COMMENTARY: Wells May Have To Wait

Here's what we know about Chris "Beanie" Wells so far.

Nothing.

He is the Arizona Cardinals' first-round pick (31st overall) out of (The) Ohio State University. The Cardinals drafted Wells in hopes that he would win the starting job and give their running game a boost. So far that hasn't happened. Wells hasn't been a star. He hasn't been a bust, either. What he has been is injured.

It's the knock he had coming out of college. Can't stay healthy. Can't play an entire season. Always banged up. The injury bug has been bothersome and reluctant to stay away as Wells suffered a sprained ankle in the first workout of training camp.

Twenty-four days later, Wells is still struggling with his ankle. He did make strides toward a return Monday. Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wells looked good. He was fast, strong and seemingly not bothered by his bothersome ankle.

Wells is expected to make his debut against the Packers Friday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

But is it too late?

Probably.

Today the race for the starting running back job should be declared over. Finished. Complete. No more. Done. If you're Italian, this competition is completare. Wells has something to prove to the coaching staff. Right now he's the beautiful woman who stands her date up three times and one morning shows up on the door step saying words like "I can explain," saying names like "Baby" and singing Biggie songs. Give me one more chance.

Sometimes in life, you have to prove to people you can be depended on. Instead of being a question, you have to be the answer. Wells has to prove himself capable of being trusted and this is going to take some time. While playing with the Buckeyes, injuries were not a threat to his playing time. Wells was easily the most talented running back on the roster. With a strong preseason showing running back Tim Hightower has given the Cardinals a great option. Over the first two games of the preseason, Hightower has averaged over four yards per a carry. He's running hard and feeling more comfortable in the backfield.

Hightower has won this job by the margin of a Usain Bolt race in the 200-meter dash.

Arizona didn't draft Wells to be a backup. Their intent was for him to claim the starting job. They'll have to wait for that to happen. Sometimes things happen by no fault of our own. Maybe it's just fate. Maybe it's a mistake. Maybe his injury and Hightower's effective play in the backfield is a blessing in disguise.

Perhaps this gives the Cardinals an opportunity to ease Wells into the fold. What he needs right now is more time. And his time, at this moment, is not now.

UA QB job still up for grabs

The competition is not over for the starting quarterback job at the University of Arizona.

According to Rivals.com, the battle between Matt Scott and Nick Foles continues.

After graduating last year's starter, Willie Tuitama, sophomores Foles (left in the photo) and Scott (right) have been in a heated battle.

Scott looked like he might win the starting job with a great performance in Thursday's practice. Not to be outdone, Foles answered with a stellar Saturday practice, throwing the decision, once again, in limbo.

Wildcats head football coach Mike Stoops said he hopes to make a decision on the starting quarterback soon.

"We'll continue to evaluate," Stoops told The Arizona Republic. "We have to really take a hard look at it and see where we're at. Hopefully by Tuesday we'll come up with a game plan."

Foles completed 11 of 16 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown Saturday. He led the team to two 75-yard scoring drives. Scott was not as impressive, going 9 of 19 for 85 yards and zero touchdowns.

Scott, however, has more experience in the Wildcats' system, having served as the backup quarterback a year ago. Foles is a transfer from Michigan State.

The Wildcats finished the 2008 season with a 8-5 record, a fifth-place finish in the Pac-10 Conference and a 31-21 win over Brigham Young University in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Arizona opens its season at home against Central Michigan on Sept. 5.

Stephens-Howling and Darren Sproles

The Arizona Cardinals believe rookie running back LaRod Stephens-Howling is the next J.J. Arrington.

"I look at him a lot like J.J. (Arrington) was for us last year. He was a game-changer and made a lot of big plays for us in critical situations," Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner told The Arizona Republic. "He's kind of a scat-back guy and LaRod can be that same guy who can give us a spark and make a big play every time he touches the ball. I think we'll see the same thing once we implement him into our offense a little bit more."

Well maybe.

For a moment, consider this player comparison.

How about being the next Darren Sproles?

