Do You think Betts is Expendable?

[30gut]

Originally Posted by gw0103

I'm just wondering what the Redskins Fans think about Ladell Betts. The guy is a great character piece in the locker room, He does virtually anything the coaches ask, and is pretty versatile, but my thought is that He and Portis are the same mould of RB essentially.. He doesn't have the breakout speed or the line jarring bulk that We need at a #2 back.... We are going to need a RB that can shoulder some of the load so Portis can get some sort of break and have enough steam in the late to post season, and unless the guy has a serious blossoming/break-out, I don't see it.

The guy has proven that he can be a 1,000 yard rusher in this league.
Its up to the coaches to play him.
Imo Betts lack of production its a coaching/playing time issue rather then an ability issue.

[Nflnick11]

Originally Posted by 30gut

The guy has proven that he can be a 1,000 yard rusher in this league.
Its up to the coaches to play him.
Imo Betts lack of production its a coaching/playing time issue rather then an ability issue.

He also fumbles during key times of the game....Seattle this year...st. Louis the year we lost portis for the year

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Nflnick11

He also fumbles during key times of the game....Seattle this year...st. Louis the year we lost portis for the year

The fumble against St Louis was effing ridiculous...can't remember what I threw at the wall but it broke. Held a grudge against Betts for quite a while. But when he catches a pass out of the backfield and barrels over a defender or two I warm up to him again...Zorn needs to use him smarter and we'll have a more dynamic offense.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by Nflnick11

He also fumbles during key times of the game....Seattle this year...st. Louis the year we lost portis for the year

Dude.
Every RB/FB fumbles.
From Afrian Peterson to Portis.
Portis fumbled in the Browns game.
Portis fumbled in the Ravens game.
Does Portis have a fumbling issue?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by 30gut

Dude.
Every RB/FB fumbles.
From Afrian Peterson to Portis.
Portis fumbled in the Browns game.
Portis fumbled in the Ravens game.
Does Portis have a fumbling issue?

The fumble:carry ratio for Betts is way higher than you'd want from a back you'd count on for any length of time. Portis is nowhere close in that ratio.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

The fumble:carry ratio for Betts is way higher than you'd want from a back you'd count on for any length of time. Portis is nowhere close in that ratio.

It's not as bad as you may think.

Betts fumbles once every 73 touches.

Portis fumbles once every 91 touches.

Some other notables:

Adrian Peterson fumbles once every 49 touches. (now this is a fumbling problem)

Edgerrin James fumbles once every 79 touches.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by 30gut

The guy has proven that he can be a 1,000 yard rusher in this league.
Its up to the coaches to play him.
Imo Betts lack of production its a coaching/playing time issue rather then an ability issue.

I agree with 30gut. If the coaches used Betts more to "spell" Portis, I think he would do a fine job. There doesn't seem to be a "change up" plan. It's more or less, run Portis until he needs a blow or gets hurt, then put Betts in. I don't know if it would be any different with any other back we'd get. I can understand wanting a speedy back or even a bruiser to put into the mix, but would he even be used? They don't seem very interested in that or they would have addressed it. Maybe that will change w/Aldridge or the other guy but using Betts more would at least save Portis from being so beat up at the end of the season. Is it because of the coaching or Portis? He doesn't seem to like being taken out unless it's his own decision.

[diehardskin2982]

he may become expendible with james being released. Then again its a 3 rb nfc east

[Eknox]

I would love to see him replaced, we need a number 2 who comes in and makes some noise, not fumble or lose yardage, but one who can take it to the house or pound 3,4, and 5 yards out down the middle.IMO

[Skins4L]

I wouldnt mind Betts if Portis wasnt our #1. because like weve said during season every year... u get the feeling watching Betts hes a "CP-Lite"... a slower, less elusive RB with almost the same running style.

WE NEED A CHANGE OF PACE. either a bruiser.. or a speed demon faster or just as fast as CP.

[MTK]

I always find it funny when people are like, I remember that fumble from 3 years ago and I still hate him for that. Really? Like the guy hasn't done plenty of good things since then and before? One mistake and you're gonna crucify the guy? Please.

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I always find it funny when people are like, I remember that fumble from 3 years ago and I still hate him for that. Really? Like the guy hasn't done plenty of good things since then and before? One mistake and you're gonna crucify the guy? Please.

I don't think that it was just one fumble. As a point in fact, he had 6 in 2006. Worse yet, he has done it at very inopportune times. In limited action, he has fumbled only once each of the last two years, and lost them both. I think to use the word "hate" is harsh, but "frustrated" would be very appropriate. I even remember Portis being very frustrated on the one from last year.

Still, Betts value is really as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He excels at that. Not sure why no one else has brought this up. Not the scat back people are looking for here, but he does have exceptional skills at slipping out of the backfield on screens and outlet passes. Zorn seemed to be getting much better at using him to do those things later in the year and I expect this year he will be a legit threat in the passing game.

[irish]

Expendable? Yes. I cant think of anything Betts has done to make him a must keep.

[freddyg12]

I really question those who say Betts is a "slower" version of CP. Maybe at one time, but I would doubt that now. Certainly, Betts has as much or more of a burst than CP & hits the hole just as quickly IMO. He's not as tough as CP & doesn't make as much when there's nothing there, but in the open field I think he's probably better than CP at this point.

[roth74va]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

He's not as tough as CP & doesn't make as much when there's nothing there, but in the open field I think he's probably better than CP at this point.

Now you have gone too far, you have gotta be kidding me.

Betts isnt a pimple on CP's arse!!! Betts is a great receiving tailback, but we dont need that. What we need is a good change of pace back, one that can compliment CP. Betts is just a "poor mans" CP, he does run hard, but he doesnt make anyone miss.

And Rock is a true Redskin, but he will never be a starting caliber running back in this league. Great special teamer, but never gonna be #1 or #2 back.