So Will We Have The Money For Betts????

What running back isn't banged up by the end of the year? He practically carried us into the playoffs last year while rushing for over 1500 yds, again. On 352 carries no less. He played in all 16 games and two playoff games, no IR. So yeah, in my opinion, he has been pretty consistent when it comes to being healthy. He's just been unlucky this year with injuries.

Who said he didn't carry us into the playoffs? It doesn't mean he wasn't playing hurt. He's a trooper, no doubt, but that doesn't change the fact that he wore down a lot last year, had a rash of injuries this year, and could use the backup help to reduce his workload.

Get draft picks for him.........portis is better no matter what anyone says. Although I have loved Bett's performance over the last few weeks.



It's not likely we'll get DP for a player that's going to be a free agent in just a few more weeks. Since Portis is our #1 back, I don't know how much the team is willing to pay Betts who will still be a back-up if signed. He's obviously playing for a contract, and while his play has been inspired the last couple weeks, he's still lacking the one thing he needs to be a every down back in this league, and that's blocking. He can run, and he can catch, but blocking in the passing game is where he's lacking, and Portis excells. We have a dilema on our hands, going into the off season with two running backs (both back-up's) in a contract year.

yea hes a beast id like to see him stay but not a starting job over cp

The title of this thread shold be "will we have any money left (under the salary cap) after we sign Betts."
I want Betts on the team, but for a reasonable amount of money.

Matty- It is proven every year runningback is the easiest position to fill in the draft. It is the easiest position for an NCAA player to transfer quickly into the NFL. Other posititions takes more time to develop.

Our number 1 priority this coming offseason is improving the defense. Offensive players, especially runningbacks are easier to find than good, young, cheap defensive players.
Lets not break the bank to sign a backup RB. We have a history of overpaying for players. Lets stop that trend.

Exactly. Defense is and should be the # priority.

Since you put it that way, I can see where you're coming from. With that many carries I guess the chances of him missing soem time are greater. And I don't see JG reducing the touches next year.

You can't trade him now - I'm talking about signing him so that we could trade him after the season. If we let him walk, we get nothing. It doesn't have to be a bidding war - Snyder can afford to pay a little premium on Betts now in order to be able to trade him for something down the road. It's better than nothing.If we sign him and trade him, we eat his entire signing bonus under the 07 cap (or we can split it with 08, our choice). It makes little sense to sign him and then turn around and deal him. If you give him the bonus, you might as well play him.

We could give him a one year deal with no signing bonus, but he's not going to sign a deal that makes it easy for us to trade him if he can just sign somewhere else.

If you let him walk, you get nothing, but you also stay out of an even worse situation with the cap, which should be our goal next year.

With every game (especially today against the falcons) Ladell Betts' value on the Free Agent market grows. Will we be able to retain him with a contract offer??? By the end of the year, he may have close to 1,000 yards. That would make him a hot commodity considering he's a great pass catching back as well.

We shoudl not keep both betts and portis- unless he comes on the cheap- which he won't. he's gonna want to be someone's starter. the skins are portis' show...too much ego adn too mcuh salary in this town for 2 starters. Here's an idea, save the money and spend it on needs...or let portis go (tough to do) and do the same thing...we dont need both.

we aren't talking an antonio pierce situation here...who was the key to the D, we are talking about a back up RB (with talent)- but we already have a very capable starter...Betts is great, but we should not keep both.
Portis should only need a brief spell from a game- not to split time