bigger role for Betts this year?

[MTK]

I hope so...

Redskins Insider - Smith: Offense Up To Speed -- And Watch Betts

"The guy that's been standing out to me is Ladell Betts," Smith said of the running back who serves as Clinton Portis's backup. "To me, he's stepped his game up. He's preparing like he's a starter. He's taken a leadership role, which I'm not saying he wasn't a leader before, but I just think he's a very good player. He's jumped out to me.

[vallin21]

His versaltility is his main strength, but he's been just mediocre after his good year in '06. I'm really hoping one of those backs we signed (Aldridge, Dorsey, Mason) step and become the #2 behind Portis.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by vallin21

His versaltility is his main strength, but he's been just mediocre after his good year in '06. I'm really hoping one of those backs we signed (Aldridge, Dorsey, Mason) step and become the #2 behind Portis.

How can you say he has been just average when he has not really had anough chances to judge him. It like they just throw him out there on a wim several times a game. They need to design a game plan that involves Betts and his strengths. I was actually surprised when he signed a new deal with us knowing that CP was going to be the starter.

[GMScud]

I agree we need to spell CP, but Betts offers nothing new. I'd like to spell Portis with someone who can bring a change of pace to the offense. A scat back type of player. That's why I'm hoping Dorsey or Alridge pans out.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I agree we need to spell CP, but Betts offers nothing new. I'd like to spell Portis with someone who can bring a change of pace to the offense. A scat back type of player. That's why I'm hoping Dorsey or Alridge pans out.

Why do we need a change of pace if he is good at what he does?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Why do we need a change of pace if he is good at what he does?

When Betts comes in, he's a downgrade in the running game. And that's the case for any RB on our roster when compared to CP, however at least a speed guy like an Alridge or Dorsey can bring a different dimension to the offense, a la Darren Sproles. A scat back kind of player that will give opposing defenses a different look. Betts is a fumble prone, slower version of Portis. He can give us a few quality carries per game, but he shouldn't be the only RB getting touches behind CP.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by GMScud

When Betts comes in, he's a downgrade in the running game. And that's the case for any RB on our roster when compared to CP, however at least a speed guy like an Alridge or Dorsey can bring a different dimension to the offense, a la Darren Sproles. A scat back kind of player that will give opposing defenses a different look. Betts is a fumble prone, slower version of Portis. He can give us a few quality carries per game, but he shouldn't be the only RB getting touches behind CP.

I think Betts is faster then Portis.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Why do we need a change of pace if he is good at what he does?

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

Vikes-Peterson has Chester Taylor he isn't a 'scat' back.
Panthers-DeAngelo Williams has Stewart not a 'scat' back.
Dolphins-Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams
Ravens-McClain & McGahee
Seattle-Morris & Jones
etc...

Betts is a proven back in this league.
Saunders thought that Betts was better receiver then Portis, and i agree with him.

Bottom line is that Betts was hurt last year when we needed him the most.

Imo Sherman Smith is right they do need to get Betts more involved but i wonder if part of the problem with getting Betts the ball is Portis.
They have to sell Portis on giving up some plays to keep him fresh and running hard.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by 30gut

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

Vikes-Peterson has Chester Taylor he isn't a 'scat' back.
Panthers-DeAngelo Williams has Stewart not a 'scat' back.
Dolphins-Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams
Ravens-McClain & McGahee
Seattle-Morris & Jones
etc...

Betts is a proven back in this league.
Saunders thought that Betts was better receiver then Portis, and i agree with him.

Bottom line is that Betts was hurt last year when we needed him the most.

Imo Sherman Smith is right they do need to get Betts more involved but i wonder if part of the problem with getting Betts the ball is Portis.
They have to sell Portis on giving up some plays to keep him fresh and running hard.

Same here. Portis is used to going in and out as he pleases. That has to change.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by 30gut

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

Vikes-Peterson has Chester Taylor he isn't a 'scat' back.
Panthers-DeAngelo Williams has Stewart not a 'scat' back.
Dolphins-Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams
Ravens-McClain & McGahee
Seattle-Morris & Jones
etc...

Betts is a proven back in this league.
Saunders thought that Betts was better receiver then Portis, and i agree with him.

Bottom line is that Betts was hurt last year when we needed him the most.

Imo Sherman Smith is right they do need to get Betts more involved but i wonder if part of the problem with getting Betts the ball is Portis.
They have to sell Portis on giving up some plays to keep him fresh and running hard.

Perhaps it is just a fad, but a fad that is working right now. The "Counter Trey" was a fad and has had to be tweeked and modified cause defenses caught up with it. The "Wild Cat" or what ever it's called is a fad but one that is working right now. Atleast until defenses figure out how to stop it.

Of course if you have two good runners to spell each other then your better off so having two talented RB's in these days is a must. My only confusion is why would you put two of the same style of runners in the backfield? both are between the tackles type of runners. Defenses know if it's run all they have to do is simply clog the middle. Otherwise it's back up and keep everything in front of you. Having a smaller faster RB in the back field with Portis would cause match up problems for the defenses. They would not know if the ball is going inside between the tackles, outside to the perimater, or if play action if it's going to be a pass. That right there keeps the defense honest. Fad...perhaps, but again it's just one more threat the team has and defenses has to worry about.

