Beanie Wells (1 Viewer)

[grouse]

Obviously the majority of the discussion this week for the Cardinals will center around the Quarterback issue, but I think the Cardinals need more than a QB change, they need to reassess their entire offensive gameplan / identity. No matter who is playing QB, the Cardinals will not be able to beat opponents consistently through the air anymore. They've paid lip service in the past to wanting to run more, but that just hasn't transpired on the field as yet. If the Cardinals don't transition into a ball control offense, how will they keep themselves from over-exposing a declining defense and/or an inexperienced QB? At some point, an acknowledgment needs to be made internally that to win games or even to mitigate damage in the face of a lopsided score, they must run a conservative, ball-control, run-first, checkdown-Charlie offense.

Are the tea-leaves lining up for a heavier commitment to Wells in the weeks ahead? Or is Wells destined to be waiver wire fodder with the rest of the Cardinals offense? What do you think?

 

[Max Power]

I'd sell in a redraft. Its sad, because I think on talent alone, Beanie is a top 5 RB in the NFL. The problem is that Hightower is still getting the start and Hightower is a much better recieving RB. The Zona D just isn't good and this team will be playing from behind more often than not.

If they can't get the passing game to click, they might be playing from several scores behind often as well.

No Doubt Beanie has a few huge games this year, but I think he is going to have several more 5-8 carry games as well.

 

[Phrenchdude]

Obviously the majority of the discussion this week for the Cardinals will center around the Quarterback issue, but I think the Cardinals need more than a QB change, they need to reassess their entire offensive gameplan / identity. No matter who is playing QB, the Cardinals will not be able to beat opponents consistently through the air anymore. They've paid lip service in the past to wanting to run more, but that just hasn't transpired on the field as yet. If the Cardinals don't transition into a ball control offense, how will they keep themselves from over-exposing a declining defense and/or an inexperienced QB? At some point, an acknowledgment needs to be made internally that to win games or even to mitigate damage in the face of a lopsided score, they must run a conservative, ball-control, run-first, checkdown-Charlie offense.Are the tea-leaves lining up for a heavier commitment to Wells in the weeks ahead? Or is Wells destined to be waiver wire fodder with the rest of the Cardinals offense? What do you think?

if they hand the metaphorical keys of the Offense to Max Hall surely they wont expect him to chuck it 30 times a game and will try and relieve him of some pressure by relying more on the run. Or at least keep some check down options available where Beanie could catch a few dump-offs.I dont have a single Card on my teams o i havent been following but Hightower is still in the picture is he not? Even without it being a true RBBC, he's still there to scavenge some carries/catches from Wells no?

 

[thriftyrocker]

In redraft you could probably buy him for a retread like TJones or a lower prize lottery ticket like Blount. In that case it might be worth a buy if your bench is deep enough to sit and wait.

 

[PahtyTom]

BUY

he's their best chance to win games

 

[Goooals]

I posted this yesterday on another thread:

Went to the game today. As a Charger fan and also having Wells and Fitz on my fantasy team, this was a dream come true and I was also sitting pretty close to the Cardinal bench.

I have no idea why Wells didn't get a carry until the second quarter. He was ready to go and stood by the coordinator the whole time.

Once he got into the game, he had two good carries right away. Then, he must have missed an assignment when the Cards either fumbled or threw an Int, I cannot remmeber which one.

When he came off the field, he was talking to the coordinator. The next thing you know, he was upset and pointing his finger at the coordinator. The coach took a few steps away, turned around and starting yelling and pointing back at wells. Wells went to the bench, took off his helment and didn't go back into the game until after halftime.

Even at the start of the third quarter, wells was still on the bench and wasn't even standing on the sideline waiting to go in on the next package change. I think it must have been a couple of series before he got up and got back into the game for a few plays.

Bottom line:

He didn't start and obviously wasn't happy

He argued with the coach and got benched - once again not happy

Not sure what will happen this week or what will be said.

