bigger role for Betts this year?

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I agree we need to spell CP, but Betts offers nothing new. I'd like to spell Portis with someone who can bring a change of pace to the offense. A scat back type of player. That's why I'm hoping Dorsey or Alridge pans out.

Why do we need a change of pace if he is good at what he does?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Why do we need a change of pace if he is good at what he does?

When Betts comes in, he's a downgrade in the running game. And that's the case for any RB on our roster when compared to CP, however at least a speed guy like an Alridge or Dorsey can bring a different dimension to the offense, a la Darren Sproles. A scat back kind of player that will give opposing defenses a different look. Betts is a fumble prone, slower version of Portis. He can give us a few quality carries per game, but he shouldn't be the only RB getting touches behind CP.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by GMScud

When Betts comes in, he's a downgrade in the running game. And that's the case for any RB on our roster when compared to CP, however at least a speed guy like an Alridge or Dorsey can bring a different dimension to the offense, a la Darren Sproles. A scat back kind of player that will give opposing defenses a different look. Betts is a fumble prone, slower version of Portis. He can give us a few quality carries per game, but he shouldn't be the only RB getting touches behind CP.

I think Betts is faster then Portis.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I think Betts is faster then Portis.

If you watch Betts run he's a lot of motion, arms and legs churning, but I don't think there's much debate that Portis is quicker, faster and stronger than Betts. There's a reason that one is a starter and the other is a backup.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

If you watch Betts run he's a lot of motion, arms and legs churning, but I don't think there's much debate that Portis is quicker, faster and stronger than Betts. There's a reason that one is a starter and the other is a backup.

I'd argue that Betts is a little better when it comes to power running. Anyway watch out. With the line in better shape this year we'll be able to put virtually anyone in that backfield and do what we did at the beginning of last year. And yes I really do believe that Mike Williams is going to pan out.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

I'd argue that Betts is a little better when it comes to power running. Anyway watch out. With the line in better shape this year we'll be able to put virtually anyone in that backfield and do what we did at the beginning of last year. And yes I really do believe that Mike Williams is going to pan out.

Betts mows down DBs like a power runner, especially catching passes out of the backfield. But between the tackles he disappoints a bit IMO.

...to his defense one thing I've always noticed, though don't have any stats to back this up, is Betts seeing contact behind the LOS far more than CP does. Now it's tempting to say the reason is Betts' is slower than CP, especially on sweeps. But watch CP closely when he swings out and u notice he rarely goes hard behind the LOS until he see the play develop, so I tend to think speed isn't the issue. My guess is when Betts spells CP the OL maybe takes a little break...maybe just a bit. Defenders can sneak in more often and wrap up his legs or at least slow him down.

I partly think this way cuz in '06 once Betts became "the guy" he didn't see as much contact behind the LOS, which gave him time to get some momentum and plan his cuts. And we know how that turned out...in the 2nd half of the season Mr Betts was 2nd in yardage only to Mr Tomlinson. Now if the guy could just develop a nose for the endzone like great RBs have I'd be a pretty big Betts guy.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Why do we need a change of pace if he is good at what he does?

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

Vikes-Peterson has Chester Taylor he isn't a 'scat' back.
Panthers-DeAngelo Williams has Stewart not a 'scat' back.
Dolphins-Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams
Ravens-McClain & McGahee
Seattle-Morris & Jones
etc...

Betts is a proven back in this league.
Saunders thought that Betts was better receiver then Portis, and i agree with him.

Bottom line is that Betts was hurt last year when we needed him the most.

Imo Sherman Smith is right they do need to get Betts more involved but i wonder if part of the problem with getting Betts the ball is Portis.
They have to sell Portis on giving up some plays to keep him fresh and running hard.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by 30gut

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

Vikes-Peterson has Chester Taylor he isn't a 'scat' back.
Panthers-DeAngelo Williams has Stewart not a 'scat' back.
Dolphins-Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams
Ravens-McClain & McGahee
Seattle-Morris & Jones
etc...

Betts is a proven back in this league.
Saunders thought that Betts was better receiver then Portis, and i agree with him.

Bottom line is that Betts was hurt last year when we needed him the most.

Imo Sherman Smith is right they do need to get Betts more involved but i wonder if part of the problem with getting Betts the ball is Portis.
They have to sell Portis on giving up some plays to keep him fresh and running hard.

