Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[URL="http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/09/smoke-signals-rock-cartwright-needs-to-get-over-it-edition.html"][B]http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/09/smoke-signals-rock-cartwright-needs-to-get-over-it-edition.html[/B][/URL]

[QUOTE]With the season comes some crying and whining too. First whiner -- Tom Coughlin. Second whiner --- Rock Cartwright.

Tom Coughlin is a because the Redskins signed QB Andre' Woodson. [/QUOTE]

[I]You daily Redskins linkage[/I]

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

I can understand Rock being a little ticked off. But in the end you know he's going to suck it up and play hard. Not a concern to me at all.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

He should just be happy he's still on the team. I understand he's a ST's guy but the fact he plays no significance on Offense or Defense kills me. To me he should have been let go for someone who pulls more of their weight. Yet people can complain that Mason doesn't pull his weight on ST's.

I guess if the Skins ST's played lights out I would be more concerned with who's playing there and what they can do, but when the team has been mediocre at ST's for several yrs now I could care less who plays the positions.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

They both are capable backs. Cartwright is a solid return man. It would be unethical to have Mason leapfrog Cartwright if Portis or Betts goes down but, not unheard of. I never understood why Mason never worked out much returning punts and/or kickoffs. Hasn't Cartwright proven he's more than capable of spelling?

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Exactly. Special teams certainly aren't reminicent of the Mike Nelms years or even Brian Mitchell for that matter. Rip off a few more big ones or make bone jarring tackles and maybe I'll weep a little for your supposed plight. As for the running back duties, I'd have rather seen Mason AND Alridge get carries before Rock.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

I can understand why Rock is pissed off. Your 3rd or 4th string rb MUST play teams yet Mason doesn't? Guys like Mason are a dime a dozen and you can find guys like him in the 7th round of the draft. But Rock needs to realize his role and that's special teams player, not an NFL RB. It's very apparent that the coaches don't like Rock at RB.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

He needs to stop being a bitch. Seriously. If he can't handle the fact that he is only on the team because of his special teams play then he is clueless. He needs to do some serious self evaluation. Be happy you're on the team man.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Rock Cartwright.........BLEH. Even on ST's he is average. I think we should let Mason try and return kickoffs. More speed, plus, he hasnt shown he has fumblitis yet.

And what is it with the skins having players named "Rock, or Rocky"?

You'd think they'd at least be Italian........

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Rock will have a radio show years from now talking about how much he contributed to this teams success and how well he knows football. Later telling fans why they should not be fans of the team because of this that or the other thing. He is a returner, and an average one at that IMO. If he was that good at running the ball when he was a Free Agent then SOMEBODY would've offered him a deal. No one did, and he's here doing the same thing that he was doing before he resigned. Now he's been here a couple of years after resigning singing the same ol' song. Return your kicks, and hit a guy on coverage.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Rock should embrace his role and work to be the best Special Teams player (overall special teams, not just as a returner) in the league and solidify his reputation as one of the best in franchise history. He should remember that he was a seventh round pick that has been able to play more games in the NFL than many first round picks, and be proud of that accomplishment.

Plus, what kind of message is he sending as a team captain?

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=SmootSmack;585616]Rock should embrace his role and work to be the best Special Teams player (overall special teams, not just as a returner) in the league and solidify his reputation as one of the best in franchise history. He should remember that he was a seventh round pick that has been able to play more games in the NFL than many first round picks, and be proud of that accomplishment.

[B]Plus, what kind of message is he sending as a team captain[/B]?[/quote]

Good question. I don't get why a 7th round RB who has never been a major contributor on offense gets his jock strap in a wad that he's been bumped from the zero carry 3rd RB to the zero carry 4th RB.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Mechanix544;585607]Rock Cartwright.........BLEH. Even on ST's he is average. I think we should let Mason try and return kickoffs. More speed, plus, he hasnt shown he has fumblitis yet.

And what is it with the skins having players named "Rock, or Rocky"?