 

[GOroute]

not sure what to make of beanie. thinking of dealing him in a trade that includes beanie for romo. but beanie is a player as others have said so there's risk in giving him up.... but az is bad. might be worth it in a redraft to dump him.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Someone in my league just traded away Frank Gore for Beanie/Eddie Royal. So there are believers out there.

 

[gotexansgo]

I sold him in dynasty, never was a fan of his but his potential is undeniable...just I think he is the type of player who will never reach that potential.

 

[CompetitiveEdgeFootball]

I just don't think you would get enough for him at this point. This Is the classic situation of a guy who's a top 15 talent that I'd try to buy for pennies on the dollar. Because if he gets hot in a month or two, he'll carry your team to a championship. Generally owners are ready to cut bait for way less than he would be worth if he just got 20 carries. What's the Az schedule look like? Does it get softer?

 

[CompetitiveEdgeFootball]

Someone in my league just traded away Frank Gore for Beanie/Eddie Royal. So there are believers out there.

Call the police.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Someone in my league just traded away Frank Gore for Beanie/Eddie Royal. So there are believers out there.

Call the police.

It's the only trade I've ever come close to vetoing.

 

[todisco1]

Someone in my league just traded away Frank Gore for Beanie/Eddie Royal. So there are believers out there.

Call the police.

It's the only trade I've ever come close to vetoing.

That's not even a close to vetoable trade. Eddie Royal's having a fine season. Beanie could come around. If this was vetoed in my league I'd leave the league.

 

[CompetitiveEdgeFootball]

Someone in my league just traded away Frank Gore for Beanie/Eddie Royal. So there are believers out there.

Call the police.

It's the only trade I've ever come close to vetoing.

That's not even a close to vetoable trade. Eddie Royal's having a fine season. Beanie could come around. If this was vetoed in my league I'd leave the league.

Leaving the league might be an over reaction. If there are people willing to trade their stud players in it, I'd argue that it's probably a profitable situation for you.

 

[Captain Hook]

First of all, while I think Wells has talent, I think saying he is a top X RB in the NFL is way off base. Yes he has potential to become a good NFL running back......BUT

He is on a bad (sorry to say since I live in the Valley) Cardinals football team that is essentially a team in transition - in many ways. Sure Whiz would prefer to run the ball more and that was always the plan for LAW - life after Warner...............BUT you can't run more with Terrible quarterback play and Terrible defensive play. They are going to be behind - in some cases well behind - in many games outside of the division opponents, so opposing defenses will load up and tee off and/or stack the box.

It will take a while for the Cardinals to work their way out of this - sad but true if you are relying on points from any Cardinal players for your FF teams this season.

There will be occassional games where Wells and/or Hightower has a good game and there will be games where Fitzgerald or Breaston (when healthy) score like a WR2....more often WR3 but I am not sure you will be able to find those with confidence aside from home vs Rams and home vs Seahawks

Max Hall has talent but this week will be his first NFL start - he NEEDS experience and more than one weeks reps with the first stringers. He does have a strong presence in the huddle so he will get a good shot, but his arm is not above average and if things go badly I would expect Skelton to get a "tryout" late in the season - he does have a cannon so while even more inexperienced might well hit some bombs to Fitz and Breaston/Doucet

Bottom line for Wells:

redraft - park on reserve unless good matchup (or team starts being more competitive) or trade if you need what you can get more or can't stand the dead roster spot

dynasty/keeper - I would definitely hold or buy on the cheap

 

[grouse]

