A sports blog by and for Midwest Sports Fans
I am skipping an introduction this week because I’m too mad at fantasy football.
In my league of 14 teams, I finished right in the middle of the pack in terms of points…but because I had the third most points scored on me, I missed the playoffs…by a lot.
I finished second to last.
Lame.
Sometimes, fantasy football goes that way. I will spare you my three heart-breaking losses of the year because, quite frankly, we all have them…and nobody else cares.
Week 14 is here.
For some of you, that means you have a team (or hopefully teams) on bye this week. If so, major kudos to you.
For others of you, Week 14 means that it’s the first week of the playoffs. If so, good luck, and hopefully the advice in this post will help you move on.
For others, Week 14 is the last week of your regular season. Maybe you’ve clinched a playoff spot or maybe you’re still scratching and clawing for one. Regardless, hopefully we can do you and your lineup some good with our picks in this week’s start em, sit em.
And for some of you this may be your first week without fantasy football – if your playoffs start this week and you did not make it; but if that’s the case, why would you be reading this?
Alas, if you’re here, you are looking for help in Week 14. And you’re in luck, because that is exactly what you’re about to get.
Sooooo…yeah….
That’s probably how a lot of you felt after last week’s fantasy results. If you had a bad week, join the crowd.
It appears that certain defenses (the Cowboys, Titans, and others) may have finally caught up with certain offenses (Bills, Panthers, and others) after the long offseason, which led to some surprising and disappointing performances in Week 10.
But not for Aaron Rodgers owners. Never for Aaron Rodgers owners.
No worries. If you have a bad week, it’s not your fault; it was just one of those weeks. Good grief, the Chicago Bears’ DEFENSE was the number one fantasy player last week. Let’s just write it off as an off week and get back on the horse, ready for Week 11.
Before we get to the Week 9 fantasy football start/sit advice, I want to add a couple more thoughts on my Tebow article from yesterday. (And don’t worry; I’ll analyze his fantasy prospects for Week 9 too.)
So I’m going to be honest with you…I’ve kind of been focused on baseball this week. Don’t worry. I didn’t completely forget about football thought.
Here’s your injury update for week 8!
This has got to be one of the most confounding fantasy football weeks I can remember.
With some many teams rich in fantasy talent (Patriots, Giants, Eagles, Bills, plus the 49ers and Bengals) observing their bye this week, it means that we all are having to dig deep into our benches and even onto the waiver wire just to field complete lineups. During such weeks is when start/sit advice is its most valuable, and as always we have you covered here at MSF.
Trying to forecast the early weeks of the NFL fantasy season is like…trying to pick a piece of hay out of a stack of needles. There is always going to be a breakout game from an unknown guy and a bad game from someone who is expected to have big games (Big Ben).
If there is one thing to know prior to Week 2 it is that you shouldn’t be excited one way or another about one specific game; but that doesn’t mean rest on your laurels. Fantasy football owners must be bold and we have some bold stock reports just for you.
In the latest fantasy football podcast I take reader questions from Twitter (@FantasyMSF) and r/FantasyFootball on a variety of topics. I also discuss why guys like Brandon Marshall, Anquan Boldin, Danny Amendola, Beanie Wells, Michael Bush, and Mike Tolbert are underrated and could play huge roles on your team this year.
(The Trainer’s Room is a regular column at Midwest Sports Fans by Denver chiropractors Dr. Niall McNally and Dr. Ihsan Erhuy, the pain and rehabilitation experts at the Mountain View Pain Center in Denver, CO.
All treatment options provided in this article should not be taken as specific advice, but rather as a general guide regarding what is typically done to treat the injury being described.
You should always consult your doctor before beginning any pain management or rehab program.)
______________________________
With the upcoming draft, questions have been raised about a potential sesamoid bone problem for former Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells. Peter King of SI.com got the ball rolling on the speculation in his recent Monday Morning Quaterback post, saying simply, “Some teams are scared off by a sesmoid bone problem in one of big back Beanie Wells’ feet.” Once the story of a potential 
sesamoid bone problem for Beanie Wells hit ProFootballTalk, there is a good chance everyone who follows the NFL was aware of the speculation. (Between the issue being raised in Peter King’s MMQB column and at ProFootballTalk, it would be hard for NFL execs and fans alike to miss it.)