You'd think they'd at least be Italian........[/quote]

Guess you forgot last preseason when Mason was returning kicks, he coughed it up on one of his attempts, just sayin'.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=skinsfan69;585602]I can understand why Rock is pissed off. Your 3rd or 4th string rb MUST play teams yet Mason doesn't? Guys like Mason are a dime a dozen and you can find guys like him in the 7th round of the draft. But Rock needs to realize his role and that's special teams player, not an NFL RB. It's very apparent that the coaches don't like Rock at RB.[/quote]

Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Rock should be a "Special Teams Specialist" not a 3rd string RB. I've been a supporter of his for a while and am glad he's still on the team, but he looks BAD when he gets carries out of the backfield. Like was said before, he's had a great career for a late round pick and he should be happy with the role give to him.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Hopefully he was just having a bad day? If it continues........SEE YA!

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Rock has been pissed ever since they brought Mason on this team and rightfully so. He's worked hard to get where he's at and he gets no appreciation for it. I mean, seriously, would you guys really want Antonio Brown back on this team returning kicks? You know, the guy that would blow kisses at his defenders while running down the field?

Rock has been steady at returning for us for three years now. We didn't have a good kick returner for a while once we cut Brian Mitchell. The guys that took his place f'ed it all up! Like the ball hitting Deon Sanders in the head! Or averaging 20-23 yards a return with four different guys returning kicks. Or the fumbles.

Rock has averaged 25+ returning kicks with NO fumbles. He has made our once unstable kick returns stable. He's been at the top of the returners list for three straight years. People should recognize that and appreicate it. Its hard to get a good solid return guy. But we got one in Rock. I don't understand what is so bad about that. I mean, how bad would it suck if we let Alridge return a kick for us during an actual game? Geez, That guy doesn't even know which arm to carry the ball with OR to take a knee when you catch a ball FIVE YARDS DEEP IN THE END ZONE!!! Letting him do something like that would be even worse than benching Jason Campbell in favor of Brett Favre.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

I'm not understanding this notion that he should just sit back and be happy with what he's got. He was a 7th rounder so he should be happy with simply being on the team.

Shouldn't we expect all of our players to strive to be better, to want the ball more, to want more playing time, to want a bigger role??

Not saying that complaining in the paper is the best route to go, but hey, the guy is upset and he is free to voice his opinion. If I recall he's been upset in the past over not having a bigger role, but in the end he sucks it up and goes out there and plays hard no matter what. I highly doubt this turns into a lingering issue.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Do you're job. Special Teams has made you a very wealthy man.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Miller101;585635] I mean, seriously, would you guys really want Antonio Brown back on this team returning kicks? You know, the guy that would blow kisses at his defenders while running down the field?
[/quote]

lol that brought back memories

Like Matty said though, he's gonna work hard and get his job done regardless of how he might feel right now. It's also nice to know that he actually believes in himself just in case there is a time when he needs to be running the ball.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

He should strive to be better (regardless of where he was drafted), but that could simply mean being better at special teams. He's free to voice his opinion, but I thought he took an unnecessary, back-handed slap at Mason in doing so. Which wasn't right.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Mattyk72;585631]Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??[/quote]Mason will see the field [B]when Portis goes down [/B]and Betts will still serve as the 3rd down back. Or Betts steps up and Mason becomes the third down back.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Mattyk72;585631]Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??[/quote]

I think Mason is the 53rd guy on the roster. Inactive most Sundays, getting reps during the week but if there's a need to add someone, he's the first to go. Did Alridge get picked up on anyone's practice squad? I'm a little surprised that he was cut but I think his J-Vill fumble meant he couldn't be on the opening day roster but I won't be shocked to see him back (if available).

As to the OP, Rock has shown three coaches that he's not an NFL running back. He's a solid, but not a Pro Bowl level, special teams player on a team with average to below average special teams. If he wasn't on the team I don't think he's the difference between 10-6 and 6-10. In the immortal words of [B]THE[/B] Rock, he needs to 'know his role and shut his mouth'.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

I can understand Rock's frustration but I do not know what he hoped to accomplish by venting to the press.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Ballers ball, haters hate. Don't be a hater, be a baller.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Rock needs to take notes from J. Campbell don't complain acknowledge your disappointed and kill it every time he gets a chance.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Mattyk72;585631]Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??[/quote]

I agree Matt. It is almost as if it is a fan move only. Besides not playing special teams, I certainly would not want him back there blocking. So I am not sure why I would want him back there. Seems like a wasted roster spot to me.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Rock makes his living on teams. It is what it is. A #3 RB he's not.

