All Betts Are On, All Day!!

I know, I know. I am the biggest Redskins fan there is and I didn’t pick us to beat the Broncos yesterday. Tar and feather me!! I did, however, know that Ladell Betts would have a good game. Partly because our Offensive Lineman, although two are fill-ins, were all playing their original positions. This kind of helps a bit. But Betts has filled in for Clinton Portis before and had over 1,000 yards in only 9 games. Most people, myself included, had been blinded by Betts’ inability to hold on to the ball lately, but yesterday we were quickly reminded as to how good this guy is and why we liked him in the first place. He had opportunities to go elsewhere, but he said that he loved being here, he loved being a Redskins. Although he is a football player, we could take note of his unselfish attitude. Why? Because like everything else, attitudes like this are contagious.

Matthew Ladell Betts grew up an only child in Kansas City, KS. While in high school, Betts was a track star, but was widely known for his accomplishments on the football field. His Senior year in high school, Betts not only led his team to a 10-1 record, but he was also named USA Today’s Missouri Player of the year. He garnered All-State and All-Metro honors on the gridiron. He also won the Thomas Simone Award, which usually goes to the best high school player in the Kansas City area, and was named a Parade and Super Prep All-American. The foundation was laid for Betts to be a very selfish player. But he was not highly recruited coming out of high school so he attended the University of Iowa. Some would consider this a humbling experience. After winning a team MVP award, as well as making All-Big Ten 2nd team, Betts was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 2nd Round (56th Overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. Again, this is enough for people to develop the “ME” attitude, but Betts never showed any signs of being that way.

Talk to his teammates, talk to reporters, talk to the Coaches, they all share the same sentiments. Betts is the consummate professional, a great teammate and a great locker room guy. This is a Joe Gibbs kind of player. If you bust your ass during the off-season, bust your ass during training camp, and bust your ass in practice, you will not be surprised at what happens in the game. So what Ladell Betts did yesterday (26 carries, 114 yards, one TD) versus the Broncos was something that I have come to expect from him. It was good to see a good guy get a great opportunity, albeit unfortunate circumstances. About three years ago, I envisioned using him and Clinton Portis as a 1-2 punch, but that never materialized. And at the end of the 2006 season, Betts could have gone anywhere in the NFL as he was a Free Agent. But, he chose to stay here in a backup role. Why? Because, he enjoys being a Redskin. In an organization that is in turmoil, it is nice to see and hear a story like this one.

Now at the ripe old age of 30, standing at 5’11” and weighing in at 225 lbs., he may be considered small, but when it comes to heart, there are very few who can match Ladell’s heart in size. I wish him nothing but the best because guys like this don’t grow on trees. Players like this aren’t born everyday. And teammates like this only come by once in a Blue Moon. Although, people are quick to say Clinton Portis is finished, people have to consider the fact that Portis and Betts are pretty much the same size and height [Betts 5’11”, 225 lbs.; Portis 5’11” 221 lbs.]. The only difference is, Betts (30) is about 2 years older than Portis (28). So if you think Portis is done should you not think the same thing about Betts? I mean we all have heard that Portis is “old and slow.” But, Betts showed yesterday that age is just a number. I know what you are going to say, "Portis has been banged up for the past two seasons." That might be true. But don't you also hope that Betts can continue to produce the way he did yesterday. Who knows!! If Portis is able to return again this season we have a pretty good Spell Back in Betts. And if we keep this particular line in tact we could be looking at two 1000-yd. rushers. But until then….. RUN BETTS, RUN!!!