How much is Ladell Betts worth now? (1 Viewer)

[redman]

so in the TD Only league I'm in... Duckett would be the better choice? Are there any direct quotes saying he is the goal line back?

No, no direct quotes (to my knowledge), but Duckett has a history of being a very good short yardage back, and Betts has not been not all that effective when they've run him down near the goalline.

 

[H.K.]

Thanks HK, good luck to you as well. BTW, upon further review, I think the smart play here is to try to trade away Betts to somebody else who will take the risk and give me some lockdown value that I can put some confidence in. I'm not sure who that is right now but I bet there are a lot of trade candidate owners out there right now that are looking at this as a Portis for Betts deal without thinking about the QB change. I better work fast though since my trade deadline is this Friday on Yahoo. I think I have to get a deal accepted tonight.

If you've got the RB depth, this is a shrewd move.

 

[J R]

Just looked up Betts' career stats. In goal-2-go, he has 19 carries for 12 yards and 4 TDs. Duckett is 52 for 79 and 22 TDs. Duckett looks better than Betts, but man, if Duckett's so great at the GL, why haven't they been using him all along? This is a hard situation to figure out before we see a game (and then it's too late - everyone will have the same info).

 

[WarRedbirds]

Thanks HK, good luck to you as well. BTW, upon further review, I think the smart play here is to try to trade away Betts to somebody else who will take the risk and give me some lockdown value that I can put some confidence in. I'm not sure who that is right now but I bet there are a lot of trade candidate owners out there right now that are looking at this as a Portis for Betts deal without thinking about the QB change. I better work fast though since my trade deadline is this Friday on Yahoo. I think I have to get a deal accepted tonight.

If you've got the RB depth, this is a shrewd move.

Don't do it. Betts is gonna blow up.

 

[J R]

Don't do it. Betts is gonna blow up.

Now that's a bold prediction!

 

[The Scorpion]

Simple answer---Keep Betts in PPR league, trade him in non-PPR leagues.

Don't do it. Betts is gonna blow up.

Now that's a bold prediction!

 

[redman]

Just looked up Betts' career stats. In goal-2-go, he has 19 carries for 12 yards and 4 TDs. Duckett is 52 for 79 and 22 TDs. Duckett looks better than Betts, but man, if Duckett's so great at the GL, why haven't they been using him all along? This is a hard situation to figure out before we see a game (and then it's too late - everyone will have the same info).

The answer to this question simply comes down to the size of the active roster that the league allows on gamedays, and the Redskins personnel needs in other areas, especially special teams. Rock Cartwright has turned into a very good KR, so they keep him active as the 3rd HB; James Thrash is the ultimate utility player, especially special teams, and so they keep him active as the 5th WR; the team requires 3 TE's given the schemes it runs, so it keeps them active. There ends up being no room for Duckett, who doesn't play special teams.

Remember, Duckett was acquired when it was feared that Portis was gone for the season, and when Betts was missing training camp and preseason games due to a leg injury. They were facing at least a beginning of a season with only Cartwright to carry the ball. As it turned out, Betts got healthy and Portis was able to play with his shoulder. That's how they got to the point they've been at with 4 HB's but only 3 spots for them.

 

[redman]

OK, here's an update from Gibbs (you can listen to his presser here, starting at around 10:45):

He was asked specifically what the breakdown in job responsibilities would be between Betts and Duckett. His response was:

Well TJ took- last week we had him up on all the short-yardage and goalline, and we'll continue to do that, and NOW I think he'll be in the rotation with Ladell. And the big thing there with a starting running back is that you always want to keep them fresh, and with Clinton in there, every time he wanted to come out of the game with Ladell and give him a shot, we let him do it. And it will be the same way with Ladell and TJ.

He was then asked whether TJ was a good enough receiver to handle the number of throws that have been directed to RB's this season:

Real good, real good. Obviously he's 260 pounds so that'll give you a good pass protector. And I think he has excellent hands. In all of the films we looked at of him before he came here I don't remember him dropping something. I think he could be a good receiver coming out of there and, you know, Ladell is an excellent receiver. So we'll have to see how that combination looks. We'll miss Clinton but it's an opportunity for TJ to step up and do something for us and Ladell has a starting role which is a big deal for him too.

