Problem with Beanie?

[40yearfan]

If you don't see the problem with the OL's run blocking, you are a fumunder engineer.

Hey, a beat up over the hill ex-Cowboy running back managed to gain 1,000 yards a few years back running behind a Cardinal offensive line. He did that by making the first tackler miss on almost every play.

If you can catch Beanie before he gets a full head of steam up, he is easily tackled. Once he starts running down hill, it's like trying to stop a freight train.

I think Beanie can be an elite back, but he needs to stop whining and work harder. Whis is not going to give him the starting job. He has to earn it.

 

[Mulli]

Beanie was right to whine when he did. Whiz didn't mind too much, Beanie got most of the carries the next week. Haven't heard him whine since.

OT: I think the OL splits are still too wide.

 

[kerouac9]

I think that part of the problem is that people are misunderstanding Beanie as a power back. He's not Brandon Jacobs or Marion Barber. He'll run through people, but he doesn't/can't power through a pile and come out the other side.

I think that part of the problem is that guys are getting through the LOS against this OL in a way that they weren't last season. Hopefully that improves as the line plays more together. But Beanie's biggest weakness is when guys get around his legs and ankles. I don't really mind that too much because he can be so explosive and make something out of little when he gets an edge to run outside.

Personally, I think that Beanie is solid enough in his lower body to succeed in this league.

 

[Mulli]

Smith never rushed for 1000 yards. He ran for 937. Averaging 3.5 a carry.

 

[Mulli]

I think that part of the problem is that people are misunderstanding Beanie as a power back. He's not Brandon Jacobs or Marion Barber. He'll run through people, but he doesn't/can't power through a pile and come out the other side.

I think that part of the problem is that guys are getting through the LOS against this OL in a way that they weren't last season. Hopefully that improves as the line plays more together. But Beanie's biggest weakness is when guys get around his legs and ankles. I don't really mind that too much because he can be so explosive and make something out of little when he gets an edge to run outside.

Personally, I think that Beanie is solid enough in his lower body to succeed in this league.

This.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Nah, it is a fact. I noticed it last year as well. Beanie has poor feet and balance when he runs which is why he gets tripped up by ankle tackles a lot. Now, this is a totally correctable trait, and it's main cause is that Wells runs with his chest over his toes rather than his nose over his toes. This forward lean causes him to be unbalanced when he runs which makes him susceptible to being tripped up by ankle tackles.

Please note that I am a huge Beanie Wells supporter as well.

That lean gives him more leverage on high hits though. Pick your poison.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

If you don't see the problem with the OL's run blocking, you are a fumunder engineer.

Awesome.

No, I am with you that our offensive line cannot run block. It is really, really getting old that our offensive line has not been able to run block for over a decade.

But, a fumunder engineer knows how to distribute blame appropriately. Beanie needs to break more tackles, especially 180lb CB's. He does that, and we will see some BIG runs, IMO.

 

[Mulli]

Awesome.

No, I am with you that our offensive line cannot run block. It is really, really getting old that our offensive line has not been able to run block for over a decade.

But, a fumunder engineer knows how to distribute blame appropriately. Beanie needs to break more tackles, especially 180lb CB's. He does that, and we will see some BIG runs, IMO.

Agree.

 

[kerouac9]

Awesome.

No, I am with you that our offensive line cannot run block. It is really, really getting old that our offensive line has not been able to run block for over a decade.

But, a fumunder engineer knows how to distribute blame appropriately. Beanie needs to break more tackles, especially 180lb CB's. He does that, and we will see some BIG runs, IMO.

FWIW, an offensive line is only five guys. They're being expected to block eight or nine on some of these running plays because of the QB situation. When they're asked to block five or even six, the running plays happened.

Beanie said this offseason that he wanted to focus on finishing runs and that he could have/should have taken it to the house more last year than he did. That was my big critique of him at the beginning of the season when Duckjake said that he was as good as MoJo Drew and/or ADrian Peterson.

But I think that that issue and the one that DJ's mentioning are two different things. There's just too much trash behind the LOS right now, and that's on the QB and WR situation more than it is about the running back. IMO.

 

[Russ Smith]

FWIW, an offensive line is only five guys. They're being expected to block eight or nine on some of these running plays because of the QB situation. When they're asked to block five or even six, the running plays happened.

Beanie said this offseason that he wanted to focus on finishing runs and that he could have/should have taken it to the house more last year than he did. That was my big critique of him at the beginning of the season when Duckjake said that he was as good as MoJo Drew and/or ADrian Peterson.

But I think that that issue and the one that DJ's mentioning are two different things. There's just too much trash behind the LOS right now, and that's on the QB and WR situation more than it is about the running back. IMO.

That was the problem for sure on the 4th down run. They stacked the box, he hit a seam and he's gone for a TD but they get a bit of the ankle and trip him up.

 

[Shane]

he hit a seam and he's gone for a TD but they get a bit of the ankle and trip him up.

As per usual.

