Bucs Need To Stay Away From Beanie Wells
February 10th, 2009
Wes Bunting of the NationalFootballPost.com in his updated mock draft has the Bucs picking Ohio State running back Beanie Wells. Jim Miller of NFL Radio suggests this would be a major mistake by the Bucs.
In his updated 2009 NFL mock draft first round, Wes Bunting of the NationalFootballPost.com has the Bucs selecting Ohio State RB Chris “Beanie” Wells with the 19th pick.
The Buccaneers’ running back position has seen its fare share of injuries the past two seasons, so it’s imperative they bring in a franchise type of back this offseason. Wells is a big, well-built runner with the power and vision to create plays at the line of scrimmage and wear down defenses. He should help give the Bucs a new identity on offense under rookie coach Raheem Morris.
While Bunting’s logic makes sense and Joe has no problem with the Bucs taking a running back in the first round (though Joe prefers it be a defensive tackle), it’s ironic over the weekend Joe heard Jim Miller of NFL Radio take apart Wells.
Per Miller, who also is color analyst for Michigan State, Wells is already a beat up RB and is little more than damaged goods. Miller noted Wells has run the ball so much at Ohio State and been beat upon so much, he has limited shelf life and is already brittle.
Miller explained that last year the Spartans had a soft defense yet they pounded on Wells so much he had to leave the game. Miller went on to say, in so many words, that if someone picks Wells in the first round it will be a waste of a pick.
There is ample evidence that Big Ten running backs are so abused in their years running in a run-oriented conference with brusing linebackers and defensive lineman that they are virtually shot by the time they graduate.
Based on Miller’s information and the recent history with Big Ten running backs in the NFL, Joe hopes the Bucs pass on him.
If the Bucs consider a Big Ten running back, Joe is hopeful it would be Iowa’s Shonn Greene, who didn’t play his junior year because he didn’t like to go to class and is coming out a year early. Green hasn’t taken near the punishment Wells has and should have fresher legs and a longer shelf life.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Dude, they said the same thing about Adrian Peterson. If they keep the pick, Wells will be a decent option. Greene may be okay too, but Wells is a pretty good option.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I agree about Beanie – just say no.
If, and this is a big IF, the Bucs take a RB with their 1st round pick I would rather see them choose Moreno (Georgia) as my first choice. The only other RB’s in the 2009 draft worthy of the Bucs #19 pick would be McCoy (Pitt) or Green (Iowa) or possibly Javon Ringer (Mich St). Personally I can think of other 1st round choices but by the 2nd round why not Glenn Coffee (Bama) or even Pat White (WV)?
Beanie was hurt way too much this year and couldn’t even play in the 2nd half of Ohio’s loss to Texas this year. He won’t last in the NFL as a starting back. If Beanie is still available when the Bucs have their 2nd pick (#51) maybe then but I doubt he’ll still be on the board that long.