Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition

[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.