bigger role for Betts this year?

[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.

[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.

[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.