First of all, while I think Wells has talent, I think saying he is a top X RB in the NFL is way off base. Yes he has potential to become a good NFL running back......BUTHe is on a bad (sorry to say since I live in the Valley) Cardinals football team that is essentially a team in transition - in many ways. Sure Whiz would prefer to run the ball more and that was always the plan for LAW - life after Warner...............BUT you can't run more with Terrible quarterback play and Terrible defensive play. They are going to be behind - in some cases well behind - in many games outside of the division opponents, so opposing defenses will load up and tee off and/or stack the box.It will take a while for the Cardinals to work their way out of this - sad but true if you are relying on points from any Cardinal players for your FF teams this season. There will be occassional games where Wells and/or Hightower has a good game and there will be games where Fitzgerald or Breaston (when healthy) score like a WR2....more often WR3 but I am not sure you will be able to find those with confidence aside from home vs Rams and home vs SeahawksMax Hall has talent but this week will be his first NFL start - he NEEDS experience and more than one weeks reps with the first stringers. He does have a strong presence in the huddle so he will get a good shot, but his arm is not above average and if things go badly I would expect Skelton to get a "tryout" late in the season - he does have a cannon so while even more inexperienced might well hit some bombs to Fitz and Breaston/DoucetBottom line for Wells:redraft - park on reserve unless good matchup (or team starts being more competitive) or trade if you need what you can get more or can't stand the dead roster spotdynasty/keeper - I would definitely hold or buy on the cheap

All good points Hook. Predictability is everything in this business, so I'm curious to see if Wells can become of one of those RBs that does well at home and poorly on the road. If the Cardinals can establish some form of resistance at home, I think Wells will be leaned on more and more as the season progresses. I don't have much hope for most of their road games. Teams that find themselves at the intersection of Rebuilding & Mediocrity tend to save their worst performances for the road as evidenced by their drubbing last week.

 

[detox]

I have a feeling he will be good once his RC contract expires an he signs with another team via FA. Similar to Hearst and Thomas Jones. I know, Cardinals are a different team now, but the Cardinals have a track record of drafting talent but not using it.

 

[damageinc]

I kind of agree with that, You have a talent like Wells you play him. And I am a huge T Hightower guy . I think Hightower is a competent back But hes not in the same talent level as Wells. I think Hightower could be a starter for some teams that need a RB. Hightower would be great on Green bay etc . I just think you have Wells you need to see what he can do especially if your team is strugling.

 

[gotexansgo]

I would say he obviously isnt doing something the coaches want him to be doing or Hightower is just the much more preferred back for some reason. Beanie has the potential but if his coaches dont want to put him ahead of Hightower there just has to be something up, its not like they want to lose games and not be able to run.

 

[grouse]

Here is why I think there is hope for Wells. In 2004 Ken Whisenhunt was promoted to Offensive Co-ordinator of the Steelers. The first thing he did (along with a healthy nudge from Cowher) was bring the Steelers back to their running roots. This is what Jerome Bettis had to say about that time / move:

Bettis recalled the 2004 training camp when Bill Cowher promoted Ken Whisenhunt to offensive coordinator after the Buffalo Bills hired Mike Mularkey as head coach. In 2003, Cowher and Mularkey changed the Steelers' offense to the Tommy Gun to their everlasting dismay. They promoted Amos Zereoue to starting halfback over Bettis because they felt he more suited their new plan to become a passing team behind quarterback Tommy Maddox.

The Steelers went 6-10 in 2003 and Cowher ordered a return to the running game.

"It starts with a philosophy," Bettis said. "When you go to training camp you say, 'We're going to run the football.' That's exactly what we did. There was a great example of that when we got to the goal-line drills. We ran the ball all four times."

And that was just with the first team. The second team followed suit, and when the Steelers had their second live goal-line drill in their 2004 camp, it was all run again. Even during practice, there were more of the so-called "middle drills," which were all run.

"It was the mindset that we are going to run the football and that was never more evident than in training camp," Bettis said. "And what that did was send a message and set the tone, that 'We are running the ball, gentlemen. So guys up front, get ready for it.'" (link)

If Whisenhunt still has that run-first / smash mouth genome hidden somewhere in his DNA post-Warner, perhaps it will re-surface and vault Wells into a volume RB at some point. That's the hope anyways.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.

maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.

but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.

this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.

I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.

I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

 

[TwinTurbo]

I keep hearing how Beanie is a top 5 RB talent, but I don't see it. He's got the prototypical body for the position and mad skills on paper but something is missing. There is just something not right with this guy and I can't quite figure out what. He reminds me of a young Roy Williams the WR. He's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Maybe he shows up, maybe he doesn't. I honestly like Hightower's overall game better, even though Beanie is more talented.

