Beanie is the closest thing to AP since AP...

[Crash]

When I see Beenie blast some NFL backer and then bust for another 20 yards, then I will be really happy. Until then, we can only hope that happens.

 

[Stout]

LOL. Just trying to avoid the Hextalls. (Don't ask. Family thing surrounding Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall. Basically a curse kinda thing. Sucks.)

Bet you're rooting for the mighty Pens right now, huh?

 

[JeffGollin]

Kind of off topic, but I recently had the chance to look at some old footage of Ottis Anderson and they simply do not make running backs that look like that anymore. That dude was simply a freak of nature. Kind of like the bearded lady at the circus. (Thanks Wolf)

The first time I saw him play as a rookie vs. the NY Giants. Harry Carson said after that game that Anderson "was the best RB I ever saw."

My impression of "Ottis Jerome" was of a big, tall physical RB who - once he got to the corner - was an avalanche waiting to happen. He'd just head down the sidelines and either blacktop or outrun anything and everything in his way.

 

[Mitch]

The first time I saw him play as a rookie vs. the NY Giants. Harry Carson said after that game that Anderson "was the best RB I ever saw."

My impression of "Ottis Jerome" was of a big, tall physical RB who - once he got to the corner - was an avalanche waiting to happen. He'd just head down the sidelines and either blacktop or outrun anything and everything in his way.

I was there at that game too, Jeff. I sat in awe, as I imagine you did. Anderson just seemed to glide effortlessly toward open spaces and finished off his runs with a bang. It was one of the rare times when a Cardinal stole the show at Giants' Stadium.

 

[slanidrac16]

The only thing that will stop Beanie from being successful is Beanie. He will not be coddled here and I believe he will have to survive a bit of the culture shock he will experience. John Lott will put him thru the ringer. How he response to that will be a huge indicator of what he could turn out to be. Can you imagine this kid at 235 being physically and mentally stronger? Egads!

I think 1300 yards might be a bit much to expect because he is not going to be thrown into the starting line-up or be the featured back. He will share time as a 1-2 punch with TH.

If he flops I don't think we will be able to look back and say the Cards were dumb for taking him. He was truly the bedt prospect on the board when it was our turn to pick.

Call me crazy, but God seems to have become a Cardinal fan. When you think back at last years draft and how desperately we needed a CB , DRC was there. This year WITH THE 31ST PICK, a guy like Wells falls to us.

Whiz now his his "Bettis Factor" in place. I see him as a bigger , stronger and faster Edge. The biggest question is does he have what it's going to take between his ears?

 

[Feeble Mcjackson]

im glad were not jumping the gun and comparing wells to the best running back in football....

 

[Jetstream Green]

Ottis Anderson was like a modern comparison to Eddie George to the tenth power-yes, they do not make backs like that anymore, OJ was leaner than Earl Campell but just as brutal to bring down and faster

 

[brutus1303]

im glad were not jumping the gun and comparing wells to the best running back in football....

And I'm glad it's the most exciting part of the season with a plethora of topics to discuss.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I've sadi for years that i can't believe Ottis Anderson isn't in the HOF. He doesn't even make the cut list. I don't get it .

As for Beanie, I hated the pick and always will .

As much as i like Wells, i think people are being a little overly optimistic on his production this year. I hope i'm wrong but i think it will be alot to expect 1000 yards and 10+ TD's out of him. Only because he's going to be sharing time with Hightower. Hightower has a huge advantage over Wells heading into this year simply because he earned Whiz's trust last year and has a year's experience in the system. Wells, i think, will be very good when he gets his chances but i don't see enough carries to put up huge numbers. I would expect about stats like this:

Hightower 225 carries 850 yards 10 TD's
Wells 200 carries 800 yards 7 TD's

that would be great production from the runnng game. I think Beanie's numbers will go up significantly in the latter part of the season as he becomes more adapted to the offense. He could have a year similar to what Kevin Smith had for the Lions last year. They eased him into it and then he took over. Here are his splits:

first 8 games- 70 carries for 305 yards 4.35 ypc 4 TD's
last 8 games- 167 carries for 670 yards 4.01 ypc 4 TD's

 

[187]

I've sadi for years that i can't believe Ottis Anderson isn't in the HOF. He doesn't even make the cut list. I don't get it .

As for Beanie, I hated the pick and always will .

