Cardinals Release RB James

I'm not sure how much of Betts' lack of carries last year was on him or just a bad coaching decision on Zorn. Betts has proven in the past that he's certainly a more than capable backup. If Betts was viewed as a poor backup why not ship him out? It's not like his cap number makes that an unreasonable thing to do.I don't think Betts was viewed as a poor backup, but that's because even though his 2006 season looks completely out of character for the rest of his career, it was reasonable to expect that type of production to show up again in the future.

But now we are two years and a coaching change removed from the last time he's been effective, and he's since crossed the threshold of 30. Betts was never as good as he showed in 2006 to begin with, and when you add the fact that he's got no future or added value outside of the skills he's already bringing in pass blocking and 4 usually unproductive carries a game, it's hard to see him as worth keeping around much longer.

I think he'll be back this year and gone by this time next year, but if we want to rely on our running game, I think we should pursue other complementary options for this year. We know what we have in Betts, and it's not totally valueless considering he's good in the open field, but I think we can do better with no significant investment.

Goddamn it. I don't want two smash mouth backs. We desperately need a home run hitter- and Edge, Mason or Betts are not the answer. Skins need a guy in the mold of Leon Washinton, Jerrius Norwood or DeAngelo Williams. We could have spent a draft pick on a dynamic young RB, but I guess a lying, half-assed LB who played one season would be the better fit.

Thanks for the positivity...HATER!!!
Why don't you call Snyder and offer your services as a talent scout....wait...what's that...dial tone!

What's frustrating is Vinny and the "brain trust" always seem to be several steps behind the times. It's not that they can't find good football players, it's that they're too late in adapting to the game. The league starts utilizing big, athletic receivers particularly in the red zone with fades and jump balls. Skins jump on the boat several years later and draft three big targets. The league puts a high premium on pass rushers and as a result, championships are won by those who get after the QB. Years later again, the skins FO wakes up and adds Haynesworth and Orakpo. Most NFL teams start going to a running back by committee rushing attack. Running backs have a shorter shelf life than most positions, and the NFL adjusts accordingly. If teams don't have 3 starting caliber backs, they certainly have 2. I'm still waiting for the Redskins to roll with the times on this one.

Thanks for the positivity...HATER!!!
Why don't you call Snyder and offer your services as a talent scout....wait...what's that...dial tone!

Well thanks for your unbridled optimism. I guess anyone who puts on a Redskins jersey is just fine with you. I'm not a hater, just one that questions some of the acquisitions the front office has made. For the record, I like what they have done the last two years- But, there are some positions IMO that are overlooked.

What's frustrating is Vinny and the "brain trust" always seem to be several steps behind the times. It's not that they can't find good football players, it's that they're too late in adapting to the game. The league starts utilizing big, athletic receivers particularly in the red zone with fades and jump balls. Skins jump on the boat several years later and draft three big targets. The league puts a high premium on pass rushers and as a result, championships are won by those who get after the QB. Years later again, the skins FO wakes up and adds Haynesworth and Orakpo. Most NFL teams start going to a running back by committee rushing attack. Running backs have a shorter shelf life than most positions, and the NFL adjusts accordingly. If teams don't have 3 starting caliber backs, they certainly have 2. I'm still waiting for the Redskins to roll with the times on this one.

It doesn't sound like you are viewing the whole league...just the Guants formula for success.

1). Not all the NFL's winning teams have "big" receivers. EX: Eagles, Panthers, Steelers, Ravens. All playoff teams whose primary receiver is under 6 feet tall.

2). We have put a premium on pass rushers in recent history, we just won't reach for a guy in the draft. Carter, Arrington (drafted 3rd overall), Washington were all considered to be "pass rushers". Hell, even old ass Bruce Smith.

3). I don't know what you think "starting caliber" is for RB's but no one could reasonably afford to have 3! Referance the playoff teams above. You are lucky to have two (like the Panthers) but well off with 1 stud and a solid back-up (like the Patriots).

If you disapprove of the FO so much...go root for another team! Snyder isn't going anywhere and Vinny has actually improved our talent acquisition since taking over.

Bottom line is: I don't think Edge can still be a starter, but even at age 31, he's still a more effective runner behind a worse OL than what Betts (age 30) is behind ours. I think he's a better runner for our scheme than Betts is, and ultimately, we'd be a better team with Portis and Edge splitting carries than with Betts and Portis.


James can catch out of the backfield too.

Hey, I agree with you. RB is the need position on this team that wasn't addressed. People are going to complain about the OL, but we're very deep on the OL at every position but LT. That was the only real "need" position on the OL. Meanwhile, we have a very poor RB situation past Portis, who just enjoyed his career year. We simply didn't address it.

But oh well, there's always next year to address our two biggest needs.

True; though we've got a good portion of our line nearing that a couple years left of effectiveness mark too. Several spots to fill, and RB in the next year or two should be something that we look at, but that seems to be a position that can usually be filled relatively quickly.

It doesn't sound like you are viewing the whole league...just the Guants formula for success.

1). Not all the NFL's winning teams have "big" receivers. EX: Eagles, Panthers, Steelers, Ravens. All playoff teams whose primary receiver is under 6 feet tall.

Uh. You're wrong. Patriots have Randy Moss. Giants had Plaxico. Cards have Fitzgerald, Boldin. Steelers have Holmes, who is 5'11" but won them the game with his outstanding leaping ability and spectacular catches. Eagles are the exception and panthers are primarily a rushing O.

2). We have put a premium on pass rushers in recent history, we just won't reach for a guy in the draft. Carter, Arrington (drafted 3rd overall), Washington were all considered to be "pass rushers". Hell, even old ass Bruce Smith.

You gave me 3 names for the last 15 years. Of these names, Arrington was only a true pass rusher for one year, and Bruce Smith...well let's not go there. Fact is, the FO has not put emphasis on this position until recently.

3). I don't know what you think "starting caliber" is for RB's but no one could reasonably afford to have 3! Referance the playoff teams above. You are lucky to have two (like the Panthers) but well off with 1 stud and a solid back-up (like the Patriots).

You're reaching dude. I can think of most teams in the NFL that now have at least two starting caliber backs on their team. We are the only team now that promotes a primary one back system. Gtripp confirmed this, and agreed with me that running back is a definite need on this team.

If you disapprove of the FO so much...go root for another team! Snyder isn't going anywhere and Vinny has actually improved our talent acquisition since taking over

So the fact that I disapprove of the FO makes me a hater and I am not loyal? Are you kidding me? This site would not even exist if this were the protocol for being a skins fan. By the way, after searching your post history, you have just proven yourself to be a hypocrite. Clearly you're not ok with all of the moves this front office has made. If it were up to you, Matt Hasselbeck would be our starting QB. Don't give me any self righteous sh*t about being a fan.

There are teams in the league who have worse RB situations than we do:

1. Seattle
2. St. Louis
3. Kansas City
4. Jacksonville
5. Cincinnati
6. Green Bay
7. Cleveland

But that's about it. We're in the last quadrant in terms of RB depth. And our solution is to lean more heavily than anyone else on their No. 1 RB. Which, I don't think is a very sound strategy.

I'm not sure how much of Betts' lack of carries last year was on him or just a bad coaching decision on Zorn. Betts has proven in the past that he's certainly a more than capable backup. If Betts was viewed as a poor backup why not ship him out? It's not like his cap number makes that an unreasonable thing to do.

Well it's been a couple years since Betts' big "year" so who knows if he's still the same guy? Maybe we should've given him the shot to be, but I think a lot goes on saying hey we're paying Portis to play full games and that's what's going to happen, whether that's the stubborn way to do it or what.