Officially welcome back Ladell Betts

Update [2006-12-8 17:13:4 by Skin Patrol]: And the terms: Five year extension worth 11 million, 3.5 million of it in signing bonuses and 2 million of it in a 2007 roster bonus (which he will get). I might have this wrong, but I think that means he makes around 1.1 million a year (probably with a tail end increase likely), around 700,000 in signing bonus per year (which is very manageable). I think the roster bonus is a one time hit in 2007, which is substantial. I don't have a strong opinion on the deal yet, because I haven't had time to think it through. Still, we're happy to have Betts signed for what should be the rest of his career. Hail to a career Redskin.

Update [2006-12-8 15:21:7 by Skin Patrol]: And it is official. Money quote from Coach Gibbs:

Update [2006-12-8 15:11:13 by Skin Patrol]: Jack Kogood at AOL Sports Blog had a post about Betts shortly before the news came out... almost like they predicted it. Also I forgot to note that Lee Gibbons posted the news before I did. Curse his quick fingers!

Per the Washington Post, Ladell Betts has signed a contract extension with the Redskins. Contract details were not disclosed, but it is a multi year deal so this is not a temporary fix.

Hogs Haven profusely congratulates Ladell Betts on the contract, though we will withhold a firmer endorsement until those terms are disclosed. I am happy that Betts is back as he's proven himself indispensable in CP's absence. Ladell Betts is an extremely reliable backup to insure against injury and is an above average pass catcher making him useful in 3rd and long situations. Though he could probably be starting elsewhere, Betts has definitely carved out a niche for himself here in Washington.

My initial criticism of this deal is how absolutely stupid it makes the -- already boneheaded -- TJ Duckett deal. We expended a third round draft pick just so we could have (and not use) Duckett for exactly one year. The Redskins will not be capable of signing Duckett anymore nor should they. I wish him the best after this season as he has been a total professional throughout this entire debacle, and it's unfortunate that us fans never had an opportunity to see what he could do as a Redskin. I wish the coaching staff would have given a serious effort towards letting him play and wonder about the personnel strategy that trades for players it never intends to use.

Just for diversity-of-ideas sake, here is Lee Gibbons' take from yesterday. He felt that keeping Betts was a bad decision:

I appreciate this argument, especially given that we've been discussing cap related issues here all week. Still, without knowing the details of the contract there isn't any way to evaluate what this cost the franchise. Furthermore, though RBs pop up on any given year seemingly out of nowhere, often times they are busts and a team is much better off with a proven, reliable backup than merely hoping that the scrub they insert into the system thrives. Also, Betts fits a particular role even as a backup and I can see this team turning more towards a Running Back By Committee approach. I think this was probably discussed in negotiations with Betts' agent, though I have no source for that.

In any event, welcome back to the team Ladell.