Cartwright Trying To Prove He's Rock Solid

MTK · 08-24-2004, 02:42 PM

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After playing fullback in his first two NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins, Rock Cartwright has two more preseason games to show that he can be a tailback. The 5-foot-7, 210-pounder is coming off a solid season as fullback and short-yardage specialist. He also started three games at tailback because of injuries to Trung Canidate and Ladell Betts and finished with a career-high 411 rushing yards and a team-high four rushing touchdowns on 107 carries.
However, fullbacks are rarely used in Coach Joe Gibbs's two-tight end offense. So the 5-foot-7 Cartwright has shed weight, from 223 to 210, while attempting to make the roster as a tailback.

"I think I'll be more agile to make people miss, and make some moves and get into the open field," said Cartwright, who rushed for 33 yards on 14 attempts in Saturday's 17-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium. "I'm just trying to go out there and fit in. I'll probably be doing a lot of special teams, so right now that's my main focus, and trying to get this offense down."

Cartwright could be a reserve tailback utilized in short-yardage and goal-line situations. But after John Simon collected 43 yards on 12 carries and Sultan McCullough had 56 yards on 16 carries Saturday, Cartwright faces stiff competition for a roster spot.

Cartwright feels that he's a natural tailback after playing the position at Trinity Valley Community College before transferring to Kansas State, where he switched to fullback.

"I've run the ball my whole life," he said. "Once I got to college they started playing me at fullback and a little bit of running back. I'm not unfamiliar with the position."

How is Cartwright selling himself to Gibbs?

"I'm a versatile back and I'm able to do more than one thing," Cartwright responded. "I'm able to run the ball, I'm able to block. I pretty much can do anything they need me to do. I think last year, I proved that I can play running back at this level of football."

By Nunyo Demasio

08-24-2004, 02:42 PM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,518	Cartwright Trying To Prove He's Rock Solid WP EMAIL After playing fullback in his first two NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins, Rock Cartwright has two more preseason games to show that he can be a tailback. The 5-foot-7, 210-pounder is coming off a solid season as fullback and short-yardage specialist. He also started three games at tailback because of injuries to Trung Canidate and Ladell Betts and finished with a career-high 411 rushing yards and a team-high four rushing touchdowns on 107 carries. However, fullbacks are rarely used in Coach Joe Gibbs's two-tight end offense. So the 5-foot-7 Cartwright has shed weight, from 223 to 210, while attempting to make the roster as a tailback. "I think I'll be more agile to make people miss, and make some moves and get into the open field," said Cartwright, who rushed for 33 yards on 14 attempts in Saturday's 17-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium. "I'm just trying to go out there and fit in. I'll probably be doing a lot of special teams, so right now that's my main focus, and trying to get this offense down." Cartwright could be a reserve tailback utilized in short-yardage and goal-line situations. But after John Simon collected 43 yards on 12 carries and Sultan McCullough had 56 yards on 16 carries Saturday, Cartwright faces stiff competition for a roster spot. Cartwright feels that he's a natural tailback after playing the position at Trinity Valley Community College before transferring to Kansas State, where he switched to fullback. "I've run the ball my whole life," he said. "Once I got to college they started playing me at fullback and a little bit of running back. I'm not unfamiliar with the position." How is Cartwright selling himself to Gibbs? "I'm a versatile back and I'm able to do more than one thing," Cartwright responded. "I'm able to run the ball, I'm able to block. I pretty much can do anything they need me to do. I think last year, I proved that I can play running back at this level of football." By Nunyo Demasio __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

Cartwright Trying To Prove He's Rock Solid

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