To be fair, the player and his agent have denied that Beanie Wells has a sesamoid bone problem in his foot, calling the sesamoid bone concerns a “smoke screen.” As we all know, it is hard to trust any information disseminated about draft prospects this time of year. Teams picking later in the draft may want negative information out there about a player to increase the chances of the player not getting picked as high as he otherwise might be.
Either way, whether Beanie Wells truly has a sesamoid bone problem or not, last season the Buckeye standout was plagued with a foot injury that kept him out of three games and possibly hurt him in the chase for the Heisman. And now the information referenced above has surfaced about a potential injury in the fore foot.
The possible injury, described as an inflammation of the sesamoid bones below the first metatarsal (big toe – as pictured below), will no doubt remain a hot topic as we approach the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft on Saturday.
For the record, this article makes no claims as to whether or not Beanie Wells truly has a sesamoid bone problem, only that the speculation is out there. Rather, this edition of The Trainer’s Room is meant to serve as general information on sesamoditis, its similarity to turf toe, and methods for treating the injuries.
Sesamoiditis refers to any irriation of the sesamoid bones. The sesamoid bones are free floating bones throughout the body, encased in a tendon sheath. These can be found at the base of the first metacarpal (thumb), first metatarsal (big toe), and patella (pictured below – the largest sesamoid bone in the body). Their main function is to hold the tendon away from the joint slightly, protecting the tendon from wear and tear by decreasing friction and increasing joint function.
Inflammation of the sesamoid bone is a very similar injury to another very common sports injury, known as turf toe. These two injuries have many common indicators and are often intertwined.Both sesamoiditis and turf toe produce complaints of sharp to very intense pain underneath the base of the big toe. Most of the pain comes from extension of the toe, which can cause difficulty walking and a tender and swollen joint.
Sesamoiditis is an inflammation of the sesamoid bones from overuse or chronic stress to the area. Sesamoiditis will begin as a more gradual ache and then increase in pain over time. Turf toe is an actual tear or injury to the soft tissue underneath the first metatarsal (big toe). Turf toe usually will be an immediate pain. The patient will often feel a pop in the area underneath the 1st metatarsal head. Remember that sesamoiditis and turf toe are similar injuries that have similar symptoms and may accompany one another. You may have a chronic turf toe problem from damage to the area, but the pain does not have to be sudden.
The most common way to receive one of these injuries is forced hyperextension of the toe, jamming the joint, or repetitive stress (common in sprinters and football players). For a running back like Beanie Wells this injury can be detrimental to their ability to get down the field by decreasing their ability to get in and out of cuts quickly and hindering their all-important burst through the hole.
Inflammation of the bones or a tear in the ligaments as in turf toe causes the pushing power to be greatly decreased. This will decrease the explosiveness and overall speed of any player. In severe cases athletes may not be able to run at all. This is a very common and simple injury, and the pain can keep you sidelined for weeks. In the past year several other athletes such as LT and Darren McFadden were out for weeks with toe injuries.
The acute stages of sesamoiditis and turf toe are painful and intense. Any additional pressure is going to increase that pain. When sesamoiditis or turf toe first occurs, ice the area to decrease the inflammation. You can use ice for either injury, whether it is chronic or acute. Ice is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation immediately following the injury.
The next step is pay a visit to your doctor. Neither sesamoiditis nor turf toe will just go away on their own. The longer you wait with an injury like this the longer it will take to get back on your feet. Your doctor will perform orthopedic tests to determine which injury you are suffering from. An X-ray will be taken to determine if there are any underlying fractures or dislocations. They may also take an MRI to determine if there is in fact any ligament or tendon damage. An MRI can also detect soft tissue swelling or inflammation to the bone which cannot be seen on X-ray.
Once the diagnosis is given, the first and most important step is to free the area of inflammation and swelling. This can be done by several different types of treatment. The big toe is not a great site to attach pads for any type of electrical modalities. For this reason, at Mountain View Pain Center in Denver we use ultrasound under water to remove the inflammation of this area. Note that the area is very thin, so ultrasound should not be applied directly.