Betts is a proven player? His Rookie yr he got beat out by Trung Candidate. Then they brought in Portis for which he was relegated to second string cause he's definitly better then Rock. Betts had one good yr-2006. The only yr he had to be utilized due to injury. He filled in admirably but he still had his issues. He always had a hard time getting the 4th and 2 or the 4th and 3 yardage. On an important drive that would have given the team the go ahead score he fumbled. I'm not trying to down play his achievements but to me he's still suspect at being a proven player. Lots of players have had one good yr. Yes the coach's always see something in him they like. Who knows what that is....attitude, character, work ethic, potential...who knows. Yes he is a better pass catching RB only cause Portis was not utilized in that capacity as much. Portis has gotten better in that area. Which is why he gets a lot of screens.

But my issue is not whether Betts is a good #2 or not. It's the fact that he is the same type of player as Portis. If 90 % of you plays are between the tackles then having both is a good idea so you have two who can slam the ball through the line. If you are trying to create plays to the outside of the line or edge plays to keep the defense guessing then Portis or Betts are not going to get the job done. Their not fast enough. Portis used to but he put on weight to be the hard hitting back Gibbs wanted. Then he tried losing weight for Saunders, but Portis is no longer the type of back to go to the edge.

I'm not complaining that we have Betts. He can keep spelling Portis and on some plays they can use the scat back. But all in all .....Betts and Rock are 29 y/o and Portis is 27 y/o. Funny how we talk about getting younger and healthier on the O-line but our skills positions don't need to get younger. To be honest. I like Moss, but I seriously hope DT and MK both work out for us. Then they can start taking the majority of the load and Moss can come in on specific plays. I'm not sure where ARE is at this point. He's not being utilized like Pitt used him. He's not producing like he was in Pitt. He's not a #2 WR. Right now for us all he is, is a gadget play. I'd rather see the two new WR's Williams and Mitchell make the team so we have 4 young tall healthy WR's. Especially for red zone plays. So to me the whole team is getting older and I would like to see them get younger.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 30gut

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

I agree.

I think it's mainly a misconception with the fans. Sproles has everyone thinking you need a smaller/faster kind of back to bring in. In reality you just need two quality backs regardless of style.

[freddyg12]

Smith isn't the first coach to say that he liked Betts. Remember when saunders said he was excited about Betts' potential & wanted to get Betts & Portis in at the same time?

That never happened as far as I know, although Saunders liked to go to Betts in the passing game when Portis was healthy. Seems that since Portis came back in 07, for whatever reason, Betts just doesn't get called on that much. It's unfair to him to say he hasn't done much since 06. He's still a very good back, give him the ball in a variety of situations & he'll produce.

I bet he's as quick or quicker to the hole as portis these days. His main problem has always been fumbling, not his speed or toughness.

[vallin21]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Smith isn't the first coach to say that he liked Betts. Remember when saunders said he was excited about Betts' potential & wanted to get Betts & Portis in at the same time?

That never happened as far as I know, although Saunders liked to go to Betts in the passing game when Portis was healthy. Seems that since Portis came back in 07, for whatever reason, Betts just doesn't get called on that much. It's unfair to him to say he hasn't done much since 06. He's still a very good back, give him the ball in a variety of situations & he'll produce.

I bet he's as quick or quicker to the hole as portis these days. His main problem has always been fumbling, not his speed or toughness.

Nobody's questioning his speed or quickness, because all of that is irrelevant. The bottom line is that when he's had oppurtunities he hasn't taken full advantage of them, whether that's fumbling or getting injured (which isn't his fault). If you look at production, he really hasn't done much since '06 and that (could) be blamed on playing time but if he made the most out of his oppurtunities we would not have signed 3 RB's to compete with him for the #2 job which already tells you something.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by vallin21

Nobody's questioning his speed or quickness, because all of that is irrelevant. The bottom line is that when he's had oppurtunities he hasn't taken full advantage of them, whether that's fumbling or getting injured (which isn't his fault). If you look at production, he really hasn't done much since '06 and that (could) be blamed on playing time but if he made the most out of his oppurtunities we would not have signed 3 RB's to compete with him for the #2 job which already tells you something.

So who said those guys were signed to compete for the #2 job? Your post is the first I'd heard of that. Don't recall any coaches or Vinny saying that.

I took those signings to be more competition for Rock, whose contract is less, and who also returns kicks. Of course, anyone can potentially take a spot, Portis' spot included.

Betts is getting up there in years so of course they're going to look to replace him in the near future, but I certainly don't think those 3 guys we signed are an attempt to replace or demote him.

Also, take a look at Portis' numbers in the 2nd half of the year, since it seems that's what you're doing w/Betts. The running game fell off big time. Do you blame that all on Portis since his "production" dropped?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

So who said those guys were signed to compete for the #2 job? Your post is the first I'd heard of that. Don't recall any coaches or Vinny saying that.

I took those signings to be more competition for Rock, whose contract is less, and who also returns kicks. Of course, anyone can potentially take a spot, Portis' spot included.

Yup same here, I don't see any of those guys as a real threat to Betts at all. In reality it would be a bit of a surprise to see any of them make the team.