Solid backup running backs don't come around every year, and the Washington Redskins wanted to make sure they locked their guy up. The Redskins signed Ladell Betts to a five-year, $11 million contract extension on Friday. Betts is not a threat to start ahead of Clinton Portis next season, but having him as an insurance policy is critical if the injuries continue to pile up on Portis.

Betts has already rushed for 643 yards this season on 141 attempts, both of which are career highs. He has also caught 40 passes out of the backfield, which is one catch shy of the team-lead this season. Betts has even rushed for 100 yards in back-to-back games, including a 155-yard effort against the Atlanta Falcons last week.

"They were the first team to give me the opportunity to play in the NFL, so I'm loyal to that," said Betts. "I've had nothing but a good experience so far since I've been here."

Betts was a second-round draft pick from the 2002 draft coming out of Iowa. His contract was set to expire following this season, and the Redskins didn't want to wait until the offseason to hammer a deal out.

"Ladell, since I've been here, everything we've asked him to do, he's done," said Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs. "He and Clinton have been an excellent tandem back there. We feel like he's a Redskin, he's our kind of guy. It's something we don't have to worry about going into the offseason."