Ladell Betts...the next Priest Holmes?

[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.

[12thMan]

Rock Cartwright could end up with more yds per carry than Portis this year, what does that mean??

[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".

[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.

[That Guy]

"Taylor jacobs is the best receiver on this team"

just saying...


as far as what betts can and can't do, i on't really like that comparision all that much. holmes is really shifty, betts REALLY isn't. holmes also jumps and betts doesn't. cartwright is more shifty than betts.

[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.

[dmek25]

good coaches never continually tear down their players. every once in a while you have to throw them a compliment or two. betts is a fine back up. no more, no less

[vaoutlaws2006]

I dont know if i agree with the comparison...i would tend to think portis is more like priest. all i can say if they...portis and betts can produce similar results as johnson and holmes i'd say we are gonna have a great year

[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.

[kingerock]

I am just happy to have some depth and options at the position. I remember a few years back with Spurrier and we had no options at the position.

[Rhaamses]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Hey, if Ladell turned out to be like Priest there's no way I'd have a problem with it. But we already have a shifty RB with top notch talent named Portis. If I had a choice, I'd rather see Nemo develop into Larry Johnson so we'd have a thundering goalline presence.

But neither is very likely.

What I say from Priest in BMore, I am not actually seeing in Betts. I would like to actually hear all that was said about this. Betts hits the line harder than Portis, but I don't see the power like Priest before he got hurt.