Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition

[PennSkinsFan]

http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/09/smoke-signals-rock-cartwright-needs-to-get-over-it-edition.html

With the season comes some crying and whining too. First whiner -- Tom Coughlin. Second whiner --- Rock Cartwright.

Tom Coughlin is a because the Redskins signed QB Andre' Woodson.

You daily Redskins linkage

[MTK]

I can understand Rock being a little ticked off. But in the end you know he's going to suck it up and play hard. Not a concern to me at all.

[SBXVII]

He should just be happy he's still on the team. I understand he's a ST's guy but the fact he plays no significance on Offense or Defense kills me. To me he should have been let go for someone who pulls more of their weight. Yet people can complain that Mason doesn't pull his weight on ST's.

I guess if the Skins ST's played lights out I would be more concerned with who's playing there and what they can do, but when the team has been mediocre at ST's for several yrs now I could care less who plays the positions.

[diehard]

They both are capable backs. Cartwright is a solid return man. It would be unethical to have Mason leapfrog Cartwright if Portis or Betts goes down but, not unheard of. I never understood why Mason never worked out much returning punts and/or kickoffs. Hasn't Cartwright proven he's more than capable of spelling?

[dblanch66]

Exactly. Special teams certainly aren't reminicent of the Mike Nelms years or even Brian Mitchell for that matter. Rip off a few more big ones or make bone jarring tackles and maybe I'll weep a little for your supposed plight. As for the running back duties, I'd have rather seen Mason AND Alridge get carries before Rock.

[dmvskinzfan08]

Originally Posted by diehard

They both are capable backs. Cartwright is a solid return man. It would be unethical to have Mason leapfrog Cartwright if Portis or Betts goes down but, not unheard of. I never understood why Mason never worked out much returning punts and/or kickoffs. Hasn't Cartwright proven he's more than capable of spelling?

Simple answer to this question. Hopefully you will figure it out. Tip Toe Burgular.

That is your answer...

[skinsfan69]

I can understand why Rock is pissed off. Your 3rd or 4th string rb MUST play teams yet Mason doesn't? Guys like Mason are a dime a dozen and you can find guys like him in the 7th round of the draft. But Rock needs to realize his role and that's special teams player, not an NFL RB. It's very apparent that the coaches don't like Rock at RB.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I can understand why Rock is pissed off. Your 3rd or 4th string rb MUST play teams yet Mason doesn't? Guys like Mason are a dime a dozen and you can find guys like him in the 7th round of the draft. But Rock needs to realize his role and that's special teams player, not an NFL RB. It's very apparent that the coaches don't like Rock at RB.

Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??

[diehard]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??

Mason will see the field when Portis goes down and Betts will still serve as the 3rd down back. Or Betts steps up and Mason becomes the third down back.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??

I think Mason is the 53rd guy on the roster. Inactive most Sundays, getting reps during the week but if there's a need to add someone, he's the first to go. Did Alridge get picked up on anyone's practice squad? I'm a little surprised that he was cut but I think his J-Vill fumble meant he couldn't be on the opening day roster but I won't be shocked to see him back (if available).

As to the OP, Rock has shown three coaches that he's not an NFL running back. He's a solid, but not a Pro Bowl level, special teams player on a team with average to below average special teams. If he wasn't on the team I don't think he's the difference between 10-6 and 6-10. In the immortal words of THE Rock, he needs to 'know his role and shut his mouth'.

[Lotus]

I can understand Rock's frustration but I do not know what he hoped to accomplish by venting to the press.

[PennSkinsFan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??

I agree Matt. It is almost as if it is a fan move only. Besides not playing special teams, I certainly would not want him back there blocking. So I am not sure why I would want him back there. Seems like a wasted roster spot to me.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??

Mason is on the the team to (maybe) take Betts' roster spot next season. From limited action I think it was clear that Mason was a superior back to either Dorsey or Aldridge. Yes, they could probably beat him in a foot race, but straight-line speed is not what separates NFL running backs. In my opinion the most important quality for a back to have is lateral agility. Everyone likes to talk about Darren Sproles or Leon Washington as "change of pace backs," and it would be nice to have a player like that on the team. But what makes those players special is not their speed, per se, but rather than dynamic lateral explosiveness. That is why those guys score touchdowns. If they were just fast guys they would not be dangerous (see Michael Bennett or Darren McFadden). Lateral agility is what made Tomlinson an all-time great in his prime, it is what makes Portis elite (even though he doesn't score 60 yard tds), and it is what separates Mason from guys like Aldrige or Dorsey. Sure, Mason is not a "change of pace" in that he can score from anywhere, but neither Aldrige or Dorsey was that player either (they were just fast, not dynamic). Mason gives the team a potential #2 back who can replace Betts and that is why he is here.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Keeping Mason over Dorsey or Aldridge still doesn't make sense to me. He's not a change of pace, he doesn't play teams, Betts is the 3rd down back, so when is Mason going to see the field??

I'm probably one of the biggest and loudest Mason fans over the off season, but I have to totally agree with you. If they were looking for a change of pace Mason is not it. He's a younger, healthier, hungryer Betts. Someone I thought could be groomed for the future. I am glad they kept him but I'm baffled.

[roth74va]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I'm probably one of the biggest and loudest Mason fans over the off season, but I have to totally agree with you. If they were looking for a change of pace Mason is not it. He's a younger, healthier, hungryer Betts. Someone I thought could be groomed for the future. I am glad they kept him but I'm baffled.

Your right, no way is Mason a change of pace. I know it doesnt fix anything this year, but Id bet you get your wish come next year. Betts and Rock will both be gone, and we can finally get our "change of pace".