At this point all signs point to Beanie Wells as the starter for the Arizona Cardinals. Wells is coming off knee surgery and played in his first preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Wells carried the ball seven times for 35 yards and it was enough to earn a start against the Seattle Seahawks.
Wells had a fairly successful season, before injuring his knee, carrying the ball 245 times for 1047 yards and 10 touchdowns. For John Skelton and Wells to co-exist in the backfield, Wells needs to do a great job at blocking and swing out for the pass more than he has in the past.
What does Wells starting mean to the Cardinals?
Quite frankly, against the Seahawks defense it’s going to be hard to run the ball anyway. If Wells is unsuccessful in the first half, look for Ryan Williams to come in and try to change things up in the second half. The beating Wells could take in the first half could speak to his durability for the rest of the season. In the past Wells has crumbled when the weight is placed on his shoulders.
How much slack should the Cardinals give Wells before Williams becomes a full time force?
Not much, plain and simple. If the Cardinals are not successful running the ball, than they will lose. If the team is losing than not only is it time for a change, but it’s just smarter to go with the young guy anyway. I can see the Cardinals working Williams into the game early to get a feel for who is more effective against the Seahawks Defense.
