Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2010 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we plan to publish more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Chris Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Player Page Link: Chris Wells Player Page

Each article will include:

[*]Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member

[*]Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads

[*]FBG Projections

[*]Consensus Member Projections

The Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

[*]Focus commentary on the player (or players) in question, and your expectations for said player (or players)

[*]Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"

[*]Avoid redundancies or ... this should be about incremental analysis or debate

While not a requirement, we strongly encourage you to provide your own projections for the player (players):

Projections should include:

[*]For QBs: Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Attempts, Rush Yards, Rush TDs

[*]For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

[*]For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

Now let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[mlball77]

I never considered myself a big Beanie Wells guy, but I do like his odds of having a very productive year in 2010 and relegating Hightower more to a 3rd down and change of pace role. Further, I believe that with Warner gone, ARI will run the ball a bit more than they did in the last two years.

Rsh: 240

Rsh Yds: 1021

Rsh Tds: 9

Recs: 23

Rec Yds: 195

Rec Tds: 0

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I was impressed in what I saw with Beanie Wells last year. The cream usually rises to the top and that's what happened in the Phoenix backfield last year and Wells emerged as their best RB. I feel like Arizona got rid of a lot of talent from last year's team and I really wonder how that will effect their team on and off the field. Will they fall behind and abandon the run? Will Leinart be able to handle the pressure and keep the team in games?

I'm a little scared to draft Arizona players at this stage of the season at where I have to pay for Fitz and Wells. If these guys actually have a good season, my guess is Leinart will end up being a fantasy steal and I'm not sure he will be.

925 yards rushing, 7 td's

35 receptions for 200 yards 2 td's

 

[Mister CIA]

I was impressed in what I saw with Beanie Wells last year. The cream usually rises to the top and that's what happened in the Phoenix backfield last year and Wells emerged as their best RB. I feel like Arizona got rid of a lot of talent from last year's team and I really wonder how that will effect their team on and off the field. Will they fall behind and abandon the run? Will Leinart be able to handle the pressure and keep the team in games? I'm a little scared to draft Arizona players at this stage of the season at where I have to pay for Fitz and Wells. If these guys actually have a good season, my guess is Leinart will end up being a fantasy steal and I'm not sure he will be.925 yards rushing, 7 td's35 receptions for 200 yards 2 td's

57 yards rushing per game? I think you are trying too hard.

 

[Team ROFLCOPTERS]

I'll wait to find out more about his role. Hightower really makes it difficult to project Wells.

 

[Sinrman]

Wells will be one of the hardest ones to predict this year, methinks. The talk of the Cardinals running more only makes sense, going from Warner to Leinart at QB. But how much will Hightower steal from Beanie? Can Beanie hold up to a grueling 16 game regular season and possible playoff run? Lot of questions. For now, I'll go with:

1097 yards

8 TDs

22 catches

211 yards

1 TD

 

[T.Rex]

280- 1316- 11

18-140-1

I think i'll be real close

 

[rzrback77]

Arizona's running game has long been ranked in the lower tiers. For the past few seasons, there has been a slight uptick and there is constant chatter that their Pittsburgh West coaching staff longs to have a run first mentality. There is much more talk of that this off season with Kurt Warner's retirement and the trading of Anquan Boldin. Let's look first at the trends that have developed over the past three seasons.

07 - 357 comp 591 att 60.4% 4220 yds 7.1 ypa 32 TDs 24 int 401 rushes 1450 yds 3.62 ypc 9 TDs

08 - 417 comp 628 att 66.4% 4846 yds 7.7 ypa 31 TDs 15 int 339 rushes 1179 yds 3.48 ypc 14 TDs

09 - 393 comp 595 att 66.1% 4205 yds 7.1 ypa 28 TDs 18 int 363 rushes 1480 yds 4.08 ypc 15 TDs

The running game was by far the most effective in 09, rushing for over half a yard per carry more than the year before. They also scored more TDs on the ground. The split between the two RBs was quite a bit different as the year wore on.