My interpretation: Betts is the starter but Duckett appears to be getting all of the short-yardage and goalline work, and figures to be used liberally in addition to that.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

OK, here's an update from Gibbs (you can listen to his presser here, starting at around 10:45):

He was asked specifically what the breakdown in job responsibilities would be between Betts and Duckett. His response was:

Well TJ took- last week we had him up on all the short-yardage and goalline, and we'll continue to do that, and NOW I think he'll be in the rotation with Ladell. And the big thing there with a starting running back is that you always want to keep them fresh, and with Clinton in there, every time he wanted to come out of the game with Ladell and give him a shot, we let him do it. And it will be the same way with Ladell and TJ.

He was then asked whether TJ was a good enough receiver to handle the number of throws that have been directed to RB's this season:

Real good, real good. Obviously he's 260 pounds so that'll give you a good pass protector. And I think he has excellent hands. In all of the films we looked at of him before he came here I don't remember him dropping something. I think he could be a good receiver coming out of there and, you know, Ladell is an excellent receiver. So we'll have to see how that combination looks. We'll miss Clinton but it's an opportunity for TJ to step up and do something for us and Ladell has a starting role which is a big deal for him too.

My interpretation: Betts is the starter but Duckett appears to be getting all of the short-yardage and goalline work, and figures to be used liberally in addition to that.

I heard this same gossip on Tuesday and picked up Duckett immediately. Do you think as a Skins that Duckett is worth a start in a flex spot if the Skins are playing a team that is so-so or worse vs the run?

 

[redman]

OK, here's an update from Gibbs (you can listen to his presser here, starting at around 10:45):

He was asked specifically what the breakdown in job responsibilities would be between Betts and Duckett. His response was:

Well TJ took- last week we had him up on all the short-yardage and goalline, and we'll continue to do that, and NOW I think he'll be in the rotation with Ladell. And the big thing there with a starting running back is that you always want to keep them fresh, and with Clinton in there, every time he wanted to come out of the game with Ladell and give him a shot, we let him do it. And it will be the same way with Ladell and TJ.

He was then asked whether TJ was a good enough receiver to handle the number of throws that have been directed to RB's this season:

Real good, real good. Obviously he's 260 pounds so that'll give you a good pass protector. And I think he has excellent hands. In all of the films we looked at of him before he came here I don't remember him dropping something. I think he could be a good receiver coming out of there and, you know, Ladell is an excellent receiver. So we'll have to see how that combination looks. We'll miss Clinton but it's an opportunity for TJ to step up and do something for us and Ladell has a starting role which is a big deal for him too.

My interpretation: Betts is the starter but Duckett appears to be getting all of the short-yardage and goalline work, and figures to be used liberally in addition to that.

I heard this same gossip on Tuesday and picked up Duckett immediately. Do you think as a Skins that Duckett is worth a start in a flex spot if the Skins are playing a team that is so-so or worse vs the run?

I just picked him up too in dynasty for $1 (dropped Brunell as I have Campbell - and no, I don't play all Redskins, it's just the way it worked out!), not for a flex spot but as a backup RB. The Redskins know how to run the ball and have done so well against Tampa during Gibbs II, albeit with Portis. I'd expect Duckett to end this game with a short-yardage TD and maybe 30-50 yards rushing depending upon how the game goes.

It's hard to predict with Campbell in there, but I do think they're going to pound the ball on the road to take the pressure off of him, and so Betts and Duckett should turn in decent to good performances.

 

[WarRedbirds]

Don't do it. Betts is gonna blow up.

Now that's a bold prediction!

I'm not sure why Ladell is not receiving more hype. The dude has great hands, good size, and is the number one back in a Saunders run offense. Seems like a great opportunity for a break out to me. I understand the reservations with Campbell starting, but LaDanian has done just fine with Philip Rivers starting.For me, it's all about talent and opportunity, and Ladell has both.

 

[redman]

Don't do it. Betts is gonna blow up.

Now that's a bold prediction!

I'm not sure why Ladell is not receiving more hype. The dude has great hands, good size, and is the number one back in a Saunders run offense. Seems like a great opportunity for a break out to me. I understand the reservations with Campbell starting, but LaDanian has done just fine with Philip Rivers starting.For me, it's all about talent and opportunity, and Ladell has both.

