PFW: Whispers Around the NFL

[MonkManiac]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/print?...837&type=story

Some random Redskins-related news posted today (7/13):

"The Redskins, always looking to add D-line depth despite a thin market, were interested in bringing back DT Daryl Gardener before his retirement and would have been interested in former Packers DE Jamal Reynolds, but he was traded to Indianapolis. The Redskins will keep looking, but they have no interest in free-agent pass rusher Jason Gildon."

"Redskins RB Rock Cartwright was thought to be a square peg in a round hole after the hiring of head coach Joe Gibbs (Gibbs doesn't use a traditional fullback), but Cartwright has lost 10 pounds -- from 225 to 215 -- this offseason and looked good at tailback in minicamps. He could make the team over Sultan McCullough as a goal-line or short-yardage back, something Cartwright proved he could handle last season."

And, of course, for comic relief:

"Sources close to the Cowboys say WR Antonio Bryant is back in Dallas working out, but not at the team's facility. The team is kind of hamstrung with Bryant following his lashing out at coach Bill Parcells, because it is so thin at at the position, especially now that recently signed Dedric Ward has suffered a foot injury."

[MonkManiac]

Additionally, the latest on Ogunleye:

"We hear that if the Dolphins and DE Adewale Ogunleye aren't able to come to terms on a long-term contract extension before the season, he intends to sit out the first seven games before returning. According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Dolphins have the right to suspend him for three games after he reports, and Ogunleye must play a minimum of six games to accrue a credited year toward unrestricted free agency in 2005."

[MTK]

Cartwright was the main short yardage back at the end of last year, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the same role again this year, especially if Betts doesn't do anything to excite the staff.

[Redskins_P]

Personally, I would prefer the Rock. Betts just doesn't have the same quickness and cutting ability that Rock has. Plus Rock is a better pass catcher also.

[Bergman14]

and he has a great football name

[Redskins_P]

Originally Posted by Bergman14

and he has a great football name

True

[jasonskin]

Rock is the man

[love them hogs]

I agree with everyting that was just said.I would be very mad if they cut him.I dont really recall too many times last year when we needed a couple of yards and he didnt get them.I wish we could have found a way to use him more.

[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.

[MTK]

To be fair to Rock and all of the backs in fact, they were left on an island when it came to blocking last year. Guys were coming from left and right totally untouched, yes some of it was their fault for not picking up the blocks, some of it was the scheme, and some of it probably had a lot to do with the piss poor coaching.

What I remember more than Cartwrights' poor blocking was Betts not playing 7 games due to injury.

[Daseal]

Don't expect to see Portis taken out of the game when we have situations like this. He cuts so well, even between the tackles, that he's effective EVERYWHERE.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Don't expect to see Portis taken out of the game when we have situations like this. He cuts so well, even between the tackles, that he's effective EVERYWHERE.

Portis is an every down back no doubt, but being that he's a bit undersized and has had some injury problems it's likely that Gibbs will look to keep him fresh whenever he can, either by spelling him in short yardage or goal line situations, or both. He's too valuable to run in to the ground.

[SKINSnCANES]

Kinda sucks from a fantasy standpoint. If you have a great back in portis who gets it to the goalline then someone else scores, kinda like mccants gettings tds after coles got us there. Anyone else think Dick Vermeil has Priest on hsi fantasy team and thereofre always gives him the ball in a scoring situation?

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

Personally, I would prefer the Rock. Betts just doesn't have the same quickness and cutting ability that Rock has. Plus Rock is a better pass catcher also.

while I really like Rock, he's not close to being the same threat as a reciever as Betts is, especially on screens.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Redskins_P

Personally, I would prefer the Rock. Betts just doesn't have the same quickness and cutting ability that Rock has. Plus Rock is a better pass catcher also.

I defiently have to disagree on this one RP, bett's is much quicker, and cutt's better than rock could ever dream of, both can catch, I can understand the sentiment for Rock, I like the guy to, but Bett's is much more talented, hopefully thing's will work out so both will make the team, and be able to contribute.