Redskins’ Rock Cartwright gets his Shot
I was waiting patiently in the front lobby of Redskins Park recently under a cloud of doom and gloom. It was 8:00 AM on Monday morning after the Washington Redskins had just lost to the Lions giving Detroit their first win after losing 19 straight. Rock Cartwright was one of the first players to arrive that morning. His steps were swift and he stood tall despite his listed 5’8 frame. As he walked past me he cordially said “Good Morning” and went about his business. The positive energy exuded from him was far ahead of other players as they trickled in aside from James Thrash whom, although is no longer a player seems to still serve as quasi mentor or chaplain for the club.
Cartwright is a person I would consider to be the “Ultimate Redskin”. He displays the character and determination of the type of player that defines what our city is about and what we want from our football team. Drafted by the Redskins out of Kansas State in the 7th round of the 2002 draft he has been a lifelong Redskin, loyal to the team that gave him his shot in the NFL. Through many of Washington’s low moments he has always been here, becoming a noted leader in the locker room. Coaches depend on his leadership and example. He has been the cornerstone of the special teams’ squad throughout his 8 year career.
It’s hard to compare the chaos involved in a kickoff, to any other event in sports. Few players posses the tenacity and toughness that it takes to make a living on special teams. Your opponent is seventy yards from you, running and screaming at full speed with the goal of taking away what is rightfully yours and inflicting as much pain as possible in the process. There is no glory in it, only respect that is earned by putting your body on the line for the greater good in the battle for field position. Rock Cartwright experiences this on both sides of the ball several times every game, week in and week out, year after year.
Rock is now reaching the age where running backs are considered to start “leveling off” and their skills begin to diminish. Ironically this has become Cartwright’s opportunity to be the featured back in the Redskins offense. With LaDell Betts done for the season and Clinton Portis in no rush to return, it is now Cartwright’s turn to be the man. He refers to the moment as a “dream come true”. Finally all of his persistence and work ethic has come through. After Portis’ injury the running game has improved for the Redskins. With Betts and Cartwright in the mix the tough yards are being gained as opposed to Portis’ “touch me once and fall down” technique. Cartwright will never have the star power of Portis. He may not be the biggest and strongest physically, but he has a heart that could swallow Jerry Jones’ ego and Dallas’ new stadium up whole.
The Redskins now standing with 3 wins and 7 losses will not be going to the post season this year. They will not share in the pride of being good enough to compete with the best in the league. Many will say the season is finished. Perhaps they are right but I don’t completely believe so. There is still a lot to be said of this Redskins team. In these final six contests we will see who wants to be in Washington and who doesn’t. We will see which players and coaches have fight left in them and are able to maintain the focus to compete. We will see to whom pride still matters, and Rock will be leading the charge.
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