Late Monday night, the Washington Redskins made a trade that could end up propelling them to great things in 2006. In a three-way deal, the Redskins acquired hulking running back T.J. Duckett from the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick. The Falcons then dealt that choice to the Denver Broncos for disgruntled receiver Ashley Lelie.
Lelie is arguably the biggest name in the trade, but it's Duckett who will make the highest impact this season. The 6-foot, 254-pounder has become one of the National Football League's foremost short-yardage backs in his four pro seasons, scoring 31 career touchdowns. The ex-first-rounder from Michigan State split time with between-the-tackles runner Warrick Dunn in those years, never rushing for more than 779 yards in an individual season.
Following three straight solid seasons backing up Dunn for the Falcons, Duckett's numbers sunk to career-worst levels in '05. He gained just 380 ground yards on 3.1 yards per carry. However, he was a solid red-zone option, scoring eight touchdowns. The 25-year-old's career-best TD season is 2003, when he had 11.
This big-time, late-summer trade was an outstanding decision by the Redskins' brain trust, led by owner Dan Snyder, VP of football operations Vinny Cerrato and Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs (in no particular order). In its first preseason game, Washington lost star running back Clinton Portis to a dislocated shoulder. Since that fateful Aug. 13 evening, Portis has been a prominent opponent of exhibition games, chiding their worth.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old, who rushed for 1,516 yards last year, is expected to return to the Redskins' lineup by their Sept. 11 season opener against the Minnesota Vikings . If not, though, Duckett will be, without question, able to carry the load for however long he has to.
With a healthy Portis and a bruising Duckett in the fold, the 'Skins' rushing attack may, in fact, be second to none in the league. Portis brings speed and explosiveness to Washington's above-average offensive attack, while Duckett will represent a tremendous No. 2 with a nose for the opposing end zone.
More importantly, however, Duckett will displace fifth-year man Ladell Betts as the main option behind Portis. Betts is a decent runner, but he doesn't bring nearly the goal-line ability as Duckett, since he carries a frame that weighs a whopping 31 less pounds.
In the end, this is yet another smart trade by the Washington Redskins ' brass. Rather than utilize a third-rounder in next April's draft on an unproven, green player, they went out and acquired a proven commodity with the ability of a starter for the same value. This deal could further separate the Redskins from their counterparts in the grueling '06 version of the NFC East.
The Washington Redskins have another Diesel in their offensive backfield.
T.J. Duckett, who like former star John Riggins was once known as The Diesel, was sent to Washington by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday night in a three-way trade that also involved the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos received Washington's third-round pick in the 2007 draft as part of the deal, two officials within the league told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been officially announced. The Broncos sent receiver Ashley Lelie to the Falcons.
Duckett, a five-year veteran and former Michigan State star, is listed at 6-foot, 254 pounds. He is coming off a 2005 season in which he was slowed by an ankle injury and finished with a career-low 380 yards on 121 rushes. But he still led the team with eight rushing touchdowns.
A former first-round pick, Duckett gained 2,175 yards and scored 31 touchdowns during four seasons in Atlanta, some of which he spent as the backup to Warrick Dunn. His best season came in 2003, when he started 10 games and rushed for a career-high 779 yards and 11 touchdowns.
A Redskins spokesman said Tuesday night that coach and team president Joe Gibbs had no comment.
The deal raises questions about the Redskins' level of concern regarding injured star Clinton Portis and backup Ladell Betts. Portis, their leading rusher the last two seasons, suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder in an Aug. 13 exhibition game against Cincinnati. His doctors have said that he might be ready for the season opener on Sept. 11 against Minnesota, and the Redskins have been cautiously optimistic.
On Monday, Portis temporarily removed the sling he had been wearing and walked around Redskin Park while the rest of the team practiced.
"I was just following procedure, just trying to get everything to heal," he said. "I still feel pain there, but as far as movement is concerned, I feel good."
Betts, who was drafted the same year as Duckett, hasn't been able to stay healthy.
He's started just two games, one a 118-yard performance against Minnesota in 2004. But he missed four games last season with a knee injury and seven games in 2003 with a fractured arm. Already this training camp, he has missed practice time and the Cincinnati game with an injured hamstring.
