They were competitors on the field but good friends off and Sunday they will be on the same field — on opposite sidelines.

Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower shared the same Cardinals backfield until Hightower was traded to the Redskins, Arizona’s opponent this week, on August 1.

For two seasons, Wells was the backup, never quite able to supplant Hightower as the starting running back. That competition, as much as each player wanted the ball, never carried over into the locker-room or away from the field. Their relationship was a solid one, a very solid one.

“He’s my youngest son’s Godfather, so it’s a pretty good one,” Wells said of the bond between the two.

Wells learned a lot from Hightower, who, despite being drafted a year earlier than his friend, was considered the veteran.

“More about just working hard,” explained Wells of what he took from watching Hightower. “Tim’s a hard worker and that’s something I definitely learned from him.”

Though don’t expect Wells to be watching his former teammate this week. “I don’t think I’ll have the time to. I just need to focus on their defense.

“I left a lot out there last week,” he added. Wells rushed 18 times for 90 yards and a touchdown against Carolina. The 90-yards were his most yards rushing since he gained 110 yards at Detroit his rookie year.

There has been one positive, however, in the Wells-Hightower parting: now both are their respective team’s starting running back. That means consistent carries, something Wells has been after since day one.

“Any running back in the league (wants that) and I’m no different.”

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