Like the 5-6, 185 pound behemoth from San Diego, Stephens-Howlings, at least in his debut as a kick returner, is lightning in a bottle. In the Cardinals' 17-3 loss to the San Diego Chargers Saturday at University of Phoenix Stadium the 5-7, 180-pound Stephens-Howling burst for returns of 89 and 63 yards. Every playoff team needs a game-changer, and enough is never really enough in the National Football League. Arizona's aerial attack featuring receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breston, are expected to make the Cardinals' offense one of the most explosive in the NFL. An explosive return game, featuring Stephens-Howling will give opposing teams another thing to worry about and give the Cardinals' offense good field position time after time again. Like Sproles, Stephens-Howling is surprisingly fast, confident and a hard-runner. He has good vision and a burst every good kick returner needs. The Cardinals can also use him in the passing game. With Beanie Wells' injury keeping him sidelined over the first two games of the preseason --and possibly more---the Cardinals may give Stephens-Howling a strong look in the backfield.

If seeing is believing and one game decides a career, there's little left to speculate. If this all serves to be true, Arizona has found its own mighty mouse. The Cards' own Darren Sproles.

Cards hope Stephens-Howling makes a splash

As if the Arizona Cardinals need anymore help scoring, they may have found another weapon.

LaRod Stephens-Howling, a seventh-round pick in this spring's draft, had two long returns for 152 yards in the Cardinals' 17-3 preseason loss to the San Diego Chargers Saturday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

His biggest return came on the game's opening kickoff when he broke an 89-yard return to the San Diego 7-yard line.

In the second quarter, Stephens-Howling's next return was for 63 yards to the San Diego 32.

If the rookie running back from the University of Pittsburgh keeps this up the Cardinals' offense will hardly have to work.

Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Stephens-Howling has been impressive in training camp.

Saturday's game has the Cardinals wondering if they have found this season's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Entering with a low profile, out of Tennessee State University, Rodgers-Cromartie earned a starting job in the Cardinals' secondary. He led the team in with four interceptions and became an instant, impact player.

Playing a limited role at running back, the 5-7, 180-pound Stephens-Howling made his impact in the return game. He has been given the opportunity to play the same role in Arizona.

So far he has taken the ball and run with it---literally.

COMMENTARY: Defense could push Cardinals further

If this isn't a mirage---this is the desert, mind you---the Arizona Cardinals' defense could be the reason why the team becomes a Super Bowl contender again this season.

The Cardinals' offense, ranked fourth in the NFL last season, has sputtered. Arizona's first-team offense has scored a total of six points in two games. In Saturday's 17-3 loss to the San Diego Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona's offense failed to score a touchdown after three first-half trips into the red zone.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the defense played a starring role against the Chargers, holding them scoreless in the first quarter and compiling four sacks.

The Cardinals looked quick, fast, athletic and aggressive.

In a 3-4 look, defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, lined up over the center, blew into the backfield and sacked San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers in an instant. Pressure was coming from all areas. Linebacker Karlos Dansby collected a sack on a blitz, lineman Bryan Robinson beat his man for a sack and second-year defensive end Calais Campbell flashed by his defender, scooped Rivers up and put him on the ground.

It seemed during the regular season, the Cardinals won nine games and a NFC West division title despite of their defense. Ranked 16th in the NFL, the Cardinals' defense was less than impressive. In fact it was going to be the reason the Cardinals were going to live a short life in the postseason. Arizona had surrendered 30 points or more five times, including 56 points to the New York Jets in Week Four, 48 points to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13 and 47 points to the New England Patriots in Week 16. All losses, of course.

Arizona's defense made a transformation and forced 13 turnovers in the postseason, helping send the Cardinals to the Super Bowl.

Now this.

The defense held the Pittsburgh Steelers' running game to just 2.8 yards per a carry and three first-half points in Week One of the preseason. Arizona backed up that performance with another gem in the second game. The Chargers were held to 3.8 yards per a carry. Though he managed to complete five of seven passes, Rivers was pressured constantly. LaDainian Tomlinson was held to 18 yards on eight carries and Darren Sproles managed just five yards on two carries.

How has this happened?

