Best uses of Betts, Canidate and Morton

[Atlanta Skins Fan]

I know part of the purpose of mixing up the uses of Betts, Canidate and Morton early in the season has been to see how they look in action. Even so, I'm puzzled by their use in certain situations, and I think in some cases they are being used illogically.

Part of the problem is Morton's lucrative contract (I think he makes more than Betts or Canidate) and some promises that were made to him about playing time on offense. (Dumb promises, I might add.) But some of what I'm seeing is pure illogic by the team, which is handing an advantage to the opposition.

For example, the team isn't passing to Trung Canidate. No catches, and I can't even remember a pass in his direction. I thought Canidate's speed and burst might make him a nice 3rd down receiver or dumpoff option on play-action, but apparently the team doesn't want to throw to him -- so let's assume for this argument that the team thinks he has poor hands.

If that is the team's determination, why is Canidate on the field on passing downs? He's an inferior blocker to Betts and an inferior receiver to Morton. This means his *only* good role on third down is to be a rusher, which dramatically decreases his value -- since, for example, Betts is also a good rusher but adds good blocking and good receiving.

Now, Morton has a nice burst and better hands (I assume) than Canidate. But he's a little guy and has looked poor as a rusher. He can't be the equal of Betts as a blocker, given his size. So, when Morton enters the game, he hands an advantage to the defense -- he's basically a wide receiver lined up at RB. Can't block, can't run. So, if we're going to use Morton as a WR lined up at RB, why not just bring an extra wide receiver in the game? Or use Betts, who can keep the defense guessing by being a threat to run, receive or block.

In short, I can't see any reason for Morton to play on offense at all -- except for that deal with the contract value and the promises made to Morton.

So we're down to Betts and Canidate. Betts seems the more obvious choice for passing downs -- 3rd and 4+, etc. What about the other downs?

Originally I thought Candidate might be the best first-down choice. But in the limited games so far, Betts has actually done better on first down. Betts has 20 attempts for a 4.5 average (13 long), while Canidate has 22 attempts for a 3.6 average (11 long). Since Spurrier likes to pass a lot on 1st down, Betts also makes a better choice because of his receiving and blocking skills.

Candidate has shined on second down in limited action (10 attempts, 9.2 average, 22 long), while Betts has averaged only 4.1 yards in the same number of attempts. (Yes, I'm aware of the limited sample sizes, but we can at least observe performance to date.)

So, going strictly by best man for the situation, you end up with Betts on 1st down, 3rd downs and passing downs, and Canidate on 2nd downs with less than 7 or 8 yards to go.

This also begs the question of whether it's a good idea to rotate running backs by the down. I haven't seen much if any of that in the NFL, but that's partly because most teams have a dominant RB and rotate only a 3rd-down specialist on occasion. Is there any demonstrated reason you shouldn't rotate RBs by the down? I know it feels "weird", and we're taught that RBs get into a rhythm -- but isn't that more for RBs like Davis and Riggins, who grind down the defense? What's wrong with two RBs like Betts and Canidate rotating and keeping their legs fresh during each series?

One further advantage of this proposal is that the playing time switch might encourage Canidate to work harder on his blocking. It would be clear that the only way he'd beat out Betts would be through equalling his blocking performance while exceeding his running performance.

[The Sisko]

I have wondered that about Canidate as well. It just seemed to me that finding a way to get him matched up in coverage on a LB would be an obvious mismatch that we could exploit out the yin yang. Perhaps the FNG is not an offense that is designed to go to the dump off pass much OR Ramsey just hasn't made that a significant part of his game to date.

[Riggo-toni]

I think Betts is a superior back to Canidate, and I agree with your observations. I think SS, like Martz before him, is overly enamored w/ Trung's speed. The thing is, I think Ladell has a much quicker 1st gear - he has a tremendous initial burst. This would explain why Betts does much better when the D is expecting a run. On 2nd down, when the D is unsure between pass and run, draw plays and sweeps and such play more to Trung's strengths.

