TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is full of praise for running back Beanie Wells' performance in preseason games and in training camp.
Whisenhunt said Wells, elevated to the unquestioned No. 1 at his position with the trade of Tim Hightower, is running the fast, powerful way he did late in his rookie season two years ago.
``Confidence in this game is a big part of it,'' Whisenhunt said after practice Tuesday. ``He's running with a lot of confidence. You know he believes he can make plays. I remember the end of his rookie year he was running the same way. He was making some of those runs.
``That's what gets you so excited about Beanie. Part of it is he's healthy, part of it is he is more confident.''
The coach also said Wells has worked hard to improve his pass blocking, long a weakness in the former Ohio State star's game. It's a necessary step in becoming an all-around back in the NFL.
``I think there's a commitment to Beanie understanding what he needs to do to be `the' guy,'' Whisenhunt said, ``and we've had a number of discussions about that. You always are happy when the player improves, and Beanie has done that. I'm very pleased with how he's taken that load and worked hard to become a better back. He's come a long way since two years ago and I respect that.''
Wells, who turned 23 on Aug. 7, has acknowledged that the knee injury he sustained in the preseason a year ago bothered him all season long, not only physically but mentally. He was not the powerhouse runner that he had been his rookie season, gaining just 397 yards and averaging 3.4 yards per carry.
This preseason, Wells has 129 yards rushing in 27 attempts, an average of 4.8 yards per carry. When the first unit played well into the third quarter of Saturday night's 34-31 loss to San Diego, Wells gained 63 yards in 10 carries, averaging 6.3 per attempt.
``I've just been healthy this year,'' he said. ``It's just a matter of being healthy and confident.''
Wells said there is plenty of room for improvement.
``I expect a lot better,'' he said,
Wells knows that there are critics who say he never will be sturdy enough to become one of the NFL's elite backs.
`` I'm motivated by the game of football. I love playing,'' he said. ``The doubters, that's just adding more fuel to the fire.''
The Cardinals had better hope Wells stays healthy. The ranks behind him on the depth chart are thin after rookie Ryan Williams went down with a season-ending knee injury. LaRod Stephens-Howling, who stands just 5-foot-7, is a specialist who can be very effective on some plays but is no power back. Besides, he is the kickoff returner and a critical part of other special teams.
Alfonso Smith, third on the depth chart, was on the practice squad last year and was unable to get any carries against San Diego after injuring a hamstring.
The Cardinals re-signed undrafted rookie William Powell after releasing him earlier and will look at players released by other teams to possibly add a more experienced back in the coming days,.
Whisenhunt said Wells, quarterback Kevin Kolb and the rest of the first unit will get ``a little bit of work'' in Thursday night's preseason finale at home against Denver.
Mostly, though, the coaches will use the game to evaluate players in preparation for making the final roster cuts.
Arizona opens its regular season Sept. 11 at home against the Carolina Panthers.
Source: http://www.rtsports.com/football-news/1000078037
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