Update on Rock
 

[url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/]Redskins Insider[/url]

Jason Reid sends this epistle from Redskins Park:

Return specialist Rock Cartwright stopped by Redskins Park today, but his visit had nothing to do with free agency. After picking up his mail and chatting briefly with special teams coach Danny Smith, Cartwright acknowledged the free-agent process hasn't been much fun for him yet.
"Kind of frustrated," he said. "Thought something would have been happened by now, but it hasn't. I'm sure something will happen, hopefully soon."

Cartwright became a free agent when he achieved performance incentives last season that voided the remainder of his contract. He is believed to be seeking $2 million in guaranteed money in his next contract, which is more than the Redskins are willing to pay.

Vinny Cerrato has said he's interested in re-signing Rock. At this point, however, Cartwright isn't interested in taking the veteran's minimum. Of course, he could change his mind if the process drags on and no one offers what he wants.

"We're just waiting around to see what's going to happen," Cartwright said. "I know the market's kind of slow right now."

Waiting has been the toughest part for Cartwright, who figured he would have drawn more interest from teams after ranking sixth in the NFL with 1,339 yards on kickoff returns.

"I would love to finish my career as a Washington Redskin, but ultimately that's not up to me," he said. "I love the organization, I love the fans, I would love to be here."

As for any other news on free agency, there's still not much to report. Cerrato says the Redskins have no visits scheduled for the remainder of this week or early next week.

Cerrato and Karl Swanson continue to interview candidates for the Redskins' top media relations job that opened when the team decided to move forward without Chris Helein. The buzz around the complex is that Chad Steele, the Ravens' director of media relations, is the front-runner (it's supposedly his job to lose).

Cerrato has continued to reach out to agents of free agents the Redskins are interested in signing if prices start dropping considerably, which could happen next week. The coaching staff has been preparing for the draft while working on the new offensive playbook, and that's about it from out here at the complex.

I've been working solo at the park the last few days while J La searches for a house (remember the Carrington Estate in "Dynasty"?), but he continues to work the phones like an animal. From what we can gather, the Redskins will remain on the sideline unless they can get a bargain.

I recently put down some roots in the area, leaving behind the sunshine and warmth of California for my foreseeable future. I'm all about the Redskins all the time now, so please keep reading so I can feed the wife and kid.

I'll be hanging out with the super people from Comcast SportsNet tomorrow night between 5-6 p.m. on "Washington Post Live." My main man Dave Sheinin (simply one of the best baseball writers in the country) and rising Post prep writer Paul Tenorio (he'll probably have my job by this time next year) are scheduled to be guests on the show, so they'll be able to carry me. Later.

Re: Update on Rock
 

Looks like nothing new. At least it cuts down on my internet time.

Re: Update on Rock
 

Ok Ok Ok... I Got The Rock Thing....let Him Go If He's All About Money! Everyone Else Is Restructuring And He's Holding Out For More Money. We Want Winners And People Who Want To Be A Team Player!

Any Way I Had A Question About Sean Taylor (god Rest His Soul). Are We Going To Get Compesated Any Pics Or Anything For Him????? I Heard About This A While Ago But Nothing Since.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=HOGS"WILD"FAN7TY7;430004]Ok Ok Ok... I Got The Rock Thing....let Him Go If He's All About Money! Everyone Else Is Restructuring And He's Holding Out For More Money. We Want Winners And People Who Want To Be A Team Player!

Any Way I Had A Question About Sean Taylor (god Rest His Soul). Are We Going To Get Compesated Any Pics Or Anything For Him????? I Heard About This A While Ago But Nothing Since.[/quote]

Damn, talk about coming in with a full head of steam. Welcome to the forum.

However I think you should know that guys who restructure are just getting more guranteed money. And since Snyder is a willing spender he's more then happy to restructure contracts. Thats why everyone around the league doesn't restructure nearly as much as the Redskins. You can ask our cap experts on this for more clarification, but restructuring isn't exactly taking one for the team. It's more like taking a new car and a year or two on the town. Maybe even a condo. Or a night with the "Ultimate Focus" girl *Happy Face* :D

Springs was offered a pay-cut not a restructure and for some reason that might have contributed to a lot of us being confused as to what a restructure was.

As far as getting comp, well apparently we're getting a late third round pick due to the fact that Dockery was a starter for us and ended up landing a huge contract from Buffalo. Rocky on the other hand looks like he'll be back eventually. I'm just glad that he's not burning any bridges. However I kind of wish they'd pay him a little more hten the veteran minimum.