As much as i like Wells, i think people are being a little overly optimistic on his production this year. I hope i'm wrong but i think it will be alot to expect 1000 yards and 10+ TD's out of him. Only because he's going to be sharing time with Hightower. Hightower has a huge advantage over Wells heading into this year simply because he earned Whiz's trust last year and has a year's experience in the system. Wells, i think, will be very good when he gets his chances but i don't see enough carries to put up huge numbers. I would expect about stats like this:

Hightower 225 carries 850 yards 10 TD's
Wells 200 carries 800 yards 7 TD's

that would be great production from the runnng game. I think Beanie's numbers will go up significantly in the latter part of the season as he becomes more adapted to the offense. He could have a year similar to what Kevin Smith had for the Lions last year. They eased him into it and then he took over. Here are his splits:

first 8 games- 70 carries for 305 yards 4.35 ypc 4 TD's
last 8 games- 167 carries for 670 yards 4.01 ypc 4 TD's

I completely agree with you about people getting a little bit overzealous on predicting the numbers Wells will put up. It has nothing to do with his talent level and everything to do with him being in some sort of time share with Hightower. Wells will have to perform VERY well with Hightower performing very badly to get enough carries to put up 1,300 yards.

Our offensive line is really going to have to improve their run blocking skills if Wells and Hightower are going to get a significant amount of carries this year. Last year we ran the ball less than EVERY team in the NFL and had the 2nd worst YPC behind Indy and a LOT of it had to do with poor run blocking. Unless we see some significant improvements in RB play and blocking we are going to remain a pass heavy offense if we want to win games. I'll be very generous and say Wells can average 4.5 YPC next year, that mean he would have to touch the rock 288 times to hit that number and I don't see him getting the ball more than 200-220 times unless he is a complete stud (which I'm hoping for).

Barring a rookie explosion, I'm expecting 800-950 yards with 6 to 8 TD's from Wells. The TD numbers might seem low to some but it's pretty apparent Tim Hightower has the goalline duties locked down if he continues to convert short yardage runs like he did last season.

 

[Lorenzo]

well let's line them up side by side(AD/beanie) lol. not even close in speed. If hook em horns can catch beanie from behind on the break not once but twice....he aint got AD speed....NFL players will catch beanie from behind. but beanie hits the hole quick and has great vision...i give him that.

that break away speed is really what seperates a back like AD/barry sanders etc. and someone brought up mcfadden. the verdict isn't out on that guy. he has great speed combined with excellent skills out of the backfield. I think he and felix jones have a promising future in the league.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

well let's line them up side by side(AD/beanie) lol. not even close in speed. If hook em horns can catch beanie from behind on the break not once but twice....he aint got AD speed....NFL players will catch beanie from behind. but beanie hits the hole quick and has great vision...i give him that.

that break away speed is really what seperates a back like AD/barry sanders etc. and someone brought up mcfadden. the verdict isn't out on that guy. he has great speed combined with excellent skills out of the backfield. I think he and felix jones have a promising future in the league.

I'm sure wearing a boot on one foot didn't help his breakaway speed in the Texas game.He still averaged over 6 yards/carry that game. He's not as fast as Peterson but he should have plenty of long runs in the NFL.

 

[1DS]

The last player we drafted that had me this excited from day 1 was Anquan Boldin.

He is the complete package (minus the injury concerns). He creates tremendous yards after contact. He is big enough to run over you or run past you. He has amazing vision. He created a lot of his runs in college. Whoever thinks he can't cut-back hasn't watched his games closely. He would make one cut and go up the middle, with authority. If his initial hole isn't there, he is able to create something on his own. IMO, he is the best prospect since AP. The only thing we don't know is if he has the heart, determination and passion for the game as AP. If he does, he will set this league on fire.

 

[1DS]

well let's line them up side by side(AD/beanie) lol. not even close in speed. If hook em horns can catch beanie from behind on the break not once but twice....he aint got AD speed....NFL players will catch beanie from behind. but beanie hits the hole quick and has great vision...i give him that.

that break away speed is really what seperates a back like AD/barry sanders etc. and someone brought up mcfadden. the verdict isn't out on that guy. he has great speed combined with excellent skills out of the backfield. I think he and felix jones have a promising future in the league.

McFadden is a monumental bust, and I said that last year after he was drafted.

 

[187]

McFadden is a monumental bust, and I said that last year after he was drafted.

I've been on the "DMC is a B-U-S-T" train since all of his pre-draft hype began. He will have some games where he puts up big numbers, but I highly doubt he lives up to his 4th overall selection.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

McFadden is a monumental bust, and I said that last year after he was drafted.

i'll give him another year before proclaiming him a bust but he's on his way. Having Russell as your QB can't help much.

 

[Jetstream Green]

Felix Jones? You have to be an everydown back to be part of this comparison LOL

I know this...Wells is a lot faster than Marion Barber