The Redskin Report

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Mike Sellers, Brian Bell, Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis from training camp 2007
Photo by rhilton4u from Flickr

1.  Clinton Portis

Signed through 2013 (although cap hit goes way up in 2010)

2008 Cap Hit: 6.040 million

 

Portis returns to Washington for his 5^th season as the starting running back for the Redskins.  Portis rebounded from an injury plagued 2006 season to play in all 16 games and set a career high with 47 receptions.   Despite being only 26 years old, questions have begun to arise wondering if Portis on the downside of his career.  His yard per carry average has dropped in each of the past three seasons and he finished last year at a paltry 3.9 yard/carry.  He seemed to lack the burst to break away in the open field and generally looked a step slower than previous seasons.

 

Despite having a down year, Portis is such a good blocker that even in bad games he still is one of the most important players on the field for the Redskins.  The new offensive system should alleviate some of the wear and tear on Portis.  The slow developing routes where Portis was forced to take on blitzers one on one should be reduced and the jumbo package that Gibbs loved shouldn’t be a staple of the new offense.

 

Expectations:  New head coach Jim Zorn has already talked about Portis in glowing terms.  They plan to use him more as a pass catcher and have openly mentioned that they look to have Portis finish with 1800 scrimmage yardage in 2008.  Portis has slimmed down to regain speed and reduce the weight his knees have to carry.  Portis should rebound in 2008 and have another big year.

 

2.  Ladell Betts

Signed through 2012

2008 Cap Hit: 3.405

 

2007 was a strange year for Betts.  He signed a long contract extension with the Redskins coming off a season where he rushed for 1,154 yards and the expectations were that he would get a fair share of the carries in place of Portis who was coming off an injury marred season.  To say it didn’t work out as planned would be an understatement.  After receiving 17 carries in week one, Betts only had 76 rushes the rest of the way (just over 5 per game).  Although the 93 carries were the 2^nd most in Betts’ career, he was basically used in the same way as he had been used in the 2004 and 2005 seasons (90 and 89 carries respectively).

 

On a more positive front, he only fumbled once (after 6 in 2006) and had 21 receptions out of the backfield.  Still you have to wonder if Betts would’ve tested the free agent market if he had known how little he’d see the field with the Redskins in 2007.

 

Expectations:  Barring an injury to Portis, it will be more of the same for Betts.  He’s an excellent back-up and a decent 3^rd down back for the Redskins.  With his cap hits coming down after this year, Betts has a very good chance to being in Washington for the long haul. 

 

3. Rock Cartwright

Signed through 2010

2008 Cap Hit: 705k

 

Unlike Betts, Cartwright decided to test the free agent waters in 2008.  Unfortunately for Cartwright, no team was willing to meet his demands and he ended up re-signing with the Redskins to a relatively cheap contract.  With Portis and Betts locked in and established in their positions, Cartwright has become a running back in name only.  He has had only 7 carries combined in the past two seasons.

 

Cartwright’s main contributions come on special teams where he is among the league’s best.  He’s become a surprisingly good kickoff returner and is great on coverage units.  He has also grown into a leadership role with the team and is one of the most popular plays among Redskins fans.

 

Expectations:  Cartwright’s chances to touch the ball have been reduced even further with the signing of Jerome Mathis to compete for the kick returner job.  The odds of Mathis surviving a whole year injury free are slim, so Cartwright will get his share of returns and will still be all over the field on special teams.

 

4. Marcus Mason

Signed through 2010

2008 Cap Hit: 295k

 

Mason was a training camp sensation in 2007.  He was a local boy who came from nowhere to make the practice squad with a strong pre-season.  The re-signing of Cartwright greatly reduces his chances of making the active roster.

 

Expectations:  The Redskins will try to stash Mason on the practice squad again in 2008.  If any of the above players suffer an injury, Mason could see time in 2008 but if ever carves out an NFL career it will likely be with another team.

 

5. Eric Shelton

Signed through 2009

2008 Cap Hit: 370k

 

Shelton was a 2^nd round bust for the Carolina Panthers and spent last year out of football.  He’s much bigger than another of other running backs on the team at 246lbs so he might be an option at fullback. 

 

Expectations:  Barring injuries, Shelton is looking more and more like training camp fodder.

For other positions including QB, click here: Washington Redskins Depth Chart