Move on Rock. Your great at what you do, keep on truckin! This is a none issue. Rock will play hard for the SKINS!

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

This might shed some light on Masons role

[quote]"We think [Mason] is a talented running back," Mitchell said. "We went with two quarterbacks, and it just worked out for him this year. We know he can run the ball; he has good hands and good vision."

Mitchell said if Portis and Betts get banged up early in the season and can't practice, Mason would be included in the game plan.

"Last year, they couldn't practice during the course of the week, and [Shaun] Alexander took all the reps but those two guys played in the game," he said. "It wouldn't be that way this year. If Mason takes all the reps, he would definitely take some carries."

[/quote]

[url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/08/fours-a-crowd-for-redskins/?page=2]Four's a crowd for Redskins' backfield - Washington Times[/url]

So in essence they feel he's someone who will be able to take that number 2 spot in the future and for right now he seems to be cover for Betts.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Mattyk72;585631]Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??[/quote]

Mason is on the the team to (maybe) take Betts' roster spot next season. From limited action I think it was clear that Mason was a superior back to either Dorsey or Aldridge. Yes, they could probably beat him in a foot race, but straight-line speed is not what separates NFL running backs. In my opinion the most important quality for a back to have is lateral agility. Everyone likes to talk about Darren Sproles or Leon Washington as "change of pace backs," and it would be nice to have a player like that on the team. But what makes those players special is not their speed, per se, but rather than dynamic lateral explosiveness. That is why those guys score touchdowns. If they were just fast guys they would not be dangerous (see Michael Bennett or Darren McFadden). Lateral agility is what made Tomlinson an all-time great in his prime, it is what makes Portis elite (even though he doesn't score 60 yard tds), and it is what separates Mason from guys like Aldrige or Dorsey. Sure, Mason is not a "change of pace" in that he can score from anywhere, but neither Aldrige or Dorsey was that player either (they were just fast, not dynamic). Mason gives the team a potential #2 back who can replace Betts and that is why he is here.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=GreekSkin;585680]This might shed some light on Masons role



[url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/08/fours-a-crowd-for-redskins/?page=2]Four's a crowd for Redskins' backfield - Washington Times[/url]

So in essence they feel he's someone who will be able to take that number 2 spot in the future and for right now he seems to be cover for Betts.[/quote]

Nice find GreekSkin. Sounds like a plan.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

You guys know Im a Rock fan, and I still appreciate his contributions. BUT.......this is pathetic. Is this guy smoking the good stuff or what? I cant believe the attitude that this guy suddenly has, or what he thinks he deserves. He isnt a good RB, he is a third back guy, that makes a living playing well on special teams. He has had the opportunity to step up, and has continually fallen short. He isnt explosive as a KR man, Id much rather see Thomas back there returning kicks. Bunch of overpaid babies, if you want to play more step your game up, if you cant do that STFU. Im gonna predict this is his last year with us, they almost replaced him this year, Id bet money they find someone else next year.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=roth74va;585697]You guys know Im a Rock fan, and I still appreciate his contributions. BUT.......this is pathetic. Is this guy smoking the good stuff or what? I cant believe the attitude that this guy suddenly has, or what he thinks he deserves. He isnt a good RB, he is a third back guy, that makes a living playing well on special teams. He has had the opportunity to step up, and has continually fallen short. He isnt explosive as a KR man, Id much rather see Thomas back there returning kicks. Bunch of overpaid babies, if you want to play more step your game up, if you cant do that STFU. [B]Im gonna predict this is his last year with us, they almost replaced him this year, Id bet money they find someone else next year.[/B][/quote]

Rock's comments make me think that he fails to appreciate your point. I'm not sure that he is aware that he almost didn't make it this year.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Mattyk72;585631]Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??[/quote]

I'm probably one of the biggest and loudest Mason fans over the off season, but I have to totally agree with you. If they were looking for a change of pace Mason is not it. He's a younger, healthier, hungryer Betts. Someone I thought could be groomed for the future. I am glad they kept him but I'm baffled.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Lotus;585704]Rock's comments make me think that he fails to appreciate your point. I'm not sure that he is aware that he almost didn't make it this year.[/quote]

