We traded for T.J. Duckett?

For those who say Ducket is slow

CNNSI.com - T.J. Duckett - - (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2002/draft/players/46352.html)

TJ. Duckett | HB | Michigan St. | Big Ten Conference
Selected by Atlanta Falcons in round 1, pick 18 (18 overall)
Height Weight 40 Grade
6'0 254 4.48 4.12


Darren Silva/Getty Images

Big-bodied runner that started his career as a middle linebacker but quickly became the team's feature back as a true freshman and has been productive the past three seasons. Rushed for 236/1,236/5.2/10 as a junior, also catching 12/80/6.7/1. Totaled 240/1,353/5.6/7 on the ground as a sophomore and caught 8/39/4.9, though he missed time due to assorted groin, shoulder and ankle injuries. Did not start a single game as a true freshman but rushed for 118/606/5.1/10. Totaled seven games last year in which he rushed for more than 100 yards and has topped the 200-yard mark on three different occasions during his career.
Powerful back that is more than just a road-grader. Sees the field, finds the open spot in the defense, displaying good footwork and the ability to side-step opponents. Quick through the hole, has a burst in the open field and puts his shoulders down when tackled. Patient, will pick and choose his spots and follows his blocks. Rarely brought down by the first opponent or a single defender and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Does not lumber or plod as you'd imagine a big back would and shows the ability to squeeze through small openings. Good receiver out of the backfield and a reliable target in the short field. Does not always seem to run with a physical style or really look like he is playing to his size. Needs to condition himself and attack the game but should easily be able to take the pounding of an every down back at the next level. Mid First Round.

Why is everyone so high on betts? What has he ever done other than a few good runs here and there. He gets injured yearly, and coaches praise him so much it reminds me of a certain reciever... 4 years in and hasn't broken 400 yds in a season. Same draft, Duck by the numbers seems better to me...and lord knows when it comes to playing style I'd rather have a battering ram, that duckett is faster in the open field seals the deal for me.

***EDIT***
Tried to post their stats down here but it was all screwy looking.
Numbers: Duckett has been in 7 more games, has 231 more carries, 904 more yards, .1 less yards a carry 3.9/4.0, 26 more TDs 31/5.

Basically, i disagree with folks that are saying duckett isn't good, that he hasn't done anything, and that he will be our 3rd string back.

How is he as a blocker? Because we know Sellers can block for Portis, can you put Duckett and Portis back there and can TJ block for Clinton?

it's definitely getting complicated back there. Sellers's role was getting expanded, as a blocker, receiver, and now as a runner.

where does Sellers fit in all this? T.J. does all the above except block, and he never had a fullback to block for HIM, so this is all a pretty big organizational shakeup. who does what?

Betts is definitely superfluos at this point. expect him to go. Rock stays because he's a special teams perennial. Betts doesnt want that role, bye Betts.

I like this trade...why? We get a bruiser who can score TDs with his brute force. Remember how many times we were stuffed last year or couldn't punch it in? At worst "TJ Not Taylor Jacobs" should provide for adequate decoy in the redzone. Like others said, I don't trust Betts, Rock or who ever else ends up on the roster. Betts gets hurt and has always missed games and the rest disappear when the pressure is on.

The Redskins are in it to win it all and this move is a VERY good insurance policy. Way to go Gibbs and company!

I like the trade even though I hate giving up draft picks, but we are nothing remotly special when it comes to the draft, Betts I doubt is going anywhere this year, but I do believe they realized that Rock, Nemo, White, are all below average runners, Betts can be a #1 but he can't be relied upon because of his injuries, Duckett will punish defenders with his size, and be a nice compliment to Portis.

I can't help rehashing my feelings on the Portis deal from the get go, How good would Stephen Jackson look in this offense? Or any Gibbs offense for that matter? He was really perfect for us and we could have had him for a late 1st rounder , and just traded Bailey for draft picks, then we could have gone after a complimentary speed back and saved a heck of a lot of cap room.

I do like Portis and wanted us to draft him out of college, but denver grabbed him a few picks ahead of us, I just didn't like giving up as much as we did to get him. I do think we are on the right track with our new running game to allow him to use his greatest strength and thats his ability to cut and outrun people, the smash mouth running game Gibbs has alway's employed was not for him regardless of how many yards he accumulated, he was going to retire a young man if we kept that up, Duckett should really help even when Portis is healthy again, we haven't had a real power back since Gibbs return, we do now.

Hot Diggity f-ck yeah.

Whats next trade for Favre. How awesome will this team be. I cant even think how good they even rank now on Madden my God.

How is he as a blocker? Because we know Sellers can block for Portis, can you put Duckett and Portis back there and can TJ block for Clinton?

Forget that I would put Sellars and Duckett in the backfield at the same time inside the red zone, as well as short yardage, try stopping that freight train!

Lets see if we can get Peyton Manning.