was injured and going through everything. Now I'm just more comfortable and running as such," said Wells on the Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf show Tuesday.
It has taken the Cardinals' first round pick from 2009 a few years to find his place in the team's offense.
"When you're a rookie, you come into the league uncertain of who you really are as a person and as a player. You're just going out there and playing like a chicken with your head cut off," said Wells.
The Cardinals running back was quick to credit his teammates for his breakout season.
"It's the best offensive line since I've been here. They're probably playing at their best since I've been there," said Wells.
Still, Wells is frustrated with his team's poor start and feels he could be doing even more to help.
"At some points early in the game, I tend to miss a few holes and I think as the season goes on I'm going to hit those holes and there won't be yards left on the field," said Wells.
The Cardinals running back thinks the team just needs to tighten up its game and not give up on the season.
"We just need to capitalize on our opportunities and execute a little bit better. I'm not panicking at all. I still think we have a chance to be a pretty good football team," said Wells.
I said gotdamn!