The Cardinals are playing with more confidence and it's showing in the intensity and play-calling. The blitzes are more aggressive and exotic. Arizona is confusing offenses and getting good play from its defensive line. It's making every player's job easier.

Athletic ability and speed is this unit's calling card and the coaching staff is allowing the players to use those skills. Their making plays, forcing turnovers and gaining confidence.

Super Bowl letdown? It won't happen if the Cardinals' defense is playing at this level.

Where Were You?: Suns-Bulls 1993 NBA Finals Game 6

Sunday, June 20, 1993. I was 13 years old and enjoying my last summer before I entered high school. I would lose a friend to death that summer. I would gain a few, too. It was a summer of ups, downs, sure things and uncertainties. A typical summer for a kid growing up in Kansas City, Kan.

I was not a sports fan at the time--I had better things to do--- but this series drew me in. This series changed it all for me. Marginally interested, I sat down to watch and was hooked forever. This is the moment I fell in love with the highs of losing and the lows of defeat, the intensity of competition and the metaphoric similarities sports has with life. I was in the living room, with my dad, in Kansas City, as we watched the game. We were both rooting for the Suns. I don't know why. Maybe because I've always disliked the favorite and always rooted against the bully. The Suns were my type of team---tough, confident, underrated and led by a charismatic personality in Charles Barkley. While the rest of the basketball world marveled at Michael Jordan and the Bulls' accomplishment--three titles in three seasons---I wished it had never happened. I wished John Paxson's shot had bounced off the front of the rim, or Horace Grant's pass had been thrown into press row.

This game featured what may be the biggest shot in Phoenix Suns basketball history. In fact, this is one of the biggest shots in NBA history. It not only gave the Chicago Bulls their third straight NBA championship and broke the heart of the Suns; it gave us all---for 16 seconds---a glimpse into the future of the NBA.

Drive and kick.

With 19 seconds remaining Jordan took the ball and crossed mid-court, passing to Scottie Pippen with 8 seconds remaining. My heartbeat raced as Pippen drove into the lane, drew in the defense and dished to Grant with 6 seconds remaining. I sat at the edge of my seat with my eyes bulging and fists clinched. Time seemed to stop as Grant proceeded to make the biggest pass of his career. With the entire defense collapsing like an inflatable object, expelling its last breath, Grant threw a perfect strike to Paxson.
And the story ends there.

Those 16 seconds gave us a preview of the NBA we see today, where penetration is king and the perimeter shot is the exclamation point--the deciding factor, the dramatic actor and the master of momentum. Every possession is a beautiful display of controlled chaos.

This shot, this game, this moment changed my life.

Here's a question: Where were you on June 20, 1993?

Flowers emerges as elite, coveted talent

Goodyear Millennium High School football star Marquis Flowers is one of the top prospects in the state of Arizona.

In fact, Flowers is the top unsigned prospect in the state--and the race for his services is on. The 6-3, 190-pound athlete is a Swiss army knife. Offensively, he is able to rush and catch the football. Flowers rushed for 932 yards and eight touchdowns. He also averaged 17 yards per a catch. Defensively, Flowers recorded 87 tackles, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Flowers has plenty of options. He holds scholarship offers from 13 schools. The University of Arizona and Arizona State University are on his list of suitors. The ninth-ranked athlete in the country, according to Rivals.com, for now, is in no rush to make a decision.

Flowers, a senior, said he's hoping to play on the defensive side of the ball next season. The Michigan Wolverines have expressed a desire to play him in the secondary.

"They want me to play on the defensive side of the ball and that's what I want to go as," Flowers told Rivals. "I want to go as a safety, so we're on the same page."

Flowers, according to ESPN.com, is the second-best prospect in Arizona. The Arizona Republic's Richard Obert ranks Flowers as the top athlete in the state.

Flower helped the Tigers finish the season with a 9-3 record and an appearance in the 4A-I quarterfinals. Millennium moves up from Class 4A Division I to 5A-II this season.

Devon Carrington, a safety from Hamilton High School, is ranked as the top prospect. The 6-foot, 184-pounder has committed to Stanford.