ARIZONA CARDINALS

Offense, Beanie Wells click for Cardinals in loss

Aug 28, 2011, 5:42 AM | Updated: 6:56 am

Now that was what the Arizona Cardinals envisioned their offense
doing when they traded for Kevin Kolb.

The Cardinals scored 31 points Saturday — 24 of which came courtesy of
the offense — and while they ultimately lost to the San Diego Chargers, the
good certainly outweighed the bad in this one.

Take, for instance, Kevin Kolb starting the game by completing just two of
his first eight passes. That was bad. However, the QB finished the game by
connecting on nine of his next 12, completing an 80-yard pass to Larry
Fitzgerald for a score and leading another scoring drive.

Kolb got in a groove, and it was good. The offense clicked after that.

“Whenever you get a big play on offense it boosts everybody’s ego and
momentum a little bit,” running back Beanie Wells said.

Kolb finishing strong after the rough beginning impressed head coach Ken
Whisenhunt.

“The best thing that I saw about Kevin was the way he responded from the
start,” head coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

Beanie Steps Up

The Cardinals need Beanie Wells to become a feature back, and at the very
least Saturday was a step in the right direction.

Wells carried the ball 10 times for 63 yards, showing a good mix of power,
speed and quickness.

“Beanie’s running really well right now,” Whisenhunt said, giving praise to
the offensive line as well as the team’s other backs. “Overall, once again, I
was pleased with our run game.”

Wells leading the charge would be a welcome sight for the Cardinals, as
the former first round pick will be relied on to be a consistent threat on the
ground. He seems to be getting to that point.

“I’m feeling comfortable but I know there’s still a lot of stuff to clean up,
there’s still a lot for me to be more precise on,” Wells said.

Like, for instance, breaking off a big run. Wells’ longest carry against the
Chargers went for 24 yards, but he said he feels like he’s been close to
breaking a few more.

“I think it will come along, that’s what the preseason is for; to fine tune
those little things,” he said.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Steve Keim looks on...

Tyler Drake

Ex-Cardinals general manager Steve Keim ‘much happier now’ after rehab stint

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim opened up about his mysterious leave of absence and parting of ways from the team on Tuesday.

10 hours ago

Malik Nabers celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Prisco: Cardinals ‘should’ take Malik Nabers over Marvin Harrison Jr. in NFL Draft

CBS Sports draft analyst Pete Prisco believes LSU's Malik Nabers should be the Cardinals' pick at fourth overall in his latest mock draft.

13 hours ago

Chop Robinson runs the 4-=yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Which NFL Draft prospects are being mocked to Cardinals’ No. 27 pick?

A look at what NFL Draft analysts are thinking when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' second first-round pick.

17 hours ago

Josh Rosen poses with a Cardinals jersey after getting drafted...

Associated Press

NFL teams often misfire on drafting QBs. But how often do they fail? And why?

There is no guarantee in this highly calculated yet no-better-than-a-coin-flip exercise of finding a franchise quarterback in the NFL Draft.

19 hours ago

Zach Wilson, Jets quarterback...

Associated Press

Broncos trade for Jets’ Zach Wilson, could remain in QB market during 2024 NFL Draft

Zach Wilson was expected to be the face of the franchise for the New York Jets. Now he's been traded to the Denver Broncos.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals GM told rivals he won’t consider trading draft pick until on the clock

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort reportedly told rival executives he won't agree to a trade before he's on the clock in the NFL Draft.

2 days ago

Offense, Beanie Wells click for Cardinals in loss