To me, in the big scheme of things $2 million guranteed isn't that much, then again I'm not looking at the cap every day.

Also, thanks to the cap guys for helping me look like I know what I'm talking about. :thumb:

Re: Update on Rock
 

[QUOTE=HOGS"WILD"FAN7TY7;430004]Any Way I Had A Question About Sean Taylor (god Rest His Soul). Are We Going To Get Compesated Any Pics Or Anything For Him????? I Heard About This A While Ago But Nothing Since.[/QUOTE]

Welcome to the board. Please try to avoid capitalizing the first letter of every word. You will find that far more people will read and respond to your posts if they are easy to read.

As to the substance of your post, we will not be awarded any compensatory draft picks for the loss of Sean Taylor. Compensatory draft picks are based on losses to free agency, not illness, injury, death, etc.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;430009]Welcome to the board. Please try to avoid capitalizing the first letter of every word. You will find that far more people will read and respond to your posts if they are easy to read.

As to the substance of your post, we will not be awarded any compensatory draft picks for the loss of Sean Taylor. Compensatory draft picks are based on losses to free agency, not illness, injury, death, etc.[/quote]

Are we getting any cap relief for Sean's salary? IMO sudden death of a player should let us off the hook for his remaining salary. Bad enough we had to play that game against Buffalo before he was even buried. It would be the least the league could do for us. I know there was previous discussion about this in a another thread regarding Darrent Williams, but I don't remember the answer and I'm too lazy to search around right now.

Re: Update on Rock
 

The problem is Betts can do Rock's job just as good or better. He really doesn't have any leverage.

Re: Update on Rock
 

Rock plays in all phases of special teams...kick-offs, kick returns, field goal trys, extra point trys, and he plays 3rd string RB. Dude contributes a great deal to this team and seeing how Snyder tossed 10+ million to Lloyd is 2 million in guaranteed money too much to ask for someone who has been with the team for 6 seasons and has contributed a lot to the team? Big FU goes out to Snyder.

Re: Update on Rock
 

Well no one is knocking down Rock's door so it doesn't make sense to throw all this money at Rock when there is no need to. Not at this point, at least.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=SmootSmack;430047]Well no one is knocking down Rock's door so it doesn't make sense to throw all this money at Rock when there is no need to. Not at this point, at least.[/quote]

Business first?

Re: Update on Rock
 

Yeah I mean there are two ways of looking at it. Rock has been a loyal, serviceable member of this team for the past 6 years and emerged as a team leader. So the least the Redskins could do is reward him for that.

On the other hand, the Redskins were the team that gave him his opportunity (and I believe it was Snyder specifically who wanted his staff to take a chance on Rock) and there simply isn't, at this time, a huge demand for his services. Which is interesting, because more and more teams are looking for that dynamic special teams player (everyone wants the next Devin Hester)

So it's business all around. What I don't like is Rock saying he wants to be here but it's ultimately not up to him. It's the same thing Pierce was saying, and it's not true. Yes, it takes two to tango but Rock makes it sound as if he has no say over the matter, but he does. If being a Redskin is that important to him then he can agree on a lower price. Not saying he should, just saying he has that option should it come to that. At the same time he could decide to leave no matter how good the deal is, so a lot of it is up to him.

Re: Update on Rock
 

So the question is what should the Redskins do if Rock gets a 5 year 6 million dollar contract with 2 of the 6 million being guaranteed from some other team?

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=SmootSmack;430051]Yeah I mean there are two ways of looking at it. Rock has been a loyal, serviceable member of this team for the past 6 years and emerged as a team leader. So the least the Redskins could do is reward him for that.

On the other hand, the Redskins were the team that gave him his opportunity (and I believe it was Snyder specifically who wanted his staff to take a chance on Rock) and there simply isn't, at this time, a huge demand for his services. Which is interesting, because more and more teams are looking for that dynamic special teams player (everyone wants the next Devin Hester)

So it's business all around. What I don't like is Rock saying he wants to be here but it's ultimately not up to him. It's the same thing Pierce was saying, and it's not true. Yes, it takes two to tango but Rock makes it sound as if he has no say over the matter, but he does. If being a Redskin is that important to him then he can agree on a lower price. Not saying he should, just saying he has that option should it come to that. At the same time he could decide to leave no matter how good the deal is, so a lot of it is up to him.[/quote]

Well think about it this way, it is clear he should get paid a bit more and he just wanted to be compensated. Of course he should just say he wants 2 mil be a Skin but I do not think he doesn't prefer to remain a redskin if he gets that number.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[QUOTE=saden1;430053]So the question is what should the Redskins do if Rock gets a 5 year 6 million dollar contract with 2 of the 6 million being guaranteed from some other team?[/QUOTE]

You mean should the Redskins match?