After the first treatment it is important to apply tape or a specific brace to prevent the toe going into extension and thus creating extra pain. At Mountain View Pain Center in Denver we prefer to use a specific taping method to keep mobility in the ankle and allow for more comfort. The tape allows the toe to be held straight and decreases the amount of extension during push off. During your sport of preference wearing shoes with a stiff sole will also increase the stability in the area and decrease the amount of extension.
Once stability has been restored to the area, and the pain has slightly subsided, it is important to have the foot adjusted (manipulated) to restore proper movement to the foot, ankle, and metatarsals. After the area has begun to heal, soft tissue technique should be applied to the area. The importance of this step is to not only continue the removal of inflammation, but to also break up scar tissues and adhesions that have formed in the tendon sheath. At Mountain View Pain Center in Denver we use a combination of soft tissue stretches, as well as a specialized tools to work through the area.
There are also some exercises we use to aid in the healing process and to strengthen the area. They should only be done when you can perform them without pain.
Start simple with toe crunches, which will help build the muscle at the bottom of the joint and assist in preventing future occurences of sesamoiditis or turf toe. A toe crunch involves bending the toes as if trying to pick a ball of the ground with your toes.
The next rehab exercise is only to be done when there is no pain at all when standing, and should be performed after several treatments. You can go from a flat footed position to a toe raise (similar to a ballet move). This is an advanced exercise for these injuries so take it easy and do not try this exercise first.
What to Avoid
Things that are important to avoid during recovery from sesamoiditis and turf toe are any movements that involve a pushing off of the toe. What this means is cut out the plyometrics, hills, and stairs from your training regimen. If you insist on training, then get on a bike and push the pedal with the middle of the foot or heel. Another substitute can be the elliptical machine. Be sure to take long even strides and stay off the toes. This entire exercise can be done with the foot flat. If you find either exercise to painful then perform the one you can.
Although many think a toe injury cannot keep them down. This injury, year after year, keeps players on the sidelines for extended periods of time. The pain is intense and debilitating, yet although this is a very painful injury, if the correct steps are taken, you can recover and get back to full speed.
As for Beanie Wells and the speculation that he may have a sesamoid bone injury, only time will tell. If he does, in fact, have a sesamoid bone injury (and again, it is all purely speculation at this point) then if the toe is properly rehabbed and time is taken before getting into hard core training, we should expect to see him back on the field for training camp.
Now, whether his impact on the field will be similar to his college career, that is what hundreds of scouts and personnel people are trying to figure out leading up to the start of the draft tomorrow.
This article contains the opinions and examples of treatment plans for sesamoiditis and turf toe from Mountain View Pain Center in Denver, CO, and is not intended as a substitute for specific medical advice from a doctor regarding your individual injury or condition. If you have any further questions or concerns feel free to contact our office or leave a comment below.
——————–
The Trainer’s Room is written exclusively for Midwest Sports Fans by Denver chiropractors Dr. Niall McNally and Dr. Ihsan Erhuy of the Mountain View Pain Center in Denver, CO. You can contact them by leaving a comment below or sending an email to info@mountainviewpaincenter.com.
Dr. Niall McNally is certified in chiropractic neurology and has a strong background in sports i
njuries and in the rehabilitation of common nagging athletic problems. Dr. McNally also is trained in pediatrics, orthopedics, and nutrition.
He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma and successfully completed his Doctor of Chiropractic degree at the Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, TX. A very active athlete, Dr. McNally played hockey up into the junior level. In fact, it was his love for hockey, and the Colorado Avalanche, that originally gave him the idea to one day practice sports medicine and chiropractics in the area.
Dr. Ihsan Erhuy specializes in motor vehicle accident injures, back, neck, and extremity problems, as well as treating pregnant patients and children. He is certified in the Diversified, Gonstead, Thompson, Upper Cervical, Activator, Sacral Occipital, Applied Kinesiology, Soft Tissue techniques.
Originally from Adana, Turkey, Dr. Erhuy graduated from the University of Arizona and also susuccessfully completed his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, along with his bachelor of science in health and wellness, at the Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, TX.
I spent a good portion of this weekend watching the NFL Network’s coverage of the 2009 Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. I have read many positive reviews of the NFLN’s coverage, and I agree. They presented the workout portion of the combine in a manner that always kept the action moving forward, and I did not think that the talking heads were overbearing for the most part.
