New Orleans Saints Sign RB Ladell Betts

by Dave Cariello on Aug 16, 2010 6:12 PM CDT

The Saints have added a little competition in the backfield by signing former Washington Redskins running back, Ladell Betts, reports ESPN. Jason LaCanfora tweets the details of the contract:

Ladell Betts gets $50K signing bonus and [$755K] salary to join the Saints. As we first told you, Saints made initial to him offer last week...Has the chance to earn up to $1M total with incentives

Given what Sean Payton said yesterday after practice and the fact that Betts was recently in town for a visit, we knew a move to sign a running back was inevitable and that Betts was a leading candidate. 41% of you out there can give yourselves a pat on the back for voting this morning that Betts was the most likely running back candidate to sign with the Saints.

In other running back signing news, Brian Westbrook has signed today with the 49ers, not the St. Louis Rams.

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i'm good with this

i was wondering what kind of money him and a few others would want. I like this deal and if you’re coming in you know you’ll be the 3rd RB in our rotation. Glad Westbrook signed with the 49ers over the Rams. He’s always been a good player and should have a shot at making the playoffs again. I don’t think the Rams are there yet.

Superbowl bound!!!...I know! do you?! Go Saints!!

by skinnykinney on Aug 16, 2010 6:29 PM CDT reply actions

I doubt they're done at RB

I’m not sure how much tread Betts has left on the tires. I still expect them to test out someone else once rosters have been cut down and some younger prospects become available.

"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!

by David "Satch" Kelly on Aug 16, 2010 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

At worst he is a camp body, at best a 3rd down back/goalline back. Either way, I'm happy.

by Jon Banks on Aug 16, 2010 6:53 PM CDT reply actions

I still like Ivory

I still like the idea of Chris Ivory as the 3rd down/GL back. Betts could win it, but I am still rooting for Ivory.

by sXe hXc AMF on Aug 16, 2010 7:00 PM CDT reply actions

same here

Who dat, from a cajun exiled to cowboy country.

by alcoholic_insight on Aug 16, 2010 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions

And he seems to have fresh legs

2006 – ~245 carries
2007 – ~93 carries
2008 – ~60 carries
2009 – ~70 carries

by CobraJet428 on Aug 16, 2010 7:27 PM CDT reply actions

His legs are fresh because he didn’t play on first and second downs, because he sucked.
Rotoworld.com:

Ladell Betts-RB- Saints Aug. 16 – 6:56 pm et
Saints signed RB Ladell Betts to a one-year, $805,000 contract, including a $50,000 signing bonus. 31 years old and coming off reconstructive knee surgery for a torn ACL and MCL, Betts has never been more than a third-down back. Entering his ninth NFL season, Betts has scored 13 career rushing touchdowns. A pedestrian runner even in his prime, Betts won’t be assured of a roster spot.

13? In 9 seasons? This is our goal line back??? TUSK!!!!

Well, I know my banana is older than the rest,
And my hair is a tangled beretta.

by stujo4 on Aug 16, 2010 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Career average 4.1yards per carry…

In the year he had his most carries (245) he had 4.7 YPC.

Not too shabby… but how will his knees hold up.

And, I agree with Satch, I think there still going to keep an eye on the waivers for another RB.

Want to go to the Saints vs. Cowboys game? I've got an extra ticket.

by Dan Kelly on Aug 16, 2010 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions

50K?

I wanna be a body camp!

Repeat? Under construction...

by FrenchFreak on Aug 16, 2010 8:35 PM CDT reply actions

too bad the injuries you'll sustain from camp will land you a 50k hospital bill

by Ezio_Auditore on Aug 16, 2010 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Couldn't care less...

I live in Canada. Free healthcare baby!

Repeat? Under construction...

by FrenchFreak on Aug 16, 2010 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess san fran really doesn't want coffee back

Yea a 3rd down back doesn’t make sense as a qoal line back. But he does have decent size for the job. lets pick up a solid runner who doesn’t make a deep running squad, like carolina or miami or baltimore or dallas.

by ReggieVilma on Aug 16, 2010 10:39 PM CDT reply actions