Redskins To Give RB Betts More Opportunities? (1 Viewer)

[datonn]

From the Footballguys News Blogger:

Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders recently commented that he wants to find more ways to get running back Ladell Betts on to the field in 2006. "I don't know if people realize what a quality player he is," Saunders said. "He's a three-dimensional player -- he runs the ball, he can catch it and he can block well enough to be successful. Having somebody like Ladell has been a surprise because I knew he was good, but not this good. We'll have situations where Ladell and Clinton will be in the game at the same time. Ladell deserves to play and we've got to find a way to get him on the field and not just as a back-up player to Clinton."

Source: http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20060619-0...7816r_page2.htm

 

[losgalacticos]

hogwash. Coachspeak to keep him motivated. (not a Portis owner)

 

[SammyJankis]

We'll have situations where Ladell and Clinton will be in the game at the same time.

Lies, lies, lies. Anytime a team ends up with two talented backs you always hear the coach saying that they'll be in the game at the same time, same backfield, etc. Almost never happens. If it does, it will be very infrequently.I mean, what is that going to look like? Going to line Ladell up at fullback for the majority of the game? Portis at WR?The fact is that Portis will see the lion's share of the carries, Betts will spell him occassionally. In other words, exactly what you'd expect.

 

[Kleck.]

Even if Betts sees an increase in touches, I don't think that will be a bad thing for Portis. Portis will still get his 300+ carries, and if he has Betts to help wear out defenses, I could see Potis' ypc getting back closer to 5. I'm expecting Washington to do a lot of running this year, and surpass 500 rushes as a team, so there will be plenty to go around even if/when Portis gets his 300+.

Possibly a similar situation like Green Bay in 2003 when Ahman Green had his best season along with Davenport also having his. Both set career marks in rushing attempts that year.

 

[zamboni]

I agree it's overstated.

Getting him on the field may mean he gets say, 5 to 7 carries, instead of 3 to 5. Portis will still get his 20-25.

 

[B Maverick]

Even if Betts sees an increase in touches, I don't think that will be a bad thing for Portis. Portis will still get his 300+ carries, and if he has Betts to help wear out defenses, I could see Potis' ypc getting back closer to 5. I'm expecting Washington to do a lot of running this year, and surpass 500 rushes as a team, so there will be plenty to go around even if/when Portis gets his 300+.

Possibly a similar situation like Green Bay in 2003 when Ahman Green had his best season along with Davenport also having his. Both set career marks in rushing attempts that year.

Cutting down Portis' carries from 350 to 300 is a good thing. 20/gm with 4 rec would be great.

 

[coolnerd]

We'll have situations where Ladell and Clinton will be in the game at the same time.

Lies, lies, lies. Anytime a team ends up with two talented backs you always hear the coach saying that they'll be in the game at the same time, same backfield, etc. Almost never happens. If it does, it will be very infrequently.

I don't think coaches intentionally lie on this one. In June or July giving your back-up 3 to 5 extra carries a game always seems like sound strategy and multiple coaches will claim to want to do it. Once the bullets are flying in October, the thoughts are turning to winning the game which for most coaches means their best player is on the field.

 

[BringItOn]

Early in the season, they will line Portis out wide, like they did with Faulk/Holmes, with Betts in at RB, giving the ball to Betts more often. Then as the season wears on, and teams see this on tape, they will burn them by passing to Portis outside...

 

[redman]

The Chiefs over the last four seasons averaged around 480-490 rushes per season. There's more than enough opportunities in that number to feed a fair amount of work to Betts.

For those worried about Betts taking Portis' carries, or ridiculing that notion because they think it's ludicrous, consider a couple of things:

1) Betts is a phenomenal receiver out of the backfield. He's got excellent hands. Portis, in contrast, is merely adequate in that regard, not bad, but not special either.

2) Betts is a bruising north-south runner; Portis is a one-cut runner. Their different running styles lend them to being used in different ways.