Should we deal Ladell Betts???

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

I think we need to look at a RB in the 2nd to 3rd round this year. CP's got 2 yrs left before he loses his effectiveness. Betts is a great backup and I don't think we get the value in return that we lose by trading him.

I'm not sure that CP has 2 years left in the tank and will basically hang it up at 28. Betts is indeed a great backup, but what "value" do we lose by trading him? He had about 300 rushing yards last season at about 3.7 yards per carry. An insurance policy that gets us 300 rushing yards at RB (where players are most fungible) isn't worth a 2nd round pick IMO. Assuming we could get a 2nd rounder, I'd support trading Betts and using the 2nd rounder to draft a starter or a backup at a more important position (e.g., OT, DT, DE).

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I'm not sure that CP has 2 years left in the tank and will basically hang it up at 28. Betts is indeed a great backup, but what "value" do we lose by trading him? He had about 300 rushing yards last season at about 3.7 yards per carry. An insurance policy that gets us 300 rushing yards at RB (where players are most fungible) isn't worth a 2nd round pick IMO. Assuming we could get a 2nd rounder, I'd support trading Betts and using the 2nd rounder to draft a starter or a backup at a more important position (e.g., OT, DT, DE).

I agree, as long as we resign Rock. Losing both and being left with an injury prone Portis would not be smart.

[rk3025]

Betts is better at catching passes and Rocky is better on 3rd and 1
You would get more by trading Portis or Sellers

Originally Posted by GMScud

I agree, as long as we resign Rock. Losing both and being left with an injury prone Portis would not be smart.

[Redskin Warrior]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I'm not sure that CP has 2 years left in the tank and will basically hang it up at 28. Betts is indeed a great backup, but what "value" do we lose by trading him? He had about 300 rushing yards last season at about 3.7 yards per carry. An insurance policy that gets us 300 rushing yards at RB (where players are most fungible) isn't worth a 2nd round pick IMO. Assuming we could get a 2nd rounder, I'd support trading Betts and using the 2nd rounder to draft a starter or a backup at a more important position (e.g., OT, DT, DE).

I think finding a backup for Portis wouldn't be hard. Like I said Marcus Mason showed great promise this preseason I think he could take Betts place because I feel Rock is done he wants to start somewhere other than special teams. Then you have plenty of quality backups coming out of the draft. Like SGG said what value do we lose by trading him.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

I'm not sure that CP has 2 years left in the tank and will basically hang it up at 28. Betts is indeed a great backup, but what "value" do we lose by trading him? He had about 300 rushing yards last season at about 3.7 yards per carry. An insurance policy that gets us 300 rushing yards at RB (where players are most fungible) isn't worth a 2nd round pick IMO. Assuming we could get a 2nd rounder, I'd support trading Betts and using the 2nd rounder to draft a starter or a backup at a more important position (e.g., OT, DT, DE).

I was referring to my belief that he is worth more to us as a back that has been productive in our system, understands his role, then whatever later round draft pick we would get as compensation in any realistic scenario. Too many teams are finding solid backs in the mid to late rounds to justify trading good picks for just an average rb.

As far as Portis, he was real hot and cold this year. I don't think he will hang it up at 28 either, but I think we are going to see a real dropoff in his productivity not this year but next. i just don't see the burst anymore when he runs and makes his cuts. he doesn't look smooth in and out of his cuts. That could be a byproduct of his knee issues but it could be a sign of things to come. Either way, as you have said, Betts is far from irreplaceable so it's not a bad idea to pick up a back in the mid rounds of this draft. If that pans out, then you can really look at trading him for whatever value is out there...

[jamf]

If we resign Rock and can get good value( Solid starter ), I have no problem trading Betts. Realistically, I doubt anyone is going to give up anything special for him. Decent running backs are a dime a dozen and it's one of the easiest positions to draft.

[WaldSkins]

Originally Posted by jamf

If we resign Rock and can get good value( Solid starter ), I have no problem trading Betts. Realistically, I doubt anyone is going to give up anything special for him. Decent running backs are a dime a dozen and it's one of the easiest positions to draft.

I think ladell holds more value then you think. RBs are not always automatic's.
Look at cedric benson, jj arrington, ron dayne, cadillac willliams, and ronnie brown. All first rounders within the last 7 drafts that i would classify as busts.

[Skinsfanmania]

I am one that is always open to dealing a player depending on what we would get back in return. If a team offers us a #1 draft pick for Betts then we would be acting on the best interest of the team to trade him.