I still think we gave up way too much for Morton. The Jets fans were right in that much of his success was owed to Westhoff. If only we could hire Westhoff and Russ Grimm back here!

[Skins26]

I think because of Trung's speed that teams have been very aware of him when he's on the field. When he goes out for routes they usually jump all over it. Leaving more room for Coles/Gardner/McCants to go to work and he doesnt get any dump offs. However i figured we would at least run some screens or swing passes to him. But maybe its just when those situations come up we just leave whoever is in there in there. On the 3rd in 20 at the end of regulation when we did the screen to Rock, i would really have liked to have seen Trung get that call, i think he could have taken it to the house.

Betts is a very good pass reciever though, he had a nice catch/run up the sideline and i dont remember him dropping any passes last year or this year. At camp when i went i saw Trung drop 2 balls one day. Ramsey did look at him once last week and he was open but he hadnt turned around to look for the pass yet and Ramsey didnt have time to wait for him.

Morton is a good 3rd down back, he is so dangerous when he gets in the open field.

[OaktonSkins/BushFan]

ASF -

I agree that the Morton on offense experiment is generally a failure thus far. I think he's had only one signficantly productive play out of three games.

I am also quite puzzled as to why SOS hasn't attempted to utilize Canidate in the passing game primarily as a check down/dump off target. I can see Canidate being more a more effective weapon running in an open field. To date, I do like Betts as the primary RB. I see Canidate taking on a similar role to the one Larry Centers had.

[yonisredskins]

Why do you all think Morton is not performing as well as we all thought. Why is he calling fair catches when he clearly has room to run and make something happen? Is that the ST coachs decision or Mortons? I was irrate when he called a fair catch twice in last weeks game. Maybe if he starts to produce in special teams, he might feel different about having to line up as a RB.

[OaktonSkins/BushFan]

Originally posted by yonisredskins

Why do you all think Morton is not performing as well as we all thought. Why is he calling fair catches when he clearly has room to run and make something happen? Is that the ST coachs decision or Mortons? I was irrate when he called a fair catch twice in last weeks game. Maybe if he starts to produce in special teams, he might feel different about having to line up as a RB.

Maybe he doesn't like what he sees in the blocking department. I'm not ready to criticize him on returns because it doesn't look like blocking has improved. In fact, I think Morton is producing a higher average return than we had last season.

[TheSchwartz]

How can you judge Morton's performance on offense after only 2 catches and 4 rushes. That's just asanine. That's like saying Ramsey is the Redskins best RB because he is averaging 9.2 yards per carry on his 5 rushes.

I also noticed that Morton was lining up some as a WR late in the game against the Giants. Which makes more sense after the post article where Spurrier was quoted as saying the WRs seemed to be getting tired at the end of the game.

As for the RB rotation, I think Spurrier is doing it perfectly. Trung has 34 carries for 181 yards, Betts has 37 carries for 150 yards. Looks like they are both succeeding in the situations they have been put in.

As for pass catches Betts does has 6 to Canidate's 0, but I can't recall Canidate actually dropping any, so this stat is a product of mere opportunity. Perhaps when Canidate has been in there for passing plays he has had to pick up blitzers, perhaps the D covers Canidate because they are more afraid of his speed, perhaps when it is Canidate's turn in a particular series Spurrier uses Morton on 3rd downs while when it is Betts' turn in a particular series Betts stays in there for 3rd downs. Idon't know it might be something to research and pay more attention to in upcoming games to get a more enlightened opinion on the subject.

While definitely not on the same level, the argument between Betts and Canidate could be related to the argument over Who is a better RB, Emmit Smith or Barry Sanders. Now I understand that neither Betts or Canidate will ever be as good as two surefire hall of famers but they are of similar styles. Betts is a complete back while Canidate is the speed guy. They each have their strengths and I think they are both being used effectively. And based on their performance thus far I don't see how anyone could say that one is better than the other. THere isn't enough background to make an educated decision.

