Ladell Betts in Saunders' offense

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Monksdown

The Citadel is an antiquated hazing factory.
And Nemo is working up as a fullback.

I still love Ladell. It's a cheap out to give complete credit or blame to an offensive line. But I think that in Ladell's case, he's as good as the line he's running behind. He simply cant make enough happen when a play breaks down like Clinton can. But if the O-line really gets a good sled going downhill, and he gets a head of steam, he can really get moving. I like how he attacks the first would be tackler instead of trying to escape him.

A lot of people see Ladell as a straight line runner, and he certainly prides himself on power running, but he's not a huge guy and I'm very impressed by his combination of power and elusiveness. He is by no means a complete back at this point in his career, but he is a complete runner in the sense that he can get past you in so many ways.

[Monksdown]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

A lot of people see Ladell as a straight line runner, and he certainly prides himself on power running, but he's not a huge guy and I'm very impressed by his combination of power and elusiveness. He is by no means a complete back at this point in his career, but he is a complete runner in the sense that he can get past you in so many ways.

I agree with you on most of your point. But I would contend that he doesnt often show elusiveness. Or to put it another way, he doesnt generate open field misses.

[That Guy]

that's nice, but it's also totally out of touch with reality. if everyone on the skins roster is truly a superstar, then why haven't we won 32 superbowls by now?

you can believe whatever you want, but don't tell me what to think or that i'm not allowed to have my own opinions. This forum also asks its members not to question each other's fandom (or what have you)... so if that's your attempt at such, it's extremely lame and not very effective.

and i can't believe you can sit there and tell me jacobs doesn't suck cause he practices harder? sorry, but it doesn't show, so it doesn't count. and why would i be upset with a return TD? I was however upset with his excessive fumbling and total inability to know when to make a fair catch or how to break a tackle or use a move of any kind. I also don't care how many injuries raymer has had, I only cared about how much he was hurting the team when he was on the field... those arguements are all beyond weak.

[Monksdown]

Originally Posted by That Guy

that's nice, but it's also totally out of touch with reality. if everyone on the skins roster is truly a superstar, then why haven't we won 32 superbowls by now?

you can believe whatever you want, but don't tell me what to think or that i'm not allowed to have my own opinions. This forum also asks its members not to question each other's fandom (or what have you)... so if that's your attempt at such, it's extremely lame and not very effective.

and i can't believe you can sit there and tell me jacobs doesn't suck cause he practices harder? sorry, but it doesn't show, so it doesn't count. and why would i be upset with a return TD? I was however upset with his excessive fumbling and total inability to know when to make a fair catch or how to break a tackle or use a move of any kind. I also don't care how many injuries raymer has had, I only cared about how much he was hurting the team when he was on the field... those arguements are all beyond weak.

Jacobs is atleast twice as good as the Springfield Mixing Bowl.

[GTripp0012]

I don't believe that Jacobs is really the hardest working guy on the team either. If he really was, with his college production, he would have more than enough talent to be successful at this level. He may just not "get it" yet, in which case there is still hope.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I don't believe that Jacobs is really the hardest working guy on the team either. If he really was, with his college production, he would have more than enough talent to be successful at this level. He may just not "get it" yet, in which case there is still hope.

I don't know. I mean if he's the hardest working guy on the team and he's still not getting it then maybe he's just not cut out for the NFL. I'd almost rather here that he's just wasting his talent and needs to grow-up than he's working his ass off and these are the results.

He seems like a decent enough guy and I'd love to him see him succeed but the Redskins aren't in a position to sit around and wait for him.

As for Ladell Betts, I'm sure he'll do fine. You don't hear of too many players, particularly running backs, bombing under Saunders.

[That Guy]

rock is more shifty than betts, and rock aint all that shifty.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by That Guy

rock is more shifty than betts, and rock aint all that shifty.

ROCK.

I just love that guy's name! (Sorry to intrude, I'll go away now and lurk some more).

