Two backs in the running for Cardinals
Beanie Wells, Ryan Williams.
Ryan Williams, Beanie Wells.
Both running backs are expected to see the field for the Cardinals, but one of the two will likely take over as the “lead guy” at some point.
According to SI.com, the battle for that job is one to watch this preseason.
Arizona revamped the rest of its ground game around Wells this offseason, drafting Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams, then trading Tim Hightower to Washington. In theory, those moves should have opened the door for Wells to take a stranglehold on the starting job. Instead, Williams is already making a push for playing time.
True, various reports have said Williams is having a great camp. The thing is, so is Wells.
There is no doubt Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt would like to see Wells take the job, and the former first round pick has been “eye popping” according to some observers.
But if Williams continues to make a push and Wells falters, if even only a little bit, the rookie could take over and get the bulk of the carries.
While that development would undoubtedly be a disappointment in some circles due to the high expectations for Wells, the Cardinals would likely have no issue if one of the two became a consistent threat in the ground game.