[Atlanta Skins Fan]

Originally posted by yonisredskins

Why do you all think Morton is not performing as well as we all thought. Why is he calling fair catches when he clearly has room to run and make something happen?

This has been discussed in other threads. We don't have good blocking on either kick or punt returns, and that's the fault of Mike Stock and the other ST players. I haven't seen Morton flagrantly ignore a good opening in favor of a fair catch, either.

Frankly, I'm happy to see borderline situations turned into fair catches. Absolutely nothing burns me up more than watching our defense make a stop and then have our PR muff the punt or fumble because he was hit an instant after the catch. It's my all-time most hated play in football, and we saw a lot of it last year. We also saw a lot of punts that dropped and rolled, and Morton seems to have better success keeping the ball off the ground.

Sure, it's nice to rip off a great punt return, but fair catches are just fine. It means our defense has just stopped the other team, we've still got the ball, and Ramsey and our offensive playmakers are taking the field. I don't work up a sweat because Morton didn't squeeze us five extra yards while risking getting hit at the catch.

Teams should be built around reliable formulas for success. Rolling the dice on borderline punt return decisions isn't a reliable strategy. Improving our blocking on returns, however, certainly would be a reliable upgrade to the team.

[yonisredskins]

OSF. I agree with you in part but I'm not sure that's an excuse. IF Morton is standing on the 10 with no body insight for another 20+ yards IMHO he should run his a** off. That's why he makes the big bucks. He should use his great speed and try to create something positive, I think that is expected out of every Kick returner in the NFL.

[Die Hard]

Originally posted by Atlanta Skins Fan

This has been discussed in other threads. We don't have good blocking on either kick or punt returns, and that's the fault of Mike Stock and the other ST players. I haven't seen Morton flagrantly ignore a good opening in favor of a fair catch, either.

Frankly, I'm happy to see borderline situations turned into fair catches. Absolutely nothing burns me up more than watching our defense make a stop and then have our PR muff the punt or fumble because he was hit an instant after the catch. It's my all-time most hated play in football, and we saw a lot of it last year. We also saw a lot of punts that dropped and rolled, and Morton seems to have better success keeping the ball off the ground.

Sure, it's nice to rip off a great punt return, but fair catches are just fine. It means our defense has just stopped the other team, we've still got the ball, and Ramsey and our offensive playmakers are taking the field. I don't work up a sweat because Morton didn't squeeze us five extra yards while risking getting hit at the catch.

Teams should be built around reliable formulas for success. Rolling the dice on borderline punt return decisions isn't a reliable strategy. Improving our blocking on returns, however, certainly would be a reliable upgrade to the team.

I'm right with you there ASF. Point for point.

[yonisredskins]

It sounds to me that some people are stuck in the past. I know what we had to deal with in the past but this is not the same old skins. We've acquired a talented Punt Returner. He can create a spark by running off a few yards and allowing our offense to have good field position. (isn't field position what the game is all about?). All I'm saying is that Morton is capable of doing more than what we've seen so far.

[Ancalagon the Black]

Originally posted by TheSchwartz

How can you judge Morton's performance on offense after only 2 catches and 4 rushes. That's just asanine. That's like saying Ramsey is the Redskins best RB because he is averaging 9.2 yards per carry on his 5 rushes.

Well, isn't part of the point that he has only two catches and four rushes after three games? His low average yards per play is only part of the equation; the other part is that he just hasn't been a factor in the offense at all.

[OaktonSkins/BushFan]

Originally posted by TheSchwartz

How can you judge Morton's performance on offense after only 2 catches and 4 rushes. That's just asanine.

I

Read the play-by-play summaries for the first three games and compare Morton's first touches w/ those of Betts and Canidate. With the exception of one catch last game on a dump off pass against the Giants (27 yds.), every other possession has been basically fruitless. There are only so many chances you can afford to give one player.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay/NFL_20030904_NYJ@WAS

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay/NFL_20030914_WAS@ATL

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay/NFL_20030921_NYG@WAS

What would truly be asanine is to continue the Morton experiment on offense given the level of production from Betts and Canidate. Also, I wonder if that was, say, Canidate getting the aforementioned dumpoff instead of Morton, just how many more yards could have been gained w/ his 4.2 speed.