[DCsports]

Betts has gotta do good under saunders to take pressure off portis

[JoeRedskin]

Just revisiting this thread b/c it appears that Saunders has really taken a liking to Betts:

Originally Posted by Wash. Times; June 19, 2006

Big on Betts
One player who has caught associate head coach Al Saunders' attention is running back Ladell Betts, who is again slated to be a kick returner and backup to Clinton Portis this season.
"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. Clinton is Clinton, one of the dominant backs in the NFL. 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."

From: http://www.washtimes.com/sports/2006...816r_page2.htm (the article is on Hall and he hopes his surgery has solved his injury problems)

I have always liked Betts. It sounds like Saunders is pretty high on him. I think he is and has been a quality back that needed some seasoning. My guess is that he will be well utilized this year and then offered a starting job somewhere else next year. If this offense works as well as I think (and everyone hopes) it will, Betts could get a chance to shine no that he has had a chance to really learn and adapt to the pro game.

We'll see how it all works out during preseason.

Appropo of nothing in this thread - I really like the comments the players are making after mini-camp. Essentially that the talent on this team is much better than on the last few years and that players who's talent was good enough to make the team last year probably aren't talented enough to make this year's squad. They were naming names or pointing fingers, just saying that the bar has been risen.

I keep saying it (and am probably jinxing us bad) - but damn I think we are going to be scary good this year. A prolific offense and a stifling, hard-hitting defense. On top of that, the team is essentially returning all its starters and it seems that everyone who is here WANTS to be here and seems to have a sense that this is going to be something special.

Then again, its early, maybe I just had too much sugar in my coffee.

[That Guy]

there's a total of maybe 7 teams with an RB situation bad enough next year to make him a starter, and some of them may find someone this year already on their rosters or draft a stud in april.

he's decent, but if he's your starter, you're probably not a great team.

[JoeRedskin]

Not saying he is a superstar in waiting - and I agree with your assessment as to teams looking next year. With that said, I think he would be a fine feature back and quality starter. Watching him last year, he seemed to have decent vision and do some good straight ahead running. To me, it seems he has improved each year he's been here.

However, it all matters not. time will tell, let's see how does with the pads on, blah blah blah. : )

[Schneed10]

Ladell Betts seems like he'd be the next Duce Staley, to me. He could be a solid featured back if given the chance. Can run over some people, can catch a few passes, can do some blocking. But he'll never make a pro-bowl, and he's not the type to rush for much more than 1000 yards in a season. Duce was a nice back during his prime, I feel like Betts could have a similar career if given the feature role.

Betts is a perfect guy to have as your 2nd RB; he can step in and keep the defense honest while Portis is catching a breather. That's all you can ask for from your 2nd.

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Ladell Betts seems like he'd be the next Duce Staley, to me. He could be a solid featured back if given the chance. Can run over some people, can catch a few passes, can do some blocking. But he'll never make a pro-bowl, and he's not the type to rush for much more than 1000 yards in a season. Duce was a nice back during his prime, I feel like Betts could have a similar career if given the feature role.

Betts is a perfect guy to have as your 2nd RB; he can step in and keep the defense honest while Portis is catching a breather. That's all you can ask for from your 2nd.

That's a great comparison. Betts has shown that he's a dependable, solid player, and I have no doubt that he'd be a 1000-yard rusher in this league if he was in the feature role. That being said, if your team has a 1000-yard rusher as its feature back, you are looking for an upgrade.

[Beemnseven]

What has happened with Duce Staley anyway? Whenever I saw a Steeler game, (and I've seen several) he was in street clothes on the sidelines.

The comments about Betts are spot on, I think. He's perfect in the role that he's in now. But I don't know if I'd want him starting for 16 games. Plus, he's about as elusive as an M1A1 Abrahms tank. Just watch him on kickoffs -- he'll find the nearest pile of players and ram himself into it.

I don't expect him in Washington as the #2 guy next year though.