The numbers point to a record pace, one reserved for elite running backs. That comes with a big if, however: If Ladell Betts had started all season … If the offensive line had blocked like this all season … and if the Redskins had figured out their rushing attack.
Then Betts could have topped 2,000 yards.
“It’s pretty unbelievable when you think about it,” Betts said. “But the guys up front are opening holes. I’m hitting them hard and I’m racking up yards big chunks at a time.”
There’s also something else:
“I’d like him to get more,” Redskins associate head coach/offense Al Saunders said.
Betts can surpass the magical 1,000-yard mark Sunday in St. Louis; he’s at 933 and facing the NFL’s worst-rated run defense. But, more impressive, if he maintained the pace he’s been on the last four games for a full season, it would result in an NFL-record 2,196 yards.
It’s equivalent to the run Larry Johnson went on with Kansas City last season when Priest Holmes got hurt (and Saunders was calling the plays). Johnson gained 1,351 yards in nine games as a starter. That pace would have resulted in more than 2,400 yards.
The big difference between what Johnson did last season and what Betts is doing now is touchdowns. Betts, a perimeter-oriented runner, only has two touchdowns, one as a starter. In Johnson’s nine starts, the smashmouth back rushed for 16 touchdowns and 20 overall.
Betts’ strength has been his steadiness. He rarely loses yards on runs — only two such carries in his last 55. And 21 percent of his runs have gone for 10 yards or more (Portis, who was rarely healthy, gained at least 10 yards on 13 percent of his carries; but he had three runs of 30 yards or more to Betts’ none).
Betts averages 4.8 yards per carry.
“That’s major league stuff,” Saunders said. “He’s been excellent.”
But he knows there’s more Betts can do, like when he gets to the secondary and fails to avoid tackles.
“A lot of that is instinct,” Betts said. “There have been a couple games where I felt like I left a few yards out there.”
But getting to the secondary has helped him have a career season.
“He’s done a great job of getting what’s been blocked,” Saunders said. “He’s done a great job of playing fast in the hole and getting to the second level. The great ones make those guys miss. … But he can develop that skill. This is a new experience for him.”
Week 16 Notes
» Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen said he will play against St. Louis, after missing the win over New Orleans last weekend with a torn calf muscle. Jansen said his left calf feels as it does in previous weeks that he played.
Meanwhile, linebacker Marcus Washington (knee) did not practice Thursday and remains questionable. Jeff Posey and Warrick Holdman both have taken reps in his place during practice. If Holdman plays on the strong side, then rookie Rocky McIntosh would play more on the weakside.
» Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels and receiver Santana Moss were the co-recipients of the B.J. Blanchard Good Guy Award. The local media votes on the award, given to the players who were most cooperative with the press. Blanchard is a longtime Redskins receptionist.
» Safety Adam Archuleta has declined all week to discuss his return to St. Louis. Archuleta spent five years with the Rams before signing with Washington this past offseason. He was benched after the Oct. 22 Indianapolis game and has not played in the past five games, except on special teams.
When asked about Archuleta this week, assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said, “He’s gonna play.” He was asked twice if that meant Archuleta would play on defense, Williams twice replied, “He’s gonna play.”
» Punter Derrick Frost, who returns to his native St. Louis Sunday, has been hot the past two games. His net average was 40.0 yards against Philadelphia and 43.8 vs. New Orleans.
