Redskins make first round of roster cuts

[SmootSmack]

Well, Cartwright was voted special teams captain wasn't he? So that must count for something.

Plus...this is what team leaders do

'You'll see him talking to young guys over the course of practice because he knows how we do it,' Smith said. 'It's one thing for me to teach it and coach it, but when you have guys like Rock that help you help the young guys understand, then you become a better team'

Redskins' Cartwright Carries On

And there's this

"We're real happy we were able to get this done," said Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins' executive vice president of football operations. "It made total sense because Rock is an outstanding special teams player, and he's also one of our leaders in the locker room. Rock does a lot of things for our team on and off the field, so he was definitely someone we wanted back."

Redskins, Cartwright Agree To a Three-Year Contract - washingtonpost.com

It seems like some people who are pushing for Mason (and I am pushing for Mason), are doing it as much because they just want to get rid of Rock. Not sure why we have to hate on Rock. He's made quite a nice career for himself being a 7th round pick. Maybe he's not the next Barry Sanders, but he's contributed quite well to the team in his role. His days are probably numbered, but he still has some left in the tank and has offered a lot.

[Beemnseven]

As far as "leadership" goes, I'll just repeat what I said earlier... This team has been full of "leaders" for years, with as often as I hear it. Doesn't seem to help us escape from mediocrity though.

Again, don't take this as 'hate' for Cartwright. He belongs on this team. I just don't think he gives us much of a chance to take us to the next level. He's a fine, solid player. That's all.

I'm with you on Marcus Mason. He made more of a case to be on the final roster last year. This year I'm not getting all the hype.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

As far as "leadership" goes, I'll just repeat what I said earlier... This team has been full of "leaders" for years, with as often as I hear it. Doesn't seem to help us escape from mediocrity though.

Again, don't take this as 'hate' for Cartwright. He belongs on this team. I just don't think he gives us much of a chance to take us to the next level. He's a fine, solid player. That's all.

I'm with you on Marcus Mason. He made more of a case to be on the final roster last year. This year I'm not getting all the hype.

Have yall noticed that the warpath is full of leaders (no " necessary) for years? Guys that are willing to jump out there and start a new thread, regardless of how many times the topic has been discussed, or if there's a near identical one right below the one they just posted.

[Beemnseven]

Just listened to a podcast of the Jim Zorn Show, heard on ESPN 980. As to the final roster, Zorn says 10-12 spots are open, mainly among backup O-linemen, D-line, LBs, and receivers. In addition, he said that the running back situation is "cloudy". Says that some of the guys who are cut probably will play somewhere in the league, but just weren't part of their plans.

Now, take this for what it's worth, but one of the beat reporters who covers the Redskins for the station, Frank Hanrahan, said that Rock Cartwright could very well be a surprise cut. In part because he's been openly critical over his pay, and that he's starting to rub some of the coaches the wrong way. One reporter's conjecture, I know. But it does lead into Zorn's comments about the RB spots being "cloudy."

Personally, I haven't seen enough from Mason, Aldridge or Dorsey that makes me think either of them have supplanted Rock Cartwright. But think of it this way: What kind of message would it send to the players when a six-year veteran, a "locker room leader" gets kicked to the curb? To me, it would send a message that no one is safe, that they all had best be on their game. We'll find out on Saturday.

You can listen to the interview here.

[Lotus]

If the RB position is "cloudy," that could only mean Rock is in potential trouble.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Just listened to a podcast of the Jim Zorn Show, heard on ESPN 980. As to the final roster, Zorn says 10-12 spots are open, mainly among backup O-linemen, D-line, LBs, and receivers. In addition, he said that the running back situation is "cloudy". Says that some of the guys who are cut probably will play somewhere in the league, but just weren't part of their plans.

Now, take this for what it's worth, but one of the beat reporters who covers the Redskins for the station, Frank Hanrahan, said that Rock Cartwright could very well be a surprise cut. In part because he's been openly critical over his pay, and that he's starting to rub some of the coaches the wrong way. One reporter's conjecture, I know. But it does lead into Zorn's comments about the RB spots being "cloudy."

Personally, I haven't seen enough from Mason, Aldridge or Dorsey that makes me think either of them have supplanted Rock Cartwright. But think of it this way: What kind of message would it send to the players when a six-year veteran, a "locker room leader" gets kicked to the curb? To me, it would send a message that no one is safe, that they all had best be on their game. We'll find out on Saturday.

You can listen to the interview here.

Alridge is crazy fast, but just can't stay healthy on a consistent basis. So I'd probably give the nod to Dorsey over Rock.

Wouldn't be surpised to see Rock get cut. I think his groin injury is worse than is being let on.

