The
Redskins found a complementary back, insurance and a short-yardage runner all
in one tonight.
In a
three-way deal, they traded a mid-round pick, believed to be a third-rounder,
to Denver, which then shipped receiver Ashley Lelie to Atlanta, who then sent
T.J. Duckett to the Redskins.
Duckett has
rushed for 2,157 yards in his first four seasons. He's 6-foot, 254 pounds and a
bruiser in short-yardage situations. But he was also behind Warrick Dunn in
Atlanta and started just 13 games in four seasons.
With
Clinton Portis' ailing shoulder, the Redskins added insurance. But it also
raises more questions: what becomes of Ladell Betts? Chances are, he'll still
be a factor but not near the goal-line or in short-yardage situations.
Which
running back is the odd man out? Certainly, Jesse Lumsden is more than a
longshot and would have had a hard time regardless. Manuel White also has to be
a longshot now, too.
It also
depends on how many backs they keep. As of now, the locks would be Portis,
Duckett, Betts, Mike Sellers and Rock Cartwright. Nehemiah Broughton would be
on the bubble if they only keep five backs. Or they could trade Betts.