PFW: Whispers Around the NFL

[SmootSmack]

I don't know why but I have this gut feeling that Morton is going to be a key part of the team. Not just special teams but also as a third-down back. I see big things for him this year.

[huntz]

As for the Cowgirls situation, any problems for the Tuna is a great news for us!

[Luxorreb]

I think Morton could emerge as the 'new' joe washington...

I must say Sultan McCoullough, my friend Clint calls him "chainsaw", impressed me last preseason as the blocking was among the worst in the league. I know it's preseason, but why didn't he get a shot when Trung couldn't do squat? I'm so glad Portis is here! My bro hung out with him in Richmond @ Circuit City a couple of weeks back, bringing home a signed football! GO GIBBS, GO SKINS!!! Let the Redskins Renaissance begin!!!

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

No one seems to recall Rock's abyssmal pass blocking last year. On more than one occasion, he threw his body and hit nothing but air and grass. TV announcers were calling for replays of his "technique" just to wonder how it could be so bad.

If he did not learn to pass block during the off-season, he should be gonzo.

BTW, I can remember more than a couple of third and one and fourth and one situations where Rock got stoned and did not move the chains. One was in the Philly game that the Skins only lost due to a missed two point conversion.

Betts is no superstar; I'm not trying to make him out to be one. And Betts has been injury prone. But Cartwright was only marginally impressve last year.

I wasn't impressed with Rock as a short-yardage back or a pass-blocker, either. I remember those same situations you mentioned, SC. I thought he was somewhat effective as a runner, but if I had a choice, I'd probably take Betts, because he seems like more of a prototypical back-- minus the damn injury problems, of course!

But I don't think Betts is going to have too much trouble making the team, and he'll more than likely be Portis' primary backup. What we're really talking about is a choice between Rock and Sultan McCullough. I'm hoping we'll get to see a lot of Sultan in the preseason, because if that guy gets an opportunity to carry the ball, he can go the distance. Either way, where these guys really have to prove themselves is on special teams. Whichever of them impresses special teams coach Danny Smith the most-- and he's not an easy guy to impress-- is likely the one who will stick.

[memphisskin]

I agree, I see Betts as being the primary backup because he's the biggest back we have right now. I see him being the short yardage and goal line back this year.

I remember one game when he was lined up on the right, ignored the blitzer on his side and ran in front of the qb and whiffed on the blitzer on the left. I can't remember exactly which game it was, and while it showed good effort on his part the fact that he ignored one blitzer in his face and whiffed on another just seemed like piss poor execution, the story of the Steve Spurrier era. I really hope it was more SS stupid blitz pickup schemes and not Rock having a brain fart. Even though that was not an isolated incident, I'm willing to give Rock the benefit of the doubt.

I think Rock has the edge on Sultan because he's a better blocker since he's a fullback and we have a crowded backfield already. It's going to be difficult for Sultan to make the squad on special teams because we've already got Morton and Thrash to return kicks. I just don't think Sultan adds anything that Morton doesn't already do better. If Rock can catch then he'll probably make the squad.

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by memphisskin

I think Rock has the edge on Sultan because he's a better blocker since he's a fullback and we have a crowded backfield already. It's going to be difficult for Sultan to make the squad on special teams because we've already got Morton and Thrash to return kicks. I just don't think Sultan adds anything that Morton doesn't already do better. If Rock can catch then he'll probably make the squad.

That's true, but with Sultan's speed, he could make an excellent gunner on punts. I would like to see him get a chance to return some kicks, just to see what he can do, but I doubt he would be any better than Morton or Thrash. It's just frustrating to know that a guy has so much talent, but didn't really get many opportunities to prove himself last year. His wrist injury held him back a bit, but from what I've heard, he was a victim of front office politics as much as anything else. Apparently, McCullough was Cerrato's baby, and after Cerrato/Snyder overruled Spurrier on Wuerffel, Spurrier decided he'd just sit McCullough and see what Cerrato thought of that.

[SmootSmack]

Interesting, I had thought Sultan was brought on at the request of Hue Jackson

[BossHog]

Thinking outside the box...offis? Anyone remember Betts fumbling into the endzone against DAL? He was rundown by DE Eukeban. Betts' 40 time is probably still better than Cartwright. But Cartwrght hits the holes quicker! And who has the run power? Cartwright will turn out to be the Mike Anderson of the 'Skins!

[cpayne5]

Betts did not have a fumble last year (Rock had 2). It was Rock who fumbled going into the endzone. I believe it was the Carolina game and not the Dallas game when the fumble occurred, as well.

Rock: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6119
Betts: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5942

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Betts did not have a fumble last year (Rock had 2). It was Rock who fumbled going into the endzone. I believe it was the Carolina game and not the Dallas game when the fumble occurred, as well.

Rock: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/6119
Betts: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/5942

Nope. It was Betts who fumbled into the endzone -- but that was at the end of the '02 season against Dallas.

[Riggo44]

Originally Posted by Bergman14

and he has a great football name

Yea you can't get a better name then ROCK!!

[cpayne5]

Oh, 2k2 season. I was under the impression that you guys were talking about the 2k3 season. I'm sorry.

[MTK]

Betts didn't play enough last year to get the chance to fumble, LOL

[That Guy]

i'm still not hot on betts. So far, i've just seen a lot of bench warming on his part... hoepfully he can get over that.

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

Interesting, I had thought Sultan was brought on at the request of Hue Jackson

There was definitely a USC connection with Jackson having been Sultan's O-coordinator at USC during his sophomore or junior year, and that was the connection that brought Sultan to the Redskins. But from what I've heard, it was Cerrato that favored keeping pet project McCullough over then-Spurrier favorite Kenny Watson. Cerrato cut Watson, then proceeded to cut Spurrier's darling, Danny Wuerffel, and that was the final blow to Spurrier's ego that essentially cemented the hostilities between Spurrier and the front office-- and sealed McCullough's fate as benchwarmer in 2003.