Pretty flattering comparison on both accounts, don't you think? I'm as big of a Redskins fan/follower as there is on this board and I think Ladell Betts is an underrated talent, but I feel very confident saying he's no LT2. I'd also love for Campbell to do what Rivers is doing for SD, but I'd sure like to see him actually play before I make any such predictions for him. The bottom line here is that yes, Betts is a very good, even excellent late season pickup or "sudden starter" if you will, but there is doubt created by a number of things: 1) he's never started this many games in a row; 2) Campbell is a brand new QB in an offense that has had its problems; 3) we know (from Gibbs' statements) he won't get short-yardage/goalline work; and 4) Duckett is there and we as of yet don't know how much work Duckett will get in non-short-yardage situations. Oh, and the defense has looked like crap and made rushing the football difficult given the poor game situations it's created.

I feel certain that Betts' numbers won't decline from what he's done to date, and I feel very confident that they'll increase due especially to increased carries, but I really don't know by how much at this point.

 

[bigupsetter]

In a TD only league- you have to worry about Rock Cartwight stealing some of those carries as well.

In a ppr league, I think Betts has extremely high value (top 20), and people forget, Betts (225) is actually BIGGER than Portis (205)- so who knows, they dont seem to dig on Duckett that much in Wash.

 

[redman]

I think Washington's good for at least 120 rushing yards at a minimum - with a healthy Brunell, Portis averaged 145 yards rushing against them in two games; the playoff game last year he was 16/53 but Brunell was struggling with a leg injury. The 'Skins also figure to rush the ball a lot to keep pressure off of Campbell and to shorten this game on the road so I'd figure in about 35 rushing attempts (they've averaged 28 on the year).

My predictions for the Washington RB's:

Betts: 21/86 rushing; 4/29 receiving; 0 TD's

Duckett: 14/60 rushing; 1/5 receiving; 1 TD.

 

[TLEF316]

just traded leon washington for betts in a ppr league. We keep a rookie, but i have deangelo williams, so i didnt need leon. I think Betts will outproduce him the rest of the way, so i pulled the trigger. I also got duckett of waivers when portis went down.

Betts slides into my RB2 spot behind alexander (damn mcgahee) and i might start duckett at a flex with my fringe WR's having some tough matchups.

 

[Couch Potato]

I have a lot of respect for Redman's views (for a big dumb Redskins fan, anyway ), and I agree with the way the running game will be handled -- at first.

However, I really believe the Skins will discontinue the Duckett goal line experiment after a couple of games once they experience what Atlanta did last year. A back who is tentative and slow to the hole, constantly getting stuffed, and just not getting it done. Whatever speed and pop he had when he was younger appears to be gone, and I think that before long Betts will be getting those important goal line carries. He's a good sized dude too, but he's not the 260 pound plodder Duckett has become.

 

[redman]

I have a lot of respect for Redman's views (for a big dumb Redskins fan, anyway ), and I agree with the way the running game will be handled -- at first.However, I really believe the Skins will discontinue the Duckett goal line experiment after a couple of games once they experience what Atlanta did last year. A back who is tentative and slow to the hole, constantly getting stuffed, and just not getting it done. Whatever speed and pop he had when he was younger appears to be gone, and I think that before long Betts will be getting those important goal line carries. He's a good sized dude too, but he's not the 260 pound plodder Duckett has become.

Who you calling "big"? I'll be interested to see this myself. He's looked fresh (not surprisingly because of how light his workload has been) in hitting the holes for the 'Skins, so his role as a short-yardage back seems logical.

 

[Couch Potato]

I have a lot of respect for Redman's views (for a big dumb Redskins fan, anyway ), and I agree with the way the running game will be handled -- at first.However, I really believe the Skins will discontinue the Duckett goal line experiment after a couple of games once they experience what Atlanta did last year. A back who is tentative and slow to the hole, constantly getting stuffed, and just not getting it done. Whatever speed and pop he had when he was younger appears to be gone, and I think that before long Betts will be getting those important goal line carries. He's a good sized dude too, but he's not the 260 pound plodder Duckett has become.

Who you calling "big"? I'll be interested to see this myself. He's looked fresh (not surprisingly because of how light his workload has been) in hitting the holes for the 'Skins, so his role as a short-yardage back seems logical.

