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:

1. Jim Tressel has already said that he thinks Beanie Wells should go pro.
2. Wells has 11 brothers and sisters, and helping to support his family is a pressing need.
3. Injuries, injuries, injuries.

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?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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.)

This time around Ohio State officials are hoping the faithful will wear all red for the themed “Scarlett Fever.” God knows the Penn State Nittany Lions have thrown the “White Out” at us enough times.

First place in the Big Ten is on the line as they are the only undefeated teams left. If Ohio State (7-1, 4-0) wins they could position themselves as the Big Ten champion which could mean a rematch against USC in the Rose Bowl. A Penn State (8-0, 4-0) win would put them on the inside track to their first BCS championship appearance.

Not that Joe Pa would even think about retiring after a BCS win since going off in style is, well, not his style.

To set this game up, both Ohio State and Penn State are coming off smack downs of the Michigan teams and I wouldn’t be surprised if ESPN’s College Gameday set up shop in Columbus for this one. Historically speaking, this game has a rich history especially since they play each other every year in the last week of October.

Ohio State leads the all-time series 12-11 and they have a 10-5 advantage since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. Joe Paterno bucked the losing trend against Michigan last weekend but he has another this weekend against Ohio State. Joe Paterno has NEVER won in Ohio Stadium in Big Ten play. Joe Pa won in Columbus in October of 1929 but he insists a historic stock market crash is not the reason for victory then or now.

In all seriousness (despite the photo of James Laurinaitis), I believe the most important match ups are the run defenses and ball control. Last week Penn State had a tough time stopping the Michigan spread run offense giving up 202 yards on the ground, a 4.4 average per carry. Most of that was given up in the first half. Last week Ohio State took on the supposedly best running attack in the Big Ten and held the Fighting Izzo’s to 52 yards rushing, a 2.5 yard average. So whichever defense can keep the other team’s dual running threats off the field longer should win this game because I don’t see a lot of turnovers occurring.

Prediction: Ohio State 27 Penn State 21

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). This was a big game win and don’t let any Jim Rome, Skip Bayless, or Mark May tell you otherwise. Not to mention Tressel’s 5-1 record versus the Wolverines who’s rivalry is called “The Game.” Is that yearly dominance not BIG enough for you? P.S. Not afraid of the “Bitch Rodriguez Era.”

The stigma that Ohio State cannot win a big game is still there since nobody respects the level of play out of anyone in the Big Ten but there is an X-factor now. We saw him come of age last night on his game winning drive and 11 yard touchdown option run. I haven’t seen a successful option run to the short side of the field against a good defense in college football history, but I saw Pryor turn on the jets and do it last night. On the road, down 17-13, 4^th quarter clock running against them, and Pryor did it throwing and running. A healthy Beanie Wells doesn’t hurt his maturity process either. Beanie finished the game with 168 yards on 22 carries (7.6 avg) and an awesome touchdown run in which he stiff armed the only defender he had to beat 10 yards backwards into the end zone.

Next week I am going to Columbus for the Purdue game (3:30 kickoff) and I can’t wait to watch the new big game X-factor Pryor with a healthy Beanie.

by KVB

Often I read my college friend’s Off The Tracks Purdue blog and he has gotten the attention of the Big Ten Bloggers Roundtable for his site on the Boilermakers. If I’m not mistaken he got slammed last year by readers for crossing the line in a rant about Notre Dame Football, but otherwise he’s a great writer and Notre Dame still sucks.

Soon maybe Midwest Sports Fans could have some writers in the Big Ten Bloggers Roundtable (even though I got rejected by the MAC Conference Bloggers) but until then below I answered their preseason questions. Keep in mind I’m wearing a sweatervest with no pants right now….

1. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg recently ranked the top 5 rivalries in the Big Ten and there were some controversial results (Illinois v Ohio State as #3?). Clearly Ohio State vs. Michigan is the #1 rivalry in the Big Ten, but give me your next three. It is obvious the Illinois upset over the undefeated Buckeyes last year made that a sexy pick at #3; as well as the game being in Illinois this year and probably on ESPN/ABC. But the ugly wooden “Illibuck” turtle trophy and Ohio State’s 60-30-4 all-time advantage make this not so sweet. The Wisconsin-Minnesota Paul Bunyan Axe gets the award for best trophy. Also, if you are a Big Ten fan you love every stadium in conference except the house that Kent Hrbek built, so be glad for the new outdoor Gopher football church set to be used on Saturday’s in 2009. Anyway…

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Michigan-Michigan State – Some players say these inter-state rivals mean a lot more to them than any others (i.e. Florida-Florida State, Alabama-Auburn, Texas-Texas A&M, USC-UCLA). This is definitely attributed to those same in-state players feeling they got shafted in the recruiting process by “the bigger school” or players at said bigger school feeling embarrassed if they lose to the “weaker program.” Especially at the states big on high school football like Texas, Florida, and California.

Penn State-Ohio State – The Buckeyes took the all-time advantage (12-11) in this one after last year’s beat down in Crappy Valley, 37-17. Before joining the Big Ten, Penn State beat Earle Bruce’s squad 31-19, in the 1980 Fiesta Bowl. Compared to Joe Pa’s 7-12 career record, The Nittney Lions got 4 wins against Ohio State before Joe was the man, obviously pre-leather helmets era. I myself have a “Michigan Sucks, Penn State Swallows” t-shirt. Going through my head: I hope I don’t get reamed by the editor for mentioning a state outside of the cornfields.

5. Brian at MGO was kind enough to post a diary entry which gives us and new coach Rich Rodriguez a list of Michigan traditions that maybe we were not all aware of. This has inspired two final questions…

Similar to the succulent Buckeye candies (a peanut butter ball dipped in hot fudge to look like the buckeye tree nut); there is the lesser known, Michigan Cookies! Easy to make too! Put them in a big Bowl and beat them for three hours. Note: Despite the first game on January 1^st, the Outback Bowl in not a big bowl.

KVB

Uplifting Athletes Event Wednesday July 30th

Being an avid NCAA Football ‘09 player myself, I could see this coming. The game is absolutely incredible this year (including tOSU’s 99 overall team rating) and the 8.4 out of 10 IGN rating is good but modest considering many gamers/reviewers just use it as a new football game fix before the Madden August release.

Sorry, I got ahead of myself. The article above is about THE Ohio State Football team putting on a charity event for cancer at the Eddie George Grill in Columbus. You come. Make a donation. Watch the players go nuts over an incredible college football video game in the playoff match ups. Then get yourself autographs and pictures with the players. Sounds fun considering this was the first event planned in a few short days before practice starts. Junior cornerback, Donald Washington was the winner of their NCAA ‘09 tourney and safety Kurt Coleman is Vice President of the non-profit-with-hundred-dollar-hand-shakes organization called Uplifting Athletes.

As I finish up my first dynasty year, I will post a blog soon on manual recruiting in dynasty mode since you can’t trust your incoming freshman to the computer AI. It’s tricky and time consuming (phone calls, campus visits, AND offseason in-home visits) if you want to guarantee a class without walk-ons and 2 star dipshits from Indiana and Canada. Though if you are recruiting kids from Indiana you probably think the 10 hour phone call limit per week is horribly low. Sorry no way of cheating in the game Hoosiers, but I will give you the best advice on the net.

Time to go check my underpants, I farted 7 times while writing this,

-KVB