There was one annoying segment in which Jamie Dukes was discussing Andre Smith and jumping back and forth over the fence on whether Smith cost himself money with his bizarre antics (yes…no question). And apparently Dukes had one conversation with Andre Smith and in Dukes’ own mind this was the most influential conversation of Smith’s life. Get over yourself Jamie. Charles Davis and Steve Mariucci are a little annoying too, but nothing terrible. Something about Charles Davis seems overly haughty, and Mariucci just needs to settle down a bit.
Otherwise though, the Combine was very enjoyable to watch. And obviously the most exciting individual event to watch is the 40-yard dash. This is certainly not the most telling or predictive drill, but it is the “glamour” workout of the combine; and we are sure to hear players’ 40 times thrown around over and over again until the NFL Draft in April. So let’s get to it. Here are the top 40 times at each position, courtesy of NFL.com:
| Quarterbacks | 40 Time | Running Backs | 40 Time | Wide Receivers | 40 Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat White | 4.55 | Cedric Peerman | 4.45 | Darrius Heyward-Bey | 4.30 |
| Stephen McGee | 4.66 | Ian Johnson | 4.46 | Mike Wallace | 4.33 |
| Matthew Stafford | 4.81 | Kory Sheets | 4.47 | Johnny Knox | 4.34 |
| Rhett Bomar | 4.82 | Andre Brown | 4.49 | Deon Butler | 4.38 |
| Jason Boltus | 4.83 | Donald Brown | 4.51 | Mike Thomas | 4.40 |
| Curtis Painter | 4.87 | Javarris Williams | 4.52 | Tiquan Underwood | 4.41 |
| John Parker Wilson | 4.87 | Mike Goodson | 4.54 | Percy Harvin | 4.41 |
| Drew Willy | 4.90 | Bernard Scott | 4.56 | Demetrius Byrd | 4.42 |
| Chase Daniel | 4.92 | Glen Coffee | 4.58 | Louis Murphy | 4.43 |
| Mike Reilly | 4.92 | Marlon Lucky | 4.59 | Kenny McKinley | 4.44 |
| Chris Wells | 4.59 | ||||
| Tight Ends | 40 Time | Offensive Lineman | 40 Time | Defensive Lineman | 40 Time |
| Jared Cook | 4.50 | Lydon Murtha | 4.89 | Lawrence Sidbury Jr. | 4.64 |
| Shawn Nelson | 4.56 | Jamon Meredith | 5.03 | Connor Barwin | 4.66 |
| Cameron Morrah | 4.66 | Xavier Fulton | 5.04 | Brian Orakpo | 4.70 |
| Cornelius Ingram | 4.68 | William Beatty | 5.12 | Everette Brown | 4.73 |
| Marquez Branson | 4.71 | Gerald Cadogan | 5.12 | Michael Johnson | 4.75 |
| David Johnson | 4.73 | Jonathan Luigs | 5.14 | Stryker Sulak | 4.77 |
| Jared Bronson | 4.76 | Joel Bell | 5.15 | Cody Brown | 4.84 |
| Kory Sperry | 4.77 | Eben Britton | 5.16 | Victor Butler | 4.84 |
| Brandon Walker | 5.17 | David Veikune | 4.87 | ||
| Jon Cooper | 5.18 | Jarron Gilbert | 4.87 | ||
| Jason Smith | 5.22 | ||||
| Linebackers | 40 Time | Cornerbacks | 40 Time | Safeties | 40 Time |
| Aaron Curry | 4.56 | Lardarius Webb | 4.46 | Chris Clemons | 4.41 |
| Stanley Arnoux | 4.61 | Vontae Davis | 4.49 | David Bruton | 4.46 |
| Gerald McRath | 4.61 | Brandon Hughes | 4.50 | C.J. Spillman | 4.50 |
| Clay Matthews | 4.67 | Christopher Owens | 4.51 | Chip Vaughn | 4.51 |
| Jason Phillips | 4.69 | Kevin Barnes | 4.52 | Sherrod Martin | 4.52 |
| Jasper Brinkley | 4.72 | ||||
| Brian Cushing | 4.74 | ||||
| Marcus Freeman | 4.74 | ||||
| Zack Follett | 4.75 | ||||
| Moise Fokou | 4.76 |
*Note: The Cornerbacks and Safeties had not yet run as of this posting, so I’ll add them later when the official numbers are posted.