[CBMGreatOne]

Three things: First, I agree that Morton has made some questionable decisions to fair catch when he probably had room to run, but I can live with erring on the side of caution, so the crux of the argument goes to ASF there.

Second: Morton is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield in passing situations. As far as I can remember, I have yet to see a habit of inserting him into the offensive backfield on anything that could be reasonably considered a RUNNING down. I think that aspect of his game is a failed experiment, but the vast majority of his offensive playing time will come in obvious passing situations. Thus, Morton in the backfield forfeits nothing in terms of the run/pass ambiguity.

Either this week or last week Morton broke a real nice screen pass for a good gain when the defense sold out on the blitz. There's no reason for me to believe he can't continue to do this. He's seen only sparing use on offense, and considering he's only used on passing downs, his lack of production so far should not be held against him. He's still effective on a per touch basis, it's just that he's not getting checked down to, but guess what? We're moving the football. It's not like he's the second coming of Adrian Murrell. When his number is called, he's making plays.

Third, Canidate should not be in the backfield on short yardage plays. This gives us no advantage over Betts. The only possible motivation I can see to this is that in certain instances short yardage defenses surrender huge gains when the initial defensive front is penetrated and the runner finds himself, all of a sudden, with a clear shot to the end zone, (See Super Bowl XVII, John Riggins, 70 Chip, or, for a 2003 example Aveion Cason, week 1, scoring Dallas's lone TD against Atlanta) Nobody is catching Trung from behind.

Even so, making the first down is priority 1 and Betts gives us the best chance at that. Besides, there aren't too many people that are going to catch Betts from behind either. (Don't bring up Ebenezer Ekuban :doh:, I know, but if he secures the ball it's a non-issue)

I guess the bottom line is that Betts is the more complete back, and only in certain situations, where we are very specifically trying to get the RB in open space, does Trung hold an advantage. Either way they keep each other fresh and that has to be a good thing. Now, if we could just get Trung to catch...

[CBMGreatOne]

Oakton, I don't see how those play by plays prove anything other than the fact that Morton hasn't played much on offense. As best as I could tell, skimming, he carried four times for 5 yards (inconclusive) and caught 2 passes for 32 yards (not too shabby). There are several incomplete passes, but I don't remember him dropping too many balls he should have been hauling in.

[OaktonSkins/BushFan]

Originally posted by CBMGreatOne

Oakton, I don't see how those play by plays prove anything other than the fact that Morton hasn't played much on offense. As best as I could tell, skimming, he carried four times for 5 yards (inconclusive) and caught 2 passes for 32 yards (not too shabby). There are several incomplete passes, but I don't remember him dropping too many balls he should have been hauling in.

The point is that we have plenty of ball carriers and playmakers on this offense and, obviously, a finite amount of opportunities for each player. Based on the initial returns/results, who would you rather give the ball to? Compare Betts' first five carries and Canidate's first five carries w/ Morton's. Gotta hand the ball off to the guy(s) who are most productive - this isn't preseason anymore.

In your other post/reply in this thread, you make the comment that once everyone is behind Canidate, forget it because he's gone. So, I'd like to see more of Canidate getting those check down dump off's to leverage his blazing 4.2 speed.

[Atlanta Skins Fan]

OSF -

A truly definitive litany of the Morton failure on offense would require hours of Tivo review to note the many plays in which he was on the field but was a non-factor (not open, not thrown to). As it is, we can only work from the plays in which his presence was tied explictly to the outcome of the play. In only one play was that outcome significantly positive.

