PFW: Whispers Around the NFL

sportscurmudgeon · 07-13-2004, 08:03 PM

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.

joecrisp · 07-14-2004, 06:34 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-14-2004, 10:54 AM

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.

MTK · 07-13-2004, 08:09 PM

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 · 07-13-2004, 08:14 PM

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 · 07-13-2004, 11:20 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-13-2004, 11:37 PM

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?

BossHog · 07-14-2004, 02:00 PM

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!

offiss · 07-14-2004, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

Plain and simple, there is no way Rock hit's the hole faster than Bett's, Bett's has been unfortunate in the injury dept. but never sustained an injury in college, I think his injuries have been coincidental, he tried to come back to soon last year with the forearm injury, and it never really healed, Bett's can be a very, very, good back, nothing I saw from Rock last year told me that he can't be replaced, he's solid, but he will alway's be a tweener.

cpayne5 · 07-14-2004, 02:48 PM

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 · 07-14-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

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.

cpayne5 · 07-14-2004, 03:54 PM

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

MTK · 07-14-2004, 04:22 PM

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

That Guy · 07-14-2004, 04:54 PM

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.

That Guy · 07-15-2004, 07:19 AM

woah, just looked, watson had 800 yds in 2002, 23 kick returns, 0 fumbles, not bad for a backup.

seems like cutting him was dumb; those numbers beat rock in all categories...

07-13-2004, 11:37 PM	#7
SKINSnCANES Pro Bowl Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Age: 43 Posts: 5,455	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? __________________ "I'm used to winning, coming from the University of Miami. " Clinton Portis

07-14-2004, 02:48 PM	#10
cpayne5 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,807	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 __________________ "It's not about what you've done, but what's been done for you."

07-14-2004, 03:54 PM	#12
cpayne5 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,807	Oh, 2k2 season. I was under the impression that you guys were talking about the 2k3 season. I'm sorry. __________________ "It's not about what you've done, but what's been done for you."

07-13-2004, 08:03 PM	#1
sportscurmudgeon Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,159	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.

07-14-2004, 10:54 AM	#3
memphisskin Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 53 Posts: 960	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.

07-13-2004, 08:09 PM	#4
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,832	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.

07-13-2004, 08:14 PM	#5
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 42 Posts: 8,341	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.

07-14-2004, 02:00 PM	#8
BossHog Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Norfolk, Va Posts: 665	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!

07-14-2004, 04:22 PM	#13
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,832	Betts didn't play enough last year to get the chance to fumble, LOL

07-14-2004, 04:54 PM	#14
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,620	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.

07-15-2004, 07:19 AM	#15
That Guy Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VA Age: 42 Posts: 17,620	woah, just looked, watson had 800 yds in 2002, 23 kick returns, 0 fumbles, not bad for a backup. seems like cutting him was dumb; those numbers beat rock in all categories...

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