And now, some quick-hit observations after reviewing the 40 times and from what I saw:
Why all the fuss about Mark Sanchez?
I’m not that sold on Matthew Stafford either, but Sanchez certainly did nothing to impress me. He is apparently slower than Curtis Painter (never a good thing) and it looked to me like Sanchez underthrew the deep balls. He did, however, reportedly perform very well in interviews. Still, the guy only started one year in college. I think any team who drafts him without the intention of letting him sit for at least a year, maybe two, is making a huge mistake.
What’s up with the speed, or lack thereof, from Nate Davis and Josh Freeman?
Maybe I just didn’t watch these two guys play enough this year, and perhaps I am showing a blatant expectation bias along racial lines, but I expected these two guys to run faster than Chase Daniel. Yet, neither Nate Davis nor Josh Freeman was in the top 10 40 Times for QBs. I always thought that these two guys were known as dual-threat QBs? I realize Nate Davis didn’t run a whole lot in college, but I still thought he was a little faster. Maybe if I was up more on my Ball State and Kansas State football this would not have surprised me so much.
Get ready for some fuss about Stephen McGee from Texas A&M.
One of my sleepers in this year’s draft. McGee is a really good athlete and a much better passer than he was ever able to show in college. Plus, he is a high character guy and is balding, which means he is mature. In all seriousness, I think whoever gets this guy will have one of the NFL’s best backups (a Jeff Hostetler-type) who could end up being a viable starter at some point in the future. Don’t scoff if your team drafts Stephen McGee. Good player.
Knowshon Moreno is that slow?
Another guy that I thought was faster. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t he always look like a blur on the ESPN highlights? I thought this was a 4.4-4.45 guy. I guess not. He’s slower than Beanie Wells for goodness sakes!
Beanie Wells is a badass
I know that he only ran a 4.59 40 time, but guess what: that’s still faster than Emmitt Smith, who ended up having a decent career. Wells jumped well and is another guy who reportedly did well in interviews. His big question mark is staying healthy. If he does, he could carve out a career as the next Eddie George or Jerome Bettis.
The WRs were really fast…but who cares?
Everyone is going crazy about how fast the wide receivers are. That’s great, but can any of them catch or run routes? Jerry Rice famously ran a 4.6 40 and turned into the greatest receiver of all-time. We are routinely told that speed is nowhere near the most important aspect for a wide receiver; they just have to be fast enough. Obviously if two guys are equal in everything else, you want the fast guy. And having a speed threat to stretch defenses vertically helps, but I look at it as a luxury, not a necessity.
Brian Robiskie looked really good
It’s almost a cliche at this point, but I saw the same thing everyone else did: Brian Robiskie looks like an NFL receiver. He has great technique when he catches the ball, he runs precise routes, and his speed is good enough. This is a guy who can be a #2 receiver in the NFL for a long time.
I didn’t get to watch the other positions, so I can’t accurately assess how any of the guys looked. But feel free to chime in with comments about any players who impressed or disappointed you this week in Indianapolis.
And real quick before I go, here are some other resources if you are looking for info on the workout results of the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine:
It was reported last night that Ohio State RB Beanie Wells has decided to skip his senior season to go pro and will enter the NFL draft.
Wells will leave Ohio State as the school’s fourth all-time leading rusher with 3,382 yards. He is behind Buckeye legends Archie Griffin, Eddie George, and Tim Spencer. Beanie Wells came into the 2008 season as a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, but was slowed by injuries early in the year. He rebounded to run very well down the stretch, and played terrifically in the Buckeyes’ Fiesta Bowl loss to Texas.
Last week, it appeared that Wells might return to Ohio State, as he cited a feeling of unfinished business. However, it appears that the advice of Jim Tressel, and rational thought, prevailed. Running backs, more than any other position, have a very short shelf-life in the NFL. Beanie Wells will go high in the draft and saves himself a year of wear and tear by leaving now.
I don’t think anyone can argue that he is making the best possible decision for himself. And kudos to Jim Tressel for leading him in that direction.