 

[Tigerbot Hesh]

I'm curious to see if he gets more work after throwing the coaches under the bus last week. It's nice to see him want to be out there playing and not content to just hang out on the sideline (cough, Matt Leinart, cough).

 

[two_dollars]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.

maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.

but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.

this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.

I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.

I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

I doubt that's it. We're talking about practice.... not a game. That's all he should be judged on.. if he performs in the games, feed him the rock.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.

maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.

but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.

this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.

I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.

I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

I doubt that's it. We're talking about

fixed.

 

[two_dollars]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.

maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.

but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.

this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.

I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.

I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

I doubt that's it. We're talking about

 

[CompetitiveEdgeFootball]

First of all, while I think Wells has talent, I think saying he is a top X RB in the NFL is way off base. Yes he has potential to become a good NFL running back.....

Top 15 talent.Not top 15 RB.He hasn't been given a fair shot to produce. He may be nearing 100% health now, since he had a clandestine knee surgery in the preseason.I realize that offense isn't going to put up a ton of points, but the defense is a disaster as well, and they'll have commit to the run just to keep other offenses off the field. Not to mention with the ascension of Hall to the starting QB slot, they'd be wise to keep as much pressure off him as possible. He's not going to win any games for you.Really his value is at an all time low. He has to produce more going forward. If he doesn't complain his way into the doghouse anyway...

 

[faulkfan]

I sold him in dynasty, never was a fan of his but his potential is undeniable...just I think he is the type of player who will never reach that potential.

I agree to an extent. I think he never reaches his potential in Arizona. I could see him getting traded or moving to another team when his contract is up and being quite successful. Think Cedric Benson.

 

[Max Power]

Beanie Wells is expected to see an increased first-half role this week after taking a backseat to Tim Hightower in Week 5.

Wells didn't play a single first-quarter snap in Arizona's blowout loss to San Diego, but the Cardinals smartly want to get him rolling earlier. Especially with an undrafted rookie at quarterback, the Cards' game plan figures to be run heavy against a Saints team struggling to defend the run.

Source: FOX Sports

 

[MAC_32]

Owners aren't jumping ship in dyno's so I'm not pursuing him there yet, I'm doing the same thing with him, Felix, and J Stew in redrafts that I did last year though - as their owners tire of them and need people for the bye weeks I'm scooping them up.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

boom!20 carries.

 

[Breesisdaman]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

boom!20 carries.

And not much at all to show for it. *Sigh* I wished he could have produced more with those touches. I am thinking Sell.

 

[OC Zed]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

boom!20 carries.

And 40 total yards. I did not watch much of the game today. Was Wells' ineffectiveness on him or due to the defense/poor line blocking?

 

[Patroclus]

I haven't seen any az games, but there's more to a running back than just running.maybe they're down on his blocking, or effort he puts into the mon-sat part of the week.but, the first couple games he had the knee injury, and they didn't run the ball much in wk 4 against sd 'cuz of the game situation.this leaves him only week 3, the first game back from a knee injury, and he got 14 carries.I think bottom line it's just a combination of the fact that the staff likes to split carries at this point, and that beanie really hasn't had an opportunity yet.I would hope that shortly we will see the carry ratio return to something resembling the latter half of last year, although he's got a fairly brutal schedule.

boom!20 carries.

for 35 yards.....

 

[gotexansgo]

was very worried today as I played the owner I traded Beanie to. Worked out for me this week hopefully that continues and Marshawn Lynch can step it up...and the other pieces to the deal are pretty much all next year (D.Brown + picks)

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

was very worried today as I played the owner I traded Beanie to. Worked out for me this week hopefully that continues and Marshawn Lynch can step it up...and the other pieces to the deal are pretty much all next year (D.Brown + picks)

my cat's breath smells like cat food.

 

[tdhartis]

So has anyone just given up on Beanie? He was facing a weak run defense in NO, and finally got 20 carries like everyone said would make him a huge contributor. But only 35 yards?

