PFW: Whispers Around the NFL

http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1838837&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."

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."

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.

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.

and he has a great football name

and he has a great football name


True

Rock is the man

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.

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.

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.