Cartwright Trying To Prove He's Rock Solid

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After playing fullback in his first two NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=8baff6f9bcaf4874bd74ee4c463fb726&lat=1093369311&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0451AB4D95865884F3FACEB8C0), Rock Cartwright has two more preseason games (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=43c5a6c4d7b590dbb651d61dc11ded2a&lat=1093369311&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0451AB5D85865884F3FACEB8C0) to show that he can be a tailback. The 5-foot-7, 210-pounder is coming off a solid season as fullback and short-yardage specialist. He also started three games at tailback because of injuries to Trung Canidate and Ladell Betts and finished with a career-high 411 rushing yards and a team-high four rushing touchdowns on 107 carries.
However, fullbacks are rarely used in Coach Joe Gibbs's two-tight end offense. So the 5-foot-7 Cartwright has shed weight, from 223 to 210, while attempting to make the roster as a tailback.

"I think I'll be more agile to make people miss, and make some moves and get into the open field," said Cartwright, who rushed for 33 yards on 14 attempts in Saturday's 17-0 victory (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=81b8f92de872ec7c04be79787ea2a237&lat=1093369311&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0451AB1DB5865884F3FACEB8C0) over the Miami Dolphins (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=2551bb57d3e9d8e1db07ccd9fb93e47c&lat=1093369311&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0451AB2DA5865884F3FACEB8C0) at Pro Player Stadium. "I'm just trying to go out there and fit in. I'll probably be doing a lot of special teams, so right now that's my main focus, and trying to get this offense down."

Cartwright could be a reserve tailback utilized in short-yardage and goal-line situations. But after John Simon collected 43 yards on 12 carries and Sultan McCullough had 56 yards on 16 carries Saturday, Cartwright faces stiff competition for a roster spot (http://65.54.187.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=95ccd5ced4f577a7205c7187e66821b5&lat=1093369311&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fletters%2ewashingtonpost% 2ecom%2fW7RH0451AB0C55865884F3FACEB8C0).

Cartwright feels that he's a natural tailback after playing the position at Trinity Valley Community College before transferring to Kansas State, where he switched to fullback.

"I've run the ball my whole life," he said. "Once I got to college they started playing me at fullback and a little bit of running back. I'm not unfamiliar with the position."

How is Cartwright selling himself to Gibbs?

"I'm a versatile back and I'm able to do more than one thing," Cartwright responded. "I'm able to run the ball, I'm able to block. I pretty much can do anything they need me to do. I think last year, I proved that I can play running back at this level of football."



By Nunyo Demasio

Memo to Rock:

If you want to stay in DC, focus on special teams play.

If you want to carry the ball, the way to get to Arizona is to head to Las Vegas and make a left...

Even if Rock doesn't make the team, I'm sure someone will pick him up. I think Simon and Mccullough have both moved ahead of him in the roster.....but that's just me. I know some of you guys will argue that...

I think Rock and Simon will make the team thanks to their special teams play.

At this point who do you cut, Rock who has busted his tail or Betts who is yet again nursing another injury?

Gibbs hinted that he wants durable guys, so I think Betts getting cut is a real possibility.

You've got to take Betts over Cartwright if we're comparing pure skills and potential, but who's been on the field more?

no, you cut mccolough cuz he sucks

Was it yesterday's Washington Post that said Byner expects the Skins will only keep four backs? Portis and Morton are locks. So two more have to be cut.

I think Simon is probably gone. He's really worked hard to be on this team, but they didn't really invest anything in him to compel them to keep him. And Sultan looks like he could be prime practice squad material, yet again.

When all is said and done it wouldn't surprise me if they held on to both Rock and Ladell.

rock portis betts morton

Betts - If he plays Friday and doesn't suck (or get re-injured), he's in. He is more of your proto-typical RB in terms of size, and has the most natural talent/potential of them.
Cartwright - Has shown that he can play, and is the "biggest" of them, per inch that is...even at 210 lbs. (210 at 5' 7" is more solid than Simon and McCullough are at around 205 and 5' 11"). Plus, he has proven that he can get the tough yards in short yardage and goal line.
McCullough - Has that break-away speed, but is too much like a "poor man's Portis". Too similar of a style, and he hasn't proven that he can get the tough yards like Portis can.
Simon - The guy most people had written off, but he has shown that he can play and has impressed, especially on ST. He could steal the spot away from Betts or Rock.

All that said, I think it will end up being Betts and Rock backing up Portis, with Morton used occasionally on 3rd down, and possibly keeping Sultan on the practice squad. I think Simon will be one of the tougher cuts they have to make, but will be picked up by another team.

i would be pleased if we cut mccolough and PSed Simon, hes not exactly old