I'll tell you another possibility, a long-shot but a real possibility. And this won't be a popular one...Mike Sellers.

[SBXVII]

Plus...this is what team leaders do

'You'll see him talking to young guys over the course of practice because he knows how we do it,' Smith said. 'It's one thing for me to teach it and coach it, but when you have guys like Rock that help you help the young guys understand, then you become a better team'


Um, what exactly do the coach's get paid to do? I'll be the first to say we need the vets to help coach up the rookies or young guys. Especially when it comes to offense/defense, but were talking special teams. On KR's it's block someone. On Kick offs its stay in your lane. All Rock has to do is decide if he's going to catch it or let it head toward the endzone. If he decides to catch it run like hell. I guess there is a lot to learn there.

Again, don't take this as 'hate' for Cartwright. He belongs on this team. I just don't think he gives us much of a chance to take us to the next level. He's a fine, solid player. That's all.


I too feel he is at the top of his game right now. That's not saying much. Yes he's a good KR and constantly will get the team to the 30 yrd line but don't look for the home run. He has done it in the past but it has only been like 3 times in his 7 yrs with the team. He's not a threat as a KR. Now we could talk about the blocking for KR's. If the scheme was better he might get farther then the 30 yrd line, but who knows. As far as RB goes, Rock should be listening to Betts and Portis for advise not giving it to Rookies.

I'm with you on Marcus Mason. He made more of a case to be on the final roster last year. This year I'm not getting all the hype.

I'm confused. Everyone said last yr that he was a good runner but not elite. He would not make the team. He could not KR or pass block. He got all his yrds against second stringers. This yr he has shown he has worked on some of the issues. The coach even said he getting better at pass blocking but has more to learn. Last yr they tried him out as a KR. I don't think they have even given him a chance at KR this yr. With Alridge, Dorsey, Cartwright, and them seeing what Thomas has to offer no one knows if Mason has improved in his KR skills or not. Maybe the last game we'll see him doing this but they have not given him the chance this yr.

Funny everyone said Mason would not make the team. Again he has had a good showing, almost better then Betts, people finally see what he has to offer running with the first team offense and get all excited. He's been the talk of the boards a long with Mitchell and Daniels and 3-4 days later people are ready to cut him again. Betts and Rock have reached their peak as RB's. Their almost 30yrs old. I like them, I thank them for what they have done, but I feel it's time to move on and get younger for the future. Like someone else said...we have 3 RB's all the same age almost 30y/o. No one is being groomed for 5yrs from now or 7yrs from now. Are we going to wait until all three deteriorate and draft a RB in hopes he will be the man? Pick up someone elses cast off cause he's worn down? or are we going to find someone like Mason who we can groom for the future? I like Mason cause he's here now. No one else is. Find someone else who is young with talent and I'll be on their bandwagon too.

My picks for the future:
Portis
Mason
Alridge
Dorsey on practice squad.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

'You'll see him talking to young guys over the course of practice because he knows how we do it,' Smith said. 'It's one thing for me to teach it and coach it, but when you have guys like Rock that help you help the young guys understand, then you become a better team'

Um, what exactly do the coach's get paid to do? I'll be the first to say we need the vets to help coach up the rookies or young guys. Especially when it comes to offense/defense, but were talking special teams. On KR's it's block someone. On Kick offs its stay in your lane. All Rock has to do is decide if he's going to catch it or let it head toward the endzone. If he decides to catch it run like hell. I guess there is a lot to learn there.

I think Danny explained it pretty well, it's one thing to teach it, it's another to have a player that's been there/done that show the guys how it's done.

I know you have a serious mancrush on Mason, but you're really fishing with stuff like this to justify a way to bump Rock off the team.

[Redskin Warrior]

Are we down to 75 players on the roster now?

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Redskin Warrior

Are we down to 75 players on the roster now?

Yup.

[Redskins_P]

Not that I think it will happen, but just out of curiousity, how much of a cap hit would we take if we cut Betts?

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

Not that I think it will happen, but just out of curiousity, how much of a cap hit would we take if we cut Betts?

$1.975 to keep him, about $2.8 to cut him. Mason is younger and faster and Betts doesn't do anything much better than him. That said, we're not cutting Rock and Betts, and I'd say Rock is more likely to go.

[12thMan]

The way Griff tweaks his back every so often and Haynesworth isn't the most durable guy in the world, I'm betting both Monty and Ceddy make the team. If anything, Wynn is on the bubble. Not that he was that secure to begin with.

[charlied72]

Rock is a good kr. But there's better out there I'm shocked he's still on the roster.

[GTripp0012]

Sellers is safe, unless I'm secretly picking the rosters, in which case the fullback position will probably just slip my mind entirely.