 

[THE FANTASY KING]

was very worried today as I played the owner I traded Beanie to. Worked out for me this week hopefully that continues and Marshawn Lynch can step it up...and the other pieces to the deal are pretty much all next year (D.Brown + picks)

my cat's breath smells like cat food.

That is funny.Regards,THE FANTASY KING

 

[skinsrule05]

So has anyone just given up on Beanie? He was facing a weak run defense in NO, and finally got 20 carries like everyone said would make him a huge contributor. But only 35 yards?

I haven't fully given up but I had to shift gears completely. My hope was he puts up a good game and I was going to trade him to the hightower owner. Now he has an awful performance like this. His trade value has gone to nothing. At least before there was the thought that all he needs is to get the carries. Since he isn't really tradeable now I am going to hold him. Hopefully he either shows he can be a true RB or Hightower takes over and I can drop him. Right now he is in limbo which hurts.

 

[ty247]

So has anyone just given up on Beanie? He was facing a weak run defense in NO, and finally got 20 carries like everyone said would make him a huge contributor. But only 35 yards?

I haven't fully given up but I had to shift gears completely. My hope was he puts up a good game and I was going to trade him to the hightower owner. Now he has an awful performance like this. His trade value has gone to nothing. At least before there was the thought that all he needs is to get the carries. Since he isn't really tradeable now I am going to hold him. Hopefully he either shows he can be a true RB or Hightower takes over and I can drop him. Right now he is in limbo which hurts.

The thing is, it's only going to take one good game and people will be back on board.. A game for which the Saints stacked the box to force an undrafted rookie QB to beat them through the air, is not a recipe for running success...

 

[treat88]

So has anyone just given up on Beanie? He was facing a weak run defense in NO, and finally got 20 carries like everyone said would make him a huge contributor. But only 35 yards?

I haven't fully given up but I had to shift gears completely. My hope was he puts up a good game and I was going to trade him to the hightower owner. Now he has an awful performance like this. His trade value has gone to nothing. At least before there was the thought that all he needs is to get the carries. Since he isn't really tradeable now I am going to hold him. Hopefully he either shows he can be a true RB or Hightower takes over and I can drop him. Right now he is in limbo which hurts.

The thing is, it's only going to take one good game and people will be back on board.. A game for which the Saints stacked the box to force an undrafted rookie QB to beat them through the air, is not a recipe for running success...

The Cardinals will be facing that stacked box all season long.Hall doesn't scare anyone at this point, and I think it's long odds he becomes the kind of QB that throws the safety out of the box regularly.

 

[skinsrule05]

So has anyone just given up on Beanie? He was facing a weak run defense in NO, and finally got 20 carries like everyone said would make him a huge contributor. But only 35 yards?

I haven't fully given up but I had to shift gears completely. My hope was he puts up a good game and I was going to trade him to the hightower owner. Now he has an awful performance like this. His trade value has gone to nothing. At least before there was the thought that all he needs is to get the carries. Since he isn't really tradeable now I am going to hold him. Hopefully he either shows he can be a true RB or Hightower takes over and I can drop him. Right now he is in limbo which hurts.

The thing is, it's only going to take one good game and people will be back on board.. A game for which the Saints stacked the box to force an undrafted rookie QB to beat them through the air, is not a recipe for running success...

That is my concern. The QB situation isn't going to change. So if a poor Saints defense can figure out how to shut him down why can't everyone else?

 

[grouse]

Running back Tim Hightower lost a fumble on his sixth carry on Sunday, and he didn't get a chance for a seventh attempt.

Beanie Wells replaced Hightower, who touched the ball just one more time - via the pass, in the Cardinals 22-10 loss to the Seahawks.

It was the fourth fumble Hightower has lost this season, and it could well be the one that costs him the starting job.