Now, if someone were to offer a 2nd round pick, it would depend on where the pick was if I would consider trading him, but again I'd consider it. I feel we could pick up better player in the first two rounds as franchise running backs are found in the 2nd round often.

What I am saying is this isn't a yes or no situation, but if it is good for the Skins, then you take advantage of it.

However we need to stay away from Denver. BTW, do the Jets need another RB, we tend to do well when trading with them in most instances.

[Joe Ribbs BBQ]

Originally Posted by Skinsfanmania

I am one that is always open to dealing a player depending on what we would get back in return. If a team offers us a #1 draft pick for Betts then we would be acting on the best interest of the team to trade him.

Now, if someone were to offer a 2nd round pick, it would depend on where the pick was if I would consider trading him, but again I'd consider it. I feel we could pick up better player in the first two rounds as franchise running backs are found in the 2nd round often.

What I am saying is this isn't a yes or no situation, but if it is good for the Skins, then you take advantage of it.

However we need to stay away from Denver. BTW, do the Jets need another RB, we tend to do well when trading with them in most instances.

1st, no one will ever give us a 1st rounder for Betts..... come on seriously, maybe a 3rd or 4th..... and the jets thing has worked out for 1 wide out (moss) and a guard.... but the kicker bomb (Hall) and another wide out did as well (coles)....

[cwboyh8ter]

Betts will be here long aft CP is gone!! Hail keep believin!

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Again, I'd LOVE to have Betts and Portis sharing the load. But, I still believe we have greater needs at other positions that could justify the trading of Betts for draft picks.

We need to start thinking about gradually replacing, and immediately adding depth to, the O-line. We need a new #2 WR if you are unhappy with ARE (which I am not). We need a new SS if you are unhappy with Doughty. We need a new CB if you think Springs will be gone, Rogers will not be back from injury, OR Leigh Torrence should be relegated to dime duties. We need a LDE if you think Philip Daniels will be cut, retire, or needs to be replaced within the next season or so. We need a new DT if you think Griffin will be cut and Golston isn't read to step up OR we need more depth. We need new linebackers if you think Washington will be cut, Fletcher is getting old, Rocky will not be recovered from the torn MCL and ACL, and HB Blades hasn't shown enough to replace any of our current starters on a long term basis. While I think we have a great roster in place and do not intend to overstate the need for new personnel, I think we have several areas in which we could improve by adding new young guys via the draft.

Moreover, with all due respect to Portis, Betts, and every other RB in the league, RBs are the most fungible players in the league. When former 4th round pick Rudi Johnson went down with injury, the undrafted Kenny Watson stepped in and nearly created a RB controversy in Cincy. Willie Parker, who also went undrafted, replaced Jerome Bettis without missing a beat. 7th rounder Ahmad Bradshaw, 4th rounder Brandon Jacobs, and 7th rounder Derrick Ward stepped into Tiki's shoes and produced the 4th ranked rushing attack in NY. 4th rounder Marion Barber made the Pro Bowl in Dallas. Brian Westbrook replaced the fan-favorite Duce Staley in Philly and was a late 3rd rounder. UFA Ryan Grant seems to be destined to replace Ahman Green in Green Bay. Ernest Graham was running as well as, if not better, than the Caddy in Tampa. And the list goes on.

Betts is a nice luxury, but one that I'd give up if it meant we'd be able to draft another Rocky McIntosh at another position of need. All that being said, this is pure offseason speculation.

[celts32]

Betts signed a very cap friendly contract for a RB of his caliber. The last thing we should be doing is trying to trade good players that are not cap killers. Betts will be a reasonably priced starter if they ever part with Portis.

[skinsguy]

I think you definitely keep Ladell Betts. I know he didn't do much this year, but you gotta have a dependable #2 back and Ladell is that. What we need to do is to look in the draft to fill our offensive and defensive lines. If you have a young, strong, and fast offensive line, then it's going to be a lot easier developing good running backs.

SGG: You really think Portis hangs up the cleets at 28?

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

SGG: You really think Portis hangs up the cleets at 28?

Not at all. BleedBurgundy said that Portis will be effective for just two more years. I disagree.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

I know he didn't do much this year, but you gotta have a dependable #2 back and Ladell is that. What we need to do is to look in the draft to fill our offensive and defensive lines. If you have a young, strong, and fast offensive line, then it's going to be a lot easier developing good running backs.

That's exactly why I'd be open to trading Betts. I like Betts, but we have other holes that could be filled by trading what essentially amounts to an insurance policy.