Here's the best list I can create from the record and some game notes I made:

Jets game

Q1 9:22: 3rd and 9, Jets 28. First appearance ever by Morton on offense for the Redskins. Ramsey drops back, looks left, plants, then turns right to pass to Morton. Can't see Morton through Jansen and Shaun Ellis. Ramsey steps up, pocket collapses, sack by Ellis on bull rush.

Q2 12:22: 3rd and 2, Jets 29. Morton run, left end, 1 yard (fails to convert)

Q2 0:42: 1st and 10, Redskin 23. Morton run, left guard, 6 yards. Longest run of Morton's career since 2000. First half expires.

Q3 11:29: 2nd and 12, Redskin 26. Ramsey pass to Morton, 5 yards, short of first down. Next play: Ramsey interception that leads to Jet FG.

Q3 7:22: 2nd and 10, Redskin 29. Morton run, left tackle, loses one yard. Two plays later: punt.

Falcons game

Q4 11:36, 2nd and 10, Redskin 46. Morton up middle, no gain.

Giants game

Q1 13:03, 3rd and 10, Giants 36, first Redskin drive of game. Team needs just a few yards to inch into Hall's field goal range. Ramsey pass incomplete to Morton. Following play: punt.

Q1 1:28, 1st and 10, Redskin 36. Ramsey pass incomplete to Morton. On 4th down: punt.

Q2 3:12, 3rd and 5, Giants 35. Once again, team needs just a few yards to get in Hall's range for field goal or convert first down. Ramsey pass incomplete to Morton. Next play: Hall 53-yard FG attempt, hits left upright, no good.

Q4 13:36, 2nd and 10, Redskin 41. Ramsey shotgun pass to Morton for 27 yards. Here it is: the ONLY positive play for Morton as a Redskin on offense.

Also: on at least one incomplete short screen pass by Ramsey to Morton, the pass was blocked at the line. It appeared that Ramsey was having trouble getting the pass to Morton due to Morton's height.

Add it up

That's 10 plays we *know* were designed for Morton, and only one significant positive outcome. Many times the failure was catastrophic -- creating a sack, forcing punts, keeping us out of field goal range, etc.

[OaktonSkins/BushFan]

Originally posted by Atlanta Skins Fan

OSF -

A truly definitive litany of the Morton failure on offense would require hours of Tivo review to note the many plays in which he was on the field but was a non-factor (not open, not thrown to). As it is, we can only work from the plays in which his presence was tied explictly to the outcome of the play. In only one play was that outcome significantly positive.

Here's the best list I can create from the record and some game notes I made:

Jets game

Q1 9:22: 3rd and 9, Jets 28. First appearance ever by Morton on offense for the Redskins. Ramsey drops back, looks left, plants, then turns right to pass to Morton. Can't see Morton through Jansen and Shaun Ellis. Ramsey steps up, pocket collapses, sack by Ellis on bull rush.

Q2 12:22: 3rd and 2, Jets 29. Morton run, left end, 1 yard (fails to convert)

Q2 0:42: 1st and 10, Redskin 23. Morton run, left guard, 6 yards. Longest run of Morton's career since 2000. First half expires.

Q3 11:29: 2nd and 12, Redskin 26. Ramsey pass to Morton, 5 yards, short of first down. Next play: Ramsey interception that leads to Jet FG.

Q3 7:22: 2nd and 10, Redskin 29. Morton run, left tackle, loses one yard. Two plays later: punt.

Falcons game

Q4 11:36, 2nd and 10, Redskin 46. Morton up middle, no gain.

Giants game

Q1 13:03, 3rd and 10, Giants 36, first Redskin drive of game. Team needs just a few yards to inch into Hall's field goal range. Ramsey pass incomplete to Morton. Following play: punt.

Q1 1:28, 1st and 10, Redskin 36. Ramsey pass incomplete to Morton. On 4th down: punt.

Q2 3:12, 3rd and 5, Giants 35. Once again, team needs just a few yards to get in Hall's range for field goal or convert first down. Ramsey pass incomplete to Morton. Next play: Hall 53-yard FG attempt, hits left upright, no good.