Same here. Portis is used to going in and out as he pleases. That has to change.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by 30gut

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

Vikes-Peterson has Chester Taylor he isn't a 'scat' back.
Panthers-DeAngelo Williams has Stewart not a 'scat' back.
Dolphins-Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams
Ravens-McClain & McGahee
Seattle-Morris & Jones
etc...

Betts is a proven back in this league.
Saunders thought that Betts was better receiver then Portis, and i agree with him.

Bottom line is that Betts was hurt last year when we needed him the most.

Imo Sherman Smith is right they do need to get Betts more involved but i wonder if part of the problem with getting Betts the ball is Portis.
They have to sell Portis on giving up some plays to keep him fresh and running hard.

Perhaps it is just a fad, but a fad that is working right now. The "Counter Trey" was a fad and has had to be tweeked and modified cause defenses caught up with it. The "Wild Cat" or what ever it's called is a fad but one that is working right now. Atleast until defenses figure out how to stop it.

Of course if you have two good runners to spell each other then your better off so having two talented RB's in these days is a must. My only confusion is why would you put two of the same style of runners in the backfield? both are between the tackles type of runners. Defenses know if it's run all they have to do is simply clog the middle. Otherwise it's back up and keep everything in front of you. Having a smaller faster RB in the back field with Portis would cause match up problems for the defenses. They would not know if the ball is going inside between the tackles, outside to the perimater, or if play action if it's going to be a pass. That right there keeps the defense honest. Fad...perhaps, but again it's just one more threat the team has and defenses has to worry about.

Betts is a proven player? His Rookie yr he got beat out by Trung Candidate. Then they brought in Portis for which he was relegated to second string cause he's definitly better then Rock. Betts had one good yr-2006. The only yr he had to be utilized due to injury. He filled in admirably but he still had his issues. He always had a hard time getting the 4th and 2 or the 4th and 3 yardage. On an important drive that would have given the team the go ahead score he fumbled. I'm not trying to down play his achievements but to me he's still suspect at being a proven player. Lots of players have had one good yr. Yes the coach's always see something in him they like. Who knows what that is....attitude, character, work ethic, potential...who knows. Yes he is a better pass catching RB only cause Portis was not utilized in that capacity as much. Portis has gotten better in that area. Which is why he gets a lot of screens.

But my issue is not whether Betts is a good #2 or not. It's the fact that he is the same type of player as Portis. If 90 % of you plays are between the tackles then having both is a good idea so you have two who can slam the ball through the line. If you are trying to create plays to the outside of the line or edge plays to keep the defense guessing then Portis or Betts are not going to get the job done. Their not fast enough. Portis used to but he put on weight to be the hard hitting back Gibbs wanted. Then he tried losing weight for Saunders, but Portis is no longer the type of back to go to the edge.

I'm not complaining that we have Betts. He can keep spelling Portis and on some plays they can use the scat back. But all in all .....Betts and Rock are 29 y/o and Portis is 27 y/o. Funny how we talk about getting younger and healthier on the O-line but our skills positions don't need to get younger. To be honest. I like Moss, but I seriously hope DT and MK both work out for us. Then they can start taking the majority of the load and Moss can come in on specific plays. I'm not sure where ARE is at this point. He's not being utilized like Pitt used him. He's not producing like he was in Pitt. He's not a #2 WR. Right now for us all he is, is a gadget play. I'd rather see the two new WR's Williams and Mitchell make the team so we have 4 young tall healthy WR's. Especially for red zone plays. So to me the whole team is getting older and I would like to see them get younger.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 30gut

This whole 'change of pace' back is a fad.
You just need 2 good backs in the NFL.
Style doesn't matter.

I agree.

I think it's mainly a misconception with the fans. Sproles has everyone thinking you need a smaller/faster kind of back to bring in. In reality you just need two quality backs regardless of style.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I agree.

I think it's mainly a misconception with the fans. Sproles has everyone thinking you need a smaller/faster kind of back to bring in. In reality you just need two quality backs regardless of style.

Yes you guys could be right. Maybe I have no clue what I'm talking about. But the team apparently seems to think they need the change of pace back cause that's what the position coach said on Redskins Nation. He stated the team was going to look for the change of pace back or scat back. Then they bring in two smaller speedier RB's. Hmmm. If it's just a fad and not needed one would think Zorn would say "we don't need it. we have Betts." but apparently he agrees cause the team brought in not 1 but 2 smaller speedier backs to take a look at.