RedskinsVision
08-19-2004, 01:53 AM
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031777397127&path=%21sports%21redskins&s=1045855935462
WELCOME BACK: Running back Ladell Betts took part in his second straight day of practice yesterday after missing more than a week with a strained hamstring. He took part in individual drills Tuesday, then added time in the passing offense yesterday.
Apparently, Betts has been worth the wait. He's listed as the backup for Clinton Portis.
"I love Ladell," said running backs coach Earnest Byner. "He's very gifted. He's got the right temperament and he learns very quickly. When I tell him something, I see it [get done] very quickly with Ladell.
"We don't want to push him too fast, but I am anxious to see him in a game. He has the ability to be an impact player."
In his two seasons with the Redskins, though, Betts has had almost as many injuries as he has had rushing yards. Last year, an elbow injury forced him out of a number of preseason practices and a broken arm limited him to just nine regular-season games.
"The ability to be available is a very important ability to us," Byner said. "We're hoping this is his one injury, and he'll be all right the rest of the year.
"One thing I look for is to see how an injury affects a player mentally. I was injured during my playing career. No one wants to go through that pain. The important thing is how do you come back from that and do you stay mentally fresh while you are injured? I'll be watching Ladell to make sure he's all right in those areas."
http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20040819-120936-9371r.htm
Cartwright's ultimate status with the club remains uncertain — he could conceivably fall anywhere from second-string tailback to unemployed. He's one of five backup rushers, along with Betts, Chad Morton, Sultan McCullough and John Simon, competing for three or four spots on the opening day roster.
But the way Gibbs speaks about him, it seems safe to say Cartwright will play a significant role this season in one capacity or another, despite early suggestions he would have no place on this team.
"I told him, 'Don't pay attention to what's written. Pay attention to what you're doing out here,' " Gibbs said yesterday. "Because Rock Cartwright has been there on every down. He plays special teams, and he's been carrying the ball for us. He's been real impressive to me. ... That's one of those guys it looks like you're going to be able to count on."
Gibbs and his fellow coaches didn't know what to make of Cartwright when they first arrived in town. It didn't take long, though, for running backs coach Earnest Byner to fall in love with this mighty mite.
"The first guy that came to see me in the offseason was Rock," Byner said. "He came in and said, 'Coach, I just want an opportunity to compete. That's all I'm looking for. I want to be with this team.' That's the first thing that really stood out to me about Rock: He has the desire."
WELCOME BACK: Running back Ladell Betts took part in his second straight day of practice yesterday after missing more than a week with a strained hamstring. He took part in individual drills Tuesday, then added time in the passing offense yesterday.
Apparently, Betts has been worth the wait. He's listed as the backup for Clinton Portis.
"I love Ladell," said running backs coach Earnest Byner. "He's very gifted. He's got the right temperament and he learns very quickly. When I tell him something, I see it [get done] very quickly with Ladell.
"We don't want to push him too fast, but I am anxious to see him in a game. He has the ability to be an impact player."
In his two seasons with the Redskins, though, Betts has had almost as many injuries as he has had rushing yards. Last year, an elbow injury forced him out of a number of preseason practices and a broken arm limited him to just nine regular-season games.
"The ability to be available is a very important ability to us," Byner said. "We're hoping this is his one injury, and he'll be all right the rest of the year.
"One thing I look for is to see how an injury affects a player mentally. I was injured during my playing career. No one wants to go through that pain. The important thing is how do you come back from that and do you stay mentally fresh while you are injured? I'll be watching Ladell to make sure he's all right in those areas."
http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20040819-120936-9371r.htm
Cartwright's ultimate status with the club remains uncertain — he could conceivably fall anywhere from second-string tailback to unemployed. He's one of five backup rushers, along with Betts, Chad Morton, Sultan McCullough and John Simon, competing for three or four spots on the opening day roster.
But the way Gibbs speaks about him, it seems safe to say Cartwright will play a significant role this season in one capacity or another, despite early suggestions he would have no place on this team.
"I told him, 'Don't pay attention to what's written. Pay attention to what you're doing out here,' " Gibbs said yesterday. "Because Rock Cartwright has been there on every down. He plays special teams, and he's been carrying the ball for us. He's been real impressive to me. ... That's one of those guys it looks like you're going to be able to count on."
Gibbs and his fellow coaches didn't know what to make of Cartwright when they first arrived in town. It didn't take long, though, for running backs coach Earnest Byner to fall in love with this mighty mite.
"The first guy that came to see me in the offseason was Rock," Byner said. "He came in and said, 'Coach, I just want an opportunity to compete. That's all I'm looking for. I want to be with this team.' That's the first thing that really stood out to me about Rock: He has the desire."