Q4 13:36, 2nd and 10, Redskin 41. Ramsey shotgun pass to Morton for 27 yards. Here it is: the ONLY positive play for Morton as a Redskin on offense.

Also: on at least one incomplete short screen pass by Ramsey to Morton, the pass was blocked at the line. It appeared that Ramsey was having trouble getting the pass to Morton due to Morton's height.

Add it up

That's 10 plays we *know* were designed for Morton, and only one significant positive outcome. Many times the failure was catastrophic -- creating a sack, forcing punts, keeping us out of field goal range, etc.

Well, there you have it. Of course, I never expected to present as much evidence as ASF. Nice job.

[CBMGreatOne]

ASF, that is a fairly convincing analysis of Morton's opportunities on offense, but I would question that in each circumstance that each play was specifically designed for Morton as the primary option. In any case, I'm all for never letting him see another carry and I will not dispute that for one second, but he is still an asset out of the backfield, IMHO.

I am entitled to keep that opinion based on this being a very limited sample rate, wouldn't you say?

[Atlanta Skins Fan]

Originally posted by CBMGreatOne

ASF, that is a fairly convincing analysis of Morton's opportunities on offense, but I would question that in each circumstance that each play was specifically designed for Morton as the primary option. In any case, I'm all for never letting him see another carry and I will not dispute that for one second, but he is still an asset out of the backfield, IMHO.

I am entitled to keep that opinion based on this being a very limited sample rate, wouldn't you say?

Of course. Morton hasn't dropped passes that I've noticed, and he's got a nice burst as shown in that one great 2nd-down screen pass in the Giants game.

It's just that he's one-dimensional (only a receiver, not a blocker or runner), which gives a substantial edge to the defense compared to Betts when Morton is in the game. And for whatever reason, even as a one-dimensional threat, he hasn't enabled the Skins to convert a single third down in his limited opportunities. The team is converting 41.7% of its third downs when going to ABM (Anyone But Morton), and 0% with Morton in his limited opportunities.

I've seen enough. Let's go with the multidimensional threat who's shown he can get the job done running, blocking and receiving: Ladell Betts.

I like Morton as KR and PR, though. He's potentially very valuable there, even if the special teams can't seem to block for him yet.

[inmate running the asylum]

ASF you went to great lengths to analyze the offense, for which you deserve credit for the effort.

But how can we complain about an offense that is ranked #1 among 32 teams? :laugh:

I suppose you could complain that we are not leading the league in points scored, but thats about it.

[Kornheiser]

Morton has been just OK so far. Which is a HUGE improvement over last year. God was that ugly. As the season goes on he may even get better. But if this is the worst Morton does then I'll be pleased even if he doesn't wind up kicking a little more but.

[Woofer]

Originally posted by OaktonSkinsFan

Maybe he doesn't like what he sees in the blocking department. I'm not ready to criticize him on returns because it doesn't look like blocking has improved. In fact, I think Morton is producing a higher average return than we had last season.

I can't agree with that. I remember one punt in which he called a fair catch, but there was not a defender within 15 yards of him.

There were other times when he fair-caught, but other return guys would have made a move.

I'm not saying he is a bad return man, but sometimes his decisions are not so good.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Those are some good points with a lot of research. I think a point that no one is considering is what defenses have to think about when different guys are in there. Like it's been mentioned in this thread, Morton has been split out as a WR. Now whether he sprints down the sideline and doesn't get the ball or we throw it to him (like we did vs. NY...for an incompletion) the defense will take notice and this just adds one more thing they have to worry about.

This holds true for Betts and Trung too. Those two are interchangable in my opinion. I think the yards they've gained per certain down is just coincidental. Trung gives you slightly more opportunity for a homerun while Betts probably gains a couple more yards per carry more consistently. To me, I don't think it really matters who is in there most of the time.

The only time I really need to see Betts is 3rd and short...and even then, we tend to use Rock some...maybe you guys need to discuss the uses of all 4!