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=SmootSmack;430062]You mean should the Redskins match?[/quote]

Yeah.

Re: Update on Rock
 

i dont think anyone is going to pay him big money in the nfl. he was a good kick returner, but not a gamebreaker like dante hall used to be or devin hester. rock gets us consistently to the 30 but he rarely takes it past the 45 or so, he is a good kick returner but not elite. he does to the special teams duties but that can be taken care of for less. i want him back, but he seems to value himself a little high

Re: Update on Rock
 

Rock isn't the impact player that will warrant more $$$$$$$. Let him go, he is a special teams lifer anyway.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=Big C;430069]i dont think anyone is going to pay him big money in the nfl. he was a good kick returner, but not a gamebreaker like dante hall used to be or devin hester. rock gets us consistently to the 30 but he rarely takes it past the 45 or so, he is a good kick returner but not elite. he does to the special teams duties but that can be taken care of for less. i want him back, but he seems to value himself a little high[/quote]

honestly I like Rock alot, but I really think his returns had less to do with his skills and more with the scheme. It isn't like he is making tons of cuts on his own, he is just running straight through the wedge and nothing else.

Re: Update on Rock
 

He will probably be back with the team...I doubt anyone will pay him more.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=hooskins;430076]honestly I like Rock alot, but I really think his returns had less to do with his skills and more with the scheme. It isn't like he is making tons of cuts on his own, he is just running straight through the wedge and nothing else.[/quote]

Come on, you can say the same thing about Portis and most RBs in the league as it relates to carrying the ball. Last time I checked Portis hasn't broken a long run in a while, not since his first carry as a Redskin against the Bucs.

Re: Update on Rock
 

I think ALL special teamers are underappreciated. Go to any other team forum and ask if anyone knows who Ethan Albright is... I hope Rock returns. There have been few Skins over the past ten years who have worked as hard as he has. While we are on the subject, props to James Thrash too.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=Stuck in TX;430082]I think ALL special teamers are underappreciated. Go to any other team forum and ask if anyone knows who Ethan Albright is... I hope Rock returns. There have been few Skins over the past ten years who have worked as hard as he has. While we are on the subject, [B]props to James Thrash too[/B].[/quote]

Thank you!

Re: Update on Rock
 

I'm really not surprised that Rock isn't finding much interest out there. I'd like to see him back but he's really not worth much more than the veteran minimum. If he can find more out there more power to him.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=hooskins;430076]honestly I like Rock alot, but I really think his returns had less to do with his skills and more with the scheme. It isn't like he is making tons of cuts on his own, he is just running straight through the wedge and nothing else.[/quote]

I agree to a point. He's not a dynamic return man but I do think he excels at finding the crease and hitting it at full speed. In that regard he reminds me alot of Brian Mitchell.

Re: Update on Rock
 

I believe it all depends on the team needs. Rocks problem is that we have Betts and Thrash who can do his job just as good or better then him. I would have lumped Randel El in there but he has never impressed me with his return duties and I hope they stop having him return.

Betts is only the relief man on the RB squad. Why not have him do the all returns unless Portis gets hurt. We also have Marcus Mason waiting in the wings who is already getting paid a lot less and probubly could do just as good.

I'm all for Rock testing the market. who knows maybe someone will need a second RB similar to what Betts is doing for us. But I think he needs to check his money amount at the door and realize that we have enough people to fill his shoes and that if he WANTS to be a Reskin then he will have to probubly take a cut in pay.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[QUOTE=saden1;430063]Yeah.[/QUOTE]

I don't think he should be a priority at this point

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=hooskins;430076]honestly I like Rock alot, but I really think his returns had less to do with his skills and more with the scheme. It isn't like he is making tons of cuts on his own, he is just running straight through the wedge and nothing else.[/quote]

I agree for the most part, though I will point out that any good return man gets it going north-south asap & Rock does that. He's not a guy that will make much happen if the blocks aren't there & he certainly lacks breakaway speed & moves. The return team blocks well & he's done an adequate job of "finding the crease" as Matty said.