Teams have expressed interest in Betts this summer, according to league sources, and while the Redskins have begun exploratory negotiations aimed at re-signing him -- Betts is in the final year of his contract -- Washington could still end up dealing a running back, with the deadline for the final cutdown to the 53-man roster about two weeks away.
Teams have expressed interest in Betts this summer, according to league sources, and while the Redskins have begun exploratory negotiations aimed at re-signing him -- Betts is in the final year of his contract -- Washington could still end up dealing a running back, with the deadline for the final cutdown to the 53-man roster about two weeks away.
I can see this happening. I really like Ladell, but this scenario is very plausible with Duckett now here. I just hope they trade for some interior linemen if they do.
1niksder wrote:With a healthy Portis and a bruising Duckett in the fold, the 'Skins' rushing attack may, in fact, be second to none in the league. Portis brings speed and explosiveness to Washington's above-average offensive attack, while Duckett will represent a tremendous No. 2 with a nose for the opposing end zone.
I could not agree more. this is a fantastic trade. I can still hardly believe it. I can't wait to see Duckett running guys over.
"We're not going to be the pushovers of the NFL, we're gonna push over some people!" - Clinton Portis
JSPB22 wrote:I said some time ago that Saunders may have been talking up Ladell so much, this summer, to increase his trade value.
I hope so, I've never been impressed by Betts. His greatest value is as a KR & he's replacable there by Thrash or Lumsden or Espy if the latter 2 make the team.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
Teams have expressed interest in Betts this summer, according to league sources, and while the Redskins have begun exploratory negotiations aimed at re-signing him -- Betts is in the final year of his contract -- Washington could still end up dealing a running back, with the deadline for the final cutdown to the 53-man roster about two weeks away.
JSPB22 wrote:I said some time ago that Saunders may have been talking up Ladell so much, this summer, to increase his trade value.
I hope so, I've never been impressed by Betts. His greatest value is as a KR & he's replacable there by Thrash or Lumsden or Espy if the latter 2 make the team.
Have not seen much of Lumsden (although all the Knucks appear to be very excited by him), but I do like what I see for Espy. Especially on KR's... he does a solid job so far.
Teams have expressed interest in Betts this summer, according to league sources, and while the Redskins have begun exploratory negotiations aimed at re-signing him -- Betts is in the final year of his contract -- Washington could still end up dealing a running back, with the deadline for the final cutdown to the 53-man roster about two weeks away.
I am not knocking it and will take a wait and see attitude, but I am not so sure that this was the best trade for the Redskins. Duckett provides nothing that Sellers and Betts didn't provide. If the Redskins trade Betts than this will look better. I would rather have gotten a high quality, starting O or D lineman.
I like the idea of the trade but it's only good if we can resign him to a contract he'll accept and play for, Otherwise I can't make a lot of sense from it. Without a new contract it amounts to rent-a-player for a few months for a 3rd round draft choice. That just dosen't seem like good business.
Fanforever wrote:I like the idea of the trade but it's only good if we can resign him to a contract he'll accept and play for, Otherwise I can't make a lot of sense from it. Without a new contract it amounts to rent-a-player for a few months for a 3rd round draft choice. That just dosen't seem like good business.
"The fact that Clinton got nicked there causes some concerns," Gibbs said. "It probably causes you to think. But there certainly wasn't a panic to do something. But when T.J.'s name came up, we felt it was something we needed to research."
Betts, meanwhile, missed the Cincinnati game and several days of practice with a nagging hamstring injury, causing uncertainty about his durability. Betts broke his arm in 2003 and missed seven games, and he sat out four last year with a sprained knee.
Nonetheless, Betts felt his position as the No. 2 back behind Portis was secure. Asked for his reaction to the trade, Betts said: "I don't understand it. But it's a business, and it is what it is."
Then there's Cartwright, who expected to get carries as a short-yardage back this season, the very role in which Duckett excels. Cartwright said he was shocked by the trade.
"It's kind of like a slap in the face, but it's a business," Cartwright said. "They had to do a business deal, and that's the way they wanted to go."
Gibbs responded by saying he had "good conversations" on Tuesday night with Betts and Cartwright about the trade. He also said he expects Portis, Duckett, Betts and Cartwright all to be on the final 53-man roster, negating rumors that Betts could be traded.
"We think we've got very good backs," Gibbs said. "(The trade) has nothing to do with them. It gives us a chance to add somebody we think is a real good football player."