Yup, which is pretty sad IMO. He acts like someone owes him something, but.....most of them do the same thing. Your getting PAID, just be quiet and do your thing. If you want more playing time, get your ass in gear.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=SBXVII;585708]I'm probably one of the biggest and loudest Mason fans over the off season, but I have to totally agree with you. If they were looking for a change of pace Mason is not it. He's a younger, healthier, hungryer Betts. Someone I thought could be groomed for the future. I am glad they kept him but I'm baffled.[/quote]

Your right, no way is Mason a change of pace. I know it doesnt fix anything this year, but Id bet you get your wish come next year. Betts and Rock will both be gone, and we can finally get our "change of pace".

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

Should've kept hackett. At least he knows how to catch and be in a position to catch the ball, unlike the blind (kelly) leading the blind (thomas)

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=MCWHITEY;585715]Should've kept hackett. At least he knows how to catch and be in a position to catch the ball, unlike the blind (kelly) leading the blind (thomas)[/quote]

You are now in the running for mindless post of the week. Well done!

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=MCWHITEY;585715]Should've kept hackett. At least he knows how to catch and be in a position to catch the ball, unlike the blind (kelly) leading the blind (thomas)[/quote]

Welcome to the board scrub, way to represent!!! :) And for the record, this post is comical.

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=Miller101;585635][B]Rock has been pissed ever since they brought Mason on this team and rightfully so.[/B] He's worked hard to get where he's at and he gets no appreciation for it. I mean, seriously, would you guys really want Antonio Brown back on this team returning kicks? You know, the guy that would blow kisses at his defenders while running down the field?

[B]Rock has been steady at returning for us for three years now.[/B] We didn't have a good kick returner for a while once we cut Brian Mitchell. The guys that took his place f'ed it all up! Like the ball hitting Deon Sanders in the head! Or averaging 20-23 yards a return with four different guys returning kicks. Or the fumbles.

Rock has averaged 25+ returning kicks with NO fumbles. He has made our once unstable kick returns stable. [B]He's been at the top of the returners list for three straight years. [/B]People should recognize that and appreicate it. Its hard to get a good solid return guy. But we got one in Rock. I don't understand what is so bad about that. I mean, how bad would it suck if we let Alridge return a kick for us during an actual game? Geez, That guy doesn't even know which arm to carry the ball with OR to take a knee when you catch a ball FIVE YARDS DEEP IN THE END ZONE!!! Letting him do something like that would be even worse than benching Jason Campbell in favor of Brett Favre.[/quote]

[B]1st point: [/B]I'm not sure why that would be? Rocks RB skills are no better then the TTB. In other words he has no skills on offense as a RB. All of his knowledge and ability is on ST's which Mason sucks at. He should not feel threatened cause no one has proven they can actually challenge him for the job. I think we can all agree that Portis, Betts, and Cartwright are not the future. Only cause they all are almost 30y/o. They will not be on this team much longer. If your only good at one thing then you better be damn good at the one thing. He should be happy he is. He's never going to be the #1 back of any team. Move on Rock.

[B]2nd point: [/B]Yes he has been steady for several yrs now....like 6 to be exact. He steadily gets us to the 20 or 30yrd line every KR. No further. Unless the other team has a crappy Kicker. I also think it's partly the scheme or blocking.

[B]3rd point: [/B]I think it all depends on what list your looking at? Yes he was 6th or 7th in total yrds, but if you look at yrds per carry he's tied at 22nd with 25.6 yrds per carry.

[url=http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=true&conference=null&statisticPositionCategory=KICK_RETURNER&season=2008&seasonType=REG&experience=null&tabSeq=1&qualified=true&Submit=Go]NFL Stats: by Player Position[/url]

Re: Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition
 

[quote=SBXVII;585725]Yes he was 6th or 7th in total yrds, but if you look at yrds per carry he's tied at 22nd with 25.6 yrds per carry.[/quote]

Who cares about total yards, one guy could have 30 more KR's than the other. Average shows his real standing, and he is steady, but far from spectacular.