 

[Duckjake]

That was the problem for sure on the 4th down run. They stacked the box, he hit a seam and he's gone for a TD but they get a bit of the ankle and trip him up.

Same thing against the Saints. I think I saw at least 3 times where a defender dove through the line and was able to slap at Wells' ankles and down goes Beanie. Which is what initiated the idea for this thread.

But this by no means indicates that Beanie is a bum. Just that he has a weakness in his game.

However, as an aside to me he just doesn't look like the same guy that made that unbelievable move in the gap against the Bears last season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

But this by no means indicates that Beanie is a bum. Just that he has a weakness in his game.

However, as an aside to me he just doesn't look like the same guy that made that unbelievable move in the gap against the Bears last season.

Agreed.

Not a bum. He should just get to work and stop talking.

 

[Duckjake]

Agreed.

Not a bum. He should just get to work and stop talking.

So the question is; get to work on what?

Working on better balance. And....

 

[Shane]

And....

Bulking up his legs and ankles especially!

 

[Duckjake]

Bulking up his legs and ankles especially!

Where's John Lott? But that would tie in with improving his balance.

I was looking for things like a guy that I noticed the other day who would duck his head as he got close to the los if it were congested even if he wasn't getting ready to get hit. No way the guy could see to slide by a tackler for an extra few yards or cut into a gap.

Needs to work on keeping his head up.

 

[187]

I noticed this early last year as well and have mentioned it many times during games. Beanie is a beast, but you see him get off balance and then fall to the ground via lower body contact way too often. Hell, you see him trip over himself pretty often as well. Some people are overreacting on his performances thus far, he was fine vs Oakland and then had the worst game of his career vs NO. They were stacking 8-9 in the box all game and our line can't run block to save their lives, it's not a good combination. Once we are fielding Fitz/Breaston/Doucet and Max can show defenses he will make them pay if they are putting 8-9 in the box the running game should open up some.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

So the question is; get to work on what?

Working on better balance. And....

Things for Beanie Wells to work on:

1. Pass Blocking <--- With his long arms, quick feet and size he SHOULD be one the best in the league.
2. Ball Security
3. Pass Catching
4. Patince to find hole, then explode through it
5. Getting low, two hands on the ball, and push the pile
6. Shutting his mouth

The kid has speed, want to, quick feet, and a viscious stiff arm. That will get you some success but he needs to start becoming a more complete back.

Beanie Wells is probably the best rusher on this team, but Hightower is the best all around RB on the team.

 

[Duckjake]

Was watching some of the Saints game at lunch and was wondering something about Wells' first carry. What idiot designed a sweep play where Max Komar is supposed to block the Saints Defensive End?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Was watching some of the Saints game at lunch and was wondering something about Wells' first carry. What idiot designed a sweep play where Max Komar is supposed to block the Saints Defensive End?

The same idiot that probably thought Boldin was easily replace-able.

Boldin, and Hines Ward are the few WR that can take that job and be effective in it.

 

[kerouac9]

Was watching some of the Saints game at lunch and was wondering something about Wells' first carry. What idiot designed a sweep play where Max Komar is supposed to block the Saints Defensive End?

It was such a stupid, ugly play. Some of the playcalls this season have been real head-scratchers.

We're using zone-blocking schemes so often; when the OL man-blocks, they're SO much more effective.

 

[40yearfan]

Smith never rushed for 1000 yards. He ran for 937. Averaging 3.5 a carry.

Hair splitter.

 

[DieHardCardFan]

MJ and DB were talking about this exact issue today. Wonder if they are reading the board again for material?

 

[THESMEL]

come on now, he needs to start and get established like all feature RB, in one play out the next is BS. The Bean said what he neded to succeed this off season and never asked for more then 20 carries! battering a a back takes was the read.

He says he needs 6-7 to get warmed and established. not 6-7 everyonce in awhile but 6-7 runs on the same drive establishing a pattern, physical presence, feel for the defense. Whiz puts players in the worse place to succeed, to see how they respond,

can you see a young bettis or even Willie parker coming in an out like Beanie?
stupid playcaller, Everybody forgets Haley called Edges name alot in our actual wins in 2008, early in 08 and the playoffs! I don't forget, its fundementals, and we suck at them with Whiz.

 

[Mulli]

come on now, he needs to start and get established like all feature RB, in one play out the next is BS. The Bean said what he neded to succeed this off season and never asked for more then 20 carries! battering a a back takes was the read.

He says he needs 6-7 to get warmed and established. not 6-7 everyonce in awhile but 6-7 runs on the same drive establishing a pattern, physical presence, feel for the defense. Whiz puts players in the worse place to succeed, to see how they respond,

can you see a young bettis or even Willie parker coming in an out like Beanie?
stupid playcaller, Everybody forgets Haley called Edges name alot in our actual wins in 2008, early in 08 and the playoffs! I don't forget, its fundementals, and we suck at them with Whiz.

His weak legs are probably a big reason why he comes in and out.