Should we deal Ladell Betts???

I doubt we could get more than a 5th-round pick for Betts, so let's keep him.

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)....

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.

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.

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...

We cant deal him out we need a back up. He was great as a back up last year, and could start almost anywhere else.

Can we trade him to Buffalo for Dockery?

If Saunders retains his position it would not surprise me if Betts gets a whole lot more work. I read a pretty good article that in the two opportunities Betts has had to start in place of CP ('04 and '06) his yards/carry average was actually higher than CP's. If Betts can be coached up to be a better blocker I could easily see him get the bulk of carries. To his credit, it also looks like Ladell broke his habit of fumbling in '07. Maybe it's wishful thinking but I feel like he just seems to excel when the opportunities come and improve on the things he needs to. Also, it's pretty easy to think CP will struggle in '08 after taking so much work this season.

If Saunders retains his position it would not surprise me if Betts gets a whole lot more work. I read a pretty good article that in the two opportunities Betts has had to start in place of CP ('04 and '06) his yards/carry average was actually higher than CP's. If Betts can be coached up to be a better blocker I could easily see him get the bulk of carries. To his credit, it also looks like Ladell broke his habit of fumbling in '07. Maybe it's wishful thinking but I feel like he just seems to excel when the opportunities come and improve on the things he needs to. Also, it's pretty easy to think CP will struggle in '08 after taking so much work this season.

yeah everybody was on betts about his fumbling but after Portis leading the league in fumbles i dont see how you can say shit about betts now.
I'm still flabbergasted at how underused Betts was this yr,I will never understand it till gibbs explains it himself

Does anyone think we can get a second round pick for Betts? I think we should deal him if we can.