Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

ya know, we were clearly having to discussions. the point of the discussion was Mason would not stay if we only kept 4RB's we kept 5 so that opened it up for Mason.
Now if he can prove he should replace Betts, great, but he's not replacing Rock or CP on the 45man gameday roster.

Yeah that discussion also was if Mason was going to make the team. He did. Fin.

[roth74va]

"I talked to Rock today, and the first thing I told him was, 'No question, your major contribution is special teams. No doubt about that,'" Smith said. "You're a special-teams player. So if we go three active on Sunday, then it'll be Clinton, Ladell and Rock. So I told Rock he's really No. 3, because on game day we only have three.

"But let's say something happens to Clinton or Ladell. If they get hurt and can't play, Mason would come into that spot. It wouldn't be, all of a sudden, Rock is No. 2 and Mason is No. 3. That's just the way we explained it to him. But Rock is going to be active every week."

After speaking with Smith, Cartwright seemed to accept the situation. "I have to look at it like, 'What butters my bread?' And that's special teams," Cartwright said. "I'm satisfied with my role. I'm satisfied with having a job. I'm perfectly happy. I'm a special-teams guy and I'm here for the team."

Now thats more like it, I think he just got caught up in the heat of the moment. All of these guys are competitors, so I understand his frustration.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by roth74va

"I talked to Rock today, and the first thing I told him was, 'No question, your major contribution is special teams. No doubt about that,'" Smith said. "You're a special-teams player. So if we go three active on Sunday, then it'll be Clinton, Ladell and Rock. So I told Rock he's really No. 3, because on game day we only have three.

"But let's say something happens to Clinton or Ladell. If they get hurt and can't play, Mason would come into that spot. It wouldn't be, all of a sudden, Rock is No. 2 and Mason is No. 3. That's just the way we explained it to him. But Rock is going to be active every week."

After speaking with Smith, Cartwright seemed to accept the situation. "I have to look at it like, 'What butters my bread?' And that's special teams," Cartwright said. "I'm satisfied with my role. I'm satisfied with having a job. I'm perfectly happy. I'm a special-teams guy and I'm here for the team."

Now thats more like it, I think he just got caught up in the heat of the moment. All of these guys are competitors, so I understand his frustration.

Can we get a new special teams coach? Shouldn't Rock know the special teams is his bread and butter since he doesn't do squat at RB. I think Danny Smith is a little touched. Rock is gone next year. Even if his spot was vacant. We didn't ahve to use it for mason. Since we kept 2 QB's. We could use it for a OL or LB. Something we need more than a one dimensional ST player. If we had Thomas returning kicks or anyone else for that matter. We could use Rock space to pick up another player we need on the OL or LB. I just am tired for this love fest. I love my team as a whole. Not as individuals. I have my favorite players of course. But if they are not producing. Then oh well.

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Can we get a new special teams coach? Shouldn't Rock know the special teams is his bread and butter since he doesn't do squat at RB. I think Danny Smith is a little touched. Rock is gone next year. Even if his spot was vacant. We didn't ahve to use it for mason. Since we kept 2 QB's. We could use it for a OL or LB. Something we need more than a one dimensional ST player. If we had Thomas returning kicks or anyone else for that matter. We could use Rock space to pick up another player we need on the OL or LB. I just am tired for this love fest. I love my team as a whole. Not as individuals. I have my favorite players of course. But if they are not producing. Then oh well.

So what u r saying is that you really really like Rock.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

so what u r saying is that you really really like rock.

lmao.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Can we get a new special teams coach? Shouldn't Rock know the special teams is his bread and butter since he doesn't do squat at RB. I think Danny Smith is a little touched. Rock is gone next year. Even if his spot was vacant. We didn't ahve to use it for mason. Since we kept 2 QB's. We could use it for a OL or LB. Something we need more than a one dimensional ST player. If we had Thomas returning kicks or anyone else for that matter. We could use Rock space to pick up another player we need on the OL or LB. I just am tired for this love fest. I love my team as a whole. Not as individuals. I have my favorite players of course. But if they are not producing. Then oh well.

It's not a love fest for Rock, just like it wasn't a hate campaign against Mason. At least for my part, it was (and is), however, a sense of frustration over your insistence that Rock's ST's contributions are easily replaced. As has been acknoweldged by his teammates and coaches (and pointed out here several times), he is anything but "one-dimensional" on ST's. Any analysis of the stats shows that he has been a solid and consistent KR who provides ball security and solid field position. Further, Smith and teammates have pointed out that it would take several players to fill the various roles he now occupies on ST. He is a solid and positive part of the team.

Yup, he is getting older and his contract is up this year (I think). Hopefullly, someone steps up this year to become the new ST guy so that his loss next year will be mitigated. Not sure where that person will come from, I just hope he is on the roster.

Stop the hate. Love the Rock.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by dmvskinzfan08

Yeah that discussion also was if Mason was going to make the team. He did. Fin.

As one who doubted the likelihood of Mason making the team even if we kept 5 RB's, I congratulate you on your brilliant foresight. As has been discussed, it appears that the coaches saw something in Mason that those of us who disparaged his chances did not. He is, very clearly, the 3rd RB on the team with Rock as the "emergency" 3rd RB (much as ARE is the "emergency" 3rd QB).

It is also clear, to me, that much of the argument against Rock was that he was a crappy return man and that his ST skills weren't important enough for him to be on the roster. Both you and SB took pains to point out how crappy he is and that his ST abilities should not permit him to stay on the roster instead of Mason.

As to the merits of the various sides of these positions, it appeared to me there were valid points all around - along with a lot of name indignant remarks. Rather than weigh the value of Mason running skills v. Rock's ST prowess, however, the coaching staff simply called it a wash and kept them both.

Next year, I would not be surprised to see Rock gone and, depending on his cap numbers, the same for Betts. I would expect, in fact, serious challenges to be mounted for both their roster spots (2nd RB and ST's Guy).

As for this year, however, I hope that CP, Betts and Mason each have a million rushing yards & a gazillion TD's and that Rock returns all KO's for TD's and makes a bazillion ST teams tackles that cause a quadamagillion fumbles - all of which he returns for TD's.

I mean, really, does it matter who was right at this point?

[Trample the Elderly]

If Rock was that great he'd not have to worry about losing time! I think we draft a stud running back next year to replace CP. Rock is gone, along with Betts or Marcus.

I see it like this, 2010 = CP, Mason, Drafted RB.

Hopefully they'll get a power house bruiser and not a small over achiever.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Trample the Elderly

If Rock was that great he'd not have to worry about losing time! I think we draft a stud running back next year to replace CP. Rock is gone, along with Betts or Marcus.

I see it like this, 2010 = CP, Mason, Drafted RB.

Hopefully they'll get a power house bruiser and not a small over achiever.

One thing I do worry about for next years draft is that with RB being an obvious need and a skill position, we will draft that over the best OL. I think it galls Vinny to pick up a top 10 type lineman. I just don't understand why.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

One thing I do worry about for next years draft is that with RB being an obvious need and a skill position, we will draft that over the best OL. I think it galls Vinny to pick up a top 10 type lineman. I just don't understand why.

I don't think they will pick up a rb first in the draft. I think we are going to be looking to get a back through free agency first and foremost. You know an interesting back I would like to have and I dont know anything about his contract. But if there was a back I would love in our system it would be Slayton (Texans). We will draft OL with our 1st pick (maybe second). Then take who is the next best RB on the board for our second. Then try to stock up on some O-lineman. But I woulnd'tbe suprised if we picked up a LB for the first pick. But they might pick one with the second. Depending how deep the pool is. College season is just underway.