Ladell Betts in Saunders' offense

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

Can Betts realy block all that well? I just had a flash back of sitting in the stands watching him whiff trying to block Ed Reed who got the sack, forced fumble, recovery, and the TD.

In all fairness that was two years ago. He's not like Portis when it comes to blocking, but he's grown to the point where you can call him adequate. At least Saunders seems to think so.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

In all fairness that was two years ago. He's not like Portis when it comes to blocking, but he's grown to the point where you can call him adequate. At least Saunders seems to think so.

Still, my one concern is that Saunders is saying all this before they've had any full contact practices. He says Betts is a good blocker, but has he really seen him block anyone in person? However, I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about compared to Al Saunders, so if he thinks Betts is going to have a great year then the smile on my face just got even bigger than it already was.

[dmek25]

amd, i agree. betts has proven that he is alittle bit less than accomplished when it comes to blocking. no one can evaluate someone on blocking skills until they strap on the pads

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah it works especially well because CP and Betts can both block.

The 2 RB backfield is something people like to mention as a great way to threaten the defense. But if both runners are basically just running threats, it's actually not much of a solution. But when both players are threats to run, block, or catch the ball; that backfield can give D coordinators nightmares because there are so many plays that can be run out of that formation.

Portis on a sweep with Betts on a lead block, Portis on a screen with Betts blocking, Portis and Betts kept in to max protect, Betts swings out to the flat with Portis in to block, Portis swings out to the flat with Betts in to block... etc. The defense has no idea what's coming. But when you see something like Stephen Davis and Larry Centers, you pretty much know you have to watch Davis on a run up the middle, and keep an eye on Centers in the flat. It was still hard to stop that tandem, but stopping Portis and Betts would be harder.

Plus a smart QB can adjust the calls at the line. If you put two RBs in there, and if they're not good blockers, suddenly you're not feeling so good if you see a defense showing blitz. But both of these guys are well rounded enough to make a QB feel safe about having them back there to block. Complete football players are worth a lot and we have two of them at RB.

Betts and Portis in the block would be pretty sweet - Brunell would just get so bored back there he'd sit down and have a beer until someone got open.

I'd love to see Betts and Portis both in on a blitz, pick up the blitz and have one of them roll out into the flats for a pass. Hell yeah.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

Still, my one concern is that Saunders is saying all this before they've had any full contact practices. He says Betts is a good blocker, but has he really seen him block anyone in person? However, I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about compared to Al Saunders, so if he thinks Betts is going to have a great year then the smile on my face just got even bigger than it already was.

I'm sure he's seen plenty of film on him as well.

Betts had a very memorable wiff on Reed, but that's just one play. We tend to only remember the really great or really bad plays, in between he's had plenty of solid plays that nobody talks about or remembers.

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

Still, my one concern is that Saunders is saying all this before they've had any full contact practices. He says Betts is a good blocker, but has he really seen him block anyone in person? However, I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about compared to Al Saunders, so if he thinks Betts is going to have a great year then the smile on my face just got even bigger than it already was.

I would imagine Saunders' has seen plenty of film on Betts. In fact I'd imagine Saunders' has done little else than watch film since he arrived in DC.

I'm sure there's plenty of film of Betts blocking the past couple of seasons that Saunders' can make a judgement on it. Everything isn't totally new every season - there is history to base some judgements.

[mheisig]

Damn Matty, you beat me to it by 2 minutes...

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I'm sure he's seen plenty of film on him as well.

Betts had a very memorable wiff on Reed, but that's just one play. We tend to only remember the really great or really bad plays, in between he's had plenty of solid plays that nobody talks about or remembers.

Yeah I think you touched on it, blitz-pickups by RBs are the kind of plays that go completely unnoticed. On pass plays we usually have our eyes fixated on the QB, with maybe the occasional glance to see if any WRs are open downfield. If Portis or Betts pick up the blitzes, I usually don't notice until I see it on a replay.

It's hard to come down on Ladell Betts too hard for that Ed Reed play. It was relatively early in the year in Gibbs' first year back, just about everyone was playing like chickens with their heads cut off. There were blown assignments all over the place.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah I think you touched on it, blitz-pickups by RBs are the kind of plays that go completely unnoticed. On pass plays we usually have our eyes fixated on the QB, with maybe the occasional glance to see if any WRs are open downfield. If Portis or Betts pick up the blitzes, I usually don't notice until I see it on a replay.

It's hard to come down on Ladell Betts too hard for that Ed Reed play. It was relatively early in the year in Gibbs' first year back, just about everyone was playing like chickens with their heads cut off. There were blown assignments all over the place.

I'm not sure if it's my QB background or what, but when I watch football, the first thing I seem to notice is how close the pass rush is to getting to the QB. You can tell right away if a QB is going to get drilled. The O Lineman usually gets beat on the frist three steps.

That said, I didn't notice a big difference in the protection scheme with Betts in than with Portis in. If there's one difference, its that Portis is less likely to miss his assignment. Both are able bodied blockers, and very willing.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I'm not sure if it's my QB background or what, but when I watch football, the first thing I seem to notice is how close the pass rush is to getting to the QB. You can tell right away if a QB is going to get drilled. The O Lineman usually gets beat on the frist three steps.

I'm the same way watching the game. First I take note of the formation, then when the ball is snapped, I'm looking at how much penetration the defensive line is able to get, and if there are any blitzes coming.

And I never played quarterback.

[That Guy]

I generally look at matchups, though sometimes jerseys are hard to make out... see who'ss lining up on who and who's man or zone.