I actually hope it works out for big Duck. I really do. But what I saw of him the second half of last year just made me think he needed to lose weight and do a lot more squats in the gym. He just seemed to have no leg drive, unlike previous years when he was racking up TDs. Maybe a fluke or maybe he's lost something, but I sure didn't like the way he looked.And I'm sorry I called you dumb. You're the smartest guy in the whole wide world (among Redskins fans). Sorry Fatness, you're only second because you carry around that tuba.

 

[RustyFA]

I turned down a good but old starting WR in a dynasty league for him. As an Iowa fan I always have thought that Betts would make a good but not great starter in the NFL. Think a step behind Chester Taylor. I might have traded Betts but with him being a UFA next year there is too much value there. Plus I need RBs. I would name the WR but Couch Potatoes is in my league and that would be a jerkish thing to do to the other owner who offered the trade.

 

[Couch Potato]

I would name the WR but Couch Potatoes is in my league and that would be a jerkish thing to do to the other owner who offered the trade.

Why do I feel like I'm in one league or another with every guy on this board?!

 

[mt99808]

I picked up Betts this week just because one guy in my league traded his RB2 Dunn for Chad Johnson and left a gaping hole in his lineup. This guy is 1 game behind me and holds the tie breaker.

Anyways he offered me Brady and Coles for Betts. This is not a dynasty or PPR league. The only problem is I think this may be making his team better than its making mine. I have Kitna and Romo at QB and R. Williams, Driver, Chambers, Bryant, Henry at WR. He has Barber, A. Thomas and Benson I believe as options for his RB2.

 

[wilked]

his stock just dropped significantly, hope people offloaded him last week

 

[Bri]

his stock just dropped significantly, hope people offloaded him last week

not for me.He had an Edge-like week

 

[billyjoe]

his stock just dropped significantly, hope people offloaded him last week

Ever since LJ exploded, people think backup RBs are all the rage.There's a reason Morris is a lifetime backup. There's a reason Betts is a backup. There's a reason Duckett has never started for anyone. They're not very good. Not to mention the redskins are a mess. Sell for whatever you can get.

 

[Bri]

his stock just dropped significantly, hope people offloaded him last week

Ever since LJ exploded, people think backup RBs are all the rage.There's a reason Morris is a lifetime backup. There's a reason Betts is a backup. There's a reason Duckett has never started for anyone. They're not very good. Not to mention the redskins are a mess. Sell for whatever you can get.

 

[TitusIII]

I tend to give the backs stuck behind All-Pro players the benefit of the doubt, however, today was a bad sign for all Betts owners...

 

[WarRedbirds]

Don't do it. Betts is gonna blow up.

Now that's a bold prediction!

I'm not sure why Ladell is not receiving more hype. The dude has great hands, good size, and is the number one back in a Saunders run offense. Seems like a great opportunity for a break out to me. I understand the reservations with Campbell starting, but LaDanian has done just fine with Philip Rivers starting.For me, it's all about talent and opportunity, and Ladell has both.

 

[WarRedbirds]

his stock just dropped significantly, hope people offloaded him last week

Ever since LJ exploded, people think backup RBs are all the rage.There's a reason Morris is a lifetime backup. There's a reason Betts is a backup. There's a reason Duckett has never started for anyone. They're not very good. Not to mention the redskins are a mess. Sell for whatever you can get.

Excellent advice above...

 

[WarRedbirds]

Don't do it. Betts is gonna blow up.

Now that's a bold prediction!

I'm not sure why Ladell is not receiving more hype. The dude has great hands, good size, and is the number one back in a Saunders run offense. Seems like a great opportunity for a break out to me. I understand the reservations with Campbell starting, but LaDanian has done just fine with Philip Rivers starting.For me, it's all about talent and opportunity, and Ladell has both.

Betts is not getting enough run. And neither am I for finally being right on something! I want parades, 21 gun salutes, and to at least be carried out of the stadium...

 

[WarRedbirds]

his stock just dropped significantly, hope people offloaded him last week

Ever since LJ exploded, people think backup RBs are all the rage.There's a reason Morris is a lifetime backup. There's a reason Betts is a backup. There's a reason Duckett has never started for anyone.

They're not very good.

Not to mention the redskins are a mess. Sell for whatever you can get.

Not so fast my friend!

 

[TheLastDispatch]

LJriest::Bettsortis

...Maybe.