Rock's problem is that there are so many rb's that can do better at returns & especially at rb. It's a position that can be easily filled in the 4th-7th rounds w/more athletic players than Rock. Remember, this dude was a fullback as a rookie.

I think Rock's real value is in special teams coverage & attitude. He brings that fire that's needed on any special teams unit & leads by example. Even if you have 11 great athletes on a spec. teams unit, you need someone to step up & get the whole unit fired up. Rock seems to do that. His recovery of Thrash's (another great teams guy) fumbled punt return v. Detroit kinda summarized his value to the Skins.

I would love to see him back for a 3-4 yr. deal, 1 mil in guarantees/bonuses, maybe a no. of incentives. I think that's realistic.

Re: Update on Rock
 

The cap is $116 million and he is asking for 2 million signing bonous spread out over several years. Skins aren't going to be exactly breaking the bank if they give him a decent contract.

In the words of Lucilla "The mob is fickle brother. He'll be forgotten in a month."

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=freddyg12;430143][B]I agree for the most part, though I will point out that any good return man gets it going north-south asap & Rock does that.[/B] He's not a guy that will make much happen if the blocks aren't there & he certainly lacks breakaway speed & moves. The return team blocks well & he's done an adequate job of "finding the crease" as Matty said.

Rock's problem is that there are so many rb's that can do better at returns & especially at rb. It's a position that can be easily filled in the 4th-7th rounds w/more athletic players than Rock. Remember, this dude was a fullback as a rookie.

I think Rock's real value is in special teams coverage & attitude. He brings that fire that's needed on any special teams unit & leads by example. Even if you have 11 great athletes on a spec. teams unit, you need someone to step up & get the whole unit fired up. Rock seems to do that. His recovery of Thrash's (another great teams guy) fumbled punt return v. Detroit kinda summarized his value to the Skins.

I would love to see him back for a 3-4 yr. deal, 1 mil in guarantees/bonuses, maybe a no. of incentives. I think that's realistic.[/quote]

And I think that is what I was originally aiming at, but I was too lazy to elaborate. I don't think Rock is especially great, because we can find others like him. And I realize knowing when to go N-S is important for a returnman but is not natural gifted talent which deserves extra compensation.

I do agree, however, his energy and impact on special teams are important X-factors but as many of you have said being a locker room presence should not play a huge role in determining salary.

Re: Update on Rock
 

I have a feeling he's not going to find what he's looking for on the open market and when push comes to shove he'll end up back here with a modest raise in salary.

Re: Update on Rock
 

[quote=Mattyk72;430177]I have a feeling he's not going to find what he's looking for on the open market and when push comes to shove he'll end up back here with a modest raise in salary.[/quote]

Same looks like no one is ready to pay give him what he wants and he will just be in the burgundy and gold.

Re: Update on Rock
 

I like Rock Cartright and I can't blame him for checking out other teams interests, but i just don't see him getting big $. No offense to him b/c he does a very good job, but like mentioned before a couple of other players could fill in as KR and do a decent enough job.

I too see him re-upping w/ a modest pay raise.

Re: Update on Rock
 

*I* certainly would have no objection to the Rock returning next year, neither can I blame him for testing his worth on the market. I also hope he dosen't have an over inflated opinion of himself, beleiving he has more value than he actually does.

TBH, I would like to see more speed and versatility at the KR position than he brings. Not trying to diminish what he does, but would just like to see an upgrade there.

Re: Update on Rock
 

NFL Network (Adam Schefter) reports the Redskins sign Rock to 3yr/$3million contract.

Re: Update on Rock
 

I like Rock and all but there is a problem.. he takes up a 3rd RB slot....one that should be reserved for young talent...
So...if we want to draft a RB with later picks, we will have to carry 4 RBs with Rock on the roster...which means we cant carry as many WR or TE..
I'm not a fan of that idea.
I think we need 3 RB that can carry the team for a game or two...
I just dont think Rock can do that....on top of that...its not like hes a situational back...like a 3rd and long pass threat out of the backfield.
He was supposed to be a short yard king, but that just didn't happen.

The more I think of it, we should offer him what he got last year....and if he takes it, he should battle for his roster spot with any Free agents or Draft picks.

Yes, he is a special teams stud, but that can only cover so much.
I'd personally rather have a pass recieving young RB with Betts returning kicks