The following is the statement released by Beanie Wells:
“I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, my teachers and the academic advisors for all they have done, and I definitely want to thank the Buckeye fans for all their support,” Wells said in a statement. “Ohio State has become like a family to me, and it will always be that way. But in the best interest of my family, it’s time to move on and take a chance at fulfilling my lifetime dream of playing in the NFL.”
Gotta get to work this morning, so I can’t expound too much, but needless to say Browns fans everywhere will start clamoring for the Cleveland and new coach Eric Mangini to select the Ohio native and Buckeye star. Would that be a good choice for the Browns? It will no doubt be a hotly debated topic over the next few weeks.
Breaking Update: It was reported late last night that Beanie Wells has decided to skip his senior season at Ohio State and turn pro. Good decision Beanie.
Chris “Beanie” Wells is, without question, one of the best players in college football and easily one of the most complete running backs in America. It has seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Wells would forego his senior senior season and enter the NFL draft after this year.
Beanie Wells, however, says that is not necessarily the case.
As reported by Doug Lesmerises in the Plain-Dealer, Beanie Wells has regrets that could keep him going pro and compel him to stay in Columbus. From the Lesmerises story:
“It’s not really big enough for my satisfaction yet,” Wells said of his Ohio State legacy, speaking Thursday at length about his unmade NFL decision.
“I have so many more things I would like to accomplish. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.
“I feel like I wanted to be the best running back to ever come through Ohio State, and I said before I feel like I haven’t done that.
“I personally feel like I haven’t done enough at Ohio State to move on to the next level.”
Despite Wells’ statement to the contrary, however, I think the safe money is on Wells leaving Ohio State to go pro. A few reasons why are even cited in the Plain-Dealer article:
This last was one, for me anyway, is the biggest reason why Wells will be going pro after this season. In the article, Wells says that he wants Ohio State fans to know that they have never seen him at his best because of injuries. I think injuries, or more specifically the fear of a big injury, is why Ohio State fans will have to watch Beanie Wells in the NFL next year.
For running backs, if you are going to be a 1st round draft pick, how do you not go pro? All staying in college would do is add another season of wear and tear to the short lifespan of a running back. Most NFL running backs experience a sharp decline after age 30. Beanie Wells needs to get into the NFL as quickly as he can and get an extra year before that 30-year old running back finish line. Plus, Beanie Wells is already developing a reputation for being injury prone. If he has another season slowed by injuries next year, it will only hurt his draft stock.
And what more could Wells do to show off his talents to the NFL? All he can do is provide more questions about himself. He needs to make the best decision for his professional future, which is going pro ASAP.
However, I think the Cleveland Browns organization should hope that Beanie Wells stays in school. Otherwise, the Browns will have to deal with the pressure of choosing Beanie Wells high in the draft; and the potential backlash for not doing so.
The Cleveland Browns will have a top 5 draft pick in this year’s NFL draft. I have already seen several mock drafts that have the Browns picking Beanie Wells. I have also had a few friends who are Browns fans ask me, “So, who do the Browns take? Wells or Laurinitis?” As if there are no other options.
With the way the Browns basically pissed all over their tremendous fan support in 2008 by going 1-7 at home and falling waaaay short of preseason expectations, I am sure that Randy Lerner and anyone associated with the Browns would love to find a way to build goodwill with the fans in the offseason. Choosing one of the hometown favorites like Beanie Wells would certainly do that. And the Browns need a running back with Jamal Lewis getting up there in age and losing a step or two or ten.
So then Beanie Wells should be the perfect choice for the Browns if he goes pro right?
Loading ...
I say no. History in the NFL has shown that you don’t choose running backs in the top 5 or top 10 unless they are just transcendent talents like Adrian Peterson or Barry Sanders or LaDainian Tomlinson. Just look at this year. Chris Johnson, Matt Forte, and Kevin Smith were all very productive runners. None was a top pick. How often have we seen late round or even undrafted runners became stars? It happens a lot.
However, a lot of running backs picked him in the draft have fizzled. One reason is that guys are often drafted based on their college production. But more production in college can also mean more wear and tear, especially for a bruising-style runner like Beanie Wells. Or, the production can be more a function of the team around a player. I am not saying that Beanie Wells is not tremendously talented — he is — but he also has a great offensive line, a good offensive scheme, and Ohio State plays in the Big Ten.