Consider that the first half of the season

Hightower 8 gms 78 rushes for 283 yds 3.63 ypc 52 targets 40 catches 307 yds 7.68 ypc 5 TDs

C. Wells 8 gms 70 rushes for 310 yds 4.43 ypc 5 targets 4 catches 17 yds 4.25 ypc 1 TDs

Definite advantage to Hightower with Wells better only at rushing yards per carry

Moving on to the second half

Hightower 8 gms 65 rushes for 315 yds 4.85 ypc 28 targets 23 catches 121 yds 5.26 ypc 3 TDs

C. Wells 8 gms 108 rushes for 483 yds 4.56 ypc 11 targets 8 catches 126 yds 15.75 ypc 6 TDs

Hightower's only advantage in the second half was yards per carry and it was slight. Chris "Beanie" Wells managed 62.4% of the rushing attempts and also was more productive in the passing attack with a few long gainers. I think that these ratios will continue. I also think that the Cardinals defense will be better and combine that with my lack of trust for Lienart, I believe Mr. Wells will be very productive in 2010, especially in the red zone. At his current ADP of RB 13 and 27 overall, I may be buying.

Chris Wells 16 gms 256 carries 1152 yards 4.5 ypc 32 targets 25 catches 200 yds 8.0 ypc and 14 total TDs

edited to add the word total

 

[Spike]

Arizona's running game has long been ranked in the lower tiers. For the past few seasons, there has been a slight uptick and there is constant chatter that their Pittsburgh West coaching staff longs to have a run first mentality. There is much more talk of that this off season with Kurt Warner's retirement and the trading of Anquan Boldin. Let's look first at the trends that have developed over the past three seasons.

07 - 357 comp 591 att 60.4% 4220 yds 7.1 ypa 32 TDs 24 int 401 rushes 1450 yds 3.62 ypc 9 TDs

08 - 417 comp 628 att 66.4% 4846 yds 7.7 ypa 31 TDs 15 int 339 rushes 1179 yds 3.48 ypc 14 TDs

09 - 393 comp 595 att 66.1% 4205 yds 7.1 ypa 28 TDs 18 int 363 rushes 1480 yds 4.08 ypc 15 TDs

The running game was by far the most effective in 09, rushing for over half a yard per carry more than the year before. They also scored more TDs on the ground. The split between the two RBs was quite a bit different as the year wore on.

Consider that the first half of the season

Hightower 8 gms 78 rushes for 283 yds 3.63 ypc 52 targets 40 catches 307 yds 7.68 ypc 5 TDs

C. Wells 8 gms 70 rushes for 310 yds 4.43 ypc 5 targets 4 catches 17 yds 4.25 ypc 1 TDs

Definite advantage to Hightower with Wells better only at rushing yards per carry

Moving on to the second half

Hightower 8 gms 65 rushes for 315 yds 4.85 ypc 28 targets 23 catches 121 yds 5.26 ypc 3 TDs

C. Wells 8 gms 108 rushes for 483 yds 4.56 ypc 11 targets 8 catches 126 yds 15.75 ypc 6 TDs

Hightower's only advantage in the second half was yards per carry and it was slight. Chris "Beanie" Wells managed 62.4% of the rushing attempts and also was more productive in the passing attack with a few long gainers. I think that these ratios will continue. I also think that the Cardinals defense will be better and combine that with my lack of trust for Lienart, I believe Mr. Wells will be very productive in 2010, especially in the red zone. At his current ADP of RB 13 and 27 overall, I may be buying.

Chris Wells 16 gms 256 carries 1152 yards 4.5 ypc 32 targets 25 catches 200 yds 8.0 ypc and 14 TDs

Wow, 256 rushes and no TDs but only 25 catches and 14 of them for a TD! Amazing percentages!

 

[Lord Fantasy]

Add Wells to the list (along with Mendenhall and Moreno) of young, relatively unproven guys who we're going to debate the @#$%! out of this summer because of question marks surrounding the offenses they're on.

AZ, DEN and PIT all suffered setbacks to their passing game and all are supposedly going to want to run the ball more but remains to be seen if any of them can.

I thought Wells looked good at the end of last year, but he looked good in the context of a team that had crazy passing weapons. If AZ has to pound it (and Wells is their guy to do the pounding) I have no idea if they will be successful at it or not. So I'm going to be conservative:

225/950/8

 

[hankey2mlh]

Wells imho is an elite talent and, if healthy, will emerge as a reliable RB1 this year, especially considering his nice schedule. Hightower may steal some catches and touchdowns, but Beanie is definitely the guy in Arizona.

My prediction:

270 carries, 1350 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns

25 catches, 200 receiving yards

 

[Grahamburn]

2009 Highlights

Some of those runs are sick! The size, speed, power combination Chris Wells has is outstanding.

 

[DoubleG]

2009 Highlights

Some of those runs are sick! The size, speed, power combination Chris Wells has is outstanding.

