Saints re-sign RB Betts
The New Orleans Saints signed veteran running back Ladell Betts to a one-year contract on Wednesday, a league source told Jason La Canfora. The Saints signed Betts after a workout earlier in the week in a bid to bolster their running back corps depleted
by an injury to Reggie Bush.
Bush is set to miss at least six weeks with a broken leg, leaving the Saints with only DeShawn Wynn and rookie Chris Ivory to backup starter, Pierre Thomas. The Saints released Wynn to make room for Betts.
Wynn was preferred to Betts in the offseason due to his ability to play on special teams. With the Saints now in need of a rusher, Betts got the nod over Wynn.
The Saints turned to Betts, who was a Saint briefly during training camp, for some experience at running back. Betts had played his entire career in Washington, where he rushed for over 3,000 yards in eight seasons.
Betts could see significant time at backup running back in the coming weeks, with Chris Ivory returning from a knee injury.
Betts, who never got past the second round of the playoffs with the Redskins, now finds himself a member of the defending Super Bowl champions. Betts will compete with Wynn for a backup spot until Reggie Bush returns from injury.
Betts did spend some time with the Saints in training camp while recovering from knee surgery.
"I’m just trying to fit in wherever I can," said Betts at the time. "I like to consider myself a between-the-tackles runner. Hopefully once the coaches see what I can do, they’ll use me to my strengths.”
What Betts said then still holds true now.
Said coach Payton when he signed Betts in the offseason, “He is a veteran player, a good all-around football player. He is someone who we think has pretty good balance and understands protections well.”
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