Smoke Signals: Rock Cartwright needs to get over it edition

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.

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'.

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

Ballers ball, haters hate. Don't be a hater, be a baller.

Rock needs to take notes from J. Campbell don't complain acknowledge your disappointed and kill it every time he gets a chance.

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.

Rock makes his living on teams. It is what it is. A #3 RB he's not.

Move on Rock. Your great at what you do, keep on truckin! This is a none issue. Rock will play hard for the SKINS!

This might shed some light on Masons role

"We think [Mason] is a talented running back," Mitchell said. "We went with two quarterbacks, and it just worked out for him this year. We know he can run the ball; he has good hands and good vision."

Mitchell said if Portis and Betts get banged up early in the season and can't practice, Mason would be included in the game plan.

"Last year, they couldn't practice during the course of the week, and [Shaun] Alexander took all the reps but those two guys played in the game," he said. "It wouldn't be that way this year. If Mason takes all the reps, he would definitely take some carries."



Four's a crowd for Redskins' backfield - Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/08/fours-a-crowd-for-redskins/?page=2)

So in essence they feel he's someone who will be able to take that number 2 spot in the future and for right now he seems to be cover for Betts.

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.

This might shed some light on Masons role



Four's a crowd for Redskins' backfield - Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/08/fours-a-crowd-for-redskins/?page=2)

So in essence they feel he's someone who will be able to take that number 2 spot in the future and for right now he seems to be cover for Betts.

Nice find GreekSkin. Sounds like a plan.