I got chills. Some of those runs against the Seahawks were just

 

[Go deep]

Add Wells to the list (along with Mendenhall and Moreno) of young, relatively unproven guys who we're going to debate the @#$%! out of this summer because of question marks surrounding the offenses they're on.

AZ, DEN and PIT all suffered setbacks to their passing game and all are supposedly going to want to run the ball more but remains to be seen if any of them can.

I thought Wells looked good at the end of last year, but he looked good in the context of a team that had crazy passing weapons. If AZ has to pound it (and Wells is their guy to do the pounding) I have no idea if they will be successful at it or not. So I'm going to be conservative:

225/950/8

While i agree that Mendenhall and Moreno are in the same tier, i think Wells is easily in a tier above them. He just looked better than both even if it was a small sample size. He looks explosive for his size, and reminds me more of Jonathan Stewart. His offense scares me a bit, but with Fitz still there, the safeties wont be able to cheat up in the box. The Cardinals said they will run the ball more this year, and with Warner gone, i cant imagine they wont at least try. Hightower doesnt scare me much, he just isnt a very good runner. He will definately get his share of receptions, and may steal the occasional TD, but there will be plenty of touches for Wells to be a top 5-10 RB.271 carries, 1195 yards, 9 TD's, 27 rec. 281 yards, 1 TD

 

[Blackjacks]

Everyone wants to talk about the loss of Warner and Boldin but I haven't heard any mention of Faneca. This Oline the Cardinals have but together is down right scary add in the FACT that their schedule is very easy.

I see Beannie as a huge breakthrough guy this year

300 carries

1300 yards

12 td's

30 catches

200 yards

1 td

Hightower will still be the 3rd down back

 

[swirvenirvin]

 

[FavreCo]

Down goes Beanie. Carted off.

If the injury RB Beanie Wells suffered in Monday afternoon's practice is serious, it would mark the second straight year the second-year back was injured and missed significant time in camp. He injured an ankle last year.

 

[identikit]

According to Darren Urban @Cardschatter:

He [Wells] has a rib injury. He's getting checked out now.

 

[threeputt]

as usual, I see a lot of ohio state fans in here.

with leinart at the helm, defenses are going to stack the box and demand Leinart throw the ball if they are going to win some games. I don't know what this says about the numbers the Zona backfield will put up, but the numbers you guys are reporting are redonkulous! the days of Warner slinging the ball and leaving less men in the box are over!

 

[n20]

He's back and practicing.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

as usual, I see a lot of ohio state fans in here. with leinart at the helm, defenses are going to stack the box and demand Leinart throw the ball if they are going to win some games. I don't know what this says about the numbers the Zona backfield will put up, but the numbers you guys are reporting are redonkulous! the days of Warner slinging the ball and leaving less men in the box are over!

The last two years the Arizona Cardinals rushing attack:2008 2009Hightower 399 yds and 10 td's T. Hightower 598 and 8 td's E. James 514 yards and 3 td's Chris Wells 793 and 7 td'sOutside of the Td's which are respectable, it's not exactly like these running backs and tons of yardage as Arizona didn't have an 800 yard rusher the past two seasons with Warner as the QB. The receptions were relatively high for the backs but I don't think that'll change much because Leinart will probably check down to them a lot. What will change if Leinart isn't that good is the WR numbers.From looking at the last two seasons and the amount of Td's Hightower as scored, he's a necessary handcuff to Wells. I thought Wells looked pretty good running the ball last year but the cost of this handcuff is reasonable IMO.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

as usual, I see a lot of ohio state fans in here. with leinart at the helm, defenses are going to stack the box and demand Leinart throw the ball if they are going to win some games. I don't know what this says about the numbers the Zona backfield will put up, but the numbers you guys are reporting are redonkulous! the days of Warner slinging the ball and leaving less men in the box are over!

I think you need to take a look at the passing games of the top 10 running backs last year.Hint: almost all of them suck.

 

[DoubleG]

as usual, I see a lot of ohio state fans in here.

Wait...ummm....what?

 

[Baboom]

Arizona Cardinals' Beanie Wells wants the ball - a lot

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/...wants-ball.html

by Bob McManaman - Aug. 20, 2010 03:55 PM

The Arizona Republic

FLAGSTAFF - Beanie Wells has a consistent message he's been delivering to head coach Ken Whisenhunt. He wants the dang ball.

Wells, last year's first-round pick from Ohio State, said he wants to leave his mark in the NFL, but to do that before the typical NFL running back's expiration date - on or before the ripe old age of 30 - he needs as many carries as he can get.