"We can't live with that going forward," Whisenhunt said. (LINK)

While Beanie is still not breaking out yet, it does appear the tea leaves are continuing to line up in his favor going forward. There is always concern that game situation will take Wells' off the field for Hightower or Hyphen, but Whisenhunt has also been quoted recently saying Wells' blitz pickup has improved to the point where there is no reason to remove him on passing downs for that specific reason. Add in the fact that Wells has already had his bye week, and his remaining schedule is decent, there is a lot to like about this situation if you are a Beanie owner right now.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Running back Tim Hightower lost a fumble on his sixth carry on Sunday, and he didn't get a chance for a seventh attempt.

Beanie Wells replaced Hightower, who touched the ball just one more time - via the pass, in the Cardinals 22-10 loss to the Seahawks.

It was the fourth fumble Hightower has lost this season, and it could well be the one that costs him the starting job.

"We can't live with that going forward," Whisenhunt said. (LINK)

While Beanie is still not breaking out yet, it does appear the tea leaves are continuing to line up in his favor going forward. There is always concern that game situation will take Wells' off the field for Hightower or Hyphen, but Whisenhunt has also been quoted recently saying Wells' blitz pickup has improved to the point where there is no reason to remove him on passing downs for that specific reason. Add in the fact that Wells has already had his bye week, and his remaining schedule is decent, there is a lot to like about this situation if you are a Beanie owner right now.

I would like to see the total plays count. Hightower might have only touched the ball once after Beanie's first appearance, but he was in the game a lot more than Beanie it seemed like. Personally, I'm tired of Whiz's shtick. It's getting old.

 

[Clifford]

Hightower has been the far superior back for two years now. Just annoint Hightower the starter and be done with it.

 

[DoubleG]

Running back Tim Hightower lost a fumble on his sixth carry on Sunday, and he didn't get a chance for a seventh attempt.

Beanie Wells replaced Hightower, who touched the ball just one more time - via the pass, in the Cardinals 22-10 loss to the Seahawks.

It was the fourth fumble Hightower has lost this season, and it could well be the one that costs him the starting job.

"We can't live with that going forward," Whisenhunt said. (LINK)

While Beanie is still not breaking out yet, it does appear the tea leaves are continuing to line up in his favor going forward. There is always concern that game situation will take Wells' off the field for Hightower or Hyphen, but Whisenhunt has also been quoted recently saying Wells' blitz pickup has improved to the point where there is no reason to remove him on passing downs for that specific reason. Add in the fact that Wells has already had his bye week, and his remaining schedule is decent, there is a lot to like about this situation if you are a Beanie owner right now.

I would like to see the total plays count. Hightower might have only touched the ball once after Beanie's first appearance, but he was in the game a lot more than Beanie it seemed like. Personally, I'm tired of Whiz's shtick. It's getting old.

I'm sure THT was in the game more later - Arizona was trailing (in part because of Hightower's fumble - but other TOs as well), so it follows that TH was in the game more simply because the Arizona offense uses THT more in their "passing offense".In fact, I think that is part of the problem with Arizona's gameplan - THT in, they pass, Beanie in, they run more. It's too predictable. Wells has proven he can catch the ball when given the opportunity. As long as they follow this "blueprint", THT will have decent running stats (as teams see him as primarily the pass catcher) as Wells will have weaker rushing stats (as teams key the run when Wells is in).

 

[damageinc]

Tim Hightower received zero carries after his second quarter fumble Sunday and coach Ken Whisenhunt was highly critical of his starter after the game.

Hightower has lost three fumbles this season and four in 2009. It's a recurring theme that Whisenhunt is well aware of. "We can't live with that going forward," Whisenhunt said. Top beat writer Kent Somers says that this fumble could very well be the one that costs Hightower his starting job. Look for Beanie Wells to handle almost all the early-down work going forward, with Hightower just playing on passing downs.

 

[Phurfur]

Any owner counting on Wells will not be in the SB.

 

[TheChairman]

The Jay Cutler of RBs

 

[gandalas]

Any owner counting on Wells will not be in the SB.

How about counting on him as my RB3 or RB4?Ahead of him I have Ray Rice, Darren McFadden, and possibly either Ronnie Brown or Michael Bush ahead of him. So he is anywhere from my RB3 to my RB5 depending on my week. I think I can surely count on him for that kind of production.