You could argue that Ohio State only played two bona fide top 25 teams this season: USC and Penn State. Chris Wells did not play against USC, and was pretty ineffective against Penn State, running 22 times for 55 yards. I realize that Wells had good games last season against Michigan and some of Ohio State’s other good opponents; but Wells is right when he says he has unfinished business, especially against the better teams on Ohio State’s schedule.
If I am a Browns fan, this concerns me. It actually reminds me of another running back from a big-time college program who ended up being a top-5 NFL pick: Cedric Benson
Let me say right off that I think Beanie Wells is better than Cedric Benson, and I think Wells be better in the NFL than Benson, and without all of the off-the-field crap Benson has brought to the table. But Cedric Benson was a guy during his college career that played much better against the lesser schools on Texas’ schedule than against the top teams the Longhorns played. This is one of the reason why Benson slid on many draft boards (though obviously not the Bears): he fattened up on the cupcakes, but did not have the skill or competitiveness to bring it when Texas needed it most. Luckily for Benson he played with a transcendent college QB in Vince Young who brought it every weekend.
I think Chris Wells has actually played better than Cedric Benson did against the best teams on the schedule, but there has been some inconsistency. And if you say the inconsistency is due to injury, that is even worse. No NFL team wants to draft a running back high who cannot stay healthy in college, where the players are slower and the hits are less severe. Additionally, Beanie Wells is a tough runner but lacks top-end speed. He can run away from some college defenses, but will not be able to do the same against NFL defenses. Running backs who are going to be drafted in the top-5 need to threaten a defense as an inside runner and as a home run threat. This is not who Beanie Wells is. He is certainly worthy of a first round pick, and I think could have many productive years and be a guy like Michael Turner circa 2008, but the Browns have way too many holes to be rolling the dice on a running back that high in the draft.
So for the Cleveland Browns, the best outcome might be Beanie Wells just staying in school. Despite Wells’ recent statements, this is pretty unlikely however. What is more likely is that Wells will come out and the Browns will have to deal with the pressure of needing a running back and having the hometown favorite available to them. Obviously if the Browns pass on Wells and he turns into the next Earl Campbell, Browns fans will never forgive the team for passing on Wells.
If the Browns are smart, however, they will use history as their guide and wait until rounds 2-3 to pick a running back. With a slew of good defensive lineman and linebackers likely to be available to the Browns, and harder to get later in the draft, this is a more valuable direction for the Browns to go in than running back. And hey, if they really want to appease the Buckeye faithful, they can always take James Laurinitis.
But let another NFL team choose Beanie Wells. His Ohio State fans can continue to watch him and root for him, just in a city other than Cleveland.
Update: Immediately after this item, I noticed that our friends over at Waiting For Next Year posted a similar article regarding the recent comments by Beanie Wells about his NFL future. It’s a good read and they have a great blog, so check out their story.)
Jim Tressel and Mark Dantonio both admitted outright this week that they don’t look forward to playing each other this weekend in East Lansing. The two worked together most recently in 2002 for OSU’s championship run but had been together for years before that. It’s not bad blood, it’s just close, too close for anyone to be comfortable. While impartial fans look forward to the game, the reality is this week could be a watershed for either team. Both squads sit at 6-1. The Spartans could continue to prove that the coaching change is the best news around, and leading an improved running game and defense will put Michigan State in the mix for a New Year’s Day bid. Trouble is, they haven’t had any big wins, the Northwestern win was solid, but any Big Ten contender should win that game. Their stock will continue to rise if they can beat the Bucks at home. The Ohio State University, however, is coming off a very shaky win against Purdue, and Buckeyes fans seem like they are waiting for this team to fall, but would rather see it happen against Penn State.
Ohio State currently has a stamp on them that they cannot win a big game. Some people think it is a big tattoo that will never be removed, but after last night in Madison it is just a stamp to me. An ugly stamp you haven’t washed from the club the night before, but it only took a true freshman Quarterback to rub the stamp off for now.
Playing under the lights in Madison is a tough task. Ask the 2003 Buckeye squad who was undefeated and defending their national championship when they floundered in the Wisconsin elements and lost 17 to 10 on a late bomb to Lee Evans. Jim Tressel’s only career losing record to a Big Ten team was Wisconsin before last night’s victory (3-3). [Read more...]