"My goal has always been to be the best running back to ever play the game and that's still my goal," said Wells, 22. "I know it's going to take some time, but I've got time. ... I just need to get the carries."

He rushed for 793 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie and said he hopes to double those figures in 2010. His workload increased in the second half of last season, but to make sure that trend continues, Wells said he's planting seeds with Whisenhunt about getting more playing time.

Whisenhunt acknowledged he's spoken with Wells, the No. 2 running back on the depth chart behind Tim Hightower, several times on the subject and is encouraged by Wells' hunger for carries.

"We have talked about it and I'm sure we'll talk about it more," Whisenhunt said. "... He just has to remember that there are other areas to his game that he needs to get better with."

Wells wouldn't put a number on how many carries per game would make him happy, adding: "As long as I get most of them" it doesn't matter.

"If I have to belly-ache, I'll belly-ache," Wells said. "I'm just going to tell him I want the ball. And I'll prove I deserve the ball by going out there and running hard and being successful when I get the chance to get it."

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Beanie, Beanie, the magical back

the more you draft, the more you lack

 

[Grahamburn]

Any new thoughts on Chris Wells after two preseason games?

I was a bit disappointed sitting down and watching the Cardinals go three and out without Beanie ever seeing the field in their first three series of the game Monday night . Then he comes in for the goal line package on the fourth series, promptly catches a pass down to the one, and then Anderson misses Breaston by a mile after the entire Titans' defense bit on play action to Beanie.

This guy is a beast and the defense knows it. Do the Cardinal's coaches think the opposing defense is more scared of Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower?

What am I missing here? Is Whisenhunt trying to motivate Wells to continue working hard? I don't get it.

Beanie is a first round pick and looks like an elite talent when he's on the field. He's the second best offensive player on the team. If the Cardinals want to be successful they're goint to need to get this guy the ball a ton.

 

[The Real Hipster Doofus]

Any new thoughts on Chris Wells after two preseason games?I was a bit disappointed sitting down and watching the Cardinals go three and out without Beanie ever seeing the field in their first three series of the game Monday night . Then he comes in for the goal line package on the fourth series, promptly catches a pass down to the one, and then Anderson misses Breaston by a mile after the entire Titans' defense bit on play action to Beanie.This guy is a beast and the defense knows it. Do the Cardinal's coaches think the opposing defense is more scared of Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower?What am I missing here? Is Whisenhunt trying to motivate Wells to continue working hard? I don't get it. Beanie is a first round pick and looks like an elite talent when he's on the field. He's the second best offensive player on the team. If the Cardinals want to be successful they're goint to need to get this guy the ball a ton.

I expect Beanie to have a pretty big year and be a consensus top 7-8 back next year.

 

[Multiple Scores]

Any new thoughts on Chris Wells after two preseason games?I was a bit disappointed sitting down and watching the Cardinals go three and out without Beanie ever seeing the field in their first three series of the game Monday night . Then he comes in for the goal line package on the fourth series, promptly catches a pass down to the one, and then Anderson misses Breaston by a mile after the entire Titans' defense bit on play action to Beanie.This guy is a beast and the defense knows it. Do the Cardinal's coaches think the opposing defense is more scared of Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower?What am I missing here? Is Whisenhunt trying to motivate Wells to continue working hard? I don't get it. Beanie is a first round pick and looks like an elite talent when he's on the field. He's the second best offensive player on the team. If the Cardinals want to be successful they're goint to need to get this guy the ball a ton.

I have thought the same exact thing. Beanie is supposed to "earn" the job, what has THT done to "earn" or keep that job? Having him in the game will help Leinart too, sure THT is a little better at receiving but Beanie is just as good at blocking and isn't bad catching the ball either, at least Lienart could have better passing options when the box is stacked for Beanie. I don't get what Wisenhunt is doing either, right now the Cardinals are looking for easy wins on the 49ers schedule so hopefully Whisenhunt doesn't wake up until after we smack them around a bit.

 

[guderian]

I don't get it either. Last year Wells would fumble and get benched. Then Hightower would fumble and Wells would get benched. Wells ended up with a higher YPC, fewer fumbles on roughly the same amount of touches and he gets higher scores on Football Outsiders' methods.

 

[damageinc]

I figure by mid season Beanie will be the Man a little bit more then the begining of the season but Hightower isnt going away. Hes a good blocker and pass reciever and from what we read Lienart is all about checking down if his main guy isnt open. I expect Beanie to have over 1000 yards and 10+ TD's but I expect Hightower to top 60 receptions easy this year. Both will be good for fantasy purposes.