Ladell Betts...the next Priest Holmes?

[12thMan]

Here's my take on Betts:

I think over the course of a 16 game season, he's capable of putting up perhaps a thousand yard season....which in today's league isn't saying a lot. Really good backs, in my opinion, are measured by 1300 -1500 yd seasons. Betts is good at changing the pace of a game. Where as a Portis can set it, change it, and do everything in between.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Here's my take on Betts:

I think over the course of a 16 game season, he's capable of putting up perhaps a thousand yard season....which in today's league isn't saying a lot. Really good backs, in my opinion, are measured by 1300 -1500 yd seasons. Betts is good at changing the pace of a game. Where as a Portis can set it, change it, and do everything in between.

Yep this is about right. Betts can be a starter, but definitely not a star. I've said it before so I'll say it again here, he's got a Duce Staley career written all over him.

Effective but not spectacular.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Here's my take on Betts:

I think over the course of a 16 game season, he's capable of putting up perhaps a thousand yard season....which in today's league isn't saying a lot. Really good backs, in my opinion, are measured by 1300 -1500 yd seasons. Betts is good at changing the pace of a game. Where as a Portis can set it, change it, and do everything in between.

I would argue that the really good backs give you 1600 + like EDGE, Tomlinson, Williams and Alexander.

Portis will probably join that club this year.

Betts' problem is that he is behind Portis. Without a big injury he will not get to shine.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Grim21Reaper

I would argue that the really good backs give you 1600 + like EDGE, Tomlinson, Williams and Alexander.

Portis will probably join that club this year.

Betts' problem is that he is behind Portis. Without a big injury he will not get to shine.

I maintain, really good backs will give you 1300-1500. The backs you mentioned are exceptional. I think you're right, Portis could possibly join that upper echelon this year. Betts is and will never be, in my opinion, in either category. Sure he may be a featured back someday, but I don't think he'll be a game changer or a 1500 yd back no matter how many games he starts, no matter how wide the running lanes, etc.

[scowan]

Portis has the outside speed to get to the corners and still go around guys, Betts just runs you over.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by scowan

Betts just runs you over.

I've never thought of Betts as any kind of power runner. You always hear NFL commentators make remarks like, "Betts is a hard runner" or "Betts could be the next Stephen Davis", but they obviously haven't seen much game film. Just because he looks like he should run hard doesn't mean that he actually does. His biggest plays have come from outside screens and swing passes in the flat. And Betts is the only running back I can recall in recent memory, to get tackled from behind, with one hand grabbing his jersey tail.

I do think that he's a good change of pace back, but he's nowhere close to the player Priest Holmes was. If he did start somewhere, I have a feeling it would look a lot like Troy Hambrick's season as Dallas' starter, a couple years back.

[offiss]

Betts is an outstanding back, but he needs to stay healthy #1, and he has needed a real system that will spread the defense out to allow legitamate running lanes, he will get that this year, Betts yards per carry will be as good or better than Portis's this season.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by offiss

Betts is an outstanding back, but he needs to stay healthy #1, and he has needed a real system that will spread the defense out to allow legitamate running lanes, he will get that this year, Betts yards per carry will be as good or better than Portis's this season.

Why do you think it will be as good or even better than Portis'?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by offiss

Betts is an outstanding back, but he needs to stay healthy #1, and he has needed a real system that will spread the defense out to allow legitamate running lanes, he will get that this year, Betts yards per carry will be as good or better than Portis's this season.

I think calling Betts an "outstanding" back is way premature, Offiss. Betts has proved himself to be solid. I'd save the word "outstanding" for guys like Ladainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander. Let's get a dose of realism in the picture, shall we?

Now as for the bolded part, I'm just not sure how that makes any sense. Won't Portis finally be back in an offense that allows legitimate running lanes, just like Betts? We saw what Portis did in open space in Denver, 5.5 yards per carry. Are you saying you think Betts could have rushed for 5.5 yards per carry or better if he played for Denver in 2003?

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by offiss

Betts is an outstanding back, but he needs to stay healthy #1, and he has needed a real system that will spread the defense out to allow legitamate running lanes, he will get that this year, Betts yards per carry will be as good or better than Portis's this season.

So outstanding that Joe Gibbs' first order of business, when he took over as head coach, was to trade away Champ Bailey and a second round pick to get Portis. You're correct about the health issue though, because he is rather fragile for never having more than 90 carries in a season. Betts is a solid back, but he has nowhere close to Portis' talent.

[wolfeskins]

i like betts but every time he runs with the ball i'm nervous, i'm always thinking "he's gonna fumble".

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

So outstanding that Joe Gibbs' first order of business, when he took over as head coach, was to trade away Champ Bailey and a second round pick to get Portis. You're correct about the health issue though, because he is rather fragile for never having more than 90 carries in a season. Betts is a solid back, but he has nowhere close to Portis' talent.

Gibbs has admitted that Betts is far better than he thought when he first arrived. The reason I say Betts is that good is this, Betts hits the hole harder and quicker than Portis, he's also a more powerful runner, yes Portis will get the bulk of the work but Betts is going to shine, as well he's playing for a new contract.

Personally I was alway's content with Betts talent wise as our featured back, but his inabilty to stay healthy has made him to unreliable up till now for a featured back.

[dirthogs311]

Betts is a free agent next year.... look for him to be in a different uniform next season.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by dirthogs311

Betts is a free agent next year.... look for him to be in a different uniform next season.

Yeah. I think that's why they signed Lumsden. 220 pounds and runs a 4.4. If Betts leaves, he's got a shot to replace Betts as a capable backup to Portis.

[TrustinGibbs]

You never know with running backs. Did anyone see Stephen Davis coming after his first couple of years in the NFL?

Bett's could breakout and bring a team 1300-1500 yards at some point in his career but it probably wont happen in Washington. Portis is the man and should be because he can do so many different things well AND get you 1500 yards AND score from any point on the field on any given play.