Ladell Betts in Saunders' offense

[jamf]

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpag.../gamelogs/2005

I know it sounds like i'm trying to bash the guy, I have not seen one thing that says he can carry the ball as the primary runner.

Check out his stats during "The Run to the Playoff". the only game he averaged 4 yards per carry was the philly game and that was because he had more than half his yards on one play. He runs too high, he gets hit too hard and he fumbles too often.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by jamf

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpag.../gamelogs/2005

I know it sounds like i'm trying to bash the guy, I have not seen one thing that says he can carry the ball as the primary runner.

Check out his stats during "The Run to the Playoff". the only game he averaged 4 yards per carry was the philly game and that was because he had more than half his yards on one play. He runs too high, he gets hit too hard and he fumbles too often.

If you're going to go on stats alone, be fair & look at some of the games he started before Portis was signed - 03 season. Not to mention the last game of 04 against Minn. he put up 100+. The guy runs tough & I disagree that he runs too high. He's gotten a few first downs for us on 3rd & 3 situations. My concerns w/him are his blocking & his injuries. I don't think he's that fumble prone though he's coughed it up a few times. When he carried the ball a lot in 03 I don't think he fumbled much. Bottom line to me he's a good back up, could start on a few teams.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by jamf

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpag.../gamelogs/2005

I know it sounds like i'm trying to bash the guy, I have not seen one thing that says he can carry the ball as the primary runner.

Check out his stats during "The Run to the Playoff". the only game he averaged 4 yards per carry was the philly game and that was because he had more than half his yards on one play. He runs too high, he gets hit too hard and he fumbles too often.

First, why would we need him to be the primary runner? You are aware that we have a player named Clinton Portis, right? He wears #26, dresses up in funny costumes, and runs like the dickens.

Betts could start for a team if they had a crappy RB situation. He's not a #1 back, he's a great #2.

I don't know where you get this thing that he runs too high? That's flat out wrong. You never see him get knocked on his back (which is the result of getting hit by a linebacker when you're running too high). He always plows forward, keeps his pads low, and runs downhill. He's a straigh-line runner, takes it right at the defense, lowers his head, and just hits whoever is in his way. There are no shifty moves, no breakaway speed, but there's just enough power and just enough confidence to hit the hole with authority to provide reliable and consistent running. He's unspectacular, but effective.

Again, I don't know why we're worried about Ladell Betts. You know exactly what you're going to get from him. About 4 yards a carry, just good enough to keep defenses honest when Portis is getting a breather. If we have concerns about anyone in the Saunders offense, I don't think we need to worry about the RBs. They're the least of the concerns, we should be worried about how the QBs will adapt to the new system and to the new WRs. And we should hope the new WRs don't take too long to pick everything up.