MVN - Most Valuable Network

Limited carries limited opportunities for free agent Rock Cartwright

We asked Redskins Encyclopedia author Michael Richman for his thoughts on Washington resigning free agent kick returner Rock Cartwright. Here’s what he wrote:

“Retaining Rock Cartwright is another nice move for the Redskins this offseason. Rock is a solid kick returner who has a career average of nearly 24 yards on kick returns and often gives the Redskins excellent field position. He set a team record in 2006 for kickoff return yards with 1,541, including a 100-yard return for a TD. But his minimal carries in recent seasons, including only two for zero yards last season, significantly reduced his value on the free agency market as he searched for a role as a No. 1 running back. Other NFL teams refused to take a chance on him because they had little opportunity to see him carry the ball in recent years. It’s good that he will remain a member of the burgundy and gold.”

I’m delighted that Rock will remain with the team. He is a solid contributor. As a fan, I’m invested in him. He’s one of “our guys.” I’d rather buy his jersey and watch the team win with Rock than with some other guy who may have done OK elsewhere but is a question mark here.  

Sentiment is the only reason I’m glad Cartwright stays. Had he left, I’m confident that Marcus Mason could fill the void.  
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The Redskins low key offseason is a pleasant surprise. So far, they have avoided paying too much for average talent. There have been no free agents signed elsewhere who I wished were here instead.

I can’t tell yet if that’s because the Washington Redskins front office is properly valuing talent for once, or is still unsettled from the curious coach search. 

Be careful what you wish for. There are no guarantees in life or football, so no assurance that this more moderate approach will yield a championship. Mistakes made through this approach won’t kneecap the future, either.  
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The Redskins re-signed reserve defensive lineman Ryan Boschetti.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 4:07 pm and is filed under Rock Cartwright, Redskins, Washington Redskins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.