bigger role for Betts this year?

[vallin21]

My point is that when we give Betts oppurtunities he's been average. The people complaining about Betts's lack of touches have to realize he's done nothing the past 2 yrs to deserve more. He's either fumbled, been injured, or inconsistent. Aldridge or Dorsey in my opinion would be a better "change of pace" RB for our offense (Sproles) . I think this is the year Rock goes and the depth chart would look like this.
RB
1. Portis
2. Training Camp Comp between Betts and Aldridge loser gets #3

[WaldSkins]

Originally Posted by vallin21

My point is that when we give Betts oppurtunities he's been average. The people complaining about Betts's lack of touches have to realize he's done nothing the past 2 yrs to deserve more. He's either fumbled, been injured, or inconsistent. Aldridge or Dorsey in my opinion would be a better "change of pace" RB for our offense (Sproles) . I think this is the year Rock goes and the depth chart would look like this.
RB
1. Portis
2. Training Camp Comp between Betts and Aldridge loser gets #3

I've been saying we should get rid of Betts for over a year.

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by vallin21

My point is that when we give Betts oppurtunities he's been average. The people complaining about Betts's lack of touches have to realize he's done nothing the past 2 yrs to deserve more. He's either fumbled, been injured, or inconsistent. Aldridge or Dorsey in my opinion would be a better "change of pace" RB for our offense (Sproles) . I think this is the year Rock goes and the depth chart would look like this.
RB
1. Portis
2. Training Camp Comp between Betts and Aldridge loser gets #3

I am happy to jump on the Betts is no more than average bandwagon! My reason is based on the fact that Ladell plays really really really really really really really average NFL football. I challenge anyone who is a fan of his to argue with me that he is anything more than average. It's impossible. The dude defines what it is to be NFL average. Not saying it's a bad thing for the average NFL franchises, but I am sick and tired of being in that category. We are better than that!

P.S. Ladell might be the worst running back near the goal line that has ever played for this franchise.

[Stuck in TX]

We have to be fair here. Portis is a hard nosed, tough back and it just does not seem to matter how battered our O-line is... he gets the job done. If I remember correctly, our O-Line was in good shape in '06. The past two years have been extremely frustrating when it comes to keeping the fat boys healthy. NO back, except for Portis has had any success running the ball, and he played injured and pass blocked better than any of our backup linemen. I think when we have a decent line, which we do as of right now, Betts will serve as a reliable back who can "change the pace" and give CP a break every now and then. The coaches see something that we do not. There is a reason why he has not been cut, and when he and CP have 900+ yards a piece some of the critics will be so glad we kept him on. Alridge is fast, and I would love to see him as a Derrick Ward-like back (wind? or was he fire?). CP and Betts is our future.

[53Fan]

Ladell Betts has had over 93 carries in a season once. Portis usually gets over 320 carries a season. In 2006 when Betts was used as a starter because of Portis's injury, he carried the ball 245 times and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The highest YPC for Portis as a Redskin? 4.3. In 2006 Betts also had 53 receptions for 445 yards. The most receptions for Portis in a year? 47 for 389 yards. Betts only started for about half the season in 2006, and had a better YPC than Portis has had in a year since joining the Redskins. In that same year when he started about half the games, he also had more receptions in a year than Portis has had in one year since Portis joined the Redskins as the starter in 2004. Gibbs didn't resign Betts to compliment Portis as much as he resigned him in case of injury. He knew if Portis went down, Betts could start without missing much. Look at the numbers. Is he a change of pace back? To a degree, but not to the degree of a Sproles. I personally don't think Sproles would be as good as a starter as he is as a change-up. It would be great if someone like Aldridge makes the team and can be used like Sproles. But if Portis goes down, I want Betts starting, not Aldridge. Nice post Stuck in TX.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Ladell Betts has had over 93 carries in a season once. Portis usually gets over 320 carries a season. In 2006 when Betts was used as a starter because of Portis's injury, he carried the ball 245 times and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The highest YPC for Portis as a Redskin? 4.3. In 2006 Betts also had 53 receptions for 445 yards. The most receptions for Portis in a year? 47 for 389 yards. Betts only started for about half the season in 2006, and had a better YPC than Portis has had in a year since joining the Redskins. In that same year when he started about half the games, he also had more receptions in a year than Portis has had in one year since Portis joined the Redskins as the starter in 2004. Gibbs didn't resign Betts to compliment Portis as much as he resigned him in case of injury. He knew if Portis went down, Betts could start without missing much. Look at the numbers. Is he a change of pace back? To a degree, but not to the degree of a Sproles. I personally don't think Sproles would be as good as a starter as he is as a change-up. It would be great if someone like Aldridge makes the team and can be used like Sproles. But if Portis goes down, I want Betts starting, not Aldridge. Nice post Stuck in TX.

Good points: I also agree that if Portis goes down when need Betts to step in to fill his role as the starter. Betts is a proven player that he can handle the duties as a starting RB. As for the 3rd back we need a home run hitter like Alridge has great speed but can he translate it to the football field. Rock is solid but he doesn't help us in the running game.

[KI Skins Fan]

Bottom line: Betts is a fumbler. That's why he's not likely to have larger role in the offense.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by KI Skins Fan

Bottom line: Betts is a fumbler. That's why he's not likely to have larger role in the offense.

He's had 2 fumbles in the last 2 years you know.

[Stuck in TX]

Why isn't Sproles a starter? Why did Derrick Ward end up in Tampa? Durability, experience, and leadership are all traits that Betts brings to our field and locker room. He may lack the breakneck speed of some other backups, but at least we know that when and if Portis goes down, we have a decent, reliable back who can jump in there and be a leader in our backfield. Come on Skin's fans, we were in the same division with Tiki Barber (go UVA)... we know a fumbler when we see one and Betts is not a fumbler.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

He's had 2 fumbles in the last 2 years you know.

I'm sure he can bring that number up if he gets more carries.

My long-term memory is just too good. It won't allow me to trust him with the ball. BTW, Betts is horrible in pass protection, too, so it's no wonder that CP has been overworked.

As always in such cases, I would be more than happy for Ladell to prove me wrong. I hope he has a glorious, fumble-free season in 2009.

[NYCskinfan82]

Betts has to earn it, he could be one of those workout/practice monsters.

[SBXVII]

In my eyes Betts is not a #1. Has never been and will never be. He's an admirable #2 and thats all, but I would rather have a change of pace back with speed. Someone who can take it outside. Then we can place both Portis and the speed back in the back field and let the defense try to figure out who's getting the ball. Mason offers about as much as Betts does and he's younger. I now Betts was used as a KR/PR in the past but hardley used in that copacity now.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

He's had 2 fumbles in the last 2 years you know.

Well his combined carries in '07 and '08 don't come close to 2006 when he got basically a full workload and fumbled 6 times. I think most people, including myself, look at '06 and that Seattle fumble this past season that nearly cost us the game.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Ladell Betts has had over 93 carries in a season once. Portis usually gets over 320 carries a season. In 2006 when Betts was used as a starter because of Portis's injury, he carried the ball 245 times and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The highest YPC for Portis as a Redskin? 4.3. In 2006 Betts also had 53 receptions for 445 yards. The most receptions for Portis in a year? 47 for 389 yards. Betts only started for about half the season in 2006, and had a better YPC than Portis has had in a year since joining the Redskins. In that same year when he started about half the games, he also had more receptions in a year than Portis has had in one year since Portis joined the Redskins as the starter in 2004. Gibbs didn't resign Betts to compliment Portis as much as he resigned him in case of injury. He knew if Portis went down, Betts could start without missing much. Look at the numbers. Is he a change of pace back? To a degree, but not to the degree of a Sproles. I personally don't think Sproles would be as good as a starter as he is as a change-up. It would be great if someone like Aldridge makes the team and can be used like Sproles. But if Portis goes down, I want Betts starting, not Aldridge. Nice post Stuck in TX.

Nice work 53...

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Ladell Betts has had over 93 carries in a season once. Portis usually gets over 320 carries a season. In 2006 when Betts was used as a starter because of Portis's injury, he carried the ball 245 times and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The highest YPC for Portis as a Redskin? 4.3. In 2006 Betts also had 53 receptions for 445 yards. The most receptions for Portis in a year? 47 for 389 yards. Betts only started for about half the season in 2006, and had a better YPC than Portis has had in a year since joining the Redskins. In that same year when he started about half the games, he also had more receptions in a year than Portis has had in one year since Portis joined the Redskins as the starter in 2004. Gibbs didn't resign Betts to compliment Portis as much as he resigned him in case of injury. He knew if Portis went down, Betts could start without missing much. Look at the numbers. Is he a change of pace back? To a degree, but not to the degree of a Sproles. I personally don't think Sproles would be as good as a starter as he is as a change-up. It would be great if someone like Aldridge makes the team and can be used like Sproles. But if Portis goes down, I want Betts starting, not Aldridge. Nice post Stuck in TX.

Here's my personal oppinion; Portis is 27, and Betts is 29, Rock is 29.

All three came out of the 2002 draft. Portis #51, Betts #56 of the 2nd round and Rock #257 of the 7th round.

For their career's since 2002;

Portis: 4.5 yds per carry. 9,202 yrds totall.
Betts: 4.1 yds per carry. 2,966 yrds totall.
Rock: He doesn't even have stats hardley for being a RB. He has roughly less then 200 yrds each yr except for 2003 where he had 411 yrds. All of Rocks stats are based off of KR/PR duties.

I actually would rather see the team pick up a younger RB to take the bulk of the duties and take the bulk of the punishment slamming the ball up the middle. I know Rock has character but time to move on with someone who can KR and PR as well as be a speed back to run to the outside. Betts is also a nice character guy but he serves the same function as Portis...he is a between the tackles type of runner. Portis has been hammered each yr and although is a soldier he's starting to get banged up. If the motto is to get younger then Portis at age 27 and anyone older should go including Betts and Rock.

I think I would try to salvage Portis one more yr. Either bring in a younger between the tackles type of runner or mold Mason. Keep either Alridge or Dorsey whoever outshines and use them as KR/PR and as our scat back. Maybe even